Interview with San Francisco Interior Designer Martha Angus

In addition to her distinguished career in interior design, Martha Angus studied at the Ecole Des Beaux Arts in France, Carnegie Mellon University and Sotheby’s Restoration in New York. Martha began designing interiors in New York City for Naomi Leff & Associates where she worked on projects for well known clients including Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani and the Lauder family.

Today the seasoned designer, leads the full-scale San Francisco firm, Martha Angus, Inc. Her fresh, classic and refined approach to interior design attracts clients from around the world.

Simplified Bee: Your designs are inviting, sensible and timeless. When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer?

Martha Angus: After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in painting I panicked because I had no way to make a living. My AHA moment came from my mom’s suggestion; she asked me why not go into design?

SB: How would you describe your personal style?

MA: Classic mixed with fun, strong art. This also describes my wardrobe – classics mixed with fun strong jewelry!

SB: What type of architecture are you personally drawn to?

MA: Neoclassical or clean Modern.

SB: Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?

MA: Jeff Koons!

SB: Do you have “go to” paint colors? If so, which ones?

MA: Absolutely. I always go straight to my Farrow and Ball paint deck.

Skimming Stone #241 – Hallways and/or trim

Charleston Gray #243 – Kitchen and/or dining room

Light gray #17 – bedroom (I used this for my bedroom in my old apartment and it created an instant serene feeling)

Middleton Pink #245 – feminine office or a girl’s room

Charlotte’s lock #268 – this makes the most fabulous accent wall

Tunsgate Green #250 – children’s room – it’s perfect for boy’s or girl’s

Arsenic #214 – powder room

Blue ground #210 – bathroom and/or powder room

SB: Where do you recommend clients splurge versus save?

MA: Splurge on great art! Save on the items like end tables and desks.

SB: You are embracing social media and are on Facebook, Twitter and recently started blogging. Do you prefer one over the other? What is your advice to other interior designers who are timid about trying social media marketing outlets?

MA: I prefer blogging and reading other blogs. My Silicon Valley clients kept telling me that I needed to do this! Throughout the years I’ve always saved cool ideas by tearing images from magazines and taken tons and tons of pictures. Post + Grant is the perfect place to use all of these fabulous ideas.

SB: Fill in the blank. No room is complete without…

MA: Something that makes you smile.

SB: What’s next for Martha Angus Inc.?

MA: A lot and it’s a bit of a secret…I’ll keep you posted.

*all photos used with permission from Martha Angus, Inc.

Interview with New York Interior Designer Sara Gilbane

Earlier this year, the seasoned, Traditional Home and youngster, Lonny collaborated to create a new digital shelter magazine, TRADhome. In it’s debut issue, TRADhome names 20 New Traditional Designers to Watch. On the coveted list is New York-base interior designer, Sara Gilbane. She is known for her classic modern-traditional style and artfully combining low-key and elegant pieces. Sara’s interiors are chic, yet grounded in practicality.

 

Simplified Bee: When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer? 

Sara Gilbane: After my first day of work at Kemble Interiors. I was thrilled to be working with Celerie Kemble and Christina Murphy and once I dove into those fabrics I never looked back!

SB: How would you describe your personal style? 

SG: I come from a traditional background and love bold color and pattern mixed with neutrals. My style has a bit of an eclectic loved feel with a sense of calm.

SB: Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project? 

SG: Architects Peter Pennoyer or Gil Schafer. 

SB: Do you have “go to” paint colors? If so, which ones? 

SG: Benjamin Moore Linen White, Dove White, and Super White are always used on my moldings. Farrow and Ball Skylight is another favorite- a pale grey blue that makes you feel like you have been enveloped in a cloud.

SB: Which of today’s interior design trends are here to stay and which ones will we see fade away?

SG: Ikat, zebra, sisal, jewel tones, reclaimed wood, and bold color are all trending but they are classics and will never go away. Perhaps neon is one trend we will (gladly) see go.

SB: Where do you recommend clients splurge versus save? 

SG: Splurge on drapes, wallpaper, and a custom sofa ( you will LIVE on this for 20 years and it will be amazingly comfortable). Save on cocktail table, side tables, lamps. With this splurge/ save combo the splurge items are so unique people assume the rest of your pieces are special. Then again.... if you fall in love with something, buy it. Since you love it you will always find a way of working it into your next home.

SB: I love the timelessness of the nursery you designed that was featured in TRADhome. Tell us about your favorite design elements in the space. 

SG: We used a classic wool rug with a timeless geometric pattern in charcoal grey, celadon green, and slate blue to hide stains. The room had a tremendously high ceiling so we added silver star wallpaper on the ceiling and a custom painted pale blue and white circus tent stripe on the walls to add a sense of whimsy to the room. The deep mulberry colored rocking chair is one of my favorite pieces. It is so comfortable and the shape makes it perfect for a growing child ( not stuck in a nursery forever).

SB: You are embracing social media and write a blog {Travel for Design}, are on Facebook and can be found tweeting {http://twitter.com/sgilbane}. Do you prefer one over the other? What is your advice to other interior designers who are timid about trying social media marketing outlets? 



SG: I love the blog though I do not have nearly enough time to update it as much as I would like to. I need to be better with tweeting! I would advise other designers not to be timid. I was not sure anyone would read our blog and we have over 6,000 hits a day! Go forth and blog, tweet, and tumble!

SB: Fill in the blank. No room is complete without… 



SG: Art.

SB: What’s next for Sara Gilbane Interiors? 



SG: I would love to design a range of fabrics and wallpapers for one of the fabric houses. I am fabric obsessed!

*images via Sara Gilbane Interiors and TRADhome