Philip Mitchell
photo by annie schlecter
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? I would have to say anywhere in France.
Tell us about your childhood bedroom. My childhood bedroom had dark blackish green walls, striped damask silk drapery with box pleated valances, predominantly brown English furniture with the exception of one very, very, very ornate marquetry inlaid, ormolu French Baroque Desk.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? The first investment piece I ever purchased was an etching by Picasso when I was in my early 20’s. It was the equivalent of a student loan at the time, but currently worth over 10 times what I originally paid for it. A pretty good investment in my opinion!
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? If I could have hired any designer it would have to have been both Sister Parish and Albert Hadley.
No room is complete without - being filled with love.
People think of me as very social, but I really enjoy quiet time at home working and spending time with my husband and our dogs.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Bird of Paradise
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Anything that requires a skewer, spoon, fork or glass
A bar cabinet: Coasters
A song for:
Dinner at home: One Note Samba by Ella Fitzgerald & Joe Pass
Working at your desk: Bite by Troye Sivan
Going for a run: There is no way I could choose, so anything from the 80’s (original or remixed)
Biggest Vice? Vodka and great food…
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? Artwork
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? I think to a degree. I love details. I am attracted to quality, touched by hand pieces, tailored jackets and crisp dress shirts. I also love accessories and embellishments like pocket squares, cufflinks, ties, patterned socks, and shoes that have unusual stitching and features.
Who is your star crush? Monica Bellucci & George Clooney
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? Fur
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be? Early Houses of New England by Norman B. Baker. It was a gift from a very dear friend and its filled with Inspirational floor plans.
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Classic, Comfortable and inviting with layers of things one loves.
photo by tim mcghie
A Few Favorites:
Movie: I am Love
Book: The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Scent: Endymion by Penhaligon’s of London
The fabric you always come back to: Raw linen
Dream project: A small hotel with a realistic budget
Meal: My husband’s spaghetti carbonara & anything he bakes
Drink: An ice cold Vodka Martini, very dry with either a twist or olives depending on my mood.
Hotel: The Lowell Hotel on 63rd Street in New York. The service, the interiors, the food, the flowers and the location are exceptional. I could easily live there.
Travel Destination: Anywhere in Europe
Artist: Joan Mitchell
Thing to collect obsessively: Are you kidding me! You’re really asking me that question? Everything and anything I love…
Era in the history of design: Belle Époque
Museum: The Frick Collection in New York
Paint color that always look great: Cloud White CC-40 by Benjamin Moore
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: Favorite account on Instagram to follow is Global Citizen @glblctzn – Everyone needs to follow it!
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Dogs. Definitely dogs. We have two male Ganaraskan’s (Jacob and Wylo) with plans on adding female to our pack in the spring.
