Thom Filicia has a knack for knowing what people want when it comes to the home. It has been 10 years since he catapulted to fame as the decor expert on Bravo’s Queer Eye, a series that won him an Emmy Award. And while we miss the Fab Five and their “make-betters,” we dig what Filicia has been up to of late. When not at work on projects for the interior design firm bearing his name, he writes books and creates furniture. His recent tome, American Beauty (Clarkson Potter), illustrates the lakeside escape he renovated in New York—where his neighbors happen to be part-time Neapolitans. Speaking of Naples, he visited for a fundraiser held at the new Robb & Stucky International. We caught up with the dashing designer and asked for his take on some of the Thom Filicia Home Collection items in stock.
How are you liking Naples?
FILICIA: This is my first trip. I’m a Naples virgin. And I really like it. It’s beautiful, and everyone here is very relaxed. It feels like the kind of place you could leave your keys in the car. It reminds me of where my house is in Skaneateles, what the book is about. My favorite architecture in this region is the American influence on southern coastal—Old Florida. I love all the elements that come with that early bohemian era.
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| CAZENOVIA SOFA “It’s a fresh take on a classic silhouette, beautifully detailed and extraordinarily comfortable.” |
What inspires you?
I get inspiration from everywhere. Traveling, airplanes, cars, fashion. I mean, inspiration comes from everything around you, and if you’re open and really aware of what’s going on, you see and you pull out details. Even looking at your necklace, I’m thinking that could be a great pattern for a tabletop. Or a cool detail on a door handle in a restaurant might make me think of how I could translate that into a piece of furniture, and the next thing you know, it’s a bedside stand. You just have to keep yourself open and interested, and you’ll be amazed to find inspiration all around.
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| POMPEY CHAIR: “A sleek, architectural frame is paired with lush upholstery.” | ROBINEAU MIRROR: “Reprising a Federal shape using mixed materials gives this a fun look. The wood, fabric and nailhead trim play off each other.” |
Do you have a spot that gets your creative juices flowing?
You have to place yourself in an environment that suits your mood, and that’s when you can get in the moment. Sometimes my most creative thinking is when I’m driving. I also come up with a lot of ideas when I’m asleep. I keep a notepad next to my bed, so if I wake up in the middle of the night, I jot things down.
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| TOGGENBURG CHAIR: “This piece is all about fluidity of shape.” | JAMES STREET CHAIR: “I love traditional forms with a twist. Here, I modified a wingback—I clipped its wings!—for a modern aesthetic.” |
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