Jocelyn Chiappone
photo by Greg Premru / Styling by Karin Lidbeck
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? Italy, I just got back from a trip there! Or Harbor Island.
What are three words to describe your style?
1. Fun
2. Effortless
3. Layered
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? My mom allowed me to paint my bedroom so I painted the whole room mauve – It was 1982! The walls, trim and millwork, all mauve! And I reupholstered my dresser in a Marimekko mauve print to match.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? We purchased a home that had great bones, beautiful gardens and location but needed a redo on the interiors. I first invested in a new kitchen with all the appliances and details on my wish list. I was honored when it was selected for HB Kitchen of the month.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Amanda Lindroth -- I love her sense of style and personality. I would imagine her clients love her. I have heard her speak and she has a great wit! Of course she would have to include an island home of her choosing as part of the package!
No room is complete without printed fabrics.
People think of me as Type A, but I am really a dead head.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Lilies and carnations
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Fruit! I don’t love fruit.
A bar cabinet: Plastic glasses
A song for:
Dinner at home: Anything from French Cooking soundtrack to Sam Cooke… It depends on what’s cooking!
Working at your desk: Whatever the Digs team is spinning on Spotify. If I’m in my zone I just hear white noise.
Going for a run: No running, I’m more of a yoga gal with monks singing and chiming bells.
Biggest Vice? Gin and tonics – specifically Peter’s of Florence Gin. An Affogato is pretty delicious as well…
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? I have a soft spot for vintage mirrors, I especially love rattan and wicker ones.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Of course! Lots of prints, colors, and textiles! And great accessories too! I can always tell if a client relationship will be great if they comment on my clothes, or better yet, have the same dress!
Who is your star crush? Eddie Vedder, Bradley Cooper, George Clooney…all easy on the eyes!
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it?
Chrome, but sometimes I see it used in very nice hotels and I think I should use chrome!
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be?
Alexa Hampton’s Decorating in Detail…. Is that brown nosing?
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? We believe each project should stand on its own two feet and represent a truly unique and celebrated design.
photo by Greg Premru / Styling by Karin Lidbeck
A Few Favorites:
Movie: Out of Africa
Book: Mr. Pines Purple House, which was a children’s book we had as kids…It taught me to stand out and stay true to myself. I loved the idea of painting a house purple too at the time!
Scent: Currently Luisa Spagnoli from Italy, but I always get the most compliments when I wear SJP’s “Lovely.”
The fabric you always come back to: I try never to repeat but I do love hand blocks.
Dream project: The next one! We are so blessed in this business to have a career that is always changing and continually having new things to look forward to.
Meal: Anything my husband makes (see the earlier question on the first home investment) -- I did the kitchen for him! (He was also a good investment too!) His Valentine’s Day Chateaubriand was remarkable!
Drink: San Pellegrino
Hotel: I can’t choose just one…Some of my favorites are Le Bristol in Paris and 1 Hotel in Miami. I recently traveled to Hotel Brunelleschi in Florence and they embroidered our initials on the shams…that was a lovely touch!
Travel Destination: At the moment it’s Italy as I’m still in its afterglow from our vacation there.
Artist: John Singer Sargent. There is an exhibit “Fashioned by Sargent “ coming to the MFA next month which reveals his meaning and messages through fashion and dress depicted in his works.
A cause near and dear to me: The Maui fires, my daughter lives in Oahu.
Thing to collect obsessively: Design books, beach stones...I like to add guest’s initials to them and use them as place cards when entertaining.
Era in the history of design: The 60’s, think Slim Aarons.
Museum: Not a museum but, St. Mark Basilica.
Paint Color that always looks great: Ben Moore Horizon
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: Nick Mele’s photography on “A Social Life,” it brightens my day!
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Dogs, and definitely no cats, much to the chagrin of my family.
