i am so excited that i have my first interview to share with y'all!! this month's Domino featured chloe warner's house and i emailed her on monday and asked if she would do a Q & A for me and she said yes! she was so super sweet about the whole thing (i love down-to-earth designers, sometimes i feel like this business can go to people's heads). so here it is, pinkwallpaper's first designer interview.....a huge thanks to chloe for taking the time to do this :)
Q: How does it feel to be called “a breakout designer” by Domino, a publication that I feel like has totally dominated the design world for the 20/30 yr olds?
A: Honestly, I can't imagine the thrill wearing off. It was a big goal, and to have achieved it feels amazing.
A: Honestly, I can't imagine the thrill wearing off. It was a big goal, and to have achieved it feels amazing.
Q: So many people think that being an interior designer is so glamorous! I often find that funny when I think of all of the non-glamorous things that go along with the job…can you describe your typical day?
A: I usually make coffee for my husband and myself, and start the day catching up with my huge stack of magazines. By 9:00 I am on the computer checking emails and returning calls, and lately I have gotten to spend a lot of time designing, playing fabrics, and sourcing furniture, which has been great. On a bad day I spend a lot of time following-up with contractors and delivery-people, double, triple, and quadruple checking things. My least favorite days are when I have to be an enforcer. My most favorite are when I can have lunch with Valerie and Tyler in my office, and the phone rings the right amount.
Q: What is one trend you wish would go away??
A: Coral - but only so I can start using it again in a few years.
A: I usually make coffee for my husband and myself, and start the day catching up with my huge stack of magazines. By 9:00 I am on the computer checking emails and returning calls, and lately I have gotten to spend a lot of time designing, playing fabrics, and sourcing furniture, which has been great. On a bad day I spend a lot of time following-up with contractors and delivery-people, double, triple, and quadruple checking things. My least favorite days are when I have to be an enforcer. My most favorite are when I can have lunch with Valerie and Tyler in my office, and the phone rings the right amount.
Q: What is one trend you wish would go away??
A: Coral - but only so I can start using it again in a few years.
Q: When looking at your bedroom, it looks so well put together! I had no idea that was an Urban Outfitter headboard until I read the side notes…often people our age cannot afford the services of interior designers; do you have favorite “budget friendly” tips for people who would like the look of a designer inspired room?
A: Anthropologie.com and UrbanOutfitters.com both have furniture sections that can be unique and attractive, and the turnover is high so I don't worry too much about the looks being everywhere, like I do with an IKEA piece. That said, one of my favorite tricks is to apply beveled-mirror tiles to plain pieces - the dresser in my bedroom is actually from IKEA but now that it is mirrored it looks very glam and not IKEA at all. Unfortunately, I still had to put it together. For people with more patience than money, this is a great solution. Our firm (redmondaldrich.com) offers a room-in-a-binder service, where for a flat-fee we design a room including palate, finishes, furniture, accessories and everything, and include the retail sources where everything is available. Execution is left up to the client to complete as they are ready. It is still pricier than not decorating, but it keeps prices out of the stratosphere! (that's crazy that Chloe mentioned this b/c i am about to start this service with my design firm)
A: Anthropologie.com and UrbanOutfitters.com both have furniture sections that can be unique and attractive, and the turnover is high so I don't worry too much about the looks being everywhere, like I do with an IKEA piece. That said, one of my favorite tricks is to apply beveled-mirror tiles to plain pieces - the dresser in my bedroom is actually from IKEA but now that it is mirrored it looks very glam and not IKEA at all. Unfortunately, I still had to put it together. For people with more patience than money, this is a great solution. Our firm (redmondaldrich.com) offers a room-in-a-binder service, where for a flat-fee we design a room including palate, finishes, furniture, accessories and everything, and include the retail sources where everything is available. Execution is left up to the client to complete as they are ready. It is still pricier than not decorating, but it keeps prices out of the stratosphere! (that's crazy that Chloe mentioned this b/c i am about to start this service with my design firm)
Q: Lastly Chloe, what would you say was the one aspect of design you could not live without?
A: My books! I am a junkie at the bookstore, and use them for everything; for inspiration, guidance, decoration, and to make me look smarter than I am.
A: My books! I am a junkie at the bookstore, and use them for everything; for inspiration, guidance, decoration, and to make me look smarter than I am.
can't get enough of chloe, check out domino for a virtual tour of her house...