Talk Shop: Courtney Sempliner // Courtney Sempliner Designs
Photo by Kat Cannell Photography
ABOUT COURTNEY
Designer Courtney Sempliner is a native New Yorker with over 15 years experience working on projects of all scales across the globe. She comes from a long line of designers, artists and architects, bringing extensive experience and knowledge to all her projects. We love her work for its roots in classicism, and love the fresh spin she puts on traditional design.
Prior to opening her business in 2016, Courtney gained invaluable experience at international design firms in New York and London. Courtney began her career at Studios Architecture in New York, focusing on commercial interiors projects in Manhattan. She then began her time at Candy & Candy in London, where Courtney worked on a variety of high profile, luxury residential projects including a private residence within the largest penthouse of the Plaza Hotel in New York City, as well as properties within the renowned One Hyde Park building in London.
As a Senior Designer at the Morpheus London and Elicyon Design Studio, Courtney successfully led the design and execution of a four bedroom penthouse in the St. John’s Wood neighborhood of London, a large family mansion overlooking Hyde Park, concept designs for a private villa and a private members club in Monaco, as well as various property developments and private residences within London and New York for a roster of high profile clients.
She currently holds two undergraduate degrees; the first in History of Art from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor (Go Blue!), and the second in Interior Design from the Parsons School of Design in NYC. She also has her Masters degree in Interior & Spatial Design from the Chelsea College of Art & Design in London.
Courtney currently lives in Port Washington, New York, with her husband, two sons, and sweet dog. Her favorite things are margaritas, a good book, four legged friends, and plotting future travels (we have to say we agree on all four.) Grab yourself a drink and read our chat about all things design below!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Curated, tailored, unexpected.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My family - I come from a long line of eccentric designers, artists and architects and grew up in and around some eclectic homes. From my architect grandfather to my industrial designer father and everyone in between, I’ve been surrounded by and schooled on design since I was just a kid.
My surroundings - Travel in my formative years, particularly throughout Europe, really sealed the deal for me and decorative arts. I also can’t help but be inspired by my surroundings, whether it’s on the east coast where I grew up and currently live with my family, or my time spent living in and traveling around Europe.
My kids - I love watching the creativity that comes from my two boys! Reminds me to create without limitations and appreciate unexpected combinations.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I started my company when moving back home to New York from London; I was both a new and expecting mother and I knew there was a way to do what I loved on my own terms. I was able to tailor my skill set and background working at large design firms to create a very hands on and intimate design experience for my clients. My favorite thing about what I do is getting to know my clients and their visions. I enjoy that each project is so different in regards to client personality, aesthetics and the problem solving required.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
Both my parents were successful self employed creatives their whole lives so they definitely set the example for my path, and lead the way in terms of running my business and navigating my way through the design world. My mother is an interior designer as well, so I was definitely influenced by her career from a young age.
What does your home say about you:
Maybe that I have multiple personalities? :) It’s definitely an ever-changing, eclectic collection of art and furniture from different periods, pulled together in a curated way. The common theme is surrounding myself with the things I love, so everything is quite dear to me for one reason or another - I can get a bit sentimental. My home also reveals that I’m a mother - there are always some Hot Wheels cars sprinkled throughout the house!
Where do you find inspiration:
Because I have an education in art history, I often find myself visiting museums for inspiration. They really have it all, from color palettes, to textures, patterns and form. Sir John Soane’s house in London is the ultimate curation of a fantastic life. I could also spend days at the V&A in London and never bore.
Who are your style icons:
Jean-Louis Denoit, Wes Anderson, Kit Kemp, Iris Apfel
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Strong drinks and good music.
Do you collect anything:
Jewelry - I’m a bit of a magpie for shiny things.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@ashleytstark, @pdxhousepretty, @gideonmendelson, @adaesthete.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
I think rules of scale and proportion are pretty important to maintain in a space. I think the idea of using white paint to make a small space seem bigger is a myth; I love nothing more than saturated, dramatic color in a small space!
What are you working on right now:
Lots of family homes! In NYC, the Hamptons and in between.
Wardrobe staples:
I tend to gravitate towards different variations of a classic white button down, jeans, and slip on shoes. Every day feels clean like a blank canvas.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
Citrus Garden by Josef Frank
Best interior advice you ever received:
Surround yourself with things you love and your home will always be in style.
Best career advice you ever received:
Experience, experience, experience. Design specific careers are all based on solid design skills and experience - there is nothing like real life, in-the-field experience!
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
I always invest in quality upholstery. There is nothing worse than bad upholstery and quality upholstery can last a lifetime. Considering you spend over a third of your life in bed, I always prioritize the bedroom and invest in quality bed linens, mattresses, nightstands, pillows. I prefer to save on decorative accents and things that can be changed out easily to reinvent a space.
Your greatest extravagance:
Frequent manicures and pedicures.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Chairish, 1st Dibs, Made Goods, Ebay, Flair Home, and Home Goods
Most prized possession and why:
Heirloom Rolex from my father
Your interiors motto:
Follow your personal taste rather than trends, and it will never look dated.
Your life motto:
"A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor." (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Follow your heart, surround yourself with the things you love and everything else will fall in place.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: French fries
Drink: Dirty Vodka Martini
Film: Fargo
Hotel: Four Seasons in London
City: London has my heart
Bedding: Anything linen or monogrammed; love everything from Leontine
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee with a little half and half
Playlist: Al Green, Pavement, the Beatles, Little Dragon
Weekend Activity: Something outdoors with my dog and my boys.
Design Book: The Finer Things by Christiane Lemieux
