Savvy Tastemaker: Noa Santos, Co-Founder of Homepolish

“A lot of people think interior design is about a set of rules, but it’s all about having the space you live in reflect who you are right now”

—Noa Santos

I am so excited about today’s Savvy Tastemaker, because I’m in awe of the business he and his business partner have built in a quick two years! Noa Santos is CEO and co-founder of Homepolish, a game-changing online-based interior design company that offers an affordable alternative to traditional high-end interior design. From celebrity clients to start-up offices, no project is too big or small for the Homepolish team. Featured above is an apartment in Midtown’s Gotham West project designed in collaboration with ABC Home by Noa and fellow Homepolish designer Justin DiPiero.

I sat down with Noa a few weeks ago at the Homepolish headquarters in New York City and he was as approachable as he is savvy. I love picking the brain of creatives and entrepreneurs because they always know what’s up, and Noa is no exception. Anyone who brunches at Gallow Green, stays at the Marlton Hotel, reads Elon Musk and would travel just to eat at Sukiyabashi Jiro (one of my favorite documentaries) can do no wrong in my opinion. Also, can I tag along on this Tokyo trip!?

THE BASICS

Name Noa Santos

Occupation CEO, Co-Founder at Homepolish

Lives in New York City

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR CITY

Favorite restaurant Shabu Tatsu in the East Village

Sunday brunch Gallow Green at the McKittrick unless it’ 95 degrees, then Root & Bone in the East Village

It’s cocktail hour, where are you The Mulberry Project

I walk into your closet, I find pieces from… Ross Matsubara (my boyfriend) or Zara

Who’s your florist and what do you buy there? I troll the Flower District on 28th street

LET’S ESCAPE FOR A MINUTE

Favorite place in the world Hawaii, at my beach house (editor’s note: dreamy!)

Favorite hotel The Marlton Hotel (me too Noa, me too!)

Next destination Marrakech

Best meal you’ve ever had Any Saturday at my Grandma’s house

You would travel just to visit I would travel just about anywhere for sushi so I plan on going to Tokyo to eat at Sukiyabashi Jiro

Bucket list item Meeting Martha.

LET’S GET PERSONAL

Astrological sign Taurus

Favorite candle Woods Candle by Apotheke Handmade in Brooklyn

Book on your nightstand Elon Musk

On your Spotify Walk the moon

Cocktail of choice Bombay Sapphire dirty gin martini

If you had to change your career to be anything, what would you be I can’t do anything else

Who would be on your dream dinner party list Just Madonna and me (and Ross because he’d kill me if he wasn’t invited)

Share one entertaining secret Buy the $12 St-Germain carafe and make the perfect champagne cocktail.

LET’S CHAT DECOR

Your style in 3 words Tailored, considered, layered

Fabric of choice Fur

Go-to bedding Parachute

Favorite paint color Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball

Go-to trade person Joseph Merrill from City & Stone Contracting

Lighting source Apparatus Studio

Decorating cheap thrill Vintage furniture at Furnish Green

Anthropologie Linen Quentin Chair | Echo Burnt Sienna Distressed Mirror | Eskayel Dynasty Indigo Pillow

L’aviva Indigo Blanket | DwellStudio Slanted Brass Candleholders | Greta de Parry Coleman Stool

Interior Design by Noa Santos and Justin DiPiero Photography by Claire Esparros.

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May 26, 2015

Savvy Tastemakers: Studio Four NYC

Studio Four NYC is a textile design studio & showroom like no other. Their selection features unique collections from the most cutting-edge designers around the world.

I was so excited to visit the Studio Four showroom on my last trip to NYC. Co-founders and southern belles Kate Reynolds and Stacy Waggoner have built a design studio and showroom that’s unique in the world of high-end interior design. At their studio near Union Square, you’ll find exclusive collections from young up-and-coming designers: Amber Lewis, Rebecca Atwood, Angie Hranowsky, Caitlin McGauley, Eskayel, Katie Ridder, Tilton Fenwick and more.

Need a fabric in a very specific shade? The Studio Four team will dye it for you. Want a custom-made silk or wool rug in a unique pattern, color or size? Their in-house weaver Soraya Shah will make it for you. You don’t find that level of customization anywhere—but the gals at Studio Four are tapping into this forgotten niche of custom design in a fresh, young and unique way.

These gals were so cool, I just had to have them over on SHB for a Tastemaker Q&A!

THE BASICS

Name Kate Reynolds / Stacy Waggoner

Occupation Co-Owners of Studio Four NYC

Lives in Kate: Brooklyn / Stacy: Manhattan

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR CITY

Favorite restaurant We both love Il Buco Alimentari

Sunday brunch Kate: in my kitchen in Brooklyn with my messy boys / Stacy: Cherche Midi

It’s cocktail hour, where are you Probably working late and putting our kids to bed but in our dream world we are at the bar at Gramercy Tavern

Go-to shops Kate: Bird in Brooklyn / Stacy: a stroll through Bergdorf

Who’s your florist and what do you buy there? Putnam & Putnam. We love everything.

LET’S ESCAPE FOR A MINUTE

Favorite hotel Any hotel designed by Kit Kemp, particularly the Knightsbridge, Number Sixteen and Crosby Street Hotel

Next destination Kate: Stockholm / Stacy: Tanzania

Best meal you’ve ever had We have both diner at Ca L’isidre in Barcelona and agree it is the best!

You would travel just to visit We need to travel to visit our weavers and mills in India and Nepal, but we’d travel just about anytime, anywhere.

LET’S GET PERSONAL

Astrological sign Kate: Leo / Stacy: Gemini

Favorite candle Astier de Villatte The Saint-Cirq Lapopie

Book on your nightstand Stacy: The Whites, Richard Price

Cocktail of choice Kate: Negroni Sbagliato / Stacy: St George Gin Martini Dry with a twist

If you had to change your career to be anything, what would you be Kate: kindergarten teacher / Stacy: rockstar

Who would be on your dream dinner party list Iris Apfel, George RR Martin, David Letterman.

Share one entertaining secret Hire someone to clean up and be sure to have plenty of booze

LET’S CHAT DECOR

Your style in 3 words Eclectic, Exotic, Evolving

Fabric of choice Linen

Go-to bedding Matteo

Favorite wallpaper We just can’t possibly answer this one—there are so many!

Go-to trade person If you want something super special, our Studio Four weaver, Soraya Shah

Lighting source Apparatus Studio

Decorating cheap thrill Layering with patterns & pillows

Isabel Marant Dicker Suede Ankle Boots | Cody Hoyt Ceramics | Loeffler Randall Pouch Bag

Sevan Bicakci Rings | Nikka Whisky Yoichi 10 Years | Apparatus Studio Portal Table

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Photography via Studio Four NYC.

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March 9, 2015

Savvy Tastemaker: Amy Stone

“I have a clear vision of how I want my place to feel and don’t let anything pass through the front door, which doesn’t contribute to that.”

—Amy Stone

I’m over the moon to have one of Instagram’s most stylish ladies on SHB today! Amy Stone, global community manager for Gap & Gap Kids, loves the simpler finer things in life: lobster rolls, summer jaunts to Nantucket and a perfectly polished orange-red manicure. One thing that makes her a Savvy Tastemaker (aside from her impeccable taste) is her love for everything beach related: from 1960s Palm Beach glamour to the West Coast surf culture (we do love the ocean around here).

I had the pleasure to meet up with Amy a few months ago at Smith + Mills—the most quaint lunch spot in Tribeca, nestled in an old carriage house—proving me once again that Amy knows where it’s at. You can count on her discerning eye for spotting the best places to grab a an iced latte, pina colada or avocado toast (bonus points if it’s Instagram-worthy) and for adopting cutting-edge trends in the most classic and timeless way.

And THIS is why we’re excited to find out more about Amy, from her go-to local haunts to her favorite indulgences (hello Dyptique x Tomas Maier Palm Beach Candle).

THE BASICS

Name Amy Stone

Occupation Global Community Manager, Gap/Kids

Lives in West Village, New York City

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR CITY

Insta-worthy restaurant Saxon +Parole

Sunday brunch Hundred Acres

It’s cocktail hour, where are you Bar Sardine

In your closet, I’d find pieces from… rag & bone and J.Crew

Who’s your florist and what do you buy there? The Meadow: ranunculus, hydrangeas, peonies, anemones, lilac and snapdragons

LET’S ESCAPE FOR A MINUTE

Favorite place in the world Nantucket

Favorite hotel I have my eye on Palihouse… (editor’s note: me too Amy, me too!)

Next destination Venice Beach, Malibu and Santa Monica in mid-March

Best meal you’ve ever had Lobster rolls, french fries and lemonade at Summer House in Nantucket

You would travel just to visit The Parker Palm Springs

LET’S GET PERSONAL

Astrological sign Scorpio

Favorite candle Dyptique x Tomas Maier Palm Beach Candle

Book on your nightstand Lena Dunham’s Not That Kind of Girl (although, I haven’t started it yet)

On your iTunes The Rolling Stones

Cocktail of choice Gin & Tonic or Pina Colada

Go-to Instagram filter/app VSCO Cam app

Who would be on your dream dinner party list Slim Aarons, Mick Jagger, Nico & Andy Warhol, The Olsens, Kate & Andy Spade, and Ralph Lauren (editor’s note: can I please be invited to this!?)

Share one entertaining secret Always have a candle lit!

LET’S CHAT DECOR

Your style in three words Timeless, clean, colorful

Fabric of choice Kelly Wearstler Bengal Bazaar in Magenta

Favorite paint color If only I could paint my rental…

Lighting source West Elm or vintage

Decorating cheap thrill Flowers and cacti

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Photography via Amy’s Instagram and Michael Wiltbank for Domino

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December 29, 2014

Savvy Tastemaker: Meet Sara of Sara Gilbane Interiors

“Always paint the ceiling a fabulous pale shade of blue—very very light blue is wonderful as it changes with the time of day.” —Sara Gilbane

I’m excited to introduce Savvy Home’s first Tastemaker today in a new monthly series! Sara Gilbane is a girl after my own heart—as is anyone with a love for John Dickinson tables, Damien Hirst artwork, Oomph backgammon tables and Soho House brunches. Named one of the top 20 Next Wave Designers by House Beautiful—Sara who launched her career working with Celerie Kemble—has since built an impressive portfolio of homes from Nantucket to Palm Beach, under her eponymous design firm Sara Gilbane Interiors.

THE BASICS

Name Sara Gilbane Sullivan

Company Sara Gilbane Interiors

Lives in New York City

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR CITY

Date night restaurant Recette West Village. Small and charming with the most incredible food.

Sunday brunch Soho House NYC. After brunch they show movies for the family.

It’s cocktail hour, where are you I’m a mom so I’m having cocktails at home after I put the kids to bed!

Go-to furniture shops 1st dibs, Bee Line Home, BK Antiques, Gerald Bland, John Rosselli Antiques, Todd Romano, Antony Todd, Serena & Lily, West Elm

I walk into your closet, I find pieces from… Lela Rose, Isabel Marant, Veronica Beard, Rag & Bone, J.Crew, Zara, and Nicholas Kirkwood

Who’s your florist and what do you buy there? I love VSF on West 10th. They put together beautiful arrangements for any occasion.

LET’S ESCAPE FOR A MINUTE

Favorite place in the world St. Barths

Favorite hotel St. Regis Bora Bora

.Next destination Palm Beach Florida for Christmas

Best meal you’ve ever had The truffle pasta at Recette. Heavenly!

You would travel just to visit Paris and stay in several different hotels.

LET’S GET PERSONAL

Astrological sign Aries

Favorite candle Dyptique or Jo Malone

Book on your nightstand Wild by Cheryl Strayed

On your Spotify Natural Child, Dancing with Wolves

Cocktail of choice French 65

Bucket list item Morocco—dying to go!

Who would be on your dream dinner party list My closest friends and family—nothing better.

Share one entertaining secret Prepare everything the night before and heat it up before guests arrive—this way you can enjoy your party instead of getting stuck in the kitchen.

LET’S CHAT DECOR

Your style in three words Warm, layered, colorful

Fabric of choice Linen velvet

Go-to bedding D. Porthault

Favorite paint color Farrow & Ball Middleton Pink

Your go-to trade person J. Edlin Upholstery

Lighting source Visual Comfort for standard items and Urban Electric Co. for anything extraordinary.

Decorating cheap thrill Wallpaper. Not that cheap but an instant crowd pleaser. The accessories at the end really do it for me as well. Hand soaps, lotions, and just completing the lifestyle of the home is so fun for me.