Dominick Rotondi
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? Bari, Italy. It where my fathers family is from so I was exposed to the region of Apulia from an very early age. My summers were spent there swimming in the Adriatic and heading to the family farm. The city has grown and changed so much I now love the vibrant restaurant and nightlife.
What are the three words that describe your style: HONEST. LIVABLE. CLASSIC
Tell us about your childhood bedroom. It was a modest size room but fortunately it was all mine. I have two brothers. It was located in the front of the house so had amazing light but I got to watch, listen and absorb the diversity of all Queens NY has to offer…It had these wonderful built in book cases, an oversized captain’s bed, small dresser and way too small closet…My desk with the beautiful light was a main location for me during my childhood. To this day I prefer a small bedroom personally. Always makes for a cozier secure feel.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? This was tough but investment pieces are usually ones I couldn’t really afford but made the sacrifice. So I think that would define as art for me. The first major piece of art I purchased was Uneven Circle by Sol LeWitt.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Billy Baldwin. His edited elegance, taste and subtle introduction of color within a structured room has always been an inspiration.
No room is complete without Art and I always love a pop of red. Vase throw or some accessory
People think of me as SERIOUS but I am really FUNNY
Things you omit from:
Flower arrangement: carnations! Green fill!
Hours d’oeuvre platter: anything that can be eaten in one bite.
A Bar cabinet: flavored vodka! Stick with clean classic and accessorize.
I love potato vodka Chopin
A song for:
Dinner at home: Chris Botti. I prefer instrumental at a dinner party so the conversation can continue, but a fast backup would be Adele. Who doesn’t love Adele?
Working at your desk: Jim Brickman. I love all his collaborations
Going for a run: Ruby Star - Dance from Remedy
Biggest Vice - Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter cups. Can’t control myself
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping what would you buy? Buying cat toys for Kevin.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so how? I cannot lie about this I have zero interest taste in apparel and ability to clothe shop. One of my best friends who spent 20 years at Ralph Lauren always says to me “if you were a sofa would you add those pillows and throws?”
Who is your star crush? I love and admire not just talented people but people who are able to over come Adversity and rise. I’ll narrow that down to Andrea Bocelli.
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it ? Taking a particular print and wrapping an entire room in it - wallpaper drapery and upholstery etc…a la Greg Jordan
What design book do you find yourself going back to again and again?
For color concepts idea Color and Light and Color by Donald Kaufman and Taffy Dahl. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Mariette’s triology - Rooms, Apartments and Houses. She was a huge part of my design cultivation and pedigree.
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? The journey I take with all my clients and satisfaction in giving them living spaces they are proud to call home.
A Few Favorites
Movie: Cinema Paradiso
Book: I really don’t read a lot. So going back it would be Great Expectations Charles Dickens
Scent: for me personally I love the scents of an Italian Garden. Tomato Oregano Rosemary Basil. Woody organic earthy. Reminds me of my father’s house in Bari and the North Shore of Long Island. Calming for me
The fabric you always come back to: R.Hughes cotton ticking in Black Sage Duck Egg Nut
Dream project: To date I have never done an ultra modern design. It would be a glass/steal beach house in Sagaponack, of course.
Meal: would you expect anything other than Italian? Lasagna!
Drink: not a huge alcohol guy but I love the blood orange Pellegrino on ice with Basil leaf
Hotel: my favorite vacation of all time was a few years ago at the Aman Sveti Stefan. Luxury in ever sense set in an historical location.
Travel Destination: I’d love to go back to Marrakech. Last time I went to the Atlas Mountains so on my next trip I want to stay over night in the dessert camp and have that experience.
Artist: This is probably the toughest question…I’m very drawn to Michael Gregory and Carlton Nell
A cause near and dear to me: Neighborhood Cats Inc. and Habitat for Humanity
Things to collect obsessively: Little Houses for the mantle in my office
Era in history of design? Hollywood Golden Era. Gone with the Wind; The Philadelphia Story; It’s a Wonderful Life etc…
Museum: Very tough. The Metropolitan will always have a special place for me but I did love the old Cairo grand museum and the Egyptian civilization
Paint this year: it’s definitely been Hague Blue by Farrow and Ball and Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore
Favorite Person to follow on Instagram: Professionally The photographer Ellen McDermott and personally Health With Hunter
Dogs Cats and no pets? Kevin
