AESTHETIC JOY

On Tonight’s Show my conversation with consummate Interior Designer Gail Shields Miller from Shields & Co. Interiors.

Gail and I will discuss Aesthetic Joy – the value of surrounding yourself with meaningful and thoughtful objects, furniture and art in our homes.

I want to talk to Gail about her joyful interiors and how she uses color and shapes to bring whimsy and delight into her designs. And finally, I want to discuss with Gail the ever changing nature of the Interior Design industry over the years.

David begins tonight describing how he lives his life surrounded by treasures. He lists the treasures in his life and how they reflect how he sees the world. He notes how each piece throughout the home brings aesthetic joy and how each treasure is key to a sense of home. David stresses the importance of the things we keep around us. He encourages us all to live in and enjoy the aesthetic joy that surrounds us in our homes.

David and Gail explore their ideas of beauty. Gail shares how beauty causes her to have an internal reaction and often is unusual or different for her . She expresses the joy of design and in creating unpredictable or unique designs. Gail describes the balance she finds between whimsy, artistic flair, and purpose when design. She notes that the differences in design help maintain enthusiasm for new projects as difference keeps design from being stagnant.

Gail shares her background and how her mother influenced her as a designer. David and Gail then pivot to the changes they have experienced in the design business over the course of their careers. They note how younger clients seem to value practicality and utility instead of aesthetics within their homes. They ponder the future of design and whether interior designers will lose prominence as people seem to value simple and expedited projects over quality.

David and Gail take listener questions. They offer tips on how best to display specific antique items. They describes how to draft a great floor plan for a room and give advice to optimize a floor plan. They then give tips for how to incorporate patterns in a space.