Tilton Fenwick
photo by Max Kim Bee
Suysel’s Answers
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? I would love to have a home in Puerto Rico on the west coast. I have a lot of family there and after Hurricane Maria, I feel even more connection to the island.
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? It was Strawberry Shortcake themed.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? I bought a George Smith sofa from a sample sale back in 2004. It’s been reupholstered a few times in the last 15 years but it is timeless and brings me memories of how giddy I was to purchase it.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Markham Roberts (my mentor) hands down.
No room is complete without a touch of something black.
People think of me as an extrovert, but I am really an introvert.
Things you omit from:
• A flower arrangement: baby’s breath
• An hors d’oeuvre platter: the veggies
• A bar cabinet: any bottle that isn’t pretty
A song for:
• Dinner at home: anything Cesaria Evora
• Working at your desk: anything Jose González
• Going for a run: “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey
Biggest Vice? TMZ.com as my homepage
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? Cartier Cactus ring
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Yes- I love color and accessories in both my design and clothing!
Who is your star crush? Justin Timberlake (who also shares my birthday)
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? A non-patterned room.
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be? Markham Roberts “Decorating The Way I See It”
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Bringing back granny-chic
A Few Favorites:
• Movie: anything Pedro Almodóvar
• Book: “I Know This Much Is True” by Wally lamb
• Scent: Frederic Malle “Superstitious”
• The fabric you always come back to: our own fabric for Duralee “Angelina”
• Dream project: a boutique hotel
• Meal: breakfast at Buvette
• Drink: Tito’s and soda extra lime
• Hotel: cap Rocat in Mallorca
• Travel Destination: Spain
• Artist: Kehinde Wiley
• Thing to collect obsessively: small boxes
• Era in the history of design: now!
• Museum: Van Gogh in Amsterdam blew my mind
• Paint Color that always look great: “Pointing” by Farrow & Ball
• Favorite person to follow on Instagram: my daughter
• Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? My rescue mutt Bago named after Lake Sebago in Maine
photo by Trevor Tondro
Anne’s Answers
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? Too many dream places to list but somewhere antithetical to New York City: quiet, peaceful, open, serene.
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? Matchy-matchy purple hearts.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? A piece of art by James Rosenquist that I bought for my first child’s nursery.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Markham Roberts (Suysel will agree!!)
No room is complete without a vintage or antique piece with a story.
People think of me as Southern, but I am really an upstate girl.
Things you omit from:
• A flower arrangement: Carnations
• An hors d’oeuvre platter: Gluten
• A bar cabinet: Everything but tequila
A song for:
• Dinner at home: Anything by Blue Mitchell (thanks to Nicki Clendening for the music recommendation)
• Working at your desk Anything by The Phoenix
• Going for a run I don’t run!
Biggest Vice? Kardashians’ Instagram accounts
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? A house.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Yes! I love mixing high-low and wearing sneakers with everything from workout gear to dresses.
Who is your star crush? Bradley Cooper
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? All neutral rooms.
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be? “The World of Madeleine Castaing”
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Boldness and joy
A Few Favorites:
• Book: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
• The fabric you always come back to: Tilton Fenwick for RADG “Cline” in any color
• Dream project: A hotel in a warm location
• Meal: ABCV
• Drink: California red wine
• Hotel: Hotel Esensia
• Travel Destination: South of France
• Artist: Hilma af Klint (top of mind and I was so moved by her current exhibition at The Guggenheim!)
• Thing to collect obsessively: I avoid clutter so I don’t love collecting.
• Museum: The Whitney (we go frequently; it’s close and we love it).
• Paint Color that always look great: Farrow & Ball “Pointing”
• Favorite person to follow on Instagram: see Biggest Vice question !!!
• Dogs, Cats, or No Pets?No pets in the city. Dogs in the country :)
photo by Trevor Tondro
