At Home with Victoria Hagan
An interview with Award Winning Interior Designer, Victoria Hagan, whose work reflects the "New American Classic" — a modern sense of luxury that is fresh, restrained and iconic.
What inspires your approach to designing a home, and how do you tailor the design based on its location?
It all begins with the location and the view. My interiors are informed by their surroundings. There is always a strong connection between indoors and out that needs to feel organic. Where does the sun set, what are the colors, how does the landscape change during different times of day or at times throughout the year. The quality of light is also a determining factor. It’s all a puzzle and we take a very holistic approach.
When designing an elegant urban residence or a casual weekend retreat, how do you ensure the space feels personal and uniquely tailored to the client’s lifestyle?
I design homes for the way modern families live. It’s the first and most important step and it impacts every decision.
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What do you consider the key elements that transform a home into a dream space?
A true dream space is one that works well for the family that lives there. That’s the beauty of a well-designed home. We spend a great deal of time interpreting and translating the way our clients will live in their new home. It’s a multi-pronged process and ensures both appropriateness and an understanding of the way they will use the finished home. We want it to feel both completely new but at the same time as though it had always been a part of their lives. It’s a balance.
What initially drew you to interior design, and which designers past or present, or design styles, have inspired you?
I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be an interior designer. I actually remember looking out over my crib as a baby and looking asconce at the carpet my mother had chosen for the floor. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t influenced by my surroundings. I once thought of becoming an archeologist but in the end, dealing in the here and now seemed much more appealing than digging up the past! When I was young, we lived in the same town as the fabulous designer Albert Hadley. He was my designer hero, and I would always peddle my bicycle onto his house and just stare in amazement through the front door. I had never before seen anything like it, and it’s always why it’s so gratifying to me when young designers say they have been inspired by aspects of my work. In design, as in life, the past is a critical aspect of the present.
You have worked with Pratesi on a number of residential projects, all stunning and distinctively different. How do you incorporate Pratesi to reflect the style and uniqueness of residences in places like Palm Beach, New York City, the Hamptons and Nantucket?
The range of colorways and styles lend themselves to a wide range of interiors. I love showing the many options to clients for their feedback. There is also an element of the unexpected, which I love. At any one time I work on projects all throughout the country, but whether it’s an urban penthouse, a rural country retreat or a home overlooking the sea, there’s a versatility to Pratesi’s aesthetic that helps to make any house feel like a great home.
What do you look for in Pratesi linens when designing a space and what role would you say hand-feel, quality, craftsmanship and designs play in your decision?
What I admire about Pratesi is the unique and ultimate juxtaposition of luxury and style. There is both a look and feel that is unmistakable. We all know that nothing feels better than a well dressed bed or a well appointed bath. It’s the ultimate sense of luxury. And I love the unwavering dedication to detail. There is no mistaking Pratesi.
