Talk Shop: Jeremy Clark // Jeremy D. Clark Studio
Photo by Robby Klein
ABOUT JEREMY
Jeremy Clark is the founder of his eponymous firm, Jeremy D. Clark Studio, a full-service design studio specializing in luxury residential, commercial, and hospitality projects from coast to coast.
Clark quietly opened the doors of his studio in the Spring of 2019, after spending several years in Nashville under the direction of industry leaders. Clark gravitates towards spaces that are foremost timeless, and he excels at tailoring each residential space to honor both the lifestyle and persona of his clients.
Whether he’s working with global influences, collected art, or the juxtaposition of texture and color, Clark skillfully incorporates a myriad of nuances into the story of his design work, allowing them to play out in thoughtful, unexpected ways.
Jeremy resides in the historic neighborhood of Forest Park in Birmingham, Alabama; his current residential projects range across the country from Mountain Brooke, AL and Atlanta, GA to Cashiers, NC and Nashville, TN. We sat down with the talented designer to chat all things design – check it out below!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Fresh, Tailored, Timeless.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Well-Appointed Hotels, Thoughtful Brands, and Layered Interiors.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I began my company with the momentum of being hired to do a full home project, and knowing I needed more than simply nights and weekends to design the interiors properly—I subsequently left my full-time job and took the leap of faith. It’s been two and a half years since, and I’m grateful for that leap as it has been the most rewarding time in my life.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I went to design school at Auburn University and during my time there I had a professor who was excellent in her teachings both practically and socially. She believed in work that exceeded expectations, and equipped me with the necessary skills to make that happen. Not only that, but she encouraged skillful social interactions with interviews and verbal presentations.
What does your home say about you:
Other than I’m the cobbler with no shoes? I hope it says I buy what I love, and that lens is particular with a point of view.
Where do you find inspiration:
Travel is the most fulfilling inspiration, but when that’s not in the cards—I look to my favorite books, along with what I’ve been saving on Pinterest and Instagram.
Photo by Hector Sanchez
Who are your style icons:
Sid Mashburn for his relaxed elegance, Oscar de la Renta for quite the opposite, and Ben Pentreath for his English sensibility.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Wine. More wine—and a tabletop that is formal, not fussy.
Do you collect anything:
Aside from Matchbooks, there’s no singular category of items I collect – just pieces I love and finds that have made me happy along the way.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@in__situ__ , @christopherspitzmiller, @classicist_org, @davidnettosays, @billycotton, @chrispearsonfloors, @prior, @carolineturnerinteriors.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
I always ensure that there is a common thread from room to room within a home so that nothing feels disjointed, but beyond that, I don’t think there’s a rule that doesn’t have an exception.
What are you working on right now:
Currently I’m in the thick of designing a 1921 home in Birmingham, AL, a mountain retreat in High Hampton (Cashiers), NC, a charming cottage in Buckhead, GA – and others in the pipeline that I’m eager to dive into!
Wardrobe staples:
Sid Mashburn White Jeans, a pair of Belgian Loafers, and an Imogene + Willie perfectly worn tee–complete with my favorite sunglasses.
Photo by Hector Sanchez
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
Fabric–Robert Kime for their archival prints, Pierre Frey, Pierre Frey for their vast library of textiles.
Wallpaper–Adelphi Paper Hangings or Gracie Studio for a splurge, Farrow & Ball if simplicity is called for.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Buy once, cry once. There’s no comparison to quality!
Best career advice you ever received:
Underpromise and over-deliver.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
I spend on upholstery, save on rugs, and believe that if you find an antique that thrills you, you’ll find a spot.
Your greatest extravagance:
Sleeping in, an empty inbox, and room service.
Favorite places to shop for home:
RT Facts (for antique finds and glamorous mirrors!), Nickey Kehoe (for exceptional furniture and inspiring textiles), Antique and Artisan in Stamford, CT (for, well, everything), La Tuile a Loup (Tabletop!), and Moda Operandi (Tabletop indulgences).
Most prized possession and why:
I have a Goyard tote that I purchased upon the completion of design school. To this day, I’m not quite sure how I managed that, but I am so glad that I did. It’s gone to every job, every project, and every trip with me. I hope to hold onto it for life.
Photo by Hector Sanchez
Your interiors motto:
Avoid a theme and transcend time periods.
Your life motto:
“To every thing there is a season.”
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Pull imagery of interiors you love and identify the piece you like, or the feeling it evokes, and hone in on that. If this proves too difficult—word on the street is there are many talented Interior Designers you may want to take advantage of.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Bottega Café—A Birmingham staple! If I’m in Nashville, I can’t leave without a visit to Taqueria del Sol.
Drink: Negroni for fun, coffee for fuel.
Film: Devil Wears Prada (It’s a classic!)
Hotel: Soho Farmhouse or Hotel 850 SVB.
City: Austin, TX if stateside, London if international. New York is simply a given.
Bedding: Leontine Linens.
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee—black and iced.
Playlist: When I’m at my desk I prefer instrumental music—I get distracted far too easily.
Weekend Activity: Brunch, Sleeping in, or discovering new areas of my neighborhood.
Design Book: Tom Scheerer Decorates or Jeffrey Bilhuber’s Design Basics.