Jonathan Adler
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live?
I’m fortunate enough that I do have a second home on Shelter Island, NY. It’s my favorite place in the entire world and I don’t take it for granted for even a second.
What are three words to describe your style? Modern, American, Glamour
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? This is a sad story. I was the youngest of 3 kids so, by the time I came around, my parents had totally given up. My bedroom was a random and motley assortment of whatever was around the house. HOWEVER, my childhood bestie, Andrew Goldstein, had a chic de la chic Boys Rooms ‘76 vibe, going on, all red white and blue and Stars and Stripes and it was simply not fair. Why does everything always happen to me?
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? I was a super poor struggling potter and I found this vintage Fornasetti malachite cocktail table. The dealer wanted $500 for it, and I begged, borrowed, pleaded, and stole to get her down to $350. I still know her, and she constantly reminds me that she just felt sorry for me and let me have it because she knew I loved it and couldn’t afford it.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Alexander Girard, mid-century American designer who was prolific, original, chic, and playful – all qualities I aspire to.
No room is complete without a pedestal.
People think of me as a maximalist, but I am really a minimalist.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Hydrangeas
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Crudités. Je hate crudités. I don’t think they’re food.
A bar cabinet: Anything alcoholic – I don’t drink.
A song for:
Dinner at home: In the Long Run from the Beyond the Valley of the Dolls soundtrack.
Working at your desk: Girl on Fire – Alicia Keys
Going for a run: Eye of the Tiger by Survivor. I was on the tennis team in high school (yes, varsity, thank you very much) and we’d play that song before every match to get pumped. I hear it and I’m ready for action!
Biggest Vice? Anything sweet. I am a boring old teetotaler and I don’t drink or do drugs, but I’ve never met a cookie or cake I was able to resist.
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? I would probably continue to nurse my Thom Browne obsession and add a few sweaters to my collection.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? I wear the exact same thing every day, white Uniqlo jeans, a Lacoste polo in the summer or Thom Browne sweater in the winter and Stan Smiths. I kinda’ think I look like I’m supposed to look?
Who is your star crush? Don’t tell him I told you, but my hubby Simon Doonan.
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? There’s just about nothing I won’t try. Except taxidermy, it just makes me sad.
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? My design canon, my heroes—Bonnie Cashin, Alexander Gerard, David Hicks— were prolific, singular, bold, playful (!), colorful, fun, and, perhaps most importantly, unimpeachably chic. In my oeuvre I try to channel their unpretentious spirit (except for when I throw in a soupçon of francais, like oeuvre) and commitment to style. If I could someday join that canon I’d be stoked AF.
A Few Favorites:
Movie: Paris is Burning
Book: Beautiful People - Simon Doonan
Scent: My Champagne Pop Candle
The fabric you always come back to: Arbre de Matisse
Dream project: Designing a car
Meal: Roast chicken with an apple pie for dessert
Drink: PG tips tea
Hotel: Scalinatella in Capri
Travel Destination: Japan
Artist: Brancusi
Thing to collect obsessively: Vintage Italian glass
Era in the history of design: The 1970’s.
Museum: The Victoria & Albert in London. When I spent my junior year of college in London, I never went to class, I just went to the V&A every day and got a true education!
Paint Color that always look great: Benjamin Moore True Blue
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: @SimonDoonan
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Dogs! Our rescue mutt FoxyLady is the love of my life.
