Talk Shop: Anderson Somerselle // SOMERSELLE
ABOUT ANDERSON
Anderson Somerselle has spent the past decade cultivating close relationships with the artists and CEOs of interior furnishing brands around the world; with an intuitive understanding of current and upcoming trends, Anderson has served as the critical point person between brands and the designers who rely on their products. He entered the industry working at the intersection of sales management, visual merchandising and design, consulting for well-known businesses such as Pier One, Arhaus Furniture, and Modshop. After spending years fostering close connections with designers and driving sales for brands as the Purchasing Coordinator at Holland & Sherry, and later as the Textile Manager at John Rosselli & Associates, he put his eye for design to good use, as he helped brands develop new collections and highly effective visual marketing strategies. As CEO of SOMERSELLE, a new approach to the traditional showroom, Anderson is utilizing his decade of interior design experience, arsenal of industry allies, keen sense of design trends, and radical vision for the growth opportunities available to the modern showroom to create a showroom experience like no other (we’ve tried it – we love it!) Read more below for more on Anderson’s career path, favorite design books and more!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Classic, Simple, Chic
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Victoria Hagan, Nate Berkus and Cory Jenkins.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I launched the digital platform of my showroom on January 1st and it has been a great labor of LOVE. I started SOMERSELLE with my own personal money and a little bit from family. My ability to provide interior designers with GREAT service and access to artisans from around the world is my favorite part of my job.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
In the world of home furnishings, I have two mentors, the first one being Thomas Pepper who was my boss at Pier 1 Imports, which was the start of my career in Home Décor. He taught me how to marry my love for creating beautiful displays with making sales. He was also instrumental in helping me strengthen my management skills and running a multi-million dollar business. The second is Bryan Dicker, the President of Holland & Sherry. He showed me the true value of hard-work and determination. Bryan got to the office early, and I adopted that habit from him. I would get to the office at 7:45am just to beat him, LOL! I later started to value that early start because I got so much work done before the start of the hustle and bustle of the day. Over time, my clients also valued my early start, because the updates and answers to their orders and questions would be waiting for them in their inboxes when they started their day.
What does your home say about you:
My home tells people that I like everything to be in its place, because my house is pretty neat and clean at all times. But now that I’ve said that out loud, it sounds like people might think I’m uptight. So, as you’re reading this, I’m messing up the pillows on my sofa, LOL! In all fairness, I have this bad habit of having my bedroom floor look like the aftermath of a rummage sale at Nordstrom’s. I think it’s because when I was younger, we were poor and I couldn’t afford to have many clothes – so to now have them all over the floor makes me feel like the character Cher, in the movie Clueless.
Where do you find inspiration:
I find inspiration in all things. Working with textile, furniture and lighting designers, I’ve adapted their way of looking at the world. They find inspiration in the tiniest thing. So, I’ve started to do that, and know I too am inspired by all the things around me, from the architecture of a monument to the veins on a leaf.
Who are your style icons:
Victoria Hagan – for home, because her style matches my aesthetic of Classic, Simple, Chic.
Brad Goreski – for fashion. His style is so effortless. #fashiongoals
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Late 90’s / early 2000’s music, good friends & LOTS of tequila!
Do you collect anything:
No, I dislike tchotchkes – My husband on the other hand… Let’s not go there.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@KatieCurtis – for pattern mixing – She’s my gold standard
@Interiorista_Baileyli for what’s hip and edgy. I want to do a wallpaper collection with her.
@Grayspaceinteriordesign – because watching Rasheeda Gray, a future AD100 designer is FUN and inspiring.
@patrickmele – for all things COLOR!
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
I group things in 3’s (ALL THE TIME!) which is a rule I learned in merchandising. The design rule that needs to be broken is not giving beige the love and RESPECT it deserves, LOL!
What are you working on right now:
OMG, what am I not working on, would be an easier question to answer, HA! SOMERSELLE is going to be launching a Pillow, Drapery and Lampshade program in late spring 2021, so I am busy meeting with workrooms around the tri-state to partner with. At the same time, I’m working with our tech team on how to make the ordering process for the program EASY on our site. I am also meeting with different artists so we can start fleshing out our art category (yes we’ll be selling art from artists around the world on SOMERSELLE.com) - I’m quite EXCITED about it. I’m doing all this while starting the design process for SOMERSELLE’s Flagship showroom, AHHH! So like all you fabulous designers reading this, know that I feel your pain with juggling a lot of projects at once!
Wardrobe staples:
Black T-shirts, GREAT Blazers & Cole Haans! I LIVE in these staples because they are easy and effortless.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Fill your space with things that bring you joy – Nate Berkus.
Best career advice you ever received:
Always bring your A game – Oprah Winfrey
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
I splurge on staples: bed, sofa, the case goods and GREAT tableware (I’m OBSESSED with stemware). I tend to save on things I know I’ll grow tired of and can easily change, such as decorative pillows and accessories.
Your greatest extravagance:
My 30th birthday trip to Europe. I hadn’t been out of the country since I moved here in 1998. So I planned a trip to London, Paris and Scotland for my 30th and I had the time of my LIFE! My bank statement confirmed that, LOL! Regardless of the expense, there was nothing like driving through the France countryside in a mini-coop convertible with the top down singing “MAN, I FEEL LIKE A WOMAN” by Shania Twain at the top of your lungs with your good friend. Then trying Haggis (Yep, I’ve had Haggis.) for the first time with my work “husband” and his AMAZING wife at their home in Scotland. It fills me with GREAT joy just thinking about it. So although EXTRAVAGANT, it was worth every PENNY!
Favorite places to shop for home:
Crate & Barrel. I can get lost in their stores. It’s a goal of mine to collaborate with them in some way for SOMERSELLE. My other favorite place when I’m in the mood to hunt for a good find is Home Goods – it’s CRAZY the things you can find there and the price are AMAZING!
Most prized possession and why:
A studio light from the Oprah Winfrey Show which I got as a gift on my 30th birthday from my husband. The show meant a lot to me growing up. I watched it every afternoon at 4pm after school from the time I was a child until it ended on May 25th. 2011 (which was my birthday). I truly believe it help shaded me into the human being I am today.
Your interiors motto:
Your home should be a reflection of who you are and where you’ve been.
Your life motto:
How do I become the fullest and greatest expression of myself?
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Take your time – it takes time to settle on your own interior style. Just be open to trying everything, until something sticks.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Cheeseburger (I’ll always order that if nothing on the menu speaks to me)
Drink: Tequila & Soda with a Lemon & Lime (although most bartenders only give me one or the other!)
Film: Cinderella with Whitney Houston & Brandy. Hands down the BEST version, and I cry EVERYTIME!
Hotel: The Hydro Hotel in Pebbles, Scotland. The views are to DIE FOR!
City: New York City – ain’t no place LIKE IT!
Bedding: The Hotel Collection from Macy*s – You’re WELCOME!
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Tea with me milk. Which is the proper British way. I. should know, I’m half British.
Playlist: Literally EVER song by Celine Dion, Fantasia Barrino, Jennifer Hudson & Mariah Cary. Their songs are the sounds track to my life. In 2020 I had Fantasia’s Believe and Celine Dion’s Courage on REPEAT, Spotify confirmed that, LOL!
Weekend Activity: Picture this; All the lights in the house off, me in oversized sweatpants and t-shirt on the sofa watching documentaries. With the BIGGEST bag of sour patch kids and India food on order. UGH, nothing brings be greater joy!
Design Book: I’m currently OBSESSED with Decors Barbares – The Enchanting Interiors of Nathalie Farman-Farma & Living With Color by Rebecca Atwood.
