Last week at Decorative Center Houston, I attended a Q&A in the Kravet showroom with Thom Filicia, one of the world's most published interior designers and is also famous for his role as a design expert on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.
Thom was there to chat with us about interior design, the design industry, the goings-ons of his own professional life, and his new book, which I absolutely ADORE, American Beauty: Renovating and Decorating a Beloved Retreat.
“Thom Filicia wasn’t looking for an escape from his busy city life, but when visiting beautiful Skaneateles Lake, New York, a place he discovered growing up, he fell madly in love with a fixer-upper. Part memoir, part decorating book, American Beauty is the story of this house, and an inspirational resource that imparts Thom’s extensive wisdom on creating rooms that feel meaningful and classic yet modern.”
...Sounds good, doesn't it?
As you soak in the words and pictures of each page you truly can feel the respect Thom as for this home, as well as the commitment he has to revitalizing it in a way that doesn't strip the heart and soul that lives throughout it and is nowhere near ready to move out.
And he did just that...
Every detail of the design's rebirth, as well as the unique and purposefully planned style combinations he put together, were obviously thought out very carefully. And the end result of his hard, diligent work was an old structure that was designed to feel like a new, fresh, comfortable retreat. See for yourself...
As if being able to enjoy a peek into Thom's creative process as he developed his fabulous book was not enough, he also took time to address a number of other topics.
Here are a few highlights:
Thom believes that the economic downturn has caused a much-needed, positive reboot of the interior design industry that will ultimately result in more people, of all income levels, being able to enjoy and actually afford quality design. His fabric collection is very successful,sold through Kravet, as it's offered at a very attractive mid-range price point.
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As for his preferred design style, he described himself as "a modernist rooted in tradition." Thom’s look is more of an American one, as it finds its inspiration in the history of American design and architecture, as opposed to European. As far as he's concerned, America is making a comeback in terms of style, and I believe he's right.
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People, and the ordinary ways they go about their days, also inspire his work. He pays attention to how we all use our rooms, our spaces, our homes to connect and interact with the world.
And his fascination with these details, which most people take for granted, is even more apparent when he sees something grand and amazing while traveling. His attention doesn't immediately focus upon their most obvious, standout features, it hones in on the finer details that exist deeper within its whole.
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Thom's must-haves for rooms:
- Comfortable upholstery
- Diversity of light sources
- Books -- Books that speak to the homeowners’ interests.
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Thom says color trends come from textiles, because designers -- both of interiors and fashion -- start a design process with fabrics that are made by textile designers.
Thom's favorite white:
Pittsburgh Paints, Dogwood Blossom
His favorite black:
Pittsburgh Paints, Black Magic
Favorite grey:
After the Q&A came to an end and everyone was leaving, I made sure to stick around for a little while longer. There was no way I was going to head home without having Thom's signature inked in my fresh copy of American Beauty!
Before he signed my book, I couldn't help but let him know how much I love his fabrics and that I used them in a showroom bedroom that I designed. I told him...
"The bedroom had a queen-sized daybed, all in white, and everyone loved the color and pattern your fabrics brought to the room."
His response:
"I think I've seen that bed!"
As it turns out, his social media person had showed him the Apartment Therapy article it was featured in.
Thanks, Thom's social media person, for having such a good eye. It made my day ;-)
