Inspiration: Sharing a Design Point of View

Tom Delavan is a designer that could easily understand my design point of view. His studio has an undesigned personal style. I'd probably guess that he designs and decorates differently for his home than for his clients. As a full time designer, I imagine he doesn't want to come to an overly styled perfect space. He just wants to kick up his shoes and relax at home. I know for myself I want my space to look like I've grown with it and not that I forced anything or any style onto it.

Many of you know Delavan as the former Domino Editor at Large. In September 2009, his West Village studio was featured in the T magazine blog-NY Times style magazine. His NYC studio reminds me of my DC studio where I currently live as it has a similar layout. It's appears to be a perfect square with windows on one side with a separate kitchen on the other side. Pretty straightforward layout that appears to be bigger than it is because of the separate kitchen and lends itself to an easy furniture placement. In my personal experience, because of the perfect square layout I feel forced to place my furniture in a surprising unexpected way and not go with what may feel natural. And based on Delavan's furniture placement pictured above, I'd guess he felt similar to me in his design plan. Instead of a choosing a sofa with a pair of chairs that face the fireplace, he went for two opposing large chairs without a coffee table. One chair is backed directly up against the bed which is very NYC. I love the shiny silver legs of the chairs as it gives it a glamorous look-very Calvin Klein home or possibly Armani Home. He has chosen to hide the side tables as those attractive white chairs deserve all the attention. Below the chairs is a simple white soft rug with a diamond design and frayed edges. Because the rug is casual, it balances the seriousness of the chairs. Along the far corner of the space tucked away is a simple bed with all white linens without any throw pillows or any artwork displayed above. I think he probably didn't want the bed to interrupt the overall look. The bed is pushed against the wall probably under a window with a black bedside table that does double duty for the nearby chair (to place a cocktail or cup of tea). Delavan restricted the color to white for all of his major pieces which is smart-bed, two deep chairs, large rug, fireplace and decorative dog in front of the fireplace. The use of white is an uncomplicated clean look that I find attractive. Most people find it visually appealing but wonder how does one live with all white without spills. I can answer that question-you live very carefully and you hardly eat. You really don't have to go to that extreme-it requires discipline and it is not for everyone. Each of the major white pieces have different styles but because of the consistent use of white, everything ties well together. Gray'ish brown walls run along the perimeter of the studio with a white ceiling and molding. I love white against or next to a darker color-cool with warmth. It all plays nicely together. I can not forget the hallway style kitchen that is packed with high and low-a viking stove with Ikea cabinets. Love it! I also appreciate seeing a tv in his space (third photo-view into the main area). While Delavan is cooking in the kitchen, he can glance out to the main area for quick view.

Delavan's studio expresses how he lives each day....a person who probably likes to entertain a handful of people, works from home, enjoys reading and has some interest in cooking. I find myself attracted to how New Yorkers style their small apartments, co-ops, studios and condos. And I am especially attracted to Delavan's studio as I see and understand his design point of view.