The Garrison House

The Garrison House

Welcome to our second case study of the course, and a project that has been close to my heart for a number of years. Located in Garrison, an hour or so north of New York, the house belongs to editor and writer Deborah Needleman.

An Introduction to Garrison

I first started work on this project around 15 years ago, and it's been an ongoing collaboration between myself and owner Deborah, alongside architect Jim Joseph and designer Stephen Gambrel.

One of the advantages of working on a project over so many years is the ability to revisit elements that I didn't feel were quite as successful as they should have been the first time, and make them perfect.

A house also evolves as it becomes more lived in, so as new pieces get brought in, I can build them into the new schemes to create a layered and homely look that feels authentic.

Working with Clients

A benefit of working with clients over a longer period of time is that you're able to develop a shorthand between each other, and your understanding of their likes and dislikes gets deeper and more intuitive.

When first beginning to work with a new client, I would always recommend ascertaining exactly what they love and what they quite like, alongside what they absolutely hate so that you're able to quickly get on the same page.

Building trust is an essential part of a client relationship; as a decorator, I find that the more a client trusts you, the better a project will be.

Working with an Architect

I would always advise my clients to invest their money in getting the bones of a house right, and engaging the services of a brilliant architect will really lay the groundwork for a successful decorating scheme.

What We'll Cover in This Case Study

I want to show you exactly how a home comes together from the very beginning to the end. In this case study, we will cover;

• How to layout a room
• Choosing fabrics, wallpapers and paint
• Mixing colour and pattern
• Creating a cohesive flow between rooms
• The process of enacting your designs
• Layering in final details

Sourcebook

Architect Jim Joseph

Interior Designer Steven Gambrel

Suggested Reading

Jim Joseph renovates his own New York home

Stephen Gambrel's house in Long Island