11.03.2011

In the Boudoir with Joshua Ingraham

Casual Luxury is the term Joshua Ingraham uses to describe his aesthetic and for this up-and-coming interior designer, it’s anything but a contradiction-in-terms. Of course, Ingraham is no stranger to a luxurious aesthetic; at the age of fourteen he painted his bedroom to match the deep blue of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s decadent boudoir from the film Cruel Intentions.  Here was a boy with instincts. Though born in Oklahoma, the young designer was already decorating with taste befitting a New York penthouse!

Fortunately for the rest of us, Ingraham has maintained his artistic ambition and parlayed it into a successful career as one of New York’s most exciting—not to mention handsome—young interior designers.  His work is eclectic while maintaining a stately sophistication and sense of warmth. Marked by dark colors and unique textures, Ingraham’s style is almost as seductive as the designer himself.

The Showt recently joined Ingraham in the boudoir to learn more about the fascinating young designer. Read the exclusive below!

By Matt Sigl

Would you say you have a “design ethos?”
We’ve labeled our style ‘Casual Luxury’ which stands for a little of everything that is timeless, sexy and comfortable. It is our brand, motto and ethos, if you will, when it comes to our design and ourselves. It’s taking the opulence of cities such as Paris and Florence then marrying them with our favorite sleek and more modern materials. It’s fancy but never stuffy. It feels luxurious and rich but attainable. Our ethos is sexy and timeless.

Did interior design always come naturally to you? How long have you been designing?
Yes, design has always been in my blood, and I do feel the natural talent has always been there…whether or not it’s always easy is a different situation. I have been designing for 10 years.

What are the worst pitfalls that you try to avoid in your work?
I think client relationships can be the trickiest part of projects. I spend so much time with my clients, as projects can take 1 -2 years sometimes. My relationships with my clients become so personal that I can forgot this is still a service and business that I am offering.

What’s the one thing laymen get wrong about interior design?
Over-accessorizing. I don’t mean that we should all have a minimal design esthetic. It is of personal taste if you prefer to have many or little accessories but there is a fine line between loving chachkas and being a hoarder.

Nowadays, design can be inspired by any era but if you had to live in the past, what style period is most intriguing to you?
I would probably first say Roman times but that wouldn’t be for design reasons. The Art Deco era has always been a stunning representation of good design and taste. I’ve always had an obsession with lighting and that era has some of the most beautiful sconces and chandeliers. My good friend owns the best Art Deco store in New York City called High Style Deco on 18th street. He always has numerous vintage Italian glass Art Deco chandeliers that really get me excited. I’m always trying to talk him into giving me one for my place but no luck so far.

You were born in Oklahoma but moved around a lot growing up.  How did that affect you and your work?
Moving around so much in my childhood had a large influence on my work as it really exposed me to so many different aspects of design, cities, people, etc. that I am still able reach for inspiration on these many things. Personally it helped me in adapting comfortably to any and all situations that come my way.

What music inspires you?
That’s a tough one…I get inspired by so many different types of music. It really depends on my mood or mood swings as my boyfriend would say. I tend to always love powerful women in music; Adele, Lauryn Hill, Florence & the Machine, Goldfrapp, GaGa, Courtney Love and of course my favorite…Ms. Stevie Nicks.

What’s your guilty pleasure?
Sunflower seeds! In any moment to myself you can catch me eating sunflower seeds by the bags. You can take the boy out of the farm but not the farm out of the boy.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in New York City?
Regarding design: the brownstones in Chelsea will always have a very special place in my heart. There is a freestanding house at the end of my block that I would sell a kidney for…if my kidneys could sell for that much!  Regarding food: East Village of course. My favorite place to eat in the East Village is by far Dok Suni. An amazing fusion of Japanese American at really great prices.

Who was your first celebrity crush?
I always say Ryan Philipe from “Cruel Intentions” but the crush was on more of his character than him…not that I would kick the actual Ryan out of my bed. If I am completely honest, I think Gina Gershan was my first real celebrity crush. That mouth!

If you could design any one person’s home—Angelina Jolie, Sigmund Freud, Helen of Troy, Anyone… who would it be?
Angelina Jolie, I could care less what the inside of her home looks like…probably filled with dog toys and whips. Maybe I would say Liberace’s home. It seems that place is in definite need of a redesign! No offense to my fellow gay.