Courtnay Daniels
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live?
A farm outside Charlottesville, Virginia.
What are three words to describe your style?
1. Clean
2. Classic
3. Comfortable
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? We moved a lot as a child but the one constant was a wonderful bobbin bed that had belonged to my grandfather.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? An amazing 18th century child’s chair from a Christie’s Country House Sale when I was in my early 20’s.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Nancy Lancaster, who I met once when I was in London.
No room is complete without a wonky chair.
People think of me as the life of the party, but I am really the one making the Irish exit.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Too many colors
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Anything seafood as I am allergic
A bar cabinet: Nothing!
A song for:
Dinner at home: Anything from Hotel de Costes
Working at your desk: Bon Iver
Going for a run: Anything on a playlist my son makes me
Biggest Vice? Bravo TV
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy?
Anything from The Row or MARCH in San Francisco
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how?
Yes simple lines, classic and neutral colors.
Who is your star crush? Lenny Kravitz.
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? Bright colors.
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be?
David Adler’s original monograph.
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Being timeless and comfortable.
photo by Simon Upton
A Few Favorites
Movie: My Brilliant Career
Book: E.B. White ‘Here is New York’
Scent: Gardenia
The fabric you always come back to: Claremont Milano linens – great on everything including walls!
Dream project: A collaboration with my husband, Gil Schafer on a new house for our family
Meal: A wedge salad
Drink: Chai latte
Hotel: Beaumont
Travel Destination: Lake Como
Artist: Sally Mann
A cause near and dear to me: New York Common Pantry
Thing to collect obsessively: Southern Photography (at least for me)
Era in the history of design: English Country Houses in the 20’s and 30’s
Museum: SFMOMA
Paint Color that always looks great: Farrow and Ball Elephant’s Breath
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: The Irish Aesthete, @Max_Rollit, @notenoughhangers
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Dogs
