Designer Profile: Paris Forino

Paris Forino, based in New York City and working globally, has developed a reputation for creating interiors of timeless elegance and understated luxury infused with beauty, light and harmony.

She creates fully conceived and exquisitely executed spaces marked by thoughtful consideration of proportion, purpose and emotional experience. Rich details, historical features and clean lines complement a multifaceted and inspired choice of palette, material and texture to result in gorgeous interiors that surprise and delight.

Here, we discover more about her.

What is your style aesthetic?

'Our style aesthetic is tailored to the client and experience. Timeless, intricately detailed, and layered interior design is a constant, though, that is seen through all of our projects.'

How did your career start?

'I am originally from Sydney, Australia. After high school, I took a gap year and went to France. My first stop was Paris, and I was so very inspired by the beauty of it all – especially the city’s architecture and interiors.

'After that, I studied Interior Design at University of Technology Sydney and worked for a couple of years for interior designers in Sydney before making my way to New York City.'

What kind of work do you do?

'We do a combination of private residences and large commercial multi-family projects including condominiums and rentals.

'Some locations of projects we’ve worked on include Stockholm, Toronto, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Connecticut, The Hamptons and of course New York City.

'250 East 21st Street is a beautiful condo project in Gramercy that we recently completed and has done remarkably well. The project is a beautiful and romantic Parisian-style building that was inspired by the European charm of Gramercy Park.'

'Our goal with the interiors was to mirror that charm and to design residences for people who appreciate romance and the drama of pre-war New York.

'222 East Broadway, a unique tower and converted loft building on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, is a project we also recently did that is currently going strong too.'

What is your specialism?

'We are highly specialized in all facets of interior design, from custom furniture design, millwork, space planning, decorating, and curating, and material knowledge.

'However, we do have a knack for color and bringing warmth and joy into a space through the palette. Our model residences at the Cortland are an example of our color play at work.'

Do you have any side hustles currently?

'Our Grace line with Waterworks is excusive to the condo projects that we design, including 222 East Broadway, and 250 East 21st Street. The custom-designed fixtures – such as the balsam green enamel handles found on the bathroom’s faucets in 222 East Broadway – add unexpected pops of color.

'At The Cortland, Yves Klein blue armchairs in the living room (above) and a hunter green desk in the home office (below) adds playful yet sophisticated design touches.'

What inspires you?

'Tastes and inspirations really evolve and change all the time. It all started with my trip to Paris, but I currently appreciate Pierre Yavonavitch, the city of Milan, Diego Giacometti, Carlo Scarpa and my garden in Connecticut!'

Who are your dream clients?

'Dream clients are kind and intelligent and let us do our designs. Dream clients know what amazing value we can bring and know when to tell you their vision and goals and when to let us design!! :)'

What’s next?

'Lots of beautiful designs are in formation, including our first project in Washington DC (and largest to date) and my apartment on the Upper West Side in Manhattan.

Discover more: Paris Forino / Instagram @parisforino