December 2015
IN GOOD COMPANY
with DARREN HENAULT
“When you know how something is constructed, you can design things more purposely,” says Darren Henault. Recognized by friends and colleagues—and on Vanity Fair’s 2013 International Best-Dressed List—for his impeccable sartorial judgment, Henault is an interior designer who knows very well how to dress a room. “Some places I’ve done have been incredibly ornate—really over the top, very formal—and then I’ve done places that are super-tailored, really clean,” he says. What all of Henault’s interiors have in common is a fearless appreciation for artistry, craftsmanship, and dramatic detail, played out in bespoke cabinetry, custom furniture, and textiles embellished with passementarie, tufting, piping, and hand-stitching. A little gilding? Bring it on. Fine art and antiques? Most definitely. But always remember that these are spaces to live in, the designer (and proud dad of twin girls) cautions. “It’s never been my goal to create period rooms. I like when things are real,” says Henault, whose own Fifth Avenue residence, in enviable proximity to Central Park and Bergdorf’s, is filled with his signature blend of custom upholstery, luxurious trimmings and the practical comforts of everyday life, from books to children’s toys. “I don’t want people to only really experience a room the first few times they walk into it, and from there on in, it’s background,” says the designer. “I want the space to be a part of their lives.”
Style:
“I run a range from ‘very traditional’ to ‘tailored traditional’”—with all the trimmings.
Inspired by:
“My dad had textile mills when I was a kid, and every summer I would have to work in one of his mills. Usually I worked in the dye lab, or I worked in his weaving plant for a couple of summers, and I learned how things were made.”
"I like rooms that are richer and deeper. That is luxury, not any individual thing."
Every home needs...
“comfort, beauty, and a little bit of luxury.”
Mood Board:
Layers of texture: shiny, matte, and gilt finishes. Custom textiles and passementerie. Antiques—things that are “real…have been used, touched, and banged around.”
In Good Company © 2015 Best & Company. All rights reserved. | Best & Co. thanks Darren Henault of Darren Henault Interiors. | darrenhenault.com
The best part of living and working in
New York…
all the details, from different periods and different cultures. “It’s more interesting when things are mixed up a little bit.”
The Season’s Best, with Best & Company
The 2015 holiday season has brought Best & Company some special projects, and a chance to celebrate the talents and achievements of friends near and far. Thank you, dear clients and colleagues, for making us a part of your lives. Wherever you are spending your holiday season, we wish you the very BEST. And we look forward to working with you, and spending time in your good company, in the year to come.
The holidays are times for visiting with friends: This little guy (one of the cutest little ruby Cavalier King Charles Spaniels we’ve ever seen) made a special visit to the Best & Company offices, dressed in our signature blue.
'Twas the week before Christmas and Santa had a lot of research to do. We are so proud to be on the Big Guy's good list once again. Thank you, The Franklin Report!
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We kicked off the season of celebration at the gala opening of Holiday House NYC, the annual show house founded by Iris Danker to raise breast cancer awareness in the design industry. Best & Company Business Development Director Dana Sandberg (left) made a special stop to check out the pink-neon-illuminated room designed by Antonino Buzzetta, which our general contracting teams prepped and painted for this very special event.
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Viva la France! Best & Company co-founder Chip Brian (in black tie) was among the crowd that turned out at the French Heritage Society’s Annual New York Gala Dinner Dance at the Pierre to celebrate the contributions of the internationally acclaimed interior designer Juan Pablo Molyneux.
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Best & Company’s general contracting and construction management teams worked like Santa’s elves, night and day, to ensure that goop mrkt, at the Shops at Columbus Circle at the Time Warner Center, was ready to open for holiday shopping, from November 23rd through December 24th.
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Designed by the extraordinarily talented team at Roman and Williams Buildings and Interiors, goop mrkt is New York’s first brick-and-mortar pop-up shop based on Gwyneth Paltrow’s much-talked-about digital emporium, goop.com. All cabinetry by Bespoke Millwork. (Images Adrian Gaut)
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Roman and Williams founders Stephen Alesh (left) and Robin Standefer (middle)-the joint creative force behind the design of the goop mrkt interior-met up with their builder (Best and Company's own Chip Brian) for a book signing inside the Time Warner Center pop-up. The consummate fantasy conjurers, Stephen and Robin started out in the business designing sets for Hollywood movies.
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Our Dana Sandberg (right) and her IIDA Residential Forum Co-Chair, Elsie St. Leger, had their spirits lifted in a pretend ski lift at the IIDA Holiday Party at Poppin.
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Colorful holiday lights, courtesy of Mother Nature and generations of architects and designers, as seen from our Long Island City offices.
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