Widely known as one of Domino Magazine’s top 10 for 2008, but better known for her sprightly interiors, Palmer Weiss has great design running through her veins. I’m convinced she was groomed for this position from birth considering the fact her mother is an accomplished interior designer and her father in real estate development. I should also mention she holds an ivy league education from Brown University and MBA from Northwestern University. She’s not only an artist, but an equally capable businesswoman whom I admire.
How has your Southern upbringing influenced you as a designer?
I talk a lot about the role my Southern roots has played in my design. I am sure many people feel that their childhood environment influenced their design regardless of the geography. To me, Southerners (especially Charlestonians) are very tied to history and the legacy of their ancestors and along with that, cherish or at least live with, many heirlooms from the past. There is a comfort with antiques and art that I don’t feel is quite as ubiquitous elsewhere or at least on the West Coast.
And if you have ever read a Pat Conroy book or seen a movie like Steel Magnolias, you also know that the South is full of unapologetic characters. I love how Southerners embrace their eccentricities and even celebrate them. I feel like this is reflected in the décor of homes. As a small example, my aunt has a beautiful classically designed house with the wildest looking Southern folk pottery scattered throughout. The faces on these things look like the boogey man incarnate and I love that they are right alongside English Staffordshire and Chinese export pieces.
Define your signature style.
This is always a tough question for me – boiling down all of the styles, objects, furniture periods, etc into one succinct sound byte. On any given day, I feel like I could answer the question totally differently. I guess if I had to sum it up I would say that I have a classic style with a modern, colorful pop. To elaborate, I love classic scale and proportions, furniture arrangements, and clean lines. To this, I like to infuse modern pieces – (I am on a big mid-century kick right now) and a great deal of vibrant color and fun bursts of patterned fabric.
With Spring’s pending arrival, what are you doing to “lighten” the décor in your own home?
Life in San Francisco is fairly Season-less and if anything, summer can be the gloomiest and coldest time, so I am not really lightening anything up for the Spring! However, I am always tweaking things at my house and trying to find ways to contain the chaos and clutter of life with children. I recently moved my office out of my house and have re-purposed the space as my girls’ playroom and am enjoying reclaiming our kitchen den as a family seating area rather than toy depository!
When not designing I am…
Taking care of or playing with my two little girls.
Heroes…
Anyone who does hard work for little or even no pay to improve the lives of others – teachers, firemen, social workers and nearest to my heart, the volunteers at Discovery Blind Sports who give up their weekends to teach those with vision impairments how to ski or make sure they can enjoy themselves with a guide on the slopes.
Highest Compliment…
My mom asking me for decorating advice.
Lucky Break…
Getting in the Domino Top 10
Eureka Moment…
The day I decided that I was not cut out for corporate America and that I should follow my dream of owning my own (creative) business.
Looking forward to…
Our family trip to Mexico in April – bring on the margaritas!!
Best Advice…
Do what you love and the _____ (fill in the blank…money, happiness, success, whatever it is you seek) will follow.
Thanks so much Palmer for your time, talents, and free decorating advice! We continue to follow (and adore) your work and always wish you nothing but the very best!
March 16, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Great interview Erika! I think that I'm loving her even more now… Hey, when are you interviewing my favorite designer? you know, JB!
March 16, 2010 at 1:12 pm
What a great interview Erika! It was nice to learn more about Palmer and her influences. I love her decorating style and the tips she gave are priceless. Thank you!
If it's okay with you, I'd like to spotlight this interview in my weekly summary of blogland favorites.
Lisa
March 16, 2010 at 1:21 pm
That's a really insightful interview! Really, how cool is her first name, Palmer?! Any idea where to find amazing pulls like she uses on the white chest featured in this article and on Palmer's web site? Thanks!
- Danielle
March 16, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Original art always does the trick! Thanks fabulous interview.
March 16, 2010 at 2:17 pm
i love palmer and didn't realize her mother was a designer as well. for some reason, she made me long for san francisco! great job.
March 16, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Great interview
More people should be like southerners and embrace their eccentricities — celebrate your own style your way!!
Kelly
March 16, 2010 at 6:55 pm
She has a great style and I love how she describes her own personal style.
March 16, 2010 at 8:13 pm
She really knows how to pay attention to all the small details. I love all the color she uses too. Oooh and how she layers all the prints!
March 16, 2010 at 8:28 pm
woman! you are my blogging hero. great interview. i mean, great!
and fabulous job on barbie jones' blog….love it
i had to post about your interview…..couldn't help it! i love palmer weiss!
http://secretsofdomesticbliss.blogspot.com/2010/03/decorating-secrets.html
March 16, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Thanks for sharing that. I just love Southerners and she has great style.
March 17, 2010 at 12:56 am
Such a huge fan of her work! Just loved learning more about her and seeing more of her work, great post!
March 17, 2010 at 1:50 am
She's so awesome, I have her bookmarked on my favorites…and when I saw your interview with her I was so excited! Great job! I enjoyed reading the interview!
March 17, 2010 at 6:36 am
How fabulous to discover your blog through secrets of domestic bliss. Beautiful stuff.
March 17, 2010 at 1:30 pm
What an amazing interview- I LOVE her work. She has such amazing talent, I could move right into any one of her rooms!!
March 17, 2010 at 2:44 pm
She is so talented! I love the way her work does not seemed to be defined by a definite style. I personally think that a mark of a great designer is one who is versatile! Great interview!
December 22, 2010 at 6:48 pm
The creativity amazes me. I could never do anything like this but I love to see others talents and sure do respect them.