Brian Paquette is a talented young, interior designer based in Seattle. Since founding his eponymous design firm in 2009, Brian has gone on to start a showroom, Brian Paquette at Home, which serves as an extension of his signature style. Brian’s residential work all along the West Coast has been heavily influenced by his extensive travels across the globe and draws upon “historical forms, natural environments, high art, and handicrafts”. His work has been recognized by various publications including Architectural Digest, Luxe, and Dwell. I hope you’ll enjoy getting to know Brian as much as I have!

Paloma Contreras: How would you describe your style?

Brian Paquette: Layered, Referential, Storied and Comfortable above all else

PC: Has living in Seattle influenced your aesthetic in any way?

BP: Living in Seattle has added a great deal of juxtaposition to my upbringing in Newport, Rhode Island. Nature is first here, you can’t ignore the grey during the winter (and fall and spring) months so we embrace it and blend the indoor with the outdoor favoring surface texture over bold color. The amount of mid-century references out here and all up and down the West Coast has been a big influence on our work as well, discovering newness all the time.

PC: What does your home say about you?

BP: I am currently putting the “finishing” touches on my new home in a new chapter in my life. I am carrying a lot of good memories with me and planting pieces from favorite designers throughout to create a very comfortable and fun home to relax and recharge. 

PC: Where do you turn for inspiration?

BP: I am an avid book reader, gallery goer and nature explorer. I have, in the past few months turned off social media as I felt I was too overexposed to everything going on and I wanted to create in a bubble for a good while and see where it leads me. Inspiration in real life touches all of the senses and I like that. 

PC: Who are your personal style icons?

BP: So many…Billy Baldwin for the formal aspects of this industry, Thomas O’Brien, Nate Berkus, Markham Roberts, Stephen Sills, Pamela Shamshiri, Jamie Bush, Joe Lucas, Grant Gibson, Joseph Dirand, DISC Interiors, Kelly Wearstler, Celerie Kemble, Steven Gambrel…it goes on and on…I really am a fan girl to so many. 

{Thomas O’Brien’s Iconic New York Apartment}

PC: What trait do you most admire in a person?

BP: Humility and Vulnerability

PC: What is your guilty pleasure?

BP: Taylor Swift…but honestly I feel less and less guilty about it. 

PC: Who or what has been your greatest professional influence?

BP: I think the creation of fine art and the artists themselves. I find myself translating so much of what I see in galleries and books into some home version. I am envious of the space to create, a blank canvas and how art can be so arresting. 

PC: What is your idea of living “la dolce vita”?

BP: Being away with friends on the Oregon Coast with friends and my dog, being cooked for and sand between my feet. 

PC: What can we look forward to next from you?

BP: We have recently launched a collection of furniture with Lawson Fenning which I am beyond proud of as it represents years of work with dear friends. We have projects up and down the west coast and now in NYC as well. I look forward to adding more beauty to our new shop in Seattle including fine art and more custom pieces of furniture…it’s a great little lab for us to experiment with new ideas on a retail level. 

Go To Outfit: Dark khaki pants, denim button down and Vans

Style Mantra: Be bold and mighty forces will guide you.

Scent: Hinoki- Comme des Garcons

Piece of Jewelry: Braun Watch

Color I Never Tire of: Blue

Flower: Pink Peonies 

Indispensable Design Element: Ceramic

Era for Design: France 1920s

Dream Project: A boutique hotel in Seattle with all my friends

Fabric/ Textile: Glant, Zak+Fox, Kerry Joyce

Hostess Gift: A candle that reminds me of the host

Meal: Pizza at Via Tribunali

Drink: Soda + Bitters, I don’t actually drink! 

Way to Unwind: Long walk with my dog George

What I Love Most About My City: The nature, the music and the ease

Weekend Destination: San Juan Islands or Palm Springs

Hotel: Gramercy Park Hotel

Museum: The Barnes Collection

City: Copenhagen or Tokyo

Artist: Gerard Richter, Uta Barth, Donald Judd

Actor/Actress: Diane Keaton

Song that Always Puts Me in a Good Mood: Death Cab for Cutie “Doors unlocked and open”

Prized Possession: A small walnut box from Morocco that hold two rocks from Aphrodite’s beach in Cyprus

Risk Worth Taking: Love

Greatest Extravagance: Travel

Go-To Color Palette: Nature

Rule to Break: Wearing black and navy together

Movie Set Design: Anything by Tom Ford

I can never have too many… sets of good sheets