The Interiors Monologues - Alexander Gorlin
The greatest designers of the century talk about Interiors: The Greatest Rooms of the Century
When architect Alexander Gorlin looked at this Long Island site and realized that every room could be afforded views to either Shinnecock Bay or the Atlantic, it was up to interior designer David Scott to complement those vistas, while also creating something practical enough for residents dividing their time between the house, its outdoor swimming pool, and the beach.
The lines between inside and out are convincingly blurred, with the exterior’s European limestone and Afromosia wood seeming to melt into living room via its wall of windows. The fireplace in the space is similarly inclined, reaching up through the ceiling and emerging onto the roof terrace like a ship’s funnel. Scott chose to echo Gorlin’s ocher-toned material choices with Hervé Van der Straeten lamps, a Van den Akker Antiques–sourced cocktail table, and a commissioned bronze wall frieze by artist Michele Oka Doner.
Custom chair and sofa covers meanwhile were made from beach-friendly terry cloth and leather. There are also a handful of restrained references to the surrounding landscape in the room: a Carini Lang wool and silk carpet encompasses five different hues of blue in the living area, and one of Jacob Hashimonoto’s paper sculpture works entitled Slanting, the Sea Silent hangs above the dining table.
We asked Alex what interior in our book inspired him the most: "I am influenced only by the space and light of the room and the client's needs and desires. I look within myself for a vision of the interior." We asked him what it means to be featured in Interiors: The Greatest Rooms of the Century - "It’s about time!" - and what is the most important part of a room that aesthetically-minded buyers of the book can focus on. "The space by the window because it gives a view out and expands the room, as well as providing light for dreaming and living."
Oversized and available in four collectable velvet covers to decorate any space in style, we wondered what color cover of Interiors: The Greatest Rooms of the Century Alex will be choosing and where he'll exhibit it in his own home.
"I'll choose the midnight blue because it has great depth. The book will be on the table at the entry vestibule to my home in the West Village."
Take a look for yourself and choose your own version of Interiors: The Greatest Rooms of the Century here. And check back in the coming days for our next interview with a designer from the book. Meanwhile, you can see more of Alex Gorlin's interior design work on his website.