Overheard at LEGENDS X – Part II
It’s always a challenge, albeit a fun one, to catch all of the design talk, opening parties, book signings and soirées in and around LEGENDS each year. That’s why we decided to gather some of our favorite moments and share them here.
In our second installment, read on to see some of our favorite quotes, quips and musings from the always engaging forums and keynotes at LEGENDS X.
Keynote: Flipping for Design
Moderated by lifestyle expert Frank Fontana, “couture designer” Bradley Bayou, designer Ryan Brown, and real estate agent Chris Cortazzo discuss their experiences buying, designing and selling homes in the booming flip market.
“Not everyone wants a large home anymore.”
— Chris Cortazzo
“Often times I call myself an adult-babysitter. That’s what it feels like sometimes.”
— Ryan Brown
“Having a team you trust is key.”
— Chris Cortazzo
“I overplan and I think that is critical to a project. You don’t just jump in. You make sure you have everything worked out before you even start.”
— Bradley Bayou
“I don’t like partners when it comes to investing. Because I want it to be my own money and my own experience.”
— Chris Cortazzo
“We try not to repeat things. We are good about not having a signature. It’s not like you can walk in and say: ‘That’s a Ryan Brown house.’”
— Ryan Brown
“I’m not just after the trophy property. I’ll look at the nastiest houses where you walk in and say: ‘There is no way to fix this.’ That’s when I know this is the house.”
— Ryan Brown
“You know how they say ‘location, location, location’ in real estate? I always say, ‘designer, designer, designer’. You guys are so key.”
— Chris Cortazzo
“You want my vision. You’ll get my vision. Just don’t interfere with it.”
— Bradley Bayou
“I think my judgment might be impaired if I had someone else’s money.”
— Ryan Brown
Keynote: Generations Y and Z
Elle Decor Editor in Chief Whitney Robinson led a spirited session with a trio of hot design talent working today. Caleb Anderson, Sally Breer and Jeremiah Brent shared their secrets to success in approaching design differently in today’s world.
“What I do in the magazine is call myself (in a tongue and cheek way) ‘Millennial Adjacent.’”
— Whitney Robinson
“I think it’s an exciting chapter for design. It’s having a moment that fashion had about ten years ago where people are really starting to understand that your home can be an expression and an extension of who you are.”
— Jeremiah Brent
“These days, clients are exposed to so much, see so much. They want to be part of the process.“
— Caleb Anderson
“It’s an education process. If you put a dollar sign on something you have to tell the story/narrative around it. Educating the value of pieces.”
— Sally Breer
“It took me time to learn how to say no to people. Because when you start out, I can do that living room for $16. That’s fine.”
— Jeremiah Brent
“There’s a constant reference of things that I see in my head that stick with me and translate into design.”
— Caleb Anderson
“The one thing I do believe is that I am a good listener. I can hear what people want and I like the idea of translating a home for somebody that is a better vision of themselves than they could imagine.”
— Jeremiah Brent
“People now are gravitating toward an authentic home. Something that reflects their life, not the designer.”
— Sally Breer
“The successful projects for me are the ones that are emotional.”
— Jeremiah Brent
“Most of us aren’t purists. Most of us are collected, layered and eccentric.”
— Sally Breer
“There’s a constant reference of things that I see in my head that stick with me and translate into design.”
— Caleb Anderson
“You can learn a lot about somebody through their Instagram.”
— Jeremiah Brent
Inside the Crystal Ball
Moderated by Sophie Donelson, Editor in Chief, House Beautiful, a trio of prominent designers including Thomas Kligerman, Benjamin Moore Creative Director Ellen O’Neil, and designers Paul Wiseman and Michael S. Smith share their predictions for tomorrow’s home.
“I’m convinced that all contractors know how much money you have in savings. And that they will charge you that plus 10 percent.”
— Michael S. Smith
“A house that is hand rubbed with natural materials smells better and just looks better with time.”
— Thomas Kligerman
“Color allows you to adapt. And when you find the right color, you are at peace in that room. You are not in danger. You are not vulnerable. Color is very important for well-being.”
— Ellen O’Neil
“There is a new term ‘resi-mercial’ where they are making corporate life more residential. So that people have to interact and they don’t have a desk.”
— Paul Wiseman
“I am interested in what happens when we age and how we will live communally.”
— Michael S. Smith
