Meet the Designer - Hannah Childs

(taken from an interview by
Ann Kaiser Connecticut Homes - Gardens February 2011)

Hannah, you spent time abroad as a child. Was there one location or experience that really made an impact on you in terms of color or design?

My parents took us to France when I was about ten, and I recall being awe struck by the treatment of the walls in the many chateaux we visited. I remember thinking to myself, who needs furniture when you have such magnificent walls and ceilings? The architectural framework that moldings and panels create in a room is something I try to incorporate when applicable.  Trim moldings can make a room seem higher or lower depending on their placement. Furthermore, you can be creative with color when walls are treated with moldings and paneling.

You’ve lived in Florence, Chicago, New York, Boston, and now Old Lyme. Have these places influenced your designs? What did you take from each place?

Each of these places is unique, and yet all are rich in art and architecture. Obviously, I soaked everything up in Italy – the language, art, history, and of course, the food. Chicago, New York and Boston all have an abundance of culture, but I experienced each in different ways. In Chicago, I discovered my interest in interior design; in New York, I pursued my interest with school and a job in one of the best firms in the country; and in Boston, I took the leap and started my own business. Now settled here in Old Lyme I love the fact that this small town has played a significant role in the history of art in America. The museums, galleries and shops here and in neighboring towns are a both a source and an inspiration.

You’ve said that design was “woven through the fabric of [your] childhood.” How much did growing up near RISD influence you? Was your family into design?

My father’s family was involved in founding RISD and the museum. As for immediate family, my father’s sister, Pauline Metcalf, is an interior designer and author. Her latest book is on the legendary interior designer, Syrie Maughm, which I recommend highly! My mother is a talented painter, and my sister manages a photography gallery in Boston. So, yes, I suppose you could say design is in my blood.

What is your most prized possession?

An antique locket I purchased a few years ago. In it, I have photos of my husband and our three children and I wear the necklace almost everyday.

You worked for David Anthony Easton –
is this THE David Easton? What did you learn at this firm?

Yes. Working there was a huge eye opener for me both aesthetically and in seeing a design firm run as a business. The scope of clientele and the resources he exposed me to were invaluable references for my work today. His emphasis on the architectural elements in design has definitely influenced me and I will always value having worked amongst “the best of the best”.

You started your business before having children, and now have three. Have they changed your approach to design?

Absolutely. Having children has made me embrace the whimsy and fun you can have with design. I have always favored symmetry, starting as a child when I came home from school delighted to have learned my name was a palindrome. My children have helped me to become more flexible. They have also made me appreciate the importance of having something of my own, and I believe that having a creative outlet makes me a better mother.

Do you have a favorite piece of furniture?

My daughter’s antique daybed was my inspiration for a Child & Family Services fundraiser a few years ago. It had been in her room, covered in its original upholstery. The vignette gave me the perfect reason to have fun with a new fabric. The pink and orange ikat is feminine, bright and cheerful.
By the way, the daybed is French, and still had the original ticket taped underneath when it was delivered. The ticket read, in French, “For Thayer”. My daughter’s name is Thayer. Some things are just meant to be.

Is there a color or pattern you especially like?

My son asks me this question almost daily. He cannot imagine I could have more than one favorite. The truth is, I love colors of many varieties, all of which can change their appeal when placed in different environments. As for fabrics, I have always loved Fortuny and ikat.