Barry Goralnick
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? Capri
What are three words to describe your style?
1. Eclectic
2. Unexpected (always with a little tasteful bling)
3. Classical filtered through modern
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? It had faux wood wallpaper, black and white shag carpet shot with silver threads, walnut furniture, a big black leather chair to study and watch TV in, and a black and white fur bedspread. What else would a suburban boy of 11 select?
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? An 18th Century woodcut I bought in Paris when I turned 20. I still have it.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? The architect in me would say John Soane. The interior designer in me would say William Haines. I love his work and life story. He was the number one box office draw and gave up his career for the man he loved before he became a great designer. I would want to hang out with him and create a home together.
No room is complete without a dramatic overhead light fixture, even the bathroom.
People think of me as an intellectual, but I am really pop culture junkie.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Mums
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Olives, blech
A bar cabinet: Plastic ice cubes
A song for:
Dinner at home: Mellow pop classics sung by French chanteuse, Patricia Kass
Working at your desk: Early Barbra Streisand
Going for a run: I have never been for a run in my entire life, but for a workout, I’d say any album produced by Giorgio Moroder from Donna Summer to Sia.
Biggest Vice? Shopping “in person” - addicted.
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy?
A Bentley Flying Spur
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Yes, the way I dress, the level of quality, combination of pattern and color, and classic, but updated style are very similar to my designs. I can mix high and low in clothing as well as in design.
Who is your star crush? Dead: Cary Grant; Alive: Chris Pine or Steve Kornaki
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? Use the color yellow.
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be?
Edwin Lutyens Monographs
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Originality that makes its own statement and reflects not only for me, but my clients. Some of my products have been selling for so long, I hope they become classics.
A Few Favorites
Movie: Those close to me might expect me to say, “All About Eve” or “The Women”, which don’t get me wrong, I love, but I’d have to say “Lawrence of Arabia.”
Book: Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence
Scent: Aroma of a Great French Patisserie
The fabric you always come back to: Velvet
Dream project: I have always wanted to renovate an old palazzo. Once in a while a Palladio villa comes on the market.
Meal: My favorite restaurant in NY is Tocqueville, which is conveniently ½ a block from my apt.
The gougeres are the best I’ve ever had.Madrid – La Terazza del Casino. The space is gorgeous and the chef, Paco Roncero studied with Farran Adria. The flavors and presentation are incomparable much of it designed in his space-aged laboratory.
Drink: Manhattan made by my husband, with Italian cherries.
Hotel: The Four Seasons in Kyoto
Travel Destination: Jose Saint Ignacio in Uruguay. We went there for one of my “special” birthdays, and it is unspoiled like Malibu must have been in the 30’s. Super chic and utterly relaxing
Artist: Egon Schiele
Thing to collect obsessively: Chairs and lamps. There are new and old ones constantly cycling out of my office and apartment. Everyone teases me about it.
Era in the history of design: Baroque. TBD
Museum: The Frick, The Prado, The Clyfford Still Museum in Denver
Paint Color that always look great: Aubergine
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: Besides you? Gary Janetti’s hilarious posts from the “mind” of Prince George.
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Shoes. They’re enough to take care of.
