R5 Susan Anthony

 

 

FAVORITE HOME STORE: I love Fleur in Mount Kisco for garden and one-of-a-kind pieces. I use Klaff’s in Scarsdale for tile, lighting, and plumbing, and Consolidated Plumbing Supply in Mount Vernon for all things Kohler.

 

EVERY HOME SHOULD HAVE: A place for relaxing and recharging. For some clients, it’s a sitting room, for some a luxurious bathroom, and for some their favorite chair. Life is so stressful that we all need a moment in the day to be alone.

 

BIGGEST DESIGN INFLUENCE: I have a lot of designer friends so I guess they all influence me. Every show house and magazine I find fascinating. I simply love this business. Historically speaking, my three favorite designers are William F. Turner, Billy Baldwin, and Albert Hadley.

 

FAVORITE PAINT: I am a Benjamin Moore girl, and Aura is a real favorite of mine. The new Color Stories colors are so painterly, it’s as though an artist mixed them for a canvas.

 

WHAT DRIVES ME CRAZY IS: Using outdoor fabrics indoors, especially in areas used by children. No one can answer me about whether the off-gassing is toxic or not. Soil on fabric never killed anyone that I know of, but off-gassing? All pediatric cancer is intolerable.

 

FAVORITE DESIGN BOOKSTORE: I am addicted to design books and buy them for reference and for clients all the time. I am a real fan of Potterton Books (pottertonbooksus.com). I get them at the bookstore in the lobby of the D&D building.

 

FAVORITE WALLPAPER: I am loving Phillip Jeffries Natural Wall Coverings.

 

THE NEW NEUTRAL: All shades of gray, and there are many more than fifty!

 

MOST UNSUAL DESIGN REQUEST: All I can say is it had to do with sex-toy storage.

 

I LOVE WORKING WITH: Artwork installations, like sculpture and mobiles. I had a collector of carousel horses that was fun to work with.

 

DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2013: Hunter Douglas motorized screen shades and woven woods. They are so convenient and cost-efficient. I love the look. Also, color and subtle variations in tonalities. This is seen in new interior-paint finishes, fabrics, and wall coverings that are made of natural materials, like grass- and Madagascar cloth. Anything that personalizes the space and makes it more textural.

 

UNLIKELY HOME ACCESSORY: A teddy bear named Chemo Sabe, Chemo for short. A dear friend gave him to me to hug when I had cancer. I highly recommend that everyone, sick or well, have a teddy bear.