Mary Patton
photo by jack thompson
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? Paris
What are three words to describe your style?
Colorful
Thoughtful
Relaxed
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? We moved several times when I was a child, but my first bedroom that I can remember had two twin beds, Laura Ashley wallpaper, and a pink doll house. I remember my mom decorated it and surprised me with a reveal – which is why doing kids rooms is one of my favorite assignments.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? A Knoll marble top Saarinen table – it was my first nicest grownup purchase, I will keep it forever.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Timothy Corrigan
No room is complete without a real plant.
People think of me as silly, but I am really actually serious and know exactly what I’m doing.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Lilies – love the name, but the smell is too strong.
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Anything too healthy – no one will actually eat it
A bar cabinet: Anything perishable for practical purposes – otherwise, no rules!
A song for:
Dinner at home: Abba – Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Is always a dinner party crowd pleaser
Working at your desk: I listen to Chopin or Manifestation frequencies on Itunes – ADHD is real, and I can’t listen to anything with words while I’m working
Going for a run: Right now I am listening to books on audible when I have downtime (exercising or driving in the car) – I just finished After by Bruce Greyson, which I highly recommend.
Biggest Vice? Sugar
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? https://www.valentino.com/en-us/product-valentino-garavani-locò-small-shoulder-bag-in-laminated-calfskin-with-jewel-logo-WB0K53LNK_R5H I feel like if I owned this bag all of my wildest dreams would come true.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Absolutely. I like interesting pieces that are a mix of masculine and feminine – I love a memorable accessory and mixing prints. I’m finally at the stage in my life where I feel comfortable wearing something because I like it and don’t overthink the rest.
Who is your star crush? Antoni Porowski. We both love dogs and cooking and crying and hot men in a short jort.
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? Mean girl a client into spending more than they are comfortable with. Or pushing my vision on someone. At the end of the day, it’s their house and their money. If I can’t photograph it, that’s okay – I really do this job to be in service and want the client to feel comfortable and happy.
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be? Archive by Sofia Coppola. My best friend gave it to me for my birthday a few years ago – it’s a beautiful book, but also has sentimental value. And it’s pink!
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Adding a little joy and beauty to a scary world.
photo by jack thompson
A Few Favorites:
Movie: Moonstruck – although I just saw Sinners and gave it a 10/10.
Book: The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra
Scent: For home fragrance – lemon verbena, I grow it my garden too – and it is the BEST
The fabric you always come back to: Schumacher Rocky Performance Velvet – it comes in a ton of colors, the price point is good, and it’s wonderful for upholstery.
Dream project: Brad Pitt’s house in Big Sur – call me!!
Meal: Breakfast for dinner
Drink: Diet Coke – occasionally because it is (delicious) poison
Hotel: The Ned in London
Travel Destination: Rome
Artist: Marc Chagall
A cause near and dear to me: Dress for Success – I have been involved with them for 15 years, they do phenomenal work to support women in the community.
Thing to collect obsessively: shoes
Era in the history of design: Roccoco
Museum: The Tate Modern
Paint Color that always looks great: Farrow and Ball Calamine
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: @garrowkdesigns has some great content and if you’re having a bad day @goldensteincattery
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? All the pets! I have three dogs, unfortunately I am allergic to cats or I would have one and am seriously considering getting a bird, although I am terrified of them. The idea of having a pet that can talk and will outlive me is thrilling.
