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"What's your favorite room to design for yourself and why?\n\nI love bedrooms, as they represent the ultimate personal space. It is in the bedroom where we should be able to be truly relaxed\u2014isn't that what luxury is all about? Having said that, any lived-in room that brims with spirit and an air of casual elegance is wonderful; for instance, a comfortable dining room that puts guests at ease and enables good conversation.\n\nWhat's the most difficult part about designing for yourself? What's the best part?\n\nThe most challenging aspect is the absence of an external perspective; therefore, one needs continual focus and self-editing. The best part is enjoying a sense of limitless possibility and being able to fully immerse oneself in the undiluted creative process, knowing that the end result will be a source of pleasure for yourself and, hopefully, your guests. It's also a fantastic opportunity to learn about yourself!\n\nDid you use the Internet? What is your favorite online shopping site?\n\nI use the Internet mainly for research on sites such as 1stdibs.com and to check auction items at Christies.com and Drouot.com. However, I believe there is no substitute for touch and feel, especially when selecting antiques or artifacts, so I rarely purchase these online.\n\nDid you stay within your budget? Or did you have a budget?\n\n I didn't set a formal budget for this project, although I believe that large or unlimited budgets have absolutely no correlation with style or the ultimate quality of the interior. It is, in fact, possible to showcase exquisite taste with relatively little money.\n\nHow does designing your own home change the way you work with clients?\n\n I am more keenly aware than ever of the necessity for beauty, comfort and livability to coexist. All too often, impressively decorated spaces are not well designed for living. Doing your own home is a powerful reminder of this.\n\nHow did the current economy affect your design choices, or did it?\n\n I believe a good interior is timeless and will outlive any economic fluctuations (hopefully, the same can be said of good interior designers!). In my case, the project began before the economic crisis, but I would say the present situation offers an opportunity for canny buyers to negotiate better prices as they purchase items when redoing their interiors.\n\nDid you incorporate changing technology into your home? If so, what were the challenges and benefits?\n\n I think technology is marvelous when it is able to improve quality of life, rather than when it is a feature in and of itself. Within the classical context of my Paris apartment, I used technology sparingly: a hidden flat-screen television, the smallest possible sound-system speakers and modern kitchen, bath and lighting elements.\n\nWere you finally able to try out something your clients were not adventurous enough to allow?\n\n I swapped the bathroom and the kitchen to allow for a much larger bathroom space\u2014there's a fireplace by the bath, and other elements are hidden behind disguised door panels. In this way, the room becomes multifaceted and serves as a reading room as well.\n\nDid you arrange your schedule so that you could work exclusively on your home, or did you work on your home between other projects?\n\n I worked on my home between other projects without setting any strict deadlines. I gave myself the luxury to enjoy the process and stop and pick up where I left off as needed.\n\nWhat advice would you give those designing their own home for the first time?\n\n It is important to feel joyful and passionate about something and start with that. For Paris, it was my collection of Asian antiques, items that I felt would work well within the formal context of a classic Haussmannian apartment. It's also necessary to recognize scale and proportion: You wouldn't put very small pieces in an enormous space. Your space should reflect your personality, and it's okay to have fun with that. When interiors are too \"perfect,\" they risk losing their grace. I mixed lamps found in the Paris flea market with Ming Dynasty antiques\u2014I think that a little randomness is just fine!"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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