Life is too short; do what you love. New York City self-taught designer, Philip Gorrivan does just that. Before designing, Gorrivan worked at Hearst Magazines, an Internet start-up and a venture capital of sorts. The tragedy of 9/11 made a profound impact on him and he then decided to do what he loved - interior design. And aren't we glad he did!
Here's a tour of his beautiful NYC home as seen in an interview with Gorrivan in New York Social Diary last year. The first photo (above) is of Gorrivan's living room with a rich color palette of chocolate browns and golden yellows. I want that gorgeous glass top and gilded base coffee table!
The beautiful Duncan Phyfe sofa is upholstered in a Clarence House striped silk - it's a family antique from Maine and looks stunning in front of the staircase original to the apartment.This colorful and eclectic room serves multiple purposes - it's a dining room when the family is entertaining and a family room when not. The Hexagon Dining Table is one of Gorrivan's designs and it expands into an octagon when open, seating ten. I love the color and texture variation on the Jansen Dining Chairs - upholstered in Kidd Leather from Edelman and leaf motif embroidery by Elitis. The sweet banquette is covered in Bergamo multi-striped velvet and the lovely wallcoverings are custom tinted by China Seas. The master bedroom is my favorite room in the apartment and I originally saw it on Erin's blog - House of Turquoise. It's richly sophisticated, but not stuffy. The color palette sets a soothing, tranquil tone. The chocolate brown tufted headboard looks great with the complimenting lavender tufted bench at the foot of the bed. The muted turquoise seagrass wallcovering is extraordinary. This chaise - in the style of Jean Pascaud - is Gorrivan's favorite reading nook.The daughter's bedroom is fit for a princess. The soft pink & white stripes in the canopy, bedding and Roman shade look great with the contrasting bold brown & white houndstooth bed-skirt and roll-neck pillow. The focal point of Gorrivan's young son's room is the gorgeous 18th century French bed framed by a beautiful striped canopy. I've never seen a canopy in a little boy's room, but it looks fabulous here.
