Grant K. Gibson is a very talented interior designer based in San Francisco. Grant and I became friends many years ago, when we had just started our blogs. In the years since, I have followed Grant’s career closely as I am a big fan of his tailored style. I love that Grant is able to execute a variety of styles and that he works in multiple color palettes rather than having a single, go-to look. The spaces he designs are beautifully edited, layered, and serve as a reflection of the families who inhabit them. Grant founded his eponymous design firm in New York in 2002. While he has relocated to the West Coast, he has completed projects across the country. Grant’s work has been featured by Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, and The Wall Street Journal. In 2009, Domino declared Grant one of “10 Designers to Watch” while in 2010, Elle Decor named Grant one of “5 Designers to Watch”. In addition to his design projects, Grant has been busy working on his first book which will be published by Gibbs Smith next fall. I am looking forward to seeing him on the book tour circuit!
Paloma Contreras: How would you describe your style?
Grant K. Gibson: Layered and eclectic. Traditional with a twist.
PC: Has living in San Francisco influenced your aesthetic in any way?
GKG: San Francisco is such a beautiful city, filled with views and varied architecture around every corner. San Francisco provides a great intersection of classicism with California modernity. My clients love the relaxed California style, but with some touches of formality.
PC: What does your home say about you?
GKG: I don’t do a lot of color in my own interior. It’s casual a place where friends feel they can put their feet up and not have to worry about coasters for their drinks. For me, it’s place to relax and recharge. I am currently working on the design of a weekend home north of San Francisco in Sonoma County, where we also do design projects.
PC: Where do you turn for inspiration?
GKG: Travel. I am leaving soon on a two-week adventure to India. Cape Town, Hong Kong, Istanbul and Mexico City are some of my favorite trips from the past few years.
{Shopping for Antique Ikats and Suzanis in Istanbul}
PC: Who are your personal style icons?
GKG: David Adler + Frances Elkins, Daniel Romualdez, Albert Hadley, Bruce Budd, Thomas O’Brien, Miles Redd.
PC: What trait do you admire most in a person?
GKG: In this fast paced world with email and cell phones, it is crucial to remember that interactions with other human beings take precedent over electronic devices. In essence, these are just old fashioned manners that have gone by the wayside.
PC: What is your guilty pleasure?
GKG: A glass of wine at the end of the day, my acupuncturist and SoulCycle.
PC: Who or what has been your greatest professional influence?
GKG: I love my vendors with whom I continue to collaborate on every project, working on custom details like furniture and upholstery. I continue to be amazed with their execution of our designs.
PC: What is your idea of living “la dolce vita”?
GKG: Spending time at home. Cooking, music, flowers – and turning off my phone. Relaxing and restoring. The farmers market on the weekend. Laughing. Our summer rental in Maine is one of my favorite times of year.
{Grant’s Summer Rental in Maine via his Instagram @grantkgibson}
PC: What can we look forward to next from you?
GKG: My first interior design book: The Curated Home: A Fresh Take on Tradition (Gibbs- Smith publisher) comes out in fall 2018. I am excited to share projects and my own personal photography.
Go-To Outfit: I never wear color. A white oxford cloth shirt, thin black wool sweater and jeans with boots from La Botte Gardiane in Paris or black and white New Balance sneakers. I find having a uniform works best for me. Uniqlo is my go to for staples.
Style Mantra: Only buy what you love. I think Miles Redd also has said it best: “Buy the best, and you will only cry once.”
Scent: Fleur d’Oranger 27 by Le Labo
Piece of Jewelry: My family signet ring
Color I Never Tire Of: black
Flower: Anemones
Dream Project: a boutique hotel in France
Fabric/Textile: Perennials. I use them for every project. Outdoor fabrics that look and feel like linens and velvets. A must with kids.
Meal: Chase’s Daily in Belfast Maine. The greatest vegetarian menu – you will even not miss meat.
Drink: Peet’s coffee in the morning, unsweetened black iced tea with lemon for day and then a crisp white white at night.
Way to Unwind after a Long Day at Work: Cooking. I find it very therapeutic.
Hotel: Chateau Marmont. I grew up in the Hollywood Hills- so it has always been the perfect hangout.
City: Paris will always have my heart
Museum: Sir John Soane Museum in London
Song that Always Puts Me in a Great Mood: I have a custom 80’s playlist that I created on Spotify. Think: A Flock of Seagulls, Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears.
Actor/Actress: Cary Grant- who I was named after as well as Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, and Julianne Moore
Prized Possession: Wesley, my 12 year old rescue Westie!
Risk Worth Taking: Booking a plane ticket to a new destination months ahead. Then planning and researching- to me that is ½ the fun.
Movie Set Design: SO many! A Single Man, I Am Love, The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Royal Tenenbaums, Rope, Almodovar’s films and although controversial- Woody Allen’s films.
I can never have too many… candles
{Photography by Kathryn MacDonald unless Otherwise Noted}
