Washington Winter Show 2023

29 a web of flimsy cuttings or the irreversible commitment of glue! The Show was inspired by the first collage you published on Instagram curated using a classic collage technique, but in a contemporary digital application. Tell us about the collage you’ve curated for our catalog cover and how you brought this artwork to life. I like to start by finding an eighteenth century engraving to form the structure of the scene, in this case I wanted a garden that would lend itself to a long view similar to the National Mall, to which I wanted to introduce frozen fountains and icicles. A white colonnade makes further reference to Washington’s powerful architecture, as do the pair of obelisks. The bright colors of semi-precious minerals and gems bring a contemporary flavor, to which I layered antiques from many eras to support the show’s themes of collection and curation. As one of the master curators of this year’s Show, what object(s) within your own collection inspires you most? I recently bought a very old Indian spice chest with the most intricate floral bone inlay that I plan to replicate in my designs. I also constantly draw inspiration and joy from my collection of 17th and 18th century antique engravings which focus on chinoiserie and classical architecture. Every designer has a ‘stamp’ or ‘calling card’ seen throughout their work that defines their unique, individual style. What do you consider your ‘stamp’ to be? I honestly think I am still establishing my style, but I am always inspired by the various arts of the 18th century, both in Europe and Asia, which I consider to be the global golden age of ‘Taste’. In my interiors I am drawn to an English aesthetic, which is a layered and colorful style, with Georgian furniture paired with Indian fabrics and chinoiserie objects. Your work has taken you across the globe with visits to some of the most renowned homes, castles and gardens. What is one of the first things that often catches your eye when you enter one of these magnificent estates? A great estate has many components...the approach through the landscape, the architecture of the building, the quality and styles of the various interiors, and then of course the collections that each room holds. It is actually really rare for all these elements to hit the right note all together, as they go through many changes over the centuries. For me, the architecture is the single most important thing, but once inside I am always looking for the Chinese export porcelain, of which most houses have large collections. What’s a design principle, mantra or quote that guides your creative process? As a hoarder I can’t help but subscribe to the ‘more is more’ principle...I don’t think you can ever have too many colors or decorative objects in a room if you love them all.