A CLASSICIST WITH A MODERN TOUCH
The interiors created by Maureen Footer are something to relish: inviting, luxurious spaces dotted with antiques and splashes of color—and just as sophisticated and graceful as the designer herself. A connoisseur of eighteenth-century French architecture and furniture (she has a graduate degree from Ecole de Louvre), Footer, after stints at Vogue magazine, McMillen Inc., Molyneux Studio, and establishing an interior design division for an architectural firm, founded her own firm in 2005. She has designed apartments, houses, private clubs and jets.
http://www.maureenfooterdesign.com
Q&A with MAUREEN FOOTER
Describe your home in three words:
Romantic, refined, reflective.
What would your design style look like in food?
A soufflé soaring over the top with caviar on the side!
Design rule to break:
I don’t believe in safe design—if you love it, it will endure.
What one color must be in your box of crayons?
Coral. It’s beautiful at all times of day, especially evening, and a versatile foundation: one can layer any color on top of coral.
What’s on your desk?
An apple green lamp by my friend Christopher Spitzmiller and an Italian portfolio of correspondence.
What are you reading right now?
William M. OdomA History of Italian Furniture. Odom furnished the antiques at Vizcaya and mentored Van Day Truex and George Stacey when they studied in Paris in the 1920s.
Who is inspiring you now?
Classicists who interpret their personal vision on a grand scale: Van Day Truex, George Stacey and William Odom. I am also devouring Vogue magazines from the 1930s.
New or vintage:
Each looks better with the contrast of the other, so mixing antiques with the modern and functional is a necessity for me.
Color palette you love at this moment:
The soaring clear colors of Matisse and Louis XV.
Most prized possession?
A Louis XV commode signed Migeon.
Who were you in your past life?
Madame du Pompadour is my dream. At the Louvre there is a portrait by Boucher, which shows her with the tools of all her interests: musical instruments, architectural tools, globes, books—all China-doll pretty as if commissioning. Le Petit Trianon and the first encyclopedia were not enough!
Entertaining secret:
Candlelight and conversationalists
When not designing:
Researching a book project, having friends for dinner, reading, opera, Paris, travel.
Favorite fabric:
Pierre Frey. Their colors and my palette dovetail perfectly!
Patterns, more is more or less is more:
Color and rich textures are our touchstones for inviting, color intensive rooms. When I do make exceptions, I really commit to it—I love using one print for nearly everything in a room, particularly a bedroom—upholstering walls, bed curtains, windows and upholstery.
Best paint:
So many great color lines: Fine Paints of Europe, Farrow and Ball, but at the end of the day we specify Benjamin Moore most frequently.
Go-to paint color:
Benjamin Moore vermillion. It’s the red of Chinese lacquer.
Wallpaper, yay or nay:
Chinese wallpaper is beautiful anywhere, I especially love it on a silver ground. With mirror on it, especially with antique glass and a gilt wood frame, the effect is magical.
MAUREEN FOOTER’S FAVORITE ITEMS ON VandM:
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$2,200 -
$3,300 -
$275 -
$14,000 -
$11,000 -
$18,600 -
contact dealer -
contact dealer -
$900 -
$1,650
