The Schumacher Blog Tell Us Everything: Timothy Corrigan

Source: The Schumacher Blog

Author: Tori Jones

Tell Us Everything: Timothy Corrigan

Schumacher
Timothy Corrigan talks about the people, places, and things that shaped his refined point of view– and inspired his sophisticated Schumacher collection.


How would you describe your signature decorating style?

Comfortable elegance. My style infuses classical European refinement with the casual, comfortable lifestyle of California.

Living Room
Corrigan’s living room in his Loire Valley château. He expertly tempers the room’s architectural grandeur with relaxed upholstery, soft throw pillows, and a patterned rug. Corrigan recently published a book on his historic house, An Invitation to Château du Grand-Lucé. Photograph by Eric Piasecki.

 

What inspires you?

I am directly influenced by mid to late 18th-century French architecture and design. It was an era of great change. The Enlightenment brought about the transition from the very exuberant style of Louis XIV to something more restrained.

saltworks 

Claude-Nicolas Ledoux’s Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans, France. The geometries of this 18th-century building inspired Corrigan’s Saltworks occasional chair for Schumacher.

 

Jean-Charles Moreux is another great influence. He lived in Paris from 1889-1956. Moreux did it all: he was an architect, designed interiors, created furniture and developed wonderful landscape design. In short, he was a true Renaissance man.

Garden Plan 

A Moreux garden plan. Image via citechaillot.fr.

 

 Moreaux

Corrigan’s Moreux rug, named for his favorite designer, from his Patterson Flynn Martin collection.

 

What is your definition of chic?

George Clooney epitomizes my design credo of comfortable elegance.

George Clooney 

The actor at Villa Allamel on Lake Como. Photograph by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair.

 

If you could live in any house in history, what would it be and why?

Le Château du Grand-Lucé, my house in the French countryside. It blends the finest of neoclassical architecture with the relaxed and easy furnishings of today. There is something about the place that allows everyone to be their best selves. Isn’t that what home should do for all of us?

Chateau 

The designer’s 18th-century estate. Photograph by Eric Piasecki.

 

Bedroom 

An enchanting corner of one of the château’s guest bedrooms. Photograph by Eric Piasecki.

 

Hall 

In keeping with the style of a traditional French country home, the entrance hall is decorated with antler trophies. Photograph by Eric Piasecki.

 

What is your favorite design book?

The Gardens of Russell Page by Gabriella van Zuylen and Marina Schinz. Also, Les Décorateurs des années 40 by Bruno Foucart and Jean-Louis Gaillemin.

 garden

A stately Russell Page landscape.

 

book 

Les Décorateurs des années 40.

 

What is your favorite movie?

Tough, tough question. I love The Leopard, Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon, and The Wings of the Dove.

leopard 

Luchino Visconti’s The Leopard.

 

 lyndon

A scene from Barry Lyndon.

 

dove 

Helena Bonham Carter in The Wings of the Dove.

 

What was the starting point for your Schumacher collections?

The process of designing these fabrics pushed me to evaluate what I’m drawn to in terms of design. First, I had to really analyze what shapes and colors I love. Then I had to determine how to turn those into a cohesive collection that would work in homes all over the world.

hg 

Huntington Gardens 175560 in classic blue and crisp white with Vincent Linen Braid 65400 and Anton Linen Ruche Trim 65451.

 

What did you want to achieve with your Schumacher collections?

Design is moving away from stark modernism towards a warmer, more organic, and lyrical aesthetic. I wanted the collections to reflect this transition with patterns and colors that are more vibrant and nuanced. The world is ready for pretty again.

 pink

Table skirt in dusty pink and camel Cap Ferrat 175581 with ivory Directoire Tape 68643.

 

I wanted to create designs that are life-enhancing. From the pretty birds in Huntington Gardens to the gorgeous colors of Chateau Silk Damask, these are fabrics that make you smile.

 damask

Corrigan’s collection includes a palette of bright pastels. From left to right: Chateau Silk Damask 68882 in Springtime and Huntington Gardens 175562 in Multi.

 

I strongly believe that home should feed and nurture body and soul.

Schumacher

Curtains, table skirt, and sofa throw pillows in Huntington Gardens 175560 in Bleu Marine. Table skirt trim in Vincent Linen Braid 65400 and Anton Linen Ruche Trim 65451. Wall upholstery in Mandeville 68770 in Pacific. Wave Lounge Chairs SH1251 and Wave Sofa SH3211, all upholstered in Mandeville Field 68800 in Natural. Lounge chair throw pillow in Madeleine Velvet 68820 in Midnight. Lafayette Cocktail Table SH8002 and Lafayette Side Table SH8001. Patterson Flynn Martin Impulse 34831 abaca rug.

View the complete Timothy Corrigan collection…

 

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