Interior Designer
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Q&A with Edward Lobrano
A rustic and elegant Napa Valey retreat by interior designer, Edward LobranoIt takes only a moment to make an impression on someone, and if done correctly, that moment can last a lifetime. When I first met interior designer Edward Lobrano, I was working at The John Rosselli Showroom in the D&D Building, while attending Parsons The New School for Design. Ed was one of the designers that left a favorable impression, in my early career in the design world. Over the years, I got to know him more through the works that he produced – mainly by visiting the venerable Kips Bay Designer Showhouse.This past spring, I caught up with Edward again at his latest project for Kips Bay, which took place at the historic Villard House, aka The New York Palace. The charming, and successful designer who once had a thriving career in the real estate development and syndication, also have worked for the following design Illuminati: Bunny Williams, David Anthony Easton and the Wiseman Group in San Francisco. His namesake firm, Edward Lobrano Interior Design was established in New York in 1997.High End Weekly™: As a successful designer, and a veteran Kips Bay participant, what were some of the elements that impressed you the most about the Villard Houses?
Edward Douglas Lobrano: The scale of the rooms and the elegant detail that still existed after all of these years. Everyone, however, should have walked across the courtyard and seen the wing where the Villard Restaurant is located. It is spectacular.
An elegant corner of repose, designed by Edward Lobrano for one of his showhouse project
Art Deco textiles from a penthouse suite at the Four Seasons in San FranciscoHEW: When approaching a project, do you give strong considerations to the architecture?
EDL: We always consider the architecture. Sometime there is none and our job is still to make a room or a home look great even if there is nothing great about it. My room at Kips Bay was actually an example of this. It was one of the most uninteresting rooms in the entire house, but my job was to make it interesting.
A modern living room in The BahamasHEW: Speaking of architecture, what are some of your favorite architectural sites?
EDL: Here in New York, The Metropolitan Museum and some of the grand apartments that still exist that I am lucky enough to see once in a while. In San Francisco, the Legion of Honor. In Paris, most will say the Louvre but my favorite is the Camondo Museum. There is somewhere wonderful in every city.
New York City Apartment for a Tennessee FamilyHEW: What is the Edward Lobrano signature style? Do you have one?EDL: Do I have a signature style? I think whether I am doing contemporary or Traditional my work is about stylish good taste and comfortable interiors. I don’t think my work is simply to look at. I hope people would want to use my interiors, in everyday possible.
Easy Living: Napa Valley Project
Southern Belle: A refined South Corolina BedroomHEW: If you were to have some of your favorite (past and present) artists and designers over for dinner, who would they be?
Edward Doublas Lobrano at the 2014 Kips Bay Designer ShowhousePhoto credit High End Weekly™EDL: Albert Hadley, David Adler, Florence Elkins, Michael Taylor, Bunny Williams (because she’s fun to have dinner with), Matisse, Da Vinci, Hockney, Koontz, Givenchy, John Dickenson, Jacques Grange.
Floridian Golf Course ProjectI could go on and on. I want to know what they all did, or do and how they do it. I want to see their style and manner. I love the interior designer, the dress designers, the architects. You learn so much over a dinner about life and style.
A beautifully designed monochromatic apartment in New York City
Easy Living: The Napa Valley Project by Edward LobranoImages by Edward Lobrano Interior Design Inc. -
Tête-à-Tête with Tinatin Kilaberidge
High End Weekly™: Who were your favorite designers from the modernist movement?
Tinatin Kilaberidze: Charles and Ray Eames, Eileen Gray. Jean Prouve for his unvarnished industrial and very chick look, opposite to him Jean Royere for Luxury modernist design, Jacques Adnet and Gio Ponti.
HEW: Your participation in the Holiday House last year created a buzz. It was pretty obvious that you liked your interiors clean, and modern, and that you also have a flair for using decorative arts. Tell me about the concept behind this particular project.TK: The inspiration behind the Holiday House was to create the world I raised my daughter in, the room was dedicated to her. It was also about appreciation for nature and the objects of our daily lives. My goal was to bring the magic of Christmas eve. The idea was to bring the forest, animals, and moon into the room, and at the same time, lose the boundaries between reality and fantasy. It was about creating the right mood. The room had a decisive aura of mystery and excitement.
HEW: How do you view fashion as it relates to your design work? Are you influenced by it?TK: Fashion is something I loved ever since I was a young girl, and after high school, I wanted to pursue it, but first, I went to University and after six years of studies, and obtaining a degree in literature, I decided interior design was something I wanted to study. I did this for another five years. I was lucky enough to work in the fashion industry in Italy for a several years.
“Fashion has always excited me, but it does not influence my work as an interior designer. At least not in a direct way. However, it does impel me to move in ways which make me realize how fast life moves forward.” Tinatin Kilaberidge
HEW: How do you see design evolving in the next five years?TK: Design in the next five years will be very different, but not as much as in the next ten years per se. Our lifestyles will change so radically, and we’ll need toreview the way we use our interiors. New technologies, virtual reality, and high-speed travel will change our needs to test the importance we place in the materials we surround ourselves with.
I am positive about striking a good balance, and believe that we are capable of keeping the best of the past, and embrace the fast coming future with its forms of design and changes in values, if we strike a good balance. I am very excited about that. The future I mean.
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Q&A with Edward Lobrano
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The Talented Mr. Redd
Miles Redd
I love great houses. And if you’re one of our readers, I would dare say you do as well. The elements of a great home is never built overnight, and it’s a continuing process – a beautiful, long process that is. The interior design history is complete with great designers who we look to, and admire for their style sensitivities, excellent panache, and exquisite sense of tastes. In our generation, one such designer is Miles Redd.
“Life in the 21st century means taking the best of history and making it work for you.” Miles Redd
The Big Book of Chic by Miles ReddThe overachiever is well-known for his quirky brand of cozy glamour. His unique aesthetic vision is characterized by some of the elements I love in design – a playful mélange of high and low, that is invigorated with whimsical splashes of color and modern gestures. The talented designer draws on inspirations ranging from Cecil Beaton’s photographs to René Gruau’s illustrations. His trademark approach to design has brought to life rooms infused with boldness, fantasy, and sophistication. This lavishly illustrated volume is an inspiration to me, and I’m sure will be an inspiration to anyone interested in a variety of spirited and eclectic designs. Living beautifully is indeed very chic!
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Miles Redd
Photos courtesy Assouline Publication
In 2003, Miles Redd was named creative director of Oscar de la Renta HOME, and his first book, The Big Book of Chic is out on October 4th, 2012, but will hit the stores on October 25th. To pre order this stylish book, visit: http://www.assouline.com/9781614280613.html. -
Interior Lighting For The Home
“Always try to use natural light as the great enhancement. There is nothing like it.”
Benjamin Noriega-OrtizLast Monday evening, the New York IIDA Committee, designing students and guests, along with several distinguished designers, gathered together at the swanky Swarovski Crystalized Concept Store in Soho to talk about something that effect us all – Interior Lighting.
Art + Design in Neighborhoods was to be discussed that evening. Lighting is an integral part of our everyday lives, yet some of us have chosen to live with bad lighting, and not demand the best. I remembered a scene from British comedy Absolutely Fabulous when upon arriving at Edina’s house, Patsy asked “What’s going on here? Is it the lighting, or am I badly lit?” A little British humor, yes, but considering that great lighting is within our reach, and can be achieved through careful selected interior colors, furniture, and textile, there really is no excuse for anything less. Celebrity interior designer and architect, Mr. Benjamin Ortiz talked about how he focuses on metals, whimsical lighting, and color, when he designs for himself and his clients.
Indeed, color is important because it creates sensation, and that is crucial in any room. Did you know that great lighting in any room can be achieve by simply highlighting a reflective ceiling light? Product designer, Jason Miller, uses his lighting creations to define a space. His current collection is divine and have several cultural references which make them even more alluring. It was so interesting to learn how Mr. Ivan Navarro, uses the purity of florescent light bulbs in his work to highlight social and political factors that inherently lie within formal composition. Through the eyes of each of these designers, it became plain to see how each of us can take minimal or significant steps in order to live with the benefits of exceptional lighting. The benefits are not just about the aesthetics, but purely therapeutic.
From left: Moderator Ms. Julie Taraska, senior editor of Gilt Home at Gilt Groupe, lighting artist, Mr. Ivan Navarro, Mr. Benjamin Noriega Ortiz principal of BNO Design, Mr. Jason Miller of Miller Studio,Mr. Hans Galutera of BG Studio,and Ms. Debra Gerstenfeld from Wolf Gordon
VSP, Ms. Janet Valenza from Closet Revolution, and Mr. Benjamin N. OrtizEnlighten conversations, and great ambiance all around.
