WAS THE NEWSLETTER #66

I’m Paige Wassel. WAS the Newsletter is your weekly dose of design inspiration, where we worship at the altar of Architectural Digest.

FROM THE COVER OF AD TO WAS THE NEWSLETTER

If Rockwell’s name rings a bell, that’s because we talked about his work in supermodel Paloma Elsesser’s home a few issues ago. Also, his design is on the cover of AD this month, plus he’s featured as one of the new generation of designers. So expect to hear more about him going forward, because it’s not his first time in AD and it won’t be his last.

I was drawn to his design on Elsesser’s home because I had such respect for how he revived a piece of architecture that hadn’t been changed or updated for years, yet still paid homage to its character (which I talk about in my recent YouTube video here).

Between his eye toward whimsy and the overall Milanese vibe he incorporated, I was smitten.

There’s a lot to love/covet about Rockwell’s design. I am so into his use of color and his love of incorporating eclectic elements. He has a “more is more” attitude when it comes to layering textures and patterns, and I appreciate how he draws so much inspo from fashion and art. He is not your mother’s interior designer. Rockwell straddles the line between modernity and classicism, which is no easy feat. This creates an end result of spaces that are sophisticated, elegant, and often theatrical, yet they still feel lived in and livable.

But instead of me going on, lemme just share what he had to say in his own words.

THE INTERVIEW

How did you get your start in interiors?

I went to architecture school at Pratt and then after taking a well-needed post college break, worked for an established NYC design firm on large, mostly modern homes. Through an architect friend, I got a project in Watermill that allowed me to leave and start my own firm. Hester [HODDE—HIS ASSOCIATE] worked in fashion but had design input that I appreciated and joined the firm about a year later.

What’s inspiring you right now?

We recently signed on to do a full renovation of a 1970s house in New Jersey that is truly a time capsule. [IN OTHER ARTICLES, HE’S TALKED ABOUT HIS LOVE OF COMBINING ELEMENTS FROM ENGLISH COUNTRY HOUSES, 1970S MAXIMALISM, AND AMERICAN DESIGN.] The house is sprawling and the volumes are generous. I’m excited by the space and the opportunity to bring back suburban glamour. I’m thinking about the homes in Ang Lee’s film The Ice Storm.

How would you describe your design philosophy?

Every project is different and has different requirements. Function and comfort are huge priorities. There will always be generous seating with good lighting and a place to put a drink. [AMEN.]

What’s a design challenge you’ve tackled recently?

Figuring out how to build a plaster-covered spiral staircase to access the 3rd floor gym in our Colorado project has been a challenge. We have had to make many adjustments from our original vision—tweaking the recessed lighting, the handrail, etc. It is one of the more engineered aspects of the home.

What advice would you give to someone furnishing their home for the first time?

Take your time. It’s easy to want to rush it. [THIS.] Be specific about how you want the space to look and feel and have each decision and purchase be a step toward creating that vision. Buy things you love. Don’t obsess over things you can’t change. [I THINK WE MAY HAVE JUST FOUND OUR NEW MANTRA.]

Thanks so much, Gregory, and we can’t wait to see what you do next!

xx,

Paige