Tools of Your Passion

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Successfully styling your place takes introspection. If you acknowledge you don’t know what you’re doing, be conservative in the overall look. Don’t buy stuff for the sake of having stuff. Buy and show things in your home that are meaningful to you. Your passions convey character.

If your passion is motorcycles (whether you own one or not), pick up a vintage helmet to place on top of a table or cabinet. Print photos of your favorite classic bikes in black and white, frame them in simple black frames, and hang on the wall or set on a table next to that helmet.

If your passion is golf, fill a beautiful silver bowl with balls or tees on a table, lay a vintage driver on your mantel or a shelf.

If your passion is SCUBA, hang a spear gun on the wall. Frame a small picture of Jacques Cousteau and place it on a table with a head of coral next to a picture book of the sea.

Regardless of what items you display, they should have some general characteristics: The items should have some history. Older or vintage items with a patina from use and/or a specific pedigree (handed down from a previous generation, given to you by someone special, etc.) makes them authentic and more interesting.

Surround yourself with meaningful things to admire. They represent your identity to  guests, invite passionate conversation, and make your home a more unique and enjoyable environment.

I’m a Straight Man Who Designs Interiors

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Turnbough_SplashPage_PortraitFor the past 25 years I’ve designed bachelor pads, beach houses, and family homes for the worlds least known billionaires, industry leaders, and countless entrepreneurs. My straight approach to designing living spaces captures the passions and motivations of my clients in their living, working, and recreation to celebrate their accomplishments and enhance their performance.

I’ve always had a fascination with the science of appearance. I studied at Ringling College of Art and Design. When I graduated I moved to New York City to pursue my passion for design.

My work has been published in scores of renowned design magazines including Architectural Digest which inducted me into their “AD 100 Top Designers”, as well as Departures, W Jewelry, Flair, Elle Décor, House & Garden, The Franklin Report, Interior Design, The New York Times Magazine, and Vogue.

Follow me to discover good design from a straight man’s point of view. And visit my website to see a portfolio of my work: http://mitchellturnbough.com/portfolio/

#TrophyApartment

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Trophy_ApartmentAlthough I would never use the term #TrophyApartment, I’ve had clients seek my help with this specific request. I’ve designed my share of extravagant high-end homes, but they never say “Trophy Apartment”, they just say “home”. I’m not judging the #TrophyApartment-seeker, in fact, I enjoy working with them. Typically they’ve never used a designer before but just earned their first big bonus, or they just sold their company. They are successful, often self-made guys with active social lives but they live with a futon on the floor and a mashup of odd furniture left over from roommates, relatives, and ex-girlfriends. They live like hobos with Rolexes. And they’re ready to make their place represent their success. So they call me.

Before I can hand him a “trophy”, we must first address the basics:

  • He needs a real bed and the furniture that supports its function (bedside tables, reading lights, storage).
  • He needs somewhere comfortable and appropriate to sit (that is not the bed) where he can relax or entertain.
  • He needs somewhere functional and pleasant to dine and/or work (that is not the bed).

Often this type of project is space planning and buying furniture with minimal to no construction.

When addressing these basics, I incorporate his CHARACTER into the direction of furniture style and the layout (space planning). My design direction will improve how his space serves him, and most importantly, reflect HIS personality, attitude, and lifestyle.  Depending on his tastes, I incorporate appropriate luxurious and masculine finishes. He may agree to indulge on investment pieces of furniture or art he really responds to (often for the first time in his life) which I will incorporate into the design.

The luxurious finishes and indulgent purchases are what the client usually identifies as the “trophy” part of his space. But in my opinion, having him live in a beautifully functional space that represents his individuality is the ultimate prize.

www.mitchellturnbough.com