In Good Company: Matthew Patrick Smyth
Saturday, May 21st, 2011
Mention Matthew Patrick Smyth in conversation and everyone will remark about his warm, genteel, and generous nature.
Expert at the interweaving of European and American traditions, Michael Patrick Smyth’s rooms hold art, architecture and design as the sacred trinity. Another threesome, which intrigues Matthew, is his homes in Paris, Connecticut and New York City, seen in several of the photos below.
I first became enamored by Matthew Patrick Smyth’s work, when I saw his dining room at the Hampton Designer Show house at Villa Maria, in Watermill, NY. See Heather Clawson’s photos and story of his current room, at the 2011 Kips Bay Show House here.
I have run into, the always sharply dressed Matthew, in the streets of Paris and have broken bread with him, but I really got to know him through reading his terrific new book, Living Traditions: Interiors by Matthew Patrick Smyth, by Monacelli Press. With a wonderfully honest introduction, the book with principal photography by John Gruen, reads like a short story. In the book, he says, “Much of interior design is about saying yes while saying no-or, more accurately, narrowing down the options.” This curatorial approach is why Matthew Patrick Smyth is the lexicon of design grace.
Enjoy The Good Company of Matthew Patrick Smyth.
D: Biggest thrill in your life?
MPS: When I got my first apartment in NYC. It was a six floor walk-up studio, for $200 a month. I was thrilled!
D: Critical moment in a designer’s life?
MPS: When you realize you have made the right career move.
D: If you were not an Interior Designer, what profession would you like to explore?
MPS: I would be a grade school art teacher. Perhaps, I will someday.
D: What can someone do to grab your attention?
MPS: Show me a sincere smile.
MPS: Measure and re-measure.
D: What does Design mean to you?
MPS: That which makes life, both functional and beautiful.
D: What is your idea of the perfect weekend?
MPS: Thursday night flight to Paris.
D: What is your signature look or signature quality of your life and work?
MPS: Thought out and appropriate for the client and space.
D: What is your working studio like?
MPS: It can range from being terribly neat to a terrible mess and back again. I prefer the neat end but….
D: What makes you feel most empowered?
MPS: My car parked downstairs and ready to go.
D: What methodology do you use to begin your work?
MPS: First things first. It’s easy for me to get distracted, so I have to work at it.
D: Where did your creative journey begin?
MPS: When I transferred schools in third grade, we were given a coloring exercise. When the nun collected them, she held mine up and asked who did it. I thought I was in trouble! However, to her, it was the best. This moment started my new identity of being able to draw and color. I always drew, but up to that point, I had assumed everyone did.
D: Who are your current Design Icons?
MPS: David Easton and believe it or not… Philippe Starck.
D: Words to live by?
MPS: Whatever floats your boat!
D: Favorite charity?
MPS: Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club.
Photographs used by permission, copyright © Matthew Patrick Smyth.
In Good Company: Harry Heissmann
Thursday, April 21st, 2011
The thing about German-born Interior Designer Harry is. . .
he is not a formula.
His bespoke heritage pushes the boundaries of the current commonplace beige palettes. His unexpected and magical uses of color and objects are expressed in interiors of striking variety. The result of his vision is a bit of; fashion designer Matthew Williamson meets Auntie Mame in Manhattan. All about the sophistication of the mix, all about the statement.
Susanna Salk, design expert, author, and Today Show contributor says, “What I love about Harry is that, while his European upbringing underscores his traditional love of family and decorum, it is married with a completely forward approach that life is full of colorful possibility and surprise. And his vibrant rooms reflect that.”
Harry Heissmann launched his firm two years ago, after working with the venerable Albert Hadley. He is also involved in fundraising and charity ventures for several New York institutions, including the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, Holiday House to benefit Susan G Komen for the Cure, and this year will be his firm’s inaugural participation at the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club Show House.
Enjoy The Good Company of Harry Heissmann.
D: Biggest thrill in your life?
HH: Having a pilot friend of mine give me the best tour of New York City…by way of helicopter.
D: Critical moment in a designer’s life?
HH: Installation day
D: Something you would like others to know about you?
HH: There have to be secrets…
D: What design lesson did you learn the hard way?
HH: That leather is priced by the square foot.
D: What is the signature quality of your work?
HH: To be able to adapt to the needs of a client.
D: What makes you feel most empowered?
HH: Finding the perfect piece for a client’s home.
D: What methodology do you use to begin your work?
HH: Start with the floor plan and move forward.
D: Where did your creative journey begin?
HH: Living with my maternal grandmother Josefine. I literally grew up with her and most everything I know today, I learned from her. She was a very artistic person and actually learned porcelain painting at Meissen. Her artistry and creativity must have rubbed off on me.
D: Your current obsession?
HH: Antique Christmas tree stands.
D: Favorite charity?
All photographs copyright: 1. Portrait: © Andrew French 2. © HH 3. © Larry Merz 4. © Carlos Domenech 5. © HH
Kips Bay Show House Volunteer Docent Appreciation Party!
Saturday, April 9th, 2011 
We are looking for design enthusiasts to become
Volunteer Docents for the 2011 Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club Decorator Show House,
which runs from Thursday, April 28 to Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 163 East 63rd Street, New York, New York.
To learn more about how to become a docent and enjoy a glass of Prosecco at the same time,
join us at the
Bisazza showroom in Soho, Thursday, April 14th
for a Volunteer Docent Appreciation Party.
To sign up now to volunteer, follow this link and choose a day and shift.
Shifts are:
Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 2 – 5 p.m.
Sunday; 12 –2:30 pm, 2:30 – 5 pm.
Tuesday and Thursday evenings; 5 – 8 pm.
To learn more about the Show House, see my post.
To see the stellar designers who will be creating rooms, see my post.
“All proceeds benefit the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, currently serving over 13,000 children throughout the Bronx with award winning afterschool and enrichment programs.
Since its inception, the Show House has raised over $17 million for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, and we couldn’t do it without volunteer support!”
Sunday Subliminal: Stay A While
Saturday, April 2nd, 2011
Having a design practice in New York City brings about very active days and evenings, with shoppes to visit and events to attend.
My time of realignment after a busy week, is Sunday, elevated by music, food, and spirit.
James Andrew, a Parish-Hadley alumus Interior Designer, is able to sustain this practice in everyday life. As a devotee of the Law of Abundance doctrine, James holds an awareness, which is refreshing, and one all of us can work towards. In a much-grounded way, James speaks about manifesting desires and creating your own destiny. Hard work and kismet have been actualized for James, in his thriving design practice and title of Style Arbiter. In July of 2008, he produced a sartorial inspired blog, What is James Wearing, featuring James in swank, fashionable locations throughout the world.
Several Sundays ago, James’ home was featured on NBC LXTV Designer Living: Inside a Design and Style Blogger’s Home.
New York Social Diary had this dialog with James.
James has said, “I really aspire to connect on a deep level with those of like heart and mind.”
Connect with James and Stay A While.
Photography credits, copyright © Justin Williams, © Jory Clay Sutton, and © Hollister Lowe
