Darren Henault
Photo by William Waldron
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? That’s an incredibly difficult question for me. On any given week we are looking at houses in Greece, Italy, France, Portugal, India, Morocco (that was just this week honestly). The question is what’s the next place where we can create something beautiful and a lifestyle that is deeply satisfying.
What are three words to describe your style?
1. Layered
2. Comfortable
3. Simply luxurious
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? My mother was not a homemaker. There was nothing about it that I wanted to replicate at any time or any place. Our homes always had nice things but they lacked soul, finesse. That’s not meant to be damning it’s just a fact. I always wanted something more deeply comforting.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? I bought a piece of 17th Century venetian glass. It’s a tiny little vase. That same year I bought a small Indian painting (in India). I thought, “these perfect little things were created by someone living in a different time, a different place and yet here they are. Mine.”
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? John Stefanidis (he is Tony Duquette, Renzo Mongiardino, Mark Hampton, Nancy Lancaster & Billy Haines all wrapped up in one very attractive little package). But also Piet Boon. His rooms are clean, clear and without anything superfluous but he gets every bit of texture in there.
No room is complete without friends and family and a dog.
People think of me as very social, but I am really a homebody.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Baby’s breath or too many colors
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Shrimp cocktail
A bar cabinet: Nothing
A song for:
Dinner at home: Arvo Part, Spiegel im Spiegel
Working at your desk: Sade
Going for a run: What idiot just “goes for a run”? Why? OK for a workout? Disco. Yes I said Disco
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy?
IF IF??? Jewelry. I have twin 13 year old girls. I LOVE seeing them in pretty, perfect, delicate jewelry.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Yes. Beautiful materials and sumptuous textures put simply together. Whenever I love something I buy six of them and they become part of the uniform.
Who is your star crush? Mads Mikkelson. The perfection in that imperfect face. O M G
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? I don’t really have a lot of nevers. I used to. But then I learned to let my eye decide, not my brain.
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be?
Le Petit Prince, the little purple crayon!!!!
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Quality. Endurance. Comfort.
Photo by William Waldron
A Few Favorites:
Movie: Sophie’s Choice
Book: This changes constantly. Currently “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous”
Scent: Patchouli
The fabric you always come back to: Three companies; Rogers & Goffigon, Holland & Sherry, Bennison Prints.
Dream project: I’m doing it right now, the wife is a museum curator and the husband is thoroughly involved.
Meal: A perfect roast chicken and a salad (I’ll teach you how to roast the best chicken you’ll ever eat.) Or……lemon pasta (I’ll tell you how to make that as well). The simplest food is always the best!
Drink: Yes! OK an Aperol Spritz.
Hotel: We don’t stay in a lot of hotels. We rent a lot of houses with the girls. JK Place in Florence is a favorite.
Artist: Hans Memling, John Curran, Helen van Meene
A cause near and dear to me: Food of Life Pantry in Amenia, Ballet Collective
Thing to collect obsessively: Tabletop
Era in the history of design: Georgian Period
Museum: Musée de la Chasse in Paris
Paint Color that always looks great: Farrow & Ball Hague Blue
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: I’m TOTALLY lame on social media. I like Ajumand’s World
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? NO PETS!?!?!!? What kind of a question is that. Dogs, Chickens, Horses and hopefully soon goats and sheep.
