Pound Ridge interior designer Lisa Smith Faitell had an aha moment working with a newly divorced dad. “I realized that many divorced men start over in an entirely new space and don’t know where to begin.” As a result, in August 2007, Faitell launched Homme, an offshoot of her firm, Faitell Interiors, devoted specifically to interior design for men. Here, she shares her thoughts on creating inviting homes for the Y-chromosome set.
Do men really care about how their homes look? The ones who hire me do! One client commented that this was the first time he was going to have a say in how his home looked—his mother designed his first apartment and, after he got married, his wife designed their home.
How does designing for men differ from designing for women? Men treat the process as a business decision; they’re less emotionally involved, and they decide quicker. They also pay more attention to the high-ticket items.
What one item should every man have in his home? A comfortable sofa that’s warm and inviting.
What mistake do men commonly make when it comes to decorating? Their homes often lack warmth and personal character. They’ll go into a store and buy exactly what they see on the showroom floor.
What do men really want when it comes to the design of their homes? Comfort is number one.
And what don’t they want? Anything too fussy and ornate.
Ever use pink in a man’s home? Never.