Talk Shop: Suzanne & Lauren McGrath // McGrath II
Photo by Read McKendree
ABOUT SUZANNE & LAUREN
Guided by years of experience in residential design, the mother-daughter duo of McGrath II, Suzanne and Lauren McGrath, are known for designing homes that are rich in classic interior details. Referencing the past while embracing the lifestyles of today is the ethos behind their signature design style. Suzanne is a graduate of Barnard College, and studied interior design and decorative art history at Parsons School of Design. Early in her career, she worked for storied NYC firm Cullman and Kravis, and later, the office of Thierry Despont. For a decade, she worked as a Style Editor and Television Producer for Martha Stewart Living Television. During her tenure, she was the recipient of 5 Daytime Emmy Awards!
Her daughter, Lauren, majored in Art History at Bowdoin College and spent several years working at Teen Vogue as a fashion news writer. Lauren’s editorial experience led her to spearhead the launch of a closely read design blog, Good Bones, Great Pieces, which became the basis for their book of the same name published by Abrams in 2012.
The duo takes a holistic approach to each project with a particular focus on architectural detailing and technical design, and since establishing their studio in 2010, Suzanne and Lauren are still hands on during every step of the design process with each partner bringing their unique perspective to every decision. We were so honored to sit down with these talented women, and hope you enjoy our #talkshop with Lauren and Suzanne!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Suzanne: Tailored, Edited, Relaxed
Lauren: Fresh, Layered, Understated
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
S: Living in London as a young graduate student and traveling back and forth every year since has had a tremendous influence on my love of all things English. Not just the museums, but the beautiful historic homes I visited in the countryside became the framework for my view of how to design interiors that are comfortable and layered.
My father traveled globally, and he would share stories of fabulous hotels he had visited over the years with me in particular, as we shared this interest.
I had the opportunity to meet and collaborate briefly with Albert Sacks, author of the seminal book: “Good, Better, Best”, and he taught me most of what I know about how to identify classic furniture forms. This knowledge allowed me to mix and match furniture pieces from different periods and styles in a cohesive, but eclectic way.
L: My mother, for exposing me to the world of antiques and artisans at a young age. My grandmother, who has impeccable taste and started my lifelong love of clothing and jewelry. Working for Condé Nast at a fashion magazine right out of college helped hone my eye for color, pattern, and layering. It also taught me that every single detail matters and that being relentless in your pursuit of the details is what separates good from great.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
S: It started with a dream of writing a book about everything I’d learned about decorating, and it turned into a published book in 2012, then quickly and quite unexpectedly, it evolved into a thriving mother-daughter business, and I couldn’t have done it without Lauren.
L: Creating environments that evoke a feeling and bring our clients into a new world is the most rewarding thing about being a designer.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
S: I worked for Martha Stewart for a decade as a Television Producer and Style Editor. Being in such close proximity to her, I observed how curious she was about everything and everyone. She asked questions and studied so that she could learn more and share what she learned. Her curiosity and drive impressed me and have propelled my career.
L: My mother. She never gives up and she instilled that in me at a young age. You need to have tough skin to succeed in this business and she is that plus the kindest person you’ll ever meet. A killer combo if you ask me!
What does your home say about you:
S: My home is quite colorful but calm. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. I’m kind of like that.
L: That I don’t have enough time to decorate my own house! All joking aside, we live in a historic home built in 1804 that is a constant source of joy for me and my family.
Where do you find inspiration:
S: Books. I don’t just collect books, I spend whatever free time I have reading. Travel, of course, but not recently. Through Instagram, I have access to the work of interior designers I admire all over the world. It’s daunting how much there is to see!
L: Traveling, textiles, rugs, art.
Who are your style icons:
S: Diane Keaton and Princess Grace of Monaco
L: Caroline Bessett Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
S: For me, it’s all about the tablecloth and linen napkins, especially outside. I like to set the table with vintage glassware and plates foraged from trips to Milwaukee, Wisconsin with my husband, where there are some amazing consignment stores!
L: My husband. He’s a wonderful cook and makes everyone feel at home!
Do you collect anything:
S: I collect blue and white English Transferware platters and Ironstone pitchers. My mom did as well, and when she passed away a few years ago, I combined our collections onto the shelves in my dining room so that our shared passion remains a part of my home.
L: Contemporary art, art books, antique and vintage textiles.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
S: Buy what you love, if you can, when you see it. A great piece of vintage furniture or art should have the ability to live in more than one room, more than one home.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
L: @sibylcolefax and @veere_grenney
What are you working on now?
S & L: An apartment on Central Park West, several houses in Connecticut, a house in New Jersey, a pied-a-terre on Gramercy Park. And we’ve just opened a small retail space next to our new design studio in Greenwich, CT!
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
S: At the moment, I’m loving Guy Goodfellow textiles. For wallpaper, we love Farrow and Ball dragged papers; there are so many beautiful colors to select from.
L: I don’t think I could choose just one! But right now I’m loving pretty much anything C & C Milano.
Best interior advice you ever received:
S: Co-edit your work before you make important design decisions. Lauren and I do this before every important design meeting, and it always makes the end result so much better.
L: Measure twice, cut once! We check every single element for size and scale in CAD before we purchase anything for our projects. It’s the only way to avoid costly mistakes, and have confidence that the final product will be exactly right.
Best career advice you ever received:
S: Work for a great mentor who you can really learn from; then when you get there yourself, pass it along.
L: From my mom: Be nice.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
S & L: Invest in well-made upholstery that can be recovered again and again. It’s paramount to your everyday comfort! Save on wallpaper and curtains — I’d rather spend on beautiful, unique vintage and antique pieces, quality rugs, and perfectly proportioned upholstery than gimmicky wallpaper you’ll tire of in a few years. Curtains are a luxury and I’d rather not have any if they can’t be well made— matchstick blinds are a great way to add texture and shade to a room!
Your greatest extravagance:
S: Travel with my daughter.
L: Travel.
Favorite places to shop for home:
S: Paris, London, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Los Angeles.
L: London and Paris
Most prized possession and why:
S: My three children.
L: My two sons.
Your interiors motto:
S & L: Let the house and its environment influence the interior decoration. Address the architecture and bones first. It that's not right it doesn’t matter how much “stuff” you put into a space it will never really sing.
Your life motto:
S: Do your best, then let it go.
L: Never stop evolving!
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
S & L: It doesn’t happen overnight! It takes years of exposure to define your style but the more you can get out and see beautiful homes in person, shop from dealers and stores that sell the most refined things, and read books/study imagery, the more quickly you will start to edit out what doesn’t appeal to you and zero in on what you really love.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food:
S: Pasta
L: Steak Frites
Drink:
S: Cold crisp glass of Gavi white wine
L: Negroni
Film:
S: Roman Holiday, 1953, shot in and around Rome
L: Roman Holiday
Hotel:
S: Villa d’Este, Cernobbio, Italy
L: The Ritz, Paris
City:
S: Milan
L: Paris
Bedding:
S & L: Schweitzer
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it):
S: Coffee with one sugar
L: Coffee. Extra hot latte whole milk
Weekend Activity:
S: Tennis, Antiquing
L: Entertaining my two-year-old son!
Design Book:
S: Odgen Codman and The Decoration of Houses
L: The Decoration of Houses