In design, stick with what you love, not what’s trending
Thomas Pheasant, a Washington-based interior designer and author of “Thomas Pheasant: Simply Serene,” was the guest recently on The Post’s Home Front online chat. Here is an edited excerpt:
Q. What is the next big trend for kitchens? It seems that white cabinets and white marble countertops are the top choice in 2013. Will stainless-steel appliances decline in popularity?
A. Since kitchens can be one of the more costly spaces, I believe in getting what you like and not following a trend. There is certainly a trend to more modern cabinetry and glossy finishes. I think stainless appliances will always be popular. The commercial ranges seem to be not as much in demand anymore due to energy conservation and the sleek look we are seeing more.
Q. What is your favorite white paint color, and what color should ceilings be to pair with it?
A. My favorite white is Benjamin Moore’s Ivory White. It’s bright and warm. I tend to make my ceilings slightly whiter than my trim, since they typically look darker than the walls.
Q. I recently moved into a new house, and I love the paint color (neutral, warm beige/light brown). However, I want to add a splash of color in the living room. Are accent walls still acceptable? Is there anything I should avoid or consider when doing this?
A. Pick a color accent you love and try to place it in a few areas in the room: pillows, a rug, a grouping of ceramics. It is important to incorporate the color within the space so the accent wall does not appear to be the alien in the room.
Q. I inherited my mom’s antique farmhouse table and hutch, which I love and want to use, but I have a fairly modern kitchen. Do you have suggestions for integrating them so they look like they fit in?
A. When I select furniture, I look at each piece for its beauty and quality. I have found that if I hold the same standards to any piece, whether modern or antique, they always look great when I mix them together. I think there is a chic quality to collecting through a careful eye. If your antique farm table is beautiful, use it.
Q. I just bought an 800-square-foot condo. It has plenty of light and great views. However, I realized that outside of just hanging up pictures I had at my last apartment, I have no idea what to do. How many pictures are too many to hang up?
A. First rule of good decorating: Do not put anything in your home that you do not love. I have been in homes where the people or their decorators have covered the walls and tables with collectibles that do not mean anything to the owners. I really believe that your home should reflect you: your loves and your experiences. Be critical. Look at the pieces you have and carefully separate the pieces that make you smile from the pieces that you have no connection with. Give away the latter and begin to work with those pieces you like. One piece on a wall that you love is worth a museum of paintings you know nothing about.
Q. How does the average person create a more serene family room?
A. Organization. When I work on family houses, I am always aware of the multipurpose demands on family rooms. I try to find ways to incorporate as much storage as possible to take care of stuff: kids’ stuff, books, newspapers, school projects. Coffee tables with drawers, a TV hung on a wall and not resting on a cabinet. Anything to control the chaos.
Q. Who served as inspiration for your career in design? And where do you see the key distinction(s) in your styles?
A. Please read my new book ... (plug intended). I have been on my own personal evolution since I started my career in design. I have been inspired by so many people and places that it is hard to list them. I do believe that my “style” or signature is the ability to create serene interiors that are not bound by tradition or modern surroundings. I believe in the emotional power interiors can project. I also am certain that this signature has brought me an amazing diverse group of clients that have pushed me along my evolutionary road.