Timothy Corrigan
photo by Eric Piasecki
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? I actually do have a second home that I recently purchased in France’s Loire Valley, the Château de la Chevallerie. I am in the midst of the restoration process, which I love!
What are three words to describe your style? Timeless, Comfortable, Elegant
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? My favorite color when I was a kid was navy blue and most of the furniture was white painted wood with navy roman shades and navy and white bed linens. I was obsessed with cars so I had lots of model cars around the room.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? My first antique piece of furniture was a desk that I found at a Connecticut antiques show when I was a sophomore in college. My first real pieces of art were a study by Frank Stella and a painting by Jennifer Bartlett that I purchased at a charity auction in Tribeca my first year out of college.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Jean-Charles Moreux—he best captures the total integration of design, architecture and furnishings
No room is complete without art and accessories.
People think of me as a gourmand, but I am really a junk food junkie.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Gerber daisies
An hors d’oeuvre platter: sushi
A bar cabinet: very little.
A song for:
Dinner at home: Just about anything by Mozart.
Working at your desk: The soundtracks of “Parade’s End,” “Out of Africa,” and “The Mission.”
Going for a run: A work-out mix I have made with lots of upbeat dance music from the 90’s, when I still went out to clubs!
What do you love to shop for online? Clothes, I rarely walk into a clothing store.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Yes, I’m all about comfortable elegance even with my wardrobe! I live in Lululemon ABC pants. They are the wardrobe equivalent of performance fabric, because they are virtually indestructible, comfortable, and look great. People are always surprised when I reveal that they are actually athletic wear! I pair them with cashmere Tee shirt sweaters from Eric Bompain in Paris and Belgian Loafers, without the bows, which are classic and comfortable.
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? Something trendy…but actually, I do detest it when I see others doing it.
What’s the best design book ever written? This is so difficult to say, because I am a junkie for design books. In recent years, I would have to say: Interior Design Master Class: 100 Lessons from America's Finest Designers on the Art of Decoration by Rizzoli because it provides a wonderful overview of interior design. There are terrific essays on just about every topic in design.
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? I would like to be known for having helped people come to understand the positive connection between one’s surroundings and their well being.
photo by Mark Luscomb-Whyte
A Few Favorites
Movie: Etore Scola’s “La Nuit de Varennes” with Marcello Mastroianni, Hanna Schygulla, and Harvey Keitel.
Book: Marcel Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time”---I have read it twice and listen to it (more than 60 cd’s) when driving in the car. Proust’s way of describing concepts, places, relationships and people is truly breathtaking. You just have to get past the first book, Swann’s Way, in order to really get into his magical world.
Scent: “Demeure en Ville” from the Timothy Corrigan Signature Candle Collection---it’s a romantic mix of soft and spicy all at the same time.
The fabric you always come back to: my “Madeline Velvet” for Schumacher. Every room needs a bit of leopard, and this one comes in so many great colors.
Dream project: I have been so incredibly lucky to get to work on amazing projects all around the world so I don’t want to jinx my luck by mentioning anything specific.
Meal: Garganelli pasta with sausage and broccoli and banana cream pie.
Drink: Arnaux Champagne….it is the only French champagne made with real French vines…all other French champagnes use vines that came from California in the late 19th century.
Hotel: Villa Cipriani, in Asolo Italy
Travel Destination: Loire Valley, France
Artist: John Singer Sargent and Carolus-Duran.
Thing to collect obsessively: Books…I truly do not go a week without buying at least one.
