Kevin Sharkey
photo by Paul Costello
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? Paris, France
What are three words to describe your style? Classic, Appropriate, Edited
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? Walls were upholstered in black and white ticking stripe cotton fabric with a pennant shaped border along the top punctuated with pom poms in primary colors. The ceiling was tented in the same fabric. The walls were hung with watercolors of all types of circus animals but thankfully no clowns. I hate clowns!
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? Two large wooded Guan Yin sculptures that I purchased in Beijing. They arrived in crates larger than my studio apartment.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Rory Cameron
No room is complete without a dimmer for all of the lights.
People think of me as Formal and unapproachable, but I am really quite goofy and relaxed.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Anything dyed
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Anything with poppy seeds
A bar cabinet: Jagermeister
A song for:
Dinner at home: Claude Debussy – Claire De Lune
Working at your desk: George Michael – A Different Corner
Going for a run: Anything from Tribe Called Quest
Biggest Vice? Lipton’s French Onion Soup Mix Dip and Ruffles potato chips
If you were on an Ambient high and internet shopping, what would you buy?
Oribe Hair Care Products and Falke socks
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Yes, they are contextually appropriate, well made, and subtle
Who is your star crush? Giovanni Ribisi
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? Use the color teal
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be? Irish Houses and Castles by Guinness and Ryan
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Informing, inspiring, and encouraging
photo by Paul Costello
A Few Favorites:
Movie: Pillow Talk
Book: Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
Scent: Lily of the Valley
The fabric you always come back to: Belgian Linen
Dream project: My Flower Garden
Meal: Corned beef and cabbage, with potatoes, carrots and onions. Irish Soda bread for dessert
Drink: ice cold Coca Cola out of a glass bottle
Hotel: Amangiri
Travel Destination: Italy, every summer with friends
Artist: John Singer Sargent
Thing to collect obsessively: luggage
Era in the history of design: English Georgian Period
Museum: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston
Paint Color that always look great: Sharkey Grey
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: @Miguelfloresvianna
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Dogs- For Sure!
