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Richard Mishaan: Modern Luxury

by habituallychic

05 . 13 . 09

If you don’t live in New York, you might not be familiar with interior designer Richard Mishaan but you better learn his name because you are going to be hearing a lot about him soon. Richard Mishaan’s career path has been an interesting one that had him designing woman’s fashions at one point and later designing furniture for his store, Homer, which was how I was familiar with him. Tonight, he was debuting his new book Modern Luxury, which with a very chic party at Bergdorf Goodman.

Richard and his ridiculously beautiful wife Marcia are real socialites, not Housewives of New York wannabee socialites, so the party was filled with the who’s who of New York. Among the chic guest were Marisa Berenson, Nina Griscom, Mario Buatta, Philip Gorrivan, and Town & Country editor Pamela Fiori who wrote the forward to the book. I brought along my friend Eleanor Banco who works for Teen Vogue since she is obsessed with interior design just as I am obsessed with fashion. I was excited when she brought me the latest issue! I also invited blogger and Rubie Green designer Michelle Adams who I was excited to catch up with. Also on hand was my friend Kevin Isbell, design director for Bilhuber & Associates who introduced me to Allison Caccoma, the interior designer behind the May 2009 House Beautiful cover! Allison used to work for Bunny Williams and Jeffrey Bilhuber and I can’t wait to talk to her more about her work soon!

But let’s get back to Richard Mishaan. Richard describes his design style as “fusion” and that definitely describes it. I like when a designer isn’t afraid to mix things up and not have a signature style but one that fits each interior and client. There is a chic and elegant feeling to all the spaces in his book but they are also all unique which is why the book is so interesting. My favorite quote from Richard Mishaan is “I am both a modernist and a classicist – I believe we can honor traditional style without living in the dusty past.” Amen!


Photos by George Ross

13 Comments
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  1. THE DB FILES May 13, 2009 | 6:15 am

    We love Richard Mishaan’s work – what gorgeous photos. We are especially in love with the green and blue sitting room and the red bedroom! Sounds like you had a fun time – hope you had fun catching up with Michelle!

  2. Brillante Home Decor May 13, 2009 | 7:41 am

    My favourite is the dining room, where art is dominant and furniture are subtle and linear.
    I agree with you that is best not to have a strong signature style. “Richie”…A name I will remember. Thanks Heather.

  3. The Antiques Diva™ May 13, 2009 | 11:21 am

    Gorgeous! You know blog reading is actually getting to be an expensive habit for me – with finding all these great design reads recommended!!! I love the quote by Richard Mishaan is “I am both a modernist and a classicist -I believe we can honor traditional style without living in the dusty past.” I couldn’t agree with him any more – People are often surprised when they come to my home. Though I’ve decorated primarily with antiques, I have some surprising modern foils to provide contrast. While pairing modern paintings with antiques is a natural juxtaposition, friends often comment on my great white table in my office paired with Rococo chairs. The assumption is always that its a high euro table given it’s neighbors, but that Ikea table garners as many compliments as the chairs around it cost abou 40X the tables cost! I’m excited to read the book.
    Thanks, as always,
    Toma

  4. mary May 13, 2009 | 1:33 pm

    Wow!!!!!!!!!!He’s got it right. Amazing work. Love the colors mixed with traditional antiques to make them pop! Thank you tons.

  5. pillow mint May 13, 2009 | 2:41 pm

    ooh! LOVE that fun red and white bedroom!

  6. ArchitectDesign™ May 13, 2009 | 3:49 pm

    I share his design mantra: Classical AND modern! Looks like a great book!

  7. Mimi May 13, 2009 | 4:07 pm

    I like Richard Mishaan’s work too! Looks like a book I need to buy…I love how he combines old and new and still manages to keep it sleek..By the way, sounds like an exciting book launch at Bergdorf…yummy!

  8. Dee Dee Hannah May 13, 2009 | 4:10 pm

    A client of mine has the same wooly sheep from the third image in his home. I love how oddly unexpected yet classic they are!

    Beautiful images

  9. Rebecca June May 13, 2009 | 4:14 pm

    What effortless looking and beautiful rooms all of these are.

    Congrats on the TM!

    xoxo

    Rebecca June

  10. The-Countrypolitan May 13, 2009 | 9:58 pm

    Richard Mishaan and his new book are one of the features on this week’s 1stdibs… love his work.

  11. Vitania May 14, 2009 | 2:59 am

    Thanks for the introduction. These rooms are filled with so much character. Evidence he really understands his clients.

    Vitania

  12. Tricia Mitchell May 14, 2009 | 12:49 pm

    I applaud Richard Mishaan’s position on honoring “traditional style without living in the dusty past”. It is so important to keep it fresh but add the depth of antiques to design.

    Tricia – Avolli

  13. delightfuldwelling May 15, 2009 | 6:37 pm

    I love that red headboard in the last picture. Beautiful!