MEET THE DESIGNER

A LOCAL DESIGNER DEFINES DESIGN WITH AN EXPERT EYE FOR ANTIQUES, VINTAGE AND ART

How did you get started in interior design? In the late '80s I had a home design store in Palm Beach. One day someone came in and asked me to help me them with their house. Things took off from there. Prior to that I really had no intention of practicing interior design. What brought you up to the Hamptons? I started spending summers here in 1995. Before that we would travel around Europe, but after my son was born we wanted to stay in one house near the beach and the country. We came to the Hamptons and liked it enough to stay through winter. I moved here full time in 2001. You live in East Hampton. Why there? I love every town here. They are all unique and I could have a house in each, but I always felt a strong draw to East Hampton. What is your own home like? The main structure is built like a potato barn, but the other side opens to the backyard and looks like a normal house. The aesthetic is classic modern. I collect vintage furniture, lots of chairs, art and books. I try to keep it very casual, low key and comfortable. How do you incorporate art into your design? I am a passionate collector so if I buy a work I want to be able to use it in my life. I generally don't buy for specific things and certainly never to match. I let the art speak to me and I try to bring that same concept to my clients. What is one design resource that you cannot live without? RE Steele Antiques. Russ is an amazing person, dealer and friend. One of the things I love about my job is that I make close relationships with a lot of different people: dealers, shop owners, etc. All are special to my projects and, in turn, I think people are partially attracted to my work because I use a lot of incredible antique and vintage furniture. Old things bring history into your home and that heritage connects to people, making the design special. The relationships I have with these dealers and shop owners, that's a history, too, and that goes into the projects, as well. You were design director of the 2005 HC&G Idea House. How was that experience? It was a fun and crazy project. People assume that various designers working together create a competitive environment, but for the most part I found that people were really nice and complimentary. Have you explored any of the new hotels on the East End? I've been to Surf Lodge, but not really any of the others. I can't go into specifics, but look out in the future for a Robert Stilin-designed hotel. What excites you in the world of design now? I have an amazing group of clients who are so supportive and who have allowed me to keep growing. I am at a place in my career now where things are starting to come together, and I am thankful and grateful everyday for the experience.