french chateau

Glamorous doesn’t even begin to describe Timothy Corrigan’s lavish interiors…  We think “breathtakingly gorgeous” would be a better descriptive.  Despite exuding old-world elegance, Timothy’s interiors are fresh and comfortable, too.  Perhaps that is why he’s the designer of choice for European and Middle Eastern royalty, Hollywood celebrities (like Sarah Jessica Parker and Madonna!) and international corporate executives.  Not to mention the accolades he’s received from Architectural Digest (“Today’s Tastemaker” and AD Top 100), The Robb Report (World’s Top 40 Interior Designers), and Luxe Magazine (Gold List.)

His projects include extraordinary properties and span the globe, from a 45,000 square foot beach villa in Doha to a tiny jewel box apartment in Paris to his own Chateau du Grand-Luce’ in the Loire valley.  And in case he wasn’t busy enough, this advertising executive turned divine designer is working on a book about his chateau, a French national landmark and one of the purest examples of 18th century architecture, published by Rizzoli this fall, and has a number of other exciting projects in the works.  Thankfully, Timothy had time to graciously answer our questions and needless to say, we’re thrilled and honored to have him here today!

1.  What did you want to be when you were a child?
I wanted to be an architect from my earliest memory.  I used to build completely different style buildings (classic through what was then cutting-edge contemporary) out of balsa wood.  I would paint them then add trees and lawns.  I have always been fascinated by the creation of buildings and how people interact with them.

2.  What is your necessary luxury?
Custom-made Belgian Loafers with the bows taken off…  I have about 20 pairs and war them every day…  There is no shoe more comfortable or chic.  The other thing that I cannot live without are good bed linens – I love the custom embroidered designs of DEA from Italy.

3.  What is your favorite decorating accessory?
Mirrors are one of the best things to make a room feel alive…  They reflect the light (both day and night) and they make any room look larger and more glamorous.  It doesn’t matter if they have a simple wood frame or an elaborately carved baroque surround – they always do the trick!

4.  Where do you window shop?
The antique shops on the left bank of Paris are one of the best places for antique window shopping – they always give me inspiration even if I can’t afford any of the wonderful pieces inside.  I also love the windows of the flagship Hermes shop on Rue St. Honore in Paris becuase they chnage them regularly with some of the most imaginative designs you can imagine.

5.  What makes a house a home?
Even the most beautiful house is not really a “home” unless you can feel totally comfortable living in all the rooms.  I don’t believe that you should have any “just for company” rooms.  Comfort is more than just having soft, uphostered seating to lounge on…  Comfort is also a state of mind.  I try to turn every piece of furniture in the house into everyday use by adding marine varnish onto table tops, upholstering seating with High Performance or outdoor fabrics and always having good lighting so that you can read where ever you want.

6.  What is the most enjoyable part of your day?
My biggest passion in life is learning new things…  I get so excited whenever I find a great new source, learn some new bit of history or figure out how to do something better.  It may sound corny, but at the end of most days I ask myself what have I learned that day?

7.  What is your favorite flower?
Favorite flower?  That is like asking a parent who is their favorite child.  I love almost all flowers but my favorites would probably be: a huge bunch of deep purple anemones, a small, fragrant arrangement of sweet peas or a sterling silver cup filled with long-lasting star of Bethlehem.

8.  If you were a cocktail, what would you be and why?
I woiuld be a tall, icy cold Caiparusski – vodka, lots of tangy limes, shaved ice and a dash of sugar.  The vodka give me punch, the limes make me fresh and alive, the ice gives me vigor and the sugar evens things out so that I am not too overpowering!

9.  If your life were made into a movie, what would be the title and who would play your part?
If a movie were made of my life, it wouldhave to be something like 7 Countries/6 Days.  My entire professional life has been spent on the road; in my first career in advertising I was responsible for my company’s international division and I was constantly traveing around the world.  Now, I find that I spend about two-thirds of the time between our two offices (LA and PAris) and the international projects what we have underway.  Why six days in the title?  On the seventh day, I collapse!  Who would play my part?  Well, since this would be a somewhat dull film, who better than have someone like Cary Grant to spice things up?  I want someone dashing and romantic to make this film more fun!

10.  Name one thing from your “Bucket List.”
I have never really kept a bucket list; I feel so incredibly lucky to have been able to do all of the things I have in my life and I really try to remain open to all of the possibilities that present themselves to me.  I firmly believe that there are no real “coincidences” and so it becomes even more important to keep an open mind about everything that happens.  There are no good or bad experiences…  Just how you choose to react to them!

What marvelous and memorable answers!  Thank you, Timothy, for letting us “buzz” about you today and for sharing your amazing talent with us.

P.S.  We don’t know how Timothy finds time to blog with all his travels and projects, but he does and you can read more here!

Photos via Timothy Corrigan