Talk Shop: Hilary Matt // Hilary Matt Interiors
Courtesy of Instagram
ABOUT HILARY
Hilary Matt is one of our favorite design friends in the city – her firm, which specializes in residential and commercial interiors, took part in last year’s Holiday House, where Ariel was the Co-Chair of the Young Design Committee. After meeting through Holiday House, Ariel and Hilary have been design buds ever since.
We love Hilary’s work for its emphasis on shape, scale and color – all of her projects are glamorous and elegant, with a touch of funk and edge Her most recently featured project, the home of super-influencer Arielle Charnas, was showcased in Architectural Digest. With current and past projects including homes in New York City, The Hamptons, LA, Miami, Connecticut and New Jersey, plus a brand new baby boy (in addition to her two year old son!) this mama of two has her hands full. We sat down with Hilary to chat all things design, from favorite coffee table books, to best interiors advice she’s ever received.
Describe your style in three words or less:
Clean and contemporary with an edge
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Kids (child friendly everything is a must, I have experienced this first hand), NYC (the constant inspiration) and Vintage Furniture (I am always drawn to the shapes, textures and materials of the past).
How did you start your company, and what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I worked for another interior designer for 8 years and after working for her people started to ask me to help them and it organically turned into my own company. I love making beautiful homes for people to enjoy.
What does your home say about you:
No matter what I do, everything always ends up black and white.
Where do you find inspiration:
I love Pinterest, I could sit on there for hours.
Who are your style icons:
Kelly Wearstler and Joseph Dirand.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Good food and good company!
Do you collect anything:
Hamptons Magazines
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@ashleytstark, @thedpages, @kellywearstler.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Scale is very important when designing a room. A rule I break is that I love to mix metals in a room.
What are you working on right now:
An amazing house in Sagaponack and a PH Duplex in NYC.
Wardrobe staples:
A good white tee and jeans.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Make your clients happy!
Best career advice you ever received:
Do something that makes you happy, and it’s always good to have your own money :)
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest in a sofa and save on accessories.
Your greatest extravagance:
Facials once a month.
Favorite places to shop for home:
AnnSandra, Home Nature, Garde Shop.
Most prized possession and why:
My plain gold wedding band I got married in, it embodies one of the most special nights of my life and the start of my family AND my dog Presley.
Your interiors motto:
Your space should be a reflection of you.
Your life motto:
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Start to save pictures you like on instagram and pinterest and look for a common theme in all of them.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Candy (not a food, I know)
Drink: Skinny Spicy Margarita
Film: Clueless
Hotel: Beverly Hills Hotel
City: Chicago
Bedding: Matteo
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee with almond milk and a splenda
Playlist: Top Hits
Weekend Activity: Running around outside with my son
Design Book: Ryan Korban: Interiors
