Through a Designer's Eye
A Focus on Interiors
Published on 15. September 2020
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-58093-541-8 (ISBN)
Description
A sumptuous presentation of impeccably designed classic interiors by Matthew Patrick Smyth
Matthew Patrick Smyth is renowned for elegant, sophisticated rooms that combine sumptuous fabrics, well-selected antiques, and contemporary comfort. In Through a Designer's Eye, he reveals his design process, emphasizing his commitment to exploring the world, through travel and in the imagination of the theater, and to recording scenes and vignettes in photographs.
Through a Designer's Eye presents Smyth's recent work ranging from a traditional Park Avenue apartment and an edgy Tribeca loft in Manhattan to waterfront houses in Florida, New England, and Long Island that demonstrate his skills in responding to context and eliciting preferences of clients to create a unique environment for each. Nowhere is this better seen than in his own house in Salisbury, Connecticut, an unexpected 1970s prefabricated deck house now elegantly appointed with an eclectic mix of furniture, objects, and works of art he and his partner have collected over many years. Smyth's engaging, first-person narrative references formative experiences with theater and photography and focuses on five elements of interior design - appreciating of artisanal and handcrafted elements, understanding of history and context, evaluating light and seasonal change, weaving furnishings and art into a coherent mise-en-scene, creating an inviting atmosphere - that contribute to successful spaces. Illustrating the text are lush photographs of completed rooms, interspersed with Smyth's own vignettes and details, which add a unique visual layer to the presentation.
Matthew Patrick Smyth is renowned for elegant, sophisticated rooms that combine sumptuous fabrics, well-selected antiques, and contemporary comfort. In Through a Designer's Eye, he reveals his design process, emphasizing his commitment to exploring the world, through travel and in the imagination of the theater, and to recording scenes and vignettes in photographs.
Through a Designer's Eye presents Smyth's recent work ranging from a traditional Park Avenue apartment and an edgy Tribeca loft in Manhattan to waterfront houses in Florida, New England, and Long Island that demonstrate his skills in responding to context and eliciting preferences of clients to create a unique environment for each. Nowhere is this better seen than in his own house in Salisbury, Connecticut, an unexpected 1970s prefabricated deck house now elegantly appointed with an eclectic mix of furniture, objects, and works of art he and his partner have collected over many years. Smyth's engaging, first-person narrative references formative experiences with theater and photography and focuses on five elements of interior design - appreciating of artisanal and handcrafted elements, understanding of history and context, evaluating light and seasonal change, weaving furnishings and art into a coherent mise-en-scene, creating an inviting atmosphere - that contribute to successful spaces. Illustrating the text are lush photographs of completed rooms, interspersed with Smyth's own vignettes and details, which add a unique visual layer to the presentation.
Reviews / Votes
'Matthew Smyth is an inspired designer whose vision brings imagination and practicality into balance.' - Gloria Vanderbilt'Matthew's work is as varied as his clients' tastes, but the one thing that remains consistent is his brilliance at delivering authentic beauty and true comfort no matter where his talent lands.' - Wendy Goodman
'...be transported into some beautiful homes and learn ideas for your own home or apartment.' - Anderson Cooper
'[A] must-have for any private library.' - Elle Decor
'. . . the one thing I've found is consistent in his work is the sense of comfort and ease that he integrates into everything he touches. In his new book . . . Smyth not only brings the reader into many of the homes he has decorated but also features his own photographs taken on trips all over the world (if he ever quits his day job, a career as a photographer lies in wait).' - The Cut
'Through a Designer's Eye has a first-person narrative engagingly written by Smyth, who uses the text to present his observations about the value of handcrafted artisanal objects as well as his love of history, drama and architecture. . . . The book's greatest strengths, however, are how it helps us understand the way Smyth's eye evolves as each interior comes together, and how it makes us see the connections between photography and design.' -1stdibs Introspective
'[One of] the best new design books to buy this fall. . . . A book that takes readers from initial inspiration to design process to finished work, all - as the title suggests - through the discerning eye of a talented creative.' - House Beautiful
'Features beloved design projects along with some of his favorite Instagram shots.' - Flower Magazine
'In this new book, [Smyth's] engaging, first-person narrative focuses on the five elements of interior design that contribute to successful spaces.' - Society Texas
'Featuring tours of his projects, including his own country home, Smyth offers a fresh view on decorating in harmony.' - Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle
'[One of] the IT books on interior design that deserve to be in your home. . . will help you think differently about design, and providing inspiration for your next design project.' - CovetED
'It's lovely.' -Portobello Design
'A fresh perspective on the design monograph that's part interior design career chronicle, featuring his sophisticated history-inflected rooms; part text book with informative design-directives; and part photographic essay featuring his spellbinding lens work. . . . Collectively, this book takes the reader on a thoroughly enjoyable tour of the sumptuous rooms of one of America's foremost contemporary classicists.' - Interior Design Master Class
'[A] must-have book.' - Paloma Contreras
'[T]he perfect coffee table book, full of inspiration, to curl up with this fall. You won't want to miss a single page.' - Kristy Woodson Harvey
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Illustrations
225 Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 241 mm
Width: 301 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
1768 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-58093-541-8 (9781580935418)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
An Elle Decor A List designer, Matthew Patrick Smyth opened his interior design/architecture firm in New York City in 1987. His work is widely published in Elle Decor, Town & Country, Veranda, and Connecticut Cottages & Gardens. He also designs a collection of fabrics and wallpaper for F. Schumacher and a line of rugs under his own name.
Wendy Goodman is design editor of New York Magazine and author of May I Come In?
Wendy Goodman is design editor of New York Magazine and author of May I Come In?