Ep. 292: Romancing the Home with Stewart Manger

It’s all about getting out of the routine and the regular this week as we welcome New York-based interior designer Stewart Manger to the show. Stewart has worked in some of the most celebrated design offices in the United States, and we talk to him about learning from David Easton, Bunny Williams, and David Kleinberg as well as his advice for new and upcoming designers. Stewart shares the inspiration behind his new book, Romancing The Home, and gives us a few expert tips on balancing both style and comfort in design.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

• How the point of view comes from the voice of the house as well as the client.
• Stewart’s ability to naturally blend traditional and modern while bringing in contemporary.
• How working with celebrated names like David Easton, Bunny Williams, and David Kleinberg influenced him and what elements of their work and habits he draws into his own practice now.
• How can we better distribute patterns around the room?
• How small details can have a large impact, such as leading edges on drapery.
• Ways to mix it up and get out of your own routine.
• Why your upholstery should be comfortable, and the rule that you shouldn’t buy a chair if you haven’t sat in it!
• Textured and tactile fabrics can make our furniture feel more comfortable.
• Why Stewart is a big fan of white kitchens and that NOW is the time to buy that brown furniture.
• How can we use rugs to warm up the room?
• What was it like for Stewart to hop over to Scotland and design a castle?
• The importance for future designers to work in a professional office for someone they admire.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Ballard Designs

Stewart Manger

@stewartmangerdesign

Romancing the Home

How to Make a Bed with Bunny Williams

Decorating Dilemma:

Thank you for writing in Susan! First, you have a great home and you are doing very well! Next, it is not a missed opportunity if you don’t fill the space, so don’t worry about that. Stewart agrees that you don’t want to over furnish it, and sometimes there are areas that don’t necessarily need anything at all. With that in mind, we agree that a bench can be a great method to add more storage and still put your Christmas tree there. Also, there is a 3-inch span of the wall next to the door, and you may want to consider an oversized bracket or wall-mounted table that can serve as a perch. Check out the Julian wall bracket. Here you can also add some lamps or candles to add a nice glow.