Talk Shop: Tali Roth // Tali Roth Designs
ABOUT TALI
Tali Roth was one of Ariel’s first design friends in the city, when the two came up through the ranks as designers at Homepolish (RIP) at the same time. Almost half a decade later, she is still one of our absolute favorite people in every sense of the word. Talented, hilarious and wise beyond wise, Tali Roth is a designer who should be on everyone’s radar.
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Tali began her design career by launching her self-titled fashion label in 2009. After six successful seasons, Tali diverted into the world of interior design and moved to New York City in late 2013. Tali's passion for layering texture, shape and color is revealed in every single project that she works on. She has a light hearted approach to everything she does, and relishes in the relationships she builds with her clients. Tali’s passion for vintage furniture shows in her layered, sexy, textured and moody portfolio. Her dedication to fresh interpretations of vintage design is what makes her work stand out, and her deft execution of color palettes – rich jewel tones, sandy neutrals, shots of interesting finishes like concrete and terracotta – is always something to marvel at.
Tali has a creative and contemporary approach to design and loves the challenge of working in a multitude of spaces with a variety of requirements. She has experience in both residential and commercial design (ranging from this cool-girl SoHo loft recently featured in AD, to an outpost of Aussie coffee hot spot Bluestone Lane in NYC) which, she says, offer up their own unique and exciting challenges. Tali has designed spaces for companies such as Away, Bluestone Lane, Rebecca Taylor, and Twelve NYC. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Domino, Lonny, Clever and more.
In 2019 she launched her first product collection, a gorgeous line of sumptuous carpets inspired by Peggy Guggenheim called 'A Week In Venice', which is infused with her signature style. The Venetian in Beige is our personal favorite, but they’re all quite groovy (see: Peggy’s Party.) Most notably, she has become a dear friend of Ariel’s, and we love her so. We sat down with the designer and mom of two to chat about all things design. Read more below!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Engaging, Vibrant, Lush.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Life Experience (the more my life changes the most it informs me on what is important in a home), The Flintstones (my first memory of feeling like bedrock was were I was supposed to live), Hotels/Travel (the more I have traveled the more I take in and apply to my own designs… whether it be color palettes or details or period pieces I see in a flea market…)
How did you start your company, and what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I graduated from interior design school in Melbourne Australia in 2013 and moved to the States a few days later with my husband for his work. Soon after arriving in NYC I realised that I would NOT fit in a traditional interior design firm and so I started working freelance and joined Homepolish (RIP) and little by little I was able to grow enough to start Tali Roth Designs in 2017. I love the design aspect most…coming up with a scheme and an overall direction. It’s like crack to me.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
No I don't. I am surrounded by many incredible people and of course pick up pearls of wisdom along the way but I don't have a mentor per se. Do you want to be my mentor Ariel?
What does your home say about you:
That I have a flare for the dramatics and that I am a vile spendthrift.
Where do you find inspiration:
Literally everywhere. I see the world through the lens of aesthetics so I am constantly influenced and excited by everything.
Who are your style icons:
Betty Draper, Gwyneth Paltrow in Sliding Doors, Gwyneth Paltrow in The Politician. Any woman photographed by Slim Aarons between ‘58 and ‘78.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Text Mom. Panic. Overthink and accidentally overdress all the salads.
Do you collect anything:
Art. I started when I was 18 with something small. I always asked for money towards art for my birthdays etc., and for our wedding we were gifted a gorgeous piece. I am a huge lover of art and especially Australian artists.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@beataheuman, @ateliermvm, @flamingoestate, @studio_tashego, @sketchfortytwo.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
I try to stick with authenticity. Meaning that if the piece is amazing or if the client loves it or if there is a story behind it then it's a good piece (rather than being guided by trends etc). I like to break rules on scale. I will always hang art that is too large or too small on a wall. I think most rules are made to be broken TBH.
What are you working on right now:
Second home of an existing client upstate, new client’s upstate home, new client UWS renovated top to bottom, Chelsea gut renovation that we have been working on since June last year which will be done in the next month and it's A M A Z I N G.
Wardrobe staples:
Matteau Black Dress, gold bangles and flat comfortable shoes because I have the body of a 97 year old Polish booba.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Well it's a fashion piece of advice that I interpret as interior advice - before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.
Best career advice you ever received:
My grandmother told me that making money shouldn’t be the sole aim of what you do. Do something you love and work hard and the financial success will follow. My father always told me to be generous with my ideas and information and the good karma will come ten fold. Not sure either is true but it stuck with me.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
It's not a straight recipe. It's different for each client depending on their needs. For me - I invest in art, lighting and accent chairs. Save on storage pieces and rugs and sofas because my kids/friends' kids will destroy them :)
Your greatest extravagance:
Read below - hotels that I love.
Favorite places to shop for home:
1st Dibs.
Most prized possession and why:
Murano Glass vase I got with my husband in Venice. An aborignal artwork by Minnie Pwerele. Photographs from my friend Christopher Makos.
Your interiors motto:
You want a third vintage, a third bespoke (peppered with custom if you can) and a third accessible ‘high street’ furniture. It's all about the mix and balance and having enough pieces that tell a story.
Your life motto:
It's easy to be calm and gracious when things are going well in your life. It’s how you behave when shit hits the fan (do you Americans say that) that really defines who you are, so take a breath and be cool.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Look at your style over a long period of time. Figure out what you have always loved and build from there. For me I can be into all different looks but the biggest theme has always been modernism and the 60’s so I always come back to that and then it helps guide decisions so you don't stray when your instagram is filled with a fad.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Arugula, Red Onion, Smoked Salmon and balsamic salad.
Drink: Coffee
Film: Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion
Hotel: Hotels are my favorite place on earth and kind of where this love of interiors began. Some of the highlights include G-Rough in Rome, Faena Hotel Buenos Aires, Fasano in Rio, Hotel Copacabana in Rio, San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice.
City: Venice. Pure Magic.
Bedding: Cultiver 100% Flax Linens in White.
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee with oat or cashew milk. Tea is for skinny people.
Playlist: Whatever my husband makes us all listen to. He's the music man.
Weekend Activity: Playground with my kids and husband. Slightly hungover. Coffee in hand.
Design Book: Haute Bohemians by Miguel Flores-Vianna
