Design Council: Thomas Jayne Studio

With a keen and academic understanding of the history of the decorative arts and architecture, Thomas Jayne Studio provides a unique insight intohistorical and current ideals of decoration.Traditional and classic tenets are at the core of their work, where designers take inspiration from the past,making it relevant in the present. Their rooms  are grounded in tradition but feel fresh and current today. We connected with Thomas recently, where he shared his ideas with us. How would you define your design philosophy? Seems more and more, I am big on what is out of style. I am casting about for something from the past that we have not seen before but speaks to us today. There is no reason to look at the recent past for inspiration – only to the future and ideas yet to come.  In short, my philosophy is that I favor classic outlines with new tailoring. What are your favorite D and D resources? I really like Stark Carpets – they feature my carpet designs, by the way.  Passementerie – we always go to them for beautiful custom trims.  Clarence House – it is always a pleasure to visit with John Howard.  Pollack – I am always impressed with their invention of new designs.  If I need a jolt, I head to Christopher Hyland – there is always an element of surprise there. What is the next trend or style you see emerging? Well made things with texture instead of slick modern things. We are trying to use more tactile objects. I think people want to be reminded of the here and now instead of cyber space – they want to feel connected with the real world where quality and texture resonate. What is your favorite color combination? A classic scheme combination I favor is pale yellow on walls, sea foam/blue green on the ceiling, white linen curtains with gold metallic tape, coffee colored silk velvet upholstery and pink and blue pillows.  For me, colors are very tied to the materials they are used on.  Another favorite combination is really bright yellow on satin or damask and green silk velvet (though any color in silk velvet is beautiful). Combine that with beautiful linens and you are likely to have good results. Being based in NYC, what inspires you about your environment? We just moved to Madison Square which Kent Barwick, the recent head of the Municipal Arts Society, called the epicenter of New York’s patrimony. I enjoy the wide array of architecture from the Gilded Age--- I find it engaging that the Flatiron building is our neighbor, that the church that Edith Wharton attended is just around the corner and that our office was part of the original Mark Cross leather goods showroom from 1901.

With a keen and academic understanding of the history of the decorative arts and architecture, Thomas Jayne Studio provides a unique insight intohistorical and current ideals of decoration.Traditional and classic tenets are at the core of their work, where designers take inspiration from the past,making it relevant in the present. Their rooms  are grounded in tradition but feel fresh and current today. We connected with Thomas recently, where he shared his ideas with us.

How would you define your design philosophy?

Seems more and more, I am big on what is out of style. I am casting about for something from the past that we have not seen before but speaks to us today. There is no reason to look at the recent past for inspiration – only to the future and ideas yet to come.  In short, my philosophy is that I favor classic outlines with new tailoring.

What are your favorite D and D resources?

I really like Stark Carpets – they feature my carpet designs, by the way.  Passementerie – we always go to them for beautiful custom trims.  Clarence House – it is always a pleasure to visit with John Howard.  Pollack – I am always impressed with their invention of new designs.  If I need a jolt, I head to Christopher Hyland – there is always an element of surprise there.

What is the next trend or style you see emerging?

Well made things with texture instead of slick modern things. We are trying to use more tactile objects. I think people want to be reminded of the here and now instead of cyber space – they want to feel connected with the real world where quality and texture resonate.

What is your favorite color combination?

A classic scheme combination I favor is pale yellow on walls, sea foam/blue green on the ceiling, white linen curtains with gold metallic tape, coffee colored silk velvet upholstery and pink and blue pillows.  For me, colors are very tied to the materials they are used on.  Another favorite combination is really bright yellow on satin or damask and green silk velvet (though any color in silk velvet is beautiful). Combine that with beautiful linens and you are likely to have good results.

Being based in NYC, what inspires you about your environment?

We just moved to Madison Square which Kent Barwick, the recent head of the Municipal Arts Society, called the epicenter of New York’s patrimony. I enjoy the wide array of architecture from the Gilded Age--- I find it engaging that the Flatiron building is our neighbor, that the church that Edith Wharton attended is just around the corner and that our office was part of the original Mark Cross leather goods showroom from 1901.