MODERN FAMILY For many, these two ideas - sippycups and silk drapes - don’t naturally co-exist, but for Smith who believes you should “never sacrifice comfort and function for beauty” it’s a refreshing and inspiring philosophy. True to her design signature, she has “ingratiated lifestyle into the very architecture of the room, layering details without overpowering, mixing antiques and moderns elements to reflect an eclecticism that more closely mirrors our new paradigm of living.” She relishes in “all of the tactile elements, watching them bloom as they’re gently layered on top of one another.” And like most aesthetes, Smith believes love is in the details, noting her favorite elements as “the delicate little silver teacart covered wheels and the black coral against those silver walls.” Rooted in tradition, Smith speaks to a modern, vibrant, sophisticated family. Neo-traditionalists, if you will. Or rather, those who like classicism shaken and stirred. Of course, while Smith’s interiors feel classically American, there’s an undoubted worldly element at play. “I spent the day with a fellow designer who said you should always have a certain number of zigzag days a year just for inspiration,” reveals Smith. “There is NO better inspiration for design than travel and experiencing other environments. It is all grist for the mill. You can draw inspiration from one trip for years and years. My favorite images are of architectural elements from around the world.” Smith favors jaunts to Europe for inspiration, highlighting Florence as her favorite inspiration destination and the Hotel Du Cap her favorite space in the world. When pressed further though, she shares her favorite secret spot in the world, “the corner of the bed in my boys’ room.” Which not only makes Windsor Smith extremely relatable, but sums up her exact appeal, grounded glamour.
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