Carolyn Englefield
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? A country house in Europe (France or England).
What are three words to describe your style?
1. Authentic
2. Soulful
3. “Boho-chic” per Pierre Frey
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? Ethereal. The walls were painted similar to a John Saladino shade of lavender with a pair of antique twin beds from my grandfather that were painted in a pale blue-green-gray by my mother, with white Marseilles spreads. Ivory voile sheer curtain panels hung at the window on black iron rods.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? A rare French Art-Deco period guilt wrought iron armchair by Jean-Charles Moreaux, which I bought at the New York flea market in the 80s.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? The late Roger Lussier, owner of a frame shop and art gallery in Boston.
However, if I had to choose among the living (a very hard task) then I would give Stephen Sills, Richard Hallberg, and Veere Greeney each a room!
No room is complete without a window and natural light.
People think of me as a stylist (which I am) but I am also a style director/content producer and I would love to work with you!
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Oasis and fake flowers.
An hors d’oeuvre platter: I would omit anything that doesn’t make a pretty presentation.
A bar cabinet: Unattractive glasses and bottles.
A song for:
Dinner at home: “Paris, Paris” by Malcom McClarin and Catherine Deneuve.
Working at your desk: “The Mission” theme by Ennio Morricone.
Going for a run: I don’t run, but I love walking, so I would choose the album “Twenty Something” Jamie Cullum.
Biggest Vice? Forgetting to live in the present moment.
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? A Louis XVI gilded canopy bed.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Yes, to some extent, I think of my style as classic and relaxed with an understated elegance and a slight European flair.
Who is your star crush? Michael Fassbender
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? I would never limit a room to all new matching fabrics and furniture because I prefer a more unique and eclectic point of view.
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be? I’d probably keep my own, A Passion for Living, because otherwise, it would be too impossible to choose.
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? I would like my work to be known for inspiring people with my creative spirit and for supporting designers and their work by telling the story through the beautiful pictures I produce.
A Few Favorites
Movie: Girl with a Pearl Earring - because it’s so visually compelling.
Book: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.
Scent: Jasmine and gardenia, found in my favorite fragrance, Hermes 24 Foubourg.
The fabric you always come back to: La Dame du Lac, a toile de jouy.
Dream project: I have a few…decorate a country house in Europe, work on a short film, and I always love working on book projects!
Meal: Anything Thai.
Drink: Skinny Margarita.
Hotel: Hotel des Grands Hommes at the Place de Panthéon. I love boutique hotels.
Travel Destination: I’m longing to go to India.
Artist: Mark Rothko.
Thing to collect obsessively: French porcelain, creamware, antique textiles, and linens.
Era in the history of design: European design in the 17th and 18th century.
Museum: Musée Rodin in Paris
Paint Color that always looks great: Min Hogg’s pink, similar to “Calamine” by Farrow & Ball.
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: Carolyne Roehm.
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Coco, my 5-year-old tri-colored King Charles Spaniel.
