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American ViewPoint
October 10,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on October 2012
Q. What has been instrumental in your design approach and personal style?
My office, of course. Having a great group of people to work with is imperative, and we work as a team in making everything happen from TV to the book to interior design and to the product.
In terms of my aesthetic, my point of view is new Americana fresh, chic take on the American lifestyle that we bring to our high-end clients, to television, to our product and even with the book, American Beauty.
My style is like sophisticated American chic. Its global in that we take inspiration from the world and intrinsically make it feel more relaxed.
Its just sort of a lifestyle point of viewhonest, clean, crisp that is rooted in classic styling.
Q. Over the years, how have your design techniques changed?
That hasnt changed so much as refined itself through the years. Were always evolving as human beings. Folks that Ive known for years always say I havent changed a bit.
I havent made drastically huge changes in point of view or aesthetic. I think I have evolved and matured, but Im still rooted in where Im from and where I grew up.
I think a lot of my product is rooted in classic lines, classic motifs but translated to something a bit more fresh and new with a different spin that feels welcoming.
Q. If you had to pick one lesson you have learned in your business the hard way, what would it be?
With every opportunity, theres an incredible amount of involvement and responsibility. I used to always think sometime when I get to this point Ill be able to chill out and relax. If you love what you do, youre just going to be doing it. You still do what you have to do, and you have to carry your weightnot really HAVE to be but still WANT to. Every fabulous opportunity is another chance to roll up your sleeves and stress out.
I think you just have to really enjoy the process; there is no end game. Thats the joy of it. The trick is that you have to make the process enjoyable and realized at the end of the daythats the ride.
Its important that when youre there, youre there with great people, who all have a sense of what has to be done.
Q. Whats the best advice youve ever been given?
Dont believe your own press. The minute you think you are fabulous, thats the minute that youre not. Stay really grounded, down to Earth, keep your eye on the ball and keep moving forward.
Q. What online tools do you use that you cannot live without?
For us, online catalogs. Being able to access them 24 hours a day for sizes, materials, and other details allows us to work more efficiently. That the online catalogs have really beautiful photography just makes life much easier.
Q. How do you balance your own design work with the collaborations you have within the home furnishings industry?
If you follow me for a day, its more of a run than a juggle. If you make a commitment that youre going to do it, you just do it. There are times when I wake at 4 a.m. and feel a bead of sweat over what all I have to do. There are a lot of balls in the air, and sometimes its more emotionally taxing than physically taxing.
I was so excited about the book, still have knots in my back that will be there forever. I figure out an efficient point of view in my head and get it done. Try to cross-pollinate the book with the furniture with the products with the clients. I get inspiration for the furniture from working with clients, and I get inspiration from textiles when shopping for clients. I find inspiration from my role as a visiting professor at Syracuse University. If youre really interested and love what youre doing, you submerge yourself up to your eyeballs.
Q. How do you collaborate with retailers and consumers?
We do the initial shopping and then take clients out to see things they might want to see. We have to prioritize what they want to see. There are certain pieces that they just need to see in order to understand. Id say about 25 percent of what we do consists of things that the client has to touch and feel.
Q. What is your strategy for understanding your clients needs when starting new projects?
First, I look at their architecture, their point of view, lifestyle, budget, whether there are children and animals. I look at how the space is usedan escape, a summer home, a lake house. We really do our homework and figure out what makes them tick. We take all of those things into consideration. We look at where theyve been, where they are and where they want to go. Its really a narrative of their life.
Q. If you could partner with anyone in design, who would it be and why?
We love the idea of partnering with partners in areas that weve not figured out. I love our partnerships with Vanguard, Kravet, Soicher Marin, Safavieh, Classical Elements and Shaw Hospitality. I would love to work with Kohler. I would love to partner with a company and do home pet products, as well as an outdoor furniture line with the likes of Janus et Cie or Brown Jordan.
Q. Tell me about the new book.
Its called American Beauty and is published by Clarkon Potter. Tina Fey, a client, wrote the foreword, and it hits the book stores Nov. 13. Its all about my house in upstate New York that I renovated and decorated from floor to roof. It features products from all of my lines and is an honest reflection of my personal aesthetic and point of view. To pre-order the book, visit ThomFilicia.com.