It takes only a moment to make an impression on someone, and if done correctly, that moment can last a lifetime. When I first met interior designer Edward Lobrano, I was working at The John Rosselli Showroom in the D&D Building, while attending Parsons The New School for Design. Ed was one of the designers that left a favorable impression, in my early career in the design world. Over the years, I got to know him more through the works that he produced – mainly by visiting the venerable Kips Bay Designer Showhouse.
This past spring, I caught up with Edward again at his latest project for Kips Bay, which took place at the historic Villard House, aka The New York Palace. The charming, and successful designer who once had a thriving career in the real estate development and syndication, also have worked for the following design Illuminati: Bunny Williams, David Anthony Easton and the Wiseman Group in San Francisco. His namesake firm, Edward Lobrano Interior Design was established in New York in 1997.
http://blumberger.net/Ebak/ High End Weekly™: As a successful designer, and a veteran Kips Bay participant, what were some of the elements that impressed you the most about the Villard Houses?
Edward Douglas Lobrano: The scale of the rooms and the elegant detail that still existed after all of these years. Everyone, however, should have walked across the courtyard and seen the wing where the Villard Restaurant is located. It is spectacular.
An elegant corner of repose, designed by Edward Lobrano for one of his showhouse project
Art Deco textiles from a penthouse suite at the Four Seasons in San Francisco
HEW: When approaching a project, do you give strong considerations to the architecture?
EDL: We always consider the architecture. Sometime there is none and our job is still to make a room or a home look great even if there is nothing great about it. My room at Kips Bay was actually an example of this. It was one of the most uninteresting rooms in the entire house, but my job was to make it interesting.
A modern living room in The Bahamas
HEW: Speaking of architecture, what are some of your favorite architectural sites?
EDL: Here in New York, The Metropolitan Museum and some of the grand apartments that still exist that I am lucky enough to see once in a while. In San Francisco, the Legion of Honor. In Paris, most will say the Louvre but my favorite is the Camondo Museum. There is somewhere wonderful in every city.
New York City Apartment for a Tennessee Family
HEW: What is the Edward Lobrano signature style? Do you have one?
EDL: Do I have a signature style? I think whether I am doing contemporary or Traditional my work is about stylish good taste and comfortable interiors. I don’t think my work is simply to look at. I hope people would want to use my interiors, in everyday possible.
Easy Living: Napa Valley Project
Southern Belle: A refined South Corolina Bedroom
HEW: If you were to have some of your favorite (past and present) artists and designers over for dinner, who would they be?
Edward Doublas Lobrano at the 2014 Kips Bay Designer Showhouse
Photo credit High End Weekly™
EDL: Albert Hadley, David Adler, Florence Elkins, Michael Taylor, Bunny Williams (because she’s fun to have dinner with), Matisse, Da Vinci, Hockney, Koontz, Givenchy, John Dickenson, Jacques Grange.
Floridian Golf Course Project
I could go on and on. I want to know what they all did, or do and how they do it. I want to see their style and manner. I love the interior designer, the dress designers, the architects. You learn so much over a dinner about life and style.
A beautifully designed monochromatic apartment in New York City
Easy Living: The Napa Valley Project by Edward Lobrano
Images by Edward Lobrano Interior Design Inc.
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4 Comments
rhartman
Lobrano is a very talented designer. Enjoyed your
interview. Striking phototosRose Hartman
nancy john
what a beautiful design! Those two did a great job decorating such a small space. Looks like a very cozy little nest!
reasonable Home design
nancy john
Interior design career is good opportunity ”
Roman style decor
nancy john
Truly said, interior designing has now a days lot of scope not only in designing for house or office but the requirement of interior designer is required in each and every sector of industry.
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