STYLE JOURNAL

TIMOTHY BROWN

Interior Designer

 

New York based interior designer Timothy Brown is known for creating comfortable, yet elegant homes for his clients. Dedicated to the process of collaborating, Timothy respects his clients’ aesthetic while transforming their home with his signature warm and clean design.

Named one of Traditional Home’s “Ten Up and Coming Designers,” as well as being awarded one of three “Emerging Designers” at Benjamin Moore’s Hue Awards, Timothy’s work has garnered the attention of numerous publications, including a mention in the book “Interior Design Master Class: 100 Lessons from America’s Finest Designers on the Art of Decoration.”

SFERRA recently collaborated with Timothy on designing a Hamptons retreat. Discover Timothy’s design and hosting philosophy, and his journey as a designer in our exclusive interview.

THE INTERVIEW

SFERRA: What is your advice on creating comfort and serenity in the home?

TIMOTHY BROWN: I start with asking how the client wants to live in their home. Then, depending on the location, like a city residence, for example, I think about creating spaces that offer softness and order—moments that move them away from the exterior hustle and bustle. With a beach house, it’s more about comfort—a place to sit or lie down, and offering different areas around the house to rest and recharge.

 

S: How is the day-to-day of being an interior designer different from how it may appear on social media?

T: This job isn’t always fluffing pillows. I grew up building things—furniture, cabinetry—with my grandfather. He taught me to pay attention to the details, to always do my best and work hard. I think that comes through today in how I operate. The business can be tough at times and I think about him to push through and do the best I can to create the great backdrop for my client’s life.

SFERRA: What is your advice on creating comfort and serenity in the home?

TIMOTHY BROWN: I start with asking how the client wants to live in their home. Then, depending on the location, like a city residence, for example, I think about creating spaces that offer softness and order—moments that move them away from the exterior hustle and bustle. With a beach house, it’s more about comfort—a place to sit or lie down, and offering different areas around the house to rest and recharge.

 

S: How is the day-to-day of being an interior designer different from how it may appear on social media?

T: This job isn’t always fluffing pillows. I grew up building things—furniture, cabinetry—with my grandfather. He taught me to pay attention to the details, to always do my best and work hard. I think that comes through today in how I operate. The business can be tough at times and I think about him to push through and do the best I can to create the great backdrop for my client’s life.

"...I think about creating spaces that offer softness and order—moments that move them away from the exterior hustle and bustle."

S: What is your personal style of living, and what would you consider to be an essential element of home to you?

T: The words order and playfulness come to mind. I am minimal in design, but I am not a minimalist. I love having things around that tell a story; the craft of how something is made, the execution of art on the wall, the design of a table or chair, they all appeal to me in different ways. I like to mix a flea market table with a new upholstered chair, a groovy lamp and a few ceramics, then edit. Somehow it all goes together.
 
 

S: How do you use SFERRA to make your design visions come alive?

T: I love SFERRA sheets for my personal bed and for clients. Bedding is a great way to add cozy softness to a bedroom. Grande Hotel’s colors always seem to work for all of my design schemes. My other personal favorite is Simply Celeste. The sheets get softer with every wash.
 
For this project, our themes were soft greys and blues. In the primary bedroom, we chose SFERRA Giza 45 Percale sheets in Tin for its perfectly calming hue and simple hemstitch detail.
 
In the daughter’s bedroom, we used Grande Hotel in White/Silver and a bright yellow Allegra blanket to accent the floral Swedish wallpaper. She loves her drop of sunshine.
 
In the guest bedroom, we again chose Grande Hotel, but this time, in White/Navy to contrast against the soft color of the wall and to add a nautical element.

"The words order and playfulness come to mind. I am minimal in design, but I am not a minimalist."

"The words order and playfulness come to mind. I am minimal in design, but I am not a minimalist."

S: How does your design philosophy inform how you (or your clients) host and entertain?

T: The key to hosting is planning ahead and keeping things easy so that you can enjoy your time with friends—set the table in advance, have the starters out, and get the glasses ready with drinks.
 
When Peter and I have friends over for dinner, he usually does the cooking while I set the table and arrange the flowers. I have to admit, I do love a pressed napkin. SFERRA makes the best linen napkins. The weight of Festival is nice, the colors are amazing, and the best thing is that they go right into the laundry.

S: How does your design philosophy inform how you (or your clients) host and entertain?

T: The key to hosting is planning ahead and keeping things easy so that you can enjoy your time with friends—set the table in advance, have the starters out, and get the glasses ready with drinks.
 
When Peter and I have friends over for dinner, he usually does the cooking while I set the table and arrange the flowers. I have to admit, I do love a pressed napkin. SFERRA makes the best linen napkins. The weight of Festival is nice, the colors are amazing, and the best thing is that they go right into the laundry.
SHOP TIMOTHY'S PICKS