MR. MICHAEL ADAMS
MICHAEL ADAMS INTERIORS
535 Union Ave, #5G
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(917) 846-8792
Michael Adams was raised in a small town in Western Massachusetts, the son of a farmer and a teacher. He moved to New York City right out of high school and studied Interior Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. At the ripe old age of 25 years, Michael is creating a name for himself with his slightly quirky and eclectic take on traditional and colonial design. In 2006 Michael caught the eye of producers and was cast on the first season of Bravo’s hit show, Top Design. Michael is currently wrapping up his largest project to date, an Upper East Side brownstone for singer/performer Michael Feinstein. Michael may live in New York City but always calls New England home. He draws inspiration from the history and nature he grew up around.
MR. EVAN AINBINDER
ALBERT HADLEY INCORPORATED
24 East 64th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10065
(212) 888-7979
evan@alberthadley.comEvan joined Albert Hadley Inc. in early 2007 after working with the design firms of Michael Rosenberg & Associates and Alan Tanksley, Inc. for several years. A graduate of New York University, Evan has a Bachelors degree from the University’s Tisch School of the Arts in Film and Television Production, as well as a design certificate from Parsons School of Design and a culinary degree from the Institute of Culinary Education. While growing up, Evan had the unique experience of living in both Los Angeles and New York. He sites living between the two cities as having an enormous impact on his aesthetic. Evan describes his designs as an eclectic mix of timeless pieces and contemporary forms. He is fond of using new materials and mixing mediums to bring modernity and visual interest to his projects. Evan’s projects include several New York City apartments as well as homes here in Southport, Connecticut.
MR. CHRISTIAN ARKAY-LELIEVER
ARKAY-LELIEVER CREATIVE CONSULTANCY LLC
22 Pemburn Drive
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 685-5177
cp@arkay-leliever.com
www.arkay-leliever.com and www.kms-team.comChristian P. Arkay-Leliever serves as a Managing Partner and Creative Director for the luxury products and brand experience design firm KMS TEAM based in Munich, Germany. He will launch a New York office in the spring of 2009, merging with his current practice, Arkay-Leliever Creative Consultancy LLC. He was formerly the Director of Strategic Innovation and Product Design for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP and the Products Director for David Rockwell of the Rockwell Group. He brings his experience to the forefront by offering clients a thoughtful and strategic approach to successful design paired with developing a strong personal relationship with the traditions, culture and craft of the client and their processes. Christian’s clients include: Bolon Carpet, Boyd Lighting, Donna Karan, Ethan Allen, Hickory Chair, Hunter Douglas Hospitality, Interlude, Kyle Bunting, Maya Romanoff, Peter Marino & Associates, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sasaki, Sherle Wagner, Sirmos, Sono Restaurant Group, Tai Ping Carpets, Terzani S.p.A., Umbra and Wilton Armetale.
MR. HARRY CUSHING AND MS. JULIANA MERZ
HARRY CUSHING & COMPANY LLC
P.O. Box 26514
Brooklyn, NY 11202
(718) 522-7010
harry.cushing@gmail.com
julianamerz@hotmail.comHarry Cushing began his career as a portrait and fashion photographer. Through a turn of events, this led to 15 years in the world of home furnishings textiles where he held a number of posts. Ultimately, he ran the venerable firm of Clarence House from 2001 to 2003. In pursuit of a more comprehensive personal vision he worked for several design firms, both large and small, and began his own design firm in 2007. Harry’s approach to design has evolved in collaboration with his colleague, Juliana Merz, who is a fine arts painter. Juliana has been involved in the world of interior design over the years through decorative painting commissions and her own design projects. Their design philosophy has been described as “organic…simple, very livable, real, with a variety of textures, and an intriguing color palate and combination of materials. It is not defined by any particular style but a specific sensibility.”
MS. JENNIFER EISENSTADT JENNIFER EISENSTADT DESIGN & DECORATION LLC 23 East 22nd Street, 15E New York, NY 10010 (917) 805-0437 jennye@mac.comJennifer’s passion for design began at an early age. Born and raised in Connecticut, she eagerly joined her mother on antiquing expeditions across Litchfield and Fairfield counties. These expeditions continue to this day; however the geographic parameters have been broadened significantly. Whether in Connecticut, New York, India or South Africa, Jennifer views the world as a designer - constantly surveying the scene for pattern, color and inspiration. After graduating from the University of Richmond, Jennifer moved to New York and began her career as an advertising executive at J. Walter Thompson and worked on a number accounts, most notably DeBeers. In 2003 on a rainy morning at the Paris Flea Market, Jennifer had a moment of clarity and decided the time had come to heed her true calling. She traded the ad business for design school, and earned an AAS in Interior Design from New York School of Interior Design. Jennifer Eisenstadt Design & Decoration LLC was formed soon thereafter. As a designer, Jennifer seeks to create beautiful, interesting and tailored interiors that suit the lifestyles of the diverse roster of clients she works with. Jennifer lives in New York City with her husband, young daughter and pampered pup. Her work has been featured in Domino Magazine.
MR. THOM FILICIA
THOM FILICIA INC.
270 Lafayette Street #1001
New York, NY 10012
(212) 736-6454
info@thomfilicia.com(photo courtesy of “Style Network”)You may know him as the host of the hit television show Dress My Nest and as one of the Fab Five on Bravo’s award-winning Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, but well before his television success, Thom Filicia was earning both praise and recognition with his high-end interior design company, Thom Filicia Inc (TFI).Founded in 1998 in New York City, TFI is a full-service design firm specializing in residential, commercial and hospitality projects. Its prestigious client roster and diverse design repertoire includes interiors for Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, five W Hotels including W Westwood, W Buckhead, W San Diego, and the W Court/Tuscany, and countless high-end commercial and residential projects around the world. His most recent high-profile project was an eco-friendly model apartment for Riverhouse, a platinum-certified “green” luxury condo in Manhattan. A few of Thom’s memorable projects include designing the VIP Suite for the United States Pavilion at the World’s Fair in Aichi, Japan. In 2004, Thom designed the “tents” for Olympus’ Fashion Week in NYC, and has designed tables at Elle Décor’s “Dining by Design” DIFFA Event. The distinctive and innovative vision of Thom Filicia can best be described as time-honored classic simplicity and unexpected modern flair. The purity of simple strong lines, a muted palette with splashes of bold color, rich textures and patterns are Thom’s signature. Although every interior is born of this well honed approach, the results are as different as his clients. Each project is thoughtfully designed with clients to embrace their vision. The end result is a space for living and working that’s stylish in its approach, while remaining classic, contemporary and stands the test of time. Over the years, Thom and his craft have been awarded prestigious honors including everything from House Beautiful’s Top 100 American Designers and one of House & Garden’s Top 50 Tastemakers, to an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Art Direction for his work on Queer Eye. Thom studied Interior Design at Syracuse University’s School of Art and Design, and has worked at the most venerable firms in NYC. He is also a contributor to the Queer Eye Book and has been featured in national television campaigns for Pier 1 Imports and American Express. Raised in Upstate New York, Thom maintains homes in New York City and the Hudson Valley.
MS. JANE HARRISON
JANE HARRISON INTERIOR DESIGN, LLC
133 Rowayton Woods Drive
Norwalk, CT 06854
(203) 956-7424
jane@janeharrisondesign.comSought after for her clean lines and bold color, Jane Harrison is known for creating interiors bursting with chic sophistication. Her daring combinations of texture and color show her youthful approach to design and playful personality. She is a firm believer that each space should reflect a persona – so have fun with it! Since establishing her firm in 2005, Jane continues to deliver the unexpected while sustaining her signature balance of function, charisma and fine detail. She freely admits to being obsessed with all the subtle elements, but insists this is her key technique for continually producing her coveted interiors. A native of Darien, she holds a Master of Fine Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design and a Bachelor of Science from Vanderbilt University. She is also a licensed General Contractor.
MS. MELISSA MAKRIS
MELISSA MAKRIS INTERIORS
Westport, CT
(203) 226 4159
m@melissamakris.com
www.melissamakris.comMelissa Makris, designer, infuses interiors with a casual elegance and timeless ease. Her interior design “vision” is woven with location, history, architecture and her client’s lifestyle in mind. She is best known for integrating the simple lines of vintage pieces and classic modern. Her interior design work is featured in Connecticut Cottages & Gardens, HOME Magazine, Country Home, Better Homes and Gardens, Westport Magazine, and Clarkson Potter’s The New Apartment Book. Melissa is recognized as one of 100 leading designers in Connecticut Cottages & Gardens’ “Little Black Book” of Interior Designers. Melissa draws upon her previous experience working as Creative Director for Fortune 500 companies, specializing in branding and identity development. She was also an Art Director for TIME Magazine, New York Magazine and Connoisseur. An enthusiastic photographer, she creates fine art photography for the home. This collection includes botanicals, corals, dunes, seascapes, landscapes and portraiture. Growing up in New Canaan, Connecticut, Melissa was inspired early on by her father, an industrial designer for Raymond Loewy; and her mother, a fashion illustrator with VOGUE. As a young child, her sister played with the dollhouse but Melissa loved to rearrange the actual furniture in their home continuously! Melissa has received numerous professional awards for her work. She attended the University of Connecticut and graduated from Parsons School of Design. A native of Fairfield County and New York City, she lives in Westport, Connecticut with her husband and their daughter.
MS. SANDRA MORGAN
SANDRA MORGAN INTERIORS
70-72 Arch Street
Greenwich, CT 06830
(203) 629-8121
smorganint@aol.com
www.sandramorganinteriors.comSandra Morgan is a well-established interior designer known for creating luxurious, classic interiors with a fresh approach. Her main design studio, Sandra Morgan Interiors, is located in Greenwich, Connecticut. She also has a satellite office in Vero Beach, Florida. Her Florida home was recently featured as the cover story in the Sept./Oct. 2008 issue of Vero Beach Magazine. Her work has also been published in House Beautiful, Design Times, Connecticut Cottages and Gardens, Greenwich Magazine and The Modern Estate. Sandra is also featured in Showcase of Interior Design, Design Sense by Linda Blair, Make it with Style by Donna Lang and Bedrooms by Chris Madden. Additionally, she has been invited to participate in several show houses in the New York City and Connecticut areas. After graduating from Connecticut College, cum laude, with a BA in art history, Sandra worked in New York for Scalamandre, the prestigious fabric company, and later on the editorial staffs of House & Garden and Mademoiselle, where as Associate Fabric Editor she created the column Chez Mlle, devoted to stylish decorating for young women-on-the-go. After marriage and starting a family, her interest in furniture and the decorative arts resulted in Morgan and Company, Ltd., a high-end retail decorating resource. During this ten-year venture in Greenwich she developed a strong interior design clientele. She also personally arranged several exhibits of painting sculpture and antique American quilts in her home at that time, historically the largest converted barn in Greenwich. It was here that she collaborated with the David Findlay Gallery of New York City to install an extensive show of contemporary French paintings. Sandra established Sandra Morgan Interiors, Inc. in 1988. Over the past 20 years she has expanded her business to include the Penthouse Art Gallery, featuring the works of contemporary artists, and most recently, SM Home, a retail showroom specializing in Swedish antiques, quality reproductions and unique accessories. Sandra is drawn to the serene color palette of the Swedish style and the casual elegance of painted furniture of the Gustavian period. Although passionate about this approach to interiors, she is not limited to only one look when working with clients. Her in depth knowledge of art, antiques, and collectibles has enabled her to offer her clients an educated eye when making investments in these areas. Her versatility and vast expertise allow her to work on all types and sizes of projects, whether traditional or contemporary. Sandra’s current projects include a town house in New York City, a country estate in Greenwich, a vacation home on John’s Island, and a new residence at Windsor in Vero Beach, Florida.
MR. MCKEE PATTERSON
AUSTIN PATTERSON DISSTON ARCHITECTS
376 Pequot Avenue
Southport, CT 06890
(203) 255-4031
mpatterson@apdarchitects.com
www.apdarchitects.com MS. NANCE VIGNEAU
VIGNEAU & ASSOCIATES INTERIOR 5 Guard Hill Road Westport, CT 06880 (203) 226-0581 nvigneau@vigneauandassociates.com wnvigneau@vigneauandassociates.com www.vigneauandassociates.com McKee Patterson, AIA, partner in Austin Patterson Disston Architects and Nance? Vigneau of Vigneau & Associates Interiors have worked in association on various traditional Fairfield County projects. Each brings over 25 years of experience working in the design field. “The benefits of having an interior designer on board from the start are enormous,” notes Mr. Patterson. “Nance? brings an expert knowledge of classic design and furniture, so that my clients are choosing specific items in a room as we are drawing details.” Ms. Vigneau agrees, “The completed project where interior design and architecture have been integrated from initial floor plans makes for a home that truly reflects how the owner’s plan to use it and their interests.” Since its 1982 inception Mr. Patterson and his partners Stuart Disston, AIA, and David Austin, AIA, have overseen the Southport-based office with a current staff of 27, including nine registered architects. With a broad stylistic design expertise, the firm espouses a contextual approach that seeks to connect the built structure to a broader whole. “Our design process looks closely at the regional tradition, the landscape and the site itself,” explains architect Patterson, “and, of course, our clients’ design interests are paramount.” Ms. Vigneau, who is trained as both an interior designer and architect, brings a classic viewpoint to design that respects a project’s existing architecture and context. This perspective grows through a thorough understanding of her client’s goals and passions. She is a graduate of Pratt Institute with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design and Architecture. Mr. Patterson’s firm has won numerous architecture and design awards and has been published widely in publications that include The New York Times, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Elle Décor, Traditional Home, and Connecticut & Hamptons Cottages & Gardens. Mr. Patterson received his Masters of Architecture from Yale School of Architecture where he was awarded the prestigious Parson Medal of Design.
MR. JOHN PEIXINHO
FRANKLIN AND COMPANY
121 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 847-8311
john@franklinandcompany.com Born in 1965, John Peixinho began his career as an interior decorator eight years ago, when asked by a friend to help redecorate a room in her Newport house. His interior design business, Franklin and Company is located in Newport, Rhode Island. Largely self-taught, John has been fortunate to work on many landmark houses, buildings and private clubs in Newport. His work there includes new construction, historic restorations and renovations, adaptive reuse and many on-going residential re-decorating projects. John likes houses and interiors that reflect their time and place. “I don’t go for country houses on Park Avenue anymore than I’d like slick penthouses in the countryside.” John thinks that good design is most often accomplished by relying on simple and basic design principles and paying careful attention to scale and proportion – and the client. His own style has been heavily influenced by his study of the evolution of New England architectural design and decoration. John and his work have been recently featured in The New York Times (August, 2007) and House Beautiful (January, 2008), as well as numerous local and New England publications. He lives in the country in a red, one-room schoolhouse that was built in 1794.
MS. SARA STORY
SARA STORY DESIGN
One Gramercy Park West
New York, NY 10003
(212) 228-6007
sstory@sarastorydesign.com
www.sarastorydesign.com Sara Story was born in Japan, and raised in Texas. She received a degree in Interior Architecture from Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA, upon completion of which she moved to New York and worked with Victoria Hagan Interiors. Sara created Sara Story Design five years ago and, since that time, has worked on numerous residential projects in New York City, Long Island and upstate New York, and currently is working on a project in Hana, Hawaii. Sara also has worked on commercial projects in New York and London since launching Sara Story Design.Sara was named the number one designer in Domino’s 2007 Top Ten Up and Coming Designers, one of New York Magazine’s Designer’s On the Verge, and one of New York Home’s Top Designers To Know. Sara also was featured in Oprah’s O at Home. Sara Story Design’s first interior design project was published in Interior Design Magazine.