Courtesy of DKR Interiors
What are your favorite coffee table books on design? Right now on my coffee table I have Red: The History of a Color, by Michel Pastoureau. It has a lot of very pretty pictures and reminds me why I’ve been addicted to red forever and ever. I also have Parish-Hadley Tree of Life: An Intimate History of the Legendary Design Firm, by Brian McCarthy and Bunny Williams. It’s a wonderful reference for anyone looking to build a home and collections.
Who, in your opinion, has the best taste in St. Louis? That’s a really big question, but besides myself, ha-ha-ha, I’d have to say Zoë Robinson [owner of Bar Les Frères and I Fratellini]. Her taste is traditional with an edge. She stays current but relies on tried-and-true.
Courtesy of DKR Interiors
David Kent Richardson is the owner of DKR Interiors and V.I.P. (Very Important Pillows). He has 20 years of experience in the industry.
What’s more challenging: a design project in which the budget is limitless or one where you’re held to a small budget? I’d have to say a limitless budget is more challenging. Money can get you into a lot of trouble. Just because you can afford anything and everything, it doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If you want it all, it all can conflict. You have to dial it back.
What’s been your biggest design challenge, and what did you learn from it? If a design challenge isn’t a challenge, it’s no fun; all my jobs keep me up at night. But with commercial projects, when you have to work around people and put up with everyone’s input on what you’re doing before it’s finished, it can be hard to keep your confidence. I experienced that recently with a gym project I was doing and realized that I just need to stay focused and not listen to every opinion along the way.
What do you prefer? Country or city style? Country. City style can be pretentious and cold. Country is naïve and gracious. But when you add country to city, the attitude becomes relaxed…and peaceful.
