Ernest De La Torre’s parents left Cuba shortly before Fidel’s revolution to settle in the Midwest. Though De La Torre was born in the United States, his very American sensibility—full of straight lines and a rigorous attention to detail—occasionally betrays a certain Latin flair. A pair of fur-wrapped sofa cushions pops up in a sedate library, or bright blue fabric gives a 19th century sofa a modern twist. De La Torre, who studied with Peter Marino in New York before founding his own firm in 2001, made his first splash in Palm Beach, where the surroundings complemented his expressive mix of ethereal modernity and lush colors. — Paul O'Donnell

What's your favorite space in your own house and why?
My living room at my country house in upstate New York. It has great interior vignettes of my favorite things, and through the windows is a wonderful view of an ancient forest and a stream that flows down to the Hudson River.

What's something you should never skimp on when decorating your home?
Doorknobs. It’s a detail, but your hands touch them everyday. I use unique polished nickel doorknobs from England. I also love a doorknob from a company in New York called P.E. Guerin. The doorknob I love from them is from the Aesthetic period, around 1900, but it has swirls like Van Gogh's “Starry Night” that give it a very modern feeling. Amorphic shapes are in vogue.

Biggest mistake people make when decorating?
They skip the step of sitting down with their designer and deciding on accessories for the interior. Then they wonder what went wrong.

Top tip for small spaces?
Dark colors on the walls and the furniture. Most people immediately think of lightening the room, but dark tones make a small space dramatic. It works well for powder rooms, in which space is usually very tight.



What are the essentials of an inviting space?
People. Plus, a few furnishings that have so much interest they are personalities in and of themselves.



Favorite color combination lately?
Lately I’ve been into combining eggplant with crimson and ice-gray.

The ultimate example of chic?
What defines chic is the ability to mix furniture from different periods, with each of the items being unique. It takes a very good eye to marry centuries together without the room looking like a tag sale.

Favorite shop for cool cheap furnishings?
I love White on White in New York City. They are a wonderful, cheap source for good Danish modern and midcentury. You can find sensible, utilitarian vintage pieces there for less than you’ll pay at Crate & Barrel.

Most cherished possession?
My dogs, although they really possess me. But as far as objects go, my most cherished possession is a precious alabaster Chareau lamp from Paris, circa 1925.

Best last-minute décor trick?
When you have to make a room look great in a hurry, use simple can lights for uplighting in the corners of the room.

Do you have a favorite source for eco-conscious design? A favorite solution or item?
Furniture that already exists has the lowest carbon footprint going, and when you use the web to shop and ship the stuff, it’s even better. So I like 1STDIBS.COM. It’s the best recycling program for interior design.

A décor fad you hope never to see again?
I’m really tired of what I call Starbucks Zippy Modern. Unfortunately it hasn’t gone away—alas, it continues everytime they open a new Starbucks.

Best piece of decorating advice?
I’d remind people that you don’t tell your doctor what to prescribe after you’ve conveyed your ills. The same prinicipal should go for your decorator.

What is a favorite recent project or project that you consider an emblem of your work?
I am very proud of a duplex we did at the storied Manhattan building 740 Park Avenue. We mixed the best antiques and textiles from the 17th to the 21st centuries with a world-class art collection. It helped that the clients were a delight!

Printer friendly page

Tags: Categories: