David Netto
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? Rural Switzerland
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? It was very chic in a 70’s American way, but I didn’t know it at the time. Painted floor, Bielecky Wicker, Batik American flag and Hinson lamps, all beautifully done by Kevin McNamara. And of course, I wanted some kind of mahogany robber baron thing.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? A desk that Jacques Grange thought was Dupre-Lafon but turned out to be by Maxime Old, from a great dealer called Robert Altman. I still have it.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? John Stefanidis. I did do that once with Paul Fortune, and it was fun.
No room is complete without books!
People think of me as expensive , but I am really practical.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Baby’s breath
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Strawberry garnish
A bar cabinet: Wine- Just get straight to the hard stuff.
A song for:
Dinner at home: My daughters get to DJ
Working at your desk: Coleman Hawkins’ album, The Hawk Relaxes.
Going for a run: The Sea and Cake
Biggest Vice? One cigarette at night, by myself
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? A Bentley from Frank Dale & Stepsons
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Absolutely. I am drawn to the tension between opposites (sneakers with a topcoat, a tie with messy hair, etc.)
Who is your star crush? Lee Remick
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? Café curtains
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be? Don’t ask me that!
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Optimism and intelligence. Miles Redd once said to me “I love your work. It’s so optimistic!”, and that is still one of my favorite compliments I have ever received.
A Few Favorites:
Movie: The World’s Greatest Lover
Book: The Outermost House by Henry Beston
Scent: No thank you
The fabric you always come back to: Schumacher’s Windowpane
Dream project: The Carlyle Hotel
Meal: Indian food and champagne at home with my wife
Drink: Whiskey Smash
Hotel: Claridge’s
Travel Destination: The Boston Atheneum
Artist: Jean Arp
Era in the history of design: 1930’s, when everything was possible
Museum: National Gallery of Scotland
Paint Color that always look great: Benjamin Moore’s Mississippi Mud
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: Sailor Brinkley Cook
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? My dog Dusty
