what is your idea of perfect design happiness?
WHEN ALL THE DISPARATE POINTS OF INSPIRATION COME TOGETHER
TO MANIFEST INTO A NEW IDEA
what is your greatest fear in design?
LEAVING SOMETHING ON THE TABLE
which historical design figure do you most identify with?
SONIA DELAUNAY
what profession other than design would you like to attempt?
SONG WRITING
what is your greatest design extravagance?
ART
when and where were you happiest with your design?
JUST STARTING OUT AS A DECORATIVE PAINTER
WHEN EVERYTHING WAS FRESH AND THERE WERE NO COMPARABLES
what do you consider your greatest achievement in design?
OUR MOST CURRENT CATALOG, SEASON AFTER SEASON
if you died and came back as another designer or design object,
who or what do you think it would be?
FASHION DESIGNER
which living designer do you most admire?
THIS IS SUCH A HARD QUESTION,
BUT I LOVE WHAT NICKEY KEHOE IS DOING RIGHT NOW
what specific design related talent are you lacking that you would you most like to have?
THE ABILITY TO ILLUSTRATE/RENDER
what is your most treasured design related possession?
MY GRANDMOTHER’S ART
what do you regard as the lowest depths of misery in design?
BEING ASKED TO GIVE OUR CUSTOMERS WHAT THEY WANT
what curse word do you most frequently use?
THE F-BOMB
what is your favorite design related word?
ANALOGOUS (IN REFERENCE TO COLOR)
what is your least favorite design related word?
“ON-TREND”
what turns you on in design?
RISK TAKING
what turns you off in design?
DOING WHAT’S EXPECTED
what is your motto in design?
IF YOU LOVE IT, IT WORKS
PROUST ON DESIGN | Answered by my design icons, these must-ask questions come from a 19th century parlor game made popular by Marcel Proust, the French novelist, essayist & critic. This interview technique has been used by many journalists throughout the years but my column was primarily inspired by The Proust Questionnaire, which appears monthly on the back page of Vanity Fair (my alma mater). The twist here on CLOTH & KIND is that I’ve repurposed each question to relate to interior design. To read all of my Proust on Design interviews, please click here. Enjoy!
Awesome interview… made me jump straight over to her website! Jennyxx
So glad you enjoyed it, Jenny! I’m loving this Proust series in general but for some reason Serena’s responses really resonated with me. I’m really like seeing all of your Instagram picts from down under! xo
Krista, your Proust on Design column is excellent, as usual. Really enjoyed the images you juxtaposed with Serena’s responses. All of her answers are very thoughtful and intelligent, to boot. Thank you for sharing her with us!
Thank you so much, Sarah! xo
Sonia Delaunay would be one of my picks! I think the latest Serena and Lily catalogue is full of great things! Adore this series.
Agree on both fronts!
Fabulous feature, once again, Krista! And such a fantastic subject as well!! Loved learning more about Serena.
Ah – thanks so much, Hilary. Have a great weekend! xo
Love those last two photos of the sheet set and the beautiful art – I was eyeing up those sheets for Sheila’s bed whenever we move her to a bed.