A Personal Connection to Place with Emma Beryl

Speaking with interior designer Emma Beryl one can't help but notice her deep understanding of and connection to her craft. For the talented creative, design goes beyond selecting pieces that make sense for a room and instead deconstructs the psychology behind the spaces we inhabit. We spoke to Emma about her early memories of design, staying true to a sense of place, and why in her opinion any good room can never really be “finished”.

What were you like as a child? Do you come from a creative family?

My extended family is very creative but my immediate family is somewhat less-so. With that said my parents did always encourage my sisters and I to be creative through art projects, dance and music classes. While I’ve always loved making things with my hands, what I really appreciate about interiors is that when you design a room you get to be creative and also make something 3D that people are constantly (and unavoidably) interacting with that really impacts the way that you live.

Do you remember the first piece of design that really mattered to you?

I was obsessed with designing and re-designing my childhood bedroom. To my parents’ credit they really let me do whatever I wanted within my own space. I would rearrange my furniture regularly and was even allowed to repaint the walls when I wanted to. At one point I was so proud of myself because I turned my entire room into a “cloud-scape” – cloud bedding, cloud sponge painted walls, even a cloud telephone. There’s a photo floating somewhere around my mom’s house of me in my cloud pajamas and robe pretending to talk on my cloud phone in my cloud bed. Really high-brow stuff. But really it was the first time I realized how much I enjoyed putting a space together and transforming the feeling of a room. I loved that designing my space was a way to express creativity through something practical and functional.

Is there a common thread between all the projects you design?

I always try to do everything that I can to honor the architecture and sense of place in a home; I aim to put these two concepts ahead of most other considerations when designing. What I mean by this is that when designing a space I think it’s imperative to consider the architecture, history, light, and landscape of a space and to make sure that anything new you are bringing into this complements and honors what is already there. In my opinion the best design borrows from what is old, tried and true but lends a fresh perspective or expresses something in a new and interesting way.

Are there any colors, textures and materials that you’re constantly drawn to?

I always like warm neutrals punctuated by rich earth tones because I think that this combination evokes a sense of calm and depth in a space. Texture-wise I like materials that are comfortable and that age naturally, I always avoid anything artificial or too pristine.

Do you have any tips to ensure that a home will endure and evolve over time?

You should always be editing and changing things up in your home, I think if you feel like your home is “finished” it really means you’ve moved on and aren’t invested in your space creatively anymore. I’m not saying that you should be doing major renovations every year but I do think that your home is a reflection of yourself and your family which is constantly evolving, if your home isn’t constantly evolving with you there is going to be a disconnect and it’s not going to feel like your best refuge anymore. Editing a space can mean rearranging a bookcase with items you already have, swapping out small accessories like throw pillows, or doing a larger scale project every once in a while.

We strongly believe in buying fewer but better things. What are your reasons for investing in quality pieces with real longevity?

Especially as someone used to designing NYC apartments without endless square footage, I truly believe that everything that earns a place in your home needs to actively bring you joy when you interact with it. When an item really resonates with you it will become a piece that connects you with your home and makes you feel most comfortable there. Having stuff for the sake of having stuff is wasteful, invites clutter, and ultimately keeps your home from feeling like a haven.

What's keeping you creatively stimulated right now?

We are in the process of moving and getting my hands on a new space of our own is always really exciting to me. I fell into an internet wormhole this morning looking at photos of what Paris Forino did for Frederick Eklund’s home in LA, I think it’s really impressive how the space feels totally tailored but also playful and unexpected. You can tell it’s definitely a family home but every detail is so pulled together and well considered.

Finally, we can’t help but ask – what is your favorite Armadillo rug to have underfoot?

I have two favorites—I love the Agra rug because of the rich colors and the plush feeling under-foot. It’s so simple but so elevated which is what I think comfortable living is really all about. I also love the Palermo because of the subtle texture and warmth it adds to a space.