Interview : James Swan, Author of 101 Things I Hate About Your House

James Swan is an interior designer and author of the recently released book 101 Things I Hate About Your House. What does he have to say on design trends past and present, organizing your life and how to work children into your decor? He lays it on the line without any pandering. Looking forward to the comments on this one!

You are an interior designer in one of the wealthiest parts of the country: Beverly Hills. What is your street cred when it comes to advising the average American on their design choices?

While I’ve been fortunate to have worked for a array of clients on exceptional projects at the end of the day I’m just a kid from Sacramento California. There was no silver spoon for me growing up but there was a certain gift for making rooms beautiful. I hope I can help homemakers across the country create more gracious and beautiful homes. The principles of good design apply regardless of the cost of an item, the style of the home or the size of the house.

 

What is the best way to incorporate children into a well designed home? A separate area? Lots of rules? Or is there a way to integrate children’s nature and needs into a space and still keep it ordered and adultish?

I don’t have kids myself but I’ve never shied away from celebrating children in the homes I design. The idea that kids should be seen and not heard is preposterous.  However, I feel very strongly that without clear boundaries kids will tend to run amuck. And no one wins when that happens.  I believe there should be rooms in the house specifically crafted for kids. In similar form there are to be rooms designed just for adults and children need to be taught to respect the differences. Then there are the wonderful spaces which bridge the two (family rooms) where the two respectfully cohabitate. Children however should never be allowed to “rule” the house. It’s a recipe for disaster.

 

With home decor, neatness counts. What are some tips you can give homeowners to reduce the clutter and simplify?

As a young child I recall hearing the words “a place for everything and everything in its place”. I’ve lived my life enjoying the benefits of those wise words and share them often. Don’t own something if you have no place for it. And why keep something if it’s not in its proper place.  Sorry to be brutal on the subject but the only reason for clutter in a home is laziness on someone’s part. Stop making excuses and either dispose of unused “things” or find a home for them. If you don’t, you will soon find yourself swallowed by your own piles of clutter with no one to blame but yourself.

 

Let’s talk kitchens. What to do with all those oak cabinets? Is there any chance of a style comeback in the future?

Life is cyclical and like it or not everything eventually makes a come back. I was never fond of standard grade oak cabinets and know they’ll ever top my favorites list. In the meantime I never hesitate to sand blast them, paint them, ceruse them…anything but have to live with that terrible glow of red or gold tones. White oak on the other hand can be quite pleasant to live with particularly in a Craftsman or English styled home.

 

What is your stance on white kitchens? Overdone? Or keep doing it over and over?

No one ever rags on a simple black dress. It is fashion at its timeless best and when accessorized properly can carry a woman far. In my mind a white kitchen has the same timeless quality. When kept fresh with current appliances, toys and gadgets it’s a look that never goes out of style.

 

What elements are the quickest to date a kitchen? What will people look at in a kitchen 20 years from now and go, “Oh, that’s so early 2000′s!”

Personally I’m over bittersweet chocolate stained cabinets and floors. I always think of a “W” Hotel when I see that combination and realize I was ready to check out years ago.

 

Polished brass hardware in the kitchen. Time for a revival?

Right or wrong polished brass, for me, holds very clear historical references and should be used in homes judicially.  If your architecture calls for the use of polished brass then by all means. Beyond that I find it a bit out of place with many architectural styles.  Polished brass in a Craftsman Bungalow would be just silly.

 

I find it interesting that your book came out in the same month as Christiane Lemieux’s Undecorate. The two books appear to approach design from opposite ends of the room. Thoughts on this?

While I’ve not read Christiane’s book all the way through I think I have enough of its essence to comment. Yes, we do have different points of view on the subject of home design but I believe both are valid and valuable. Her book celebrates the individual and their unique decorating decisions and encourages more of same regardless what current style or trends might dictate.  The point of my book is that there are parts making up a beautiful home that have nothing to do with style or taste but are principles for gracious living. Master these principles, regardless of how you elect to decorate, and you are well on your way to a more beautiful home. Between us it seems we’ve covered a lot of important territory for today’s home loving public.

 

Your book identifies common disasters in home decor. Any skeletons in your closets?

Truth be told we’re all cut from the same cloth so I’m certain you’d find a skeleton or two if you looked around a bit. Most obvious to me this morning are the bare wood floors I’m looking at in my study and dining room. I’ve had a serious lack of motivation to find something fabulous with which to cover them. Maybe with spring having sprung I’ll get myself into gear. Maybe…..

 

Finally, can you discuss the merit of good design? In what tangible, practical ways can the advice in your book, when implemented, improve one’s quality of life?

I can confidently say that a well designed, graciously appointed home will improve and enhance every aspect of one’s life. Only when one’s “nest” is in order can one venture into the world and successfully slay the dragons of modern life. Home is a haven; a place for rest, nourishment, regeneration and socialization. From these “nesting” activities we prepare ourselves for the battle of daily existence. An unkempt home is to life as a fat and sugar fed body is to an athlete; both are recipes for failure. For those willing to laugh, learn and roll up their sleeves and work a bit a more gracious and beautiful home is an easily attained goal; and that I can promise you.