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Kevin Sharkey reveals his influences to ShelterPop. Photos: Martha Stewart Living
For the last year, we've been following Kevin Sharkey's apartment overhaul in the pages of Martha Stewart Living and on his Home Design blog. As Senior Vice President and Executive Editorial Director, Decorating, and Executive Creative Director, Merchandising for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (whew, is that one long title!), Kevin knows a thing or two about decorating a home -- and he does it with a level of precision and perfection that Martha herself is sure to appreciate.
The full reveal of Kevin's glam digs in New York City's West Village appear in the September issue of Martha Stewart Living, and there are gallery of the "big reveal" on MarthaStewart.com. The occasion of the reveal is so momentous that this is the first time anyone has ever appeared on the cover of Martha Stewart Living with Martha! ShelterPop caught up with Kevin to find out what influenced his design choices for the new apartment.
While some of his influences -- like the spectacular Hudson River views -- were obvious, others -- like a 1970s Faye Dunaway film -- were a surprise. Here are Kevin's five biggest influences (other than Martha, of course) for decorating his apartment:
Photos: Left: The Eyes of Laura Mars image, 1978, Columbia Pictures Corporation; right: Paul Costello, Martha Stewart Living
The 1978 thriller, The Eyes of Laura Mars, starring Faye Dunaway as Laura Mars is a surprising source of inspiration. "The character's New York penthouse is gorgeously understated," says Kevin. "The monotone palette and wall-to-wall carpet was incredibly sumptuous while maintaining a refined restraint. I kept coming back to it when making choices for the apartment -- like painting the entire space one color." You can see that Kevin's own pad is decked out with a similarly refined restraint of color.
Tip: Mimic Kevin's living space above with his caramel-like color choice 'Heath' or opt for a gray like 'Sharkey Gray' (named after Kevin himself!) both from Martha Stewart Living Paints at The Home Depot.
Photos: Left: Guillaume De Laubier; right: Paul Costello, Martha Stewart Living
We all find designer Karl Lagerfeld inspiring, but Kevin took a cue from Lagerfeld's decor sense. "I saw a photo of the private dining room at Chanel in Paris (outfitted, of course, by designer Karl Lagerfeld), and I was struck by the clever use of mirrors," says Kevin of the room, above left. "Mr. Lagerfeld had taken what was a traditional room and given it an architectural feel with a simple, reflective material. I recreated the look on one wall of my living room. Not only do the mirrors reflect the Hudson River, but they transform the view into art."
Tip: For a budget recreation of Kevin's look, consider hanging full-length, frameless mirrors horizontally on your walls.
Photos: Left top: Courtesy of Kevin Sharkey; left bottom: Pearl River; right: Paul Costello, Martha Stewart Living.
"Believe it or not, a Japanese bento box was the inspiration behind my bed," notes Kevin of his sleek bedroom furnishings. "Originally, I had a regular bed, which made sense with the high ceilings. But then I thought, 'I am just going to go for it,' and selected a platform bed with meticulously fitted bed coverings. My bedroom served as my living room for a time so that may have had a lot to do with the final outcome. I couldn't be happier."
Tip: For a similar stream-lined platform bed, try West Elm's Chunky Wood Bed Frame in the Chocolate finish.
Photos: Left: Julius Shulman, Richard Neutra and the the search for Modern Architecture (2005, Rizzoli); right: Paul Costello, Martha Stewart Living.
As timeless as the mid-century design it is known for, Palm Springs' abundance of tropical foliage inspired Kevin. "Martha and I visited Palm Springs recently, and I was struck by the dramatic foliage I saw there," Kevin reveals. "I wanted there to be a living presence (other than me) in the apartment, so I decided to go big when choosing houseplants. My 8-foot Cutleaf Philodendron in the living room is a striking statement."
Tip: Kevin reveals that Martha Stewart Living's deputy gardening editor Tom Bielaczyc taught him how to shine up foliage with a half water/half milk solution!
Photos: Left: Julius Shulman, A Constructed View: The Architectural Photography of Julius Shulman (1994, Rizzoli); right: Paul Costello, Martha Stewart Living.
It should come as no surprise that a home's locale influences its design (as architectural photographer Julius Shulman gracefully demonstrates in the photo, above left). Says Kevin, "Because my apartment is in a glass tower overlooking the Hudson River, I really wanted it to be about the spectacular views. To ensure that, I selected lower-scaled furniture. This allows myself and guests to feel that sense of expansiveness -- almost like you are standing on a boat."
Tip: Whether your view is a dramatic cityscape like Kevin's or a humble, country scene, be sure to consider what lies beyond your windows when planning your decor.
And now, about that paint...
We're crazy for Kevin's apartment, but we also wondered how he settled on the perfect color -- after all, this is a man who is not only an all-around expert on interior design but a total master of color, having played a major part in creating the Martha Stewart Living paint line at Home Depot (all 280 colors!). How'd he decide?
"When I chose a color during my apartment renovation, I followed the guidelines that we always pass on to our readers at Martha Stewart Living," he says. First, choose a color family and paint several swatches on the wall. Then observe the colors in all changing lights of day, and pick the color that works best with the space. "Fortunately, my apartment has no shortage of natural light, so when I put a variety of shades on the wall the change was dramatic. I settled on Heath from the Martha Stewart Living Paint line at The Home Depot. It's a great neutral-complex, warm and a good backdrop for the rest of the apartment."
Don't you wish you get his expert opinion on your home? We figured. So we asked Kevin to give one lucky winner a personal color consultation via email, and he generously obliged. Plus, The Home Depot will give the winner a $25 gift certificate to buy a gallon of Martha Stewart Living paint.
Here's how to win: Tell us what room in your home is due for a paint makeover! The winner will be contacted and asked to submit a photo for Kevin to review -- and your photo and Kevin's tips may appear on ShelterPop!
CONTEST RULES
* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us what room in your home is due for a paint makeover.
* The comment must be left before 5pm EST on Friday, September 3, 2010.
* You may enter only once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive a $25 Home Depot gift card (valued at $25) and a chance to submit a photo of their home for Kevin Sharkey to review and offer a personal color consultation over email. The photo and consultation may appear on ShelterPop with permission from the homeowner.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
* Click here for complete Official Rules. Winners will be notified by email, so be sure to provide a valid email address!
Reader comments (Page 1 of 4)
My Dining Room could use Kevin's help. Our family moved into a lovely home last year, slowly I have made color changes in other rooms. However I have been at loss over the dining room, that used to be a formal living room but I thought it would serve a better purpose for dining. The walls, ceiling, and area carpet(left by previous owner) are all champagne in color. That would also include the fireplace mantel and all the decorative molding. Now that the furniture has been in place for a year and have used it I feel that it is lacking style. It would be an honor to have Kevin help with this. I have followed his apartment progress from the begining....he is amazing at what he does.
ReplyMy living room can certainly use some help.
ReplyMy bedroom is due for a painting.
ReplyWe just bought an 80 year old home, and the living room has a great fireplace with flanking built-in bookshelves, and windows with natural light. But the current paint is old and boring. I need color help in there for what to go with our quirky heirloom cast iron dachshund, subway art style canvas print in an antique wood frame, etc.
ReplyOur bedroom is due for a color change. I visualize different earthtone shades. Really need your help.
ReplyThe master bedroom! We've been in our house for just over a year, and we've slowly started making upgrades to rooms -- somehow we skipped the master though -- it's still covered in wall paper!
ReplyMy bathroom is a blah beige--and very unflattering. I need to find a paint color that will work with existing tiles and granite vanity top and base. Oh, and it's really, really small, too.
ReplyIf you like banana yellow, then you might not agree that my bedroom needs a makeover. The color was called Banana Split and, like eating an entire banana split, it was a mistake. (The master bath has a beautiful tile combination from the 30s, and I was trying to match...oops). I could use some help with a subtle color touch. Help!
ReplyAhhh...the living room, although there isn't much living currently going on in there. I have a 1927 bungalow under restoration. After 5 years, the outside is done, but I've no oomph left to get the inside completed. It is really a strking room - arched built-ins and doorways, marble and granite fireplace, large windows. Unfortunately it still retains the previous owner's sad, bluish-white maquillage and could use some serious help bringing it's wonderful features to the forefront.
Replywe're having a baby boy due in december, so the girl nursery is in need of a color makeover!
ReplyMy 10 year old sons bedroom is LIME GREEN~ugh! Actually all of the bedrooms in our newly purchased house are shades of ugly pastel. Please help! My son wants a dirt bike/snow boarders bedroom, w/ATV's and the like...is there any color that could make this room appealing to his parents???
ReplyI would just LOVE to win!
ReplyMy bedroom is outdated and boring. White walls, brown carpet. Ick! I've tried to spice it up with curtains, throws, pillows and art work but lets be serious here, paint is the real deal. Color, even an accent wall would make all the difference in a dull brown boring room.
ReplyOur greatroom needs color after 4 years of living in our house with contracor colored walls it is time.....but how to make it all blend is another story.
ReplyPlease Help!!!!
I have been married for 31 years..... I have five children and we own an eleven room home. Sad to say all the rooms have been updated except for our bedroom which has not seen a gallon of paint for over 21 years. We just cant seem to get our heads above water. Winning the paint would be awesome!!!!
ReplyAll the rooms in my house need painted. Most of the rooms the walls need fixed before being painting.
ReplyHaving retired most recently, my small, 7 rooms home could use a paint update since it has been over ten years (or more) of the same off-white paint thoughoout the house. "Color" seems to be the choice for decorating and updating a home, so I would like to have the living room returned to the 21st century with painting!!!
ReplyMY bedroom has geometric wall paper on it for the 30 years I have lived here. I always hated it but the job was to daunting for me to tackle by myself. HELP'.
ReplyWe need color in our white bathroon.The floor, counter tops , tub, sink, and shower walls are all white and this equals a .boring.room. The cabinets are light maple and the woodwork is white. I've used alot of blue accents b/c the adjoining room is in blues. Kevin's help please!
ReplyActually all my rooms need a painting..we have been living in an all white rooms for the past 17 years..1 bedroom and 1 bathroom have been painted in the past year... Oh my, help, help, and more help..our age and fixed income prevents us from doing what really needs to be done.
Reply