Gray Davis
photo by Dave Burke
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? Rome
What are three words to describe your style? 1. Edited 2. Timeless 3. Refined
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? My childhood bedroom was clad in plaid wallpaper – I had a blue bunk bed and sailboat curtains. Keep reading this post and you will understand about the sailboat curtains!
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? I bought a 1947 Splinter Chris Craft boat for my lake house. It was quite the investment when I bought it, but nothing is better than being out on the lake in that boat.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Andrea Palladio
No room is complete without at least one good piece of art.
People think of me as easy going, but I am really exacting and expect people to be their best, albeit in an easy going way.
Things you omit from:
• A flower arrangement: I’m not a fan of arrangements in inappropriately sized vases.
• An hors d’oeuvre platter: Celery because it makes people think you’re lazy.
• A bar cabinet: Absolutely nothing.
A song for:
• Dinner at home: Nina Simone singing ‘Strange Fruit’ because it is beautiful, horrifying, and political
• Working at your desk: Moby’s ‘Honey’
• Going for a run: New Order’s ‘Bizarre Love Triangle’
Biggest Vice? I’ll say yes to anything.
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? A Candida Hofer photograph.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Yes – both are tailored.
Who is your star crush? Ruth Bader Ginsberg
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? Pattern everywhere.
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be? Made to Measure – our monograph.
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? I hope that people will remember my work as thoughtful, enduring and nourishing.
photo by Bryan Derballa
A Few Favorites:
Movie: The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover by Peter Greenaway.
Book: Howards End by E.M. Forster
Scent: Santal 33 from Le Labo
The fabric you always come back to: Linen and cashmere
Dream project: A yacht
Meal: A Green Chile Enchilada, but it has to made with Hatch Green Chiles from New Mexico
Drink: Vodka Martini, up with one olive.
Hotel: Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens
Travel Destination: Currently I’m loving Athens. I also love Lake Como.
Artist: Richard Long
Thing to collect obsessively: Art, at any price point.
Era in the history of design: The lifetime of Jean-Michel Frank.
Museum: National Museum of Qatar – I recently visited and loved the architecture.
Paint Color that always look great: Farrow and Ball’s ’Skylight’
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: @angrychasebooth – My husband’s posts make me laugh. I also love to follow my Meyer Davis team and see what’s inspiring them.
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Dogs – I have two dachshunds, though I have had a cat as well. Pet snobbery is so tiring.
