The Holidays are a time for being with loved ones, cherishing memories and making new ones. They are also a time for nesting, whether you are going back to a family home you were raised in, being in your own home, going to a relative’s home, or visiting with friends.

This time of year I thought it might be insightful to share with you designers’ own homes. These have always been my favorite as they give a glimpse into the lives of how these designers live. In each of the designers featured here, I share with you their “city” home and their “country” residence along with how they design for themselves. It is not that different from how they create magic with their clients. I say “with” as opposed to “for” as all good design, as each says, is done in collaboration, just like life. The more we come together, work together, problem solve together, play together, explore together, the better place each of us comes to.

Wishing you and yours a most joyous Holiday and dreams come true in the New Year!

Where does one begin: noted architect, interior designer, product designer, author, and now soon to be father of four. Campion Platt started his firm 20 plus years ago and just recently authored Made to Order, a monograph published by the Monacelli Press. The book, which includes 18 of his projects highlights his “clean and simple design that embraces color, beautifully crafted millwork, and environmentally friendly materials.” It is bespoke all the way. He seamlessly marries architecture and interiors. “If the architecture isn’t perfect, how can the accents be!” he says. Campion’s commitment is to clean, fresh luxury “inspired by the simple, deliberate design of Southeast Asia,” although he does have a deep appreciation for the beauty of Europe. It has been said that he has a “consistency of style with a diversity of design.” He strongly feels the importance of working with the homeowner to put his/her stamp on every room, making it their own. The Platt’s did just that in their Palm Beach residence. He and wife Tatiana were contacted over a year ago by the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach on winning the Polly Earl Award in recognition of their sensitive restoration of their 1924 home designed in the British Colonial style by architect Gustav Maas. As Campion explains, “In Palm Beach we maintained the historical aspects of the house while opening up the interior rooms to let the light in and have the rooms connect more with each other. Taking down walls and reorganizing the rooms helped make each place special but still connected. Channeling a tropical and African vibe, we infused the house with a fresh color palette, warm tones, lots of white and some high gloss dark wood floors.”

In their city loft, Campion worked within a white downtown loft palette. “I emphasized the spaces by large strokes of contrasting dark woods and light walls. It was important to define the spaces with furniture configurations that we scaled properly to create a sense of flow.” When asked if he designs differently for clients, his answer is no. “I still need to be able to tell a story, have a concept, have a beginning, and then all decisions flow from there.” He does say, “I do take more risks and certainly experiment more with scale, proportion, coloration, and lighting when designing our own spaces.” He is adamant, however, that he works from client ideas and not something preconceived. 

- Barbara L. Dixon