Joan Enger
tim lenz
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live?
We are fortunate to already own a second home in Amagansett NY, my true happy place. But if we were to own a third home, it would either be in the mountains out West, or the French countryside!
What are three words to describe your style?
Timeless
Edited
Layered
Things you omit from
A flower arrangement: baby’s breath, red roses and too much variety. I prefer more
organic, wild, and a single color theme with no more than two types mixed.
An hors d’oeuvre platter: anything that is not fresh, good quality ☺ (big fan of imported
sardines, crispy baguette, artisinal cheeses and good olives)
A bar cabinet: too many bottles, clutter, unattractive bar ware
A song for
Dinner at home: Joao Gilberto & Stan Getz, The Girl From Ipanema
Working at your desk: Chris Stapleton on repeat
Going for a run: Olivia Dean, Clairo and anything by Grace Enger (biased mom)
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? Imagine the sweetest mini floral moire wallcovering, dusty rose trim, pastel striped bedding with a coordinating bolster, and romantic roman shades. Honestly, my first ‘design project’ - I recall making my bed each morning because I loved the way my room looked when it was tidy ☺
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? A vintage Italian pendant from Studio Van Den Akker for our Living Room. It was well over our budget at the time, but after living with a bare bulb for over a year, I could not resist. I may or may not have stretched the truth about the final price ☺
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? I adore the work of Sandra Weingort – her ability to use color in a bold but understated way and her homage to vintage textiles, ceramics and furnishings is bare none. Neal Beckstadt is also absolutely brilliant.
No room is complete without ART and CERAMICS
People think of me as someone who prefers neutrals, but I am really drawn to rich, saturated tones as well.
Biggest Vice? Swedish Licorice
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? A new handbag from The Row or Bottega Veneta.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Fashion has always been a major influence from a young age. I prefer quality to quantity and love to mix in unexpected accessories, including a vintage handbag or jewerly pieces as accents. I prefer to shop in person vs. on line and I stick with less than a dozen brands based on their quality, cut and craftsmanship. Fun fact: I won ‘best dressed’ in middle and high school.
Who is your star crush? John Hamm
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? High gloss lacquered walls
What design book do you find yourself going back to again and again? Vintage textile and pattern books, Jean Michel Frank, Thad Hayes
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Our attention to detail especially with our millwork design, our unique mix of materials and use of color and pattern in interesting, chic ways.
tim lenz
Your Favorite:
Movie: Cinama Paradiso
Book: Catcher in the Rye
Scent: Litoralle, Luce de Sole
The fabric you always come back to: Anything from Claremont
Dream project: A secluded countryside historic home in Bedford with its original details intact
Meal: Julia Child’s Beef Bourginon (I’ve made it from scratch and it is beyond delicious)
Drink: Persecco, Extra spicey Bloody Mary or Mocktail
Hotel: Masseria San Domenico (magical)
Travel Destination: Japan (next on list)
Artist: Sean Scully, Agnes Martin
A cause near and dear to me: FEED (Lauren B. Lauren)
Thing to collect obsessively: vintage Swedish and Japanese ceramics
Era in the history of design: 1940’s
Museum: Dia Beacon, Picasso museum Paris, The Guggenheim
Benjamin Moore Paint Color: Tuscany Green
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: Humans of NY
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Dog person☺
