Philip Gorrivan Design

Philip Gorrivan Design Interior designer and stylist, textile, wallcovering and furniture design. Based in New York City

I had heard about Villa Kérylos for years, and recently finally had the opportunity to experience it in person- It felt ...
08/02/2026

I had heard about Villa Kérylos for years, and recently finally had the opportunity to experience it in person- It felt like standing before a masterclass in design, one whose language I understood instinctively.

What an extraordinary source of inspiration! Every room reveals an incredible level of thought, craftsmanship, and refinement. The richness of the details, the perfection of the proportions, and the seamless integration of a remarkable collection of antiquities woven into the very fabric of the house create an environment that feels both timeless and deeply authentic.

Nothing feels staged or decorative for decoration’s sake. Every object has meaning, every surface has purpose, and every room tells a story. It is a reminder that the greatest interiors are those where architecture, collections, and craftsmanship become one.

Villa Kérylos is not just a beautiful house, it is a masterpiece of storytelling through design.

From the tree-lined reserve of Manhattan's Sutton Place to the industrial edge of Brooklyn's DUMBO, a mere six miles apa...
07/27/2026

From the tree-lined reserve of Manhattan's Sutton Place to the industrial edge of Brooklyn's DUMBO, a mere six miles apart, yet a world of difference in style.

When a young, entrepreneurial couple decided to trade their traditional uptown apartment for an expansive DUMBO loft, the brief was simple in spirit but ambitious in scope: create a home that reflected their fresh start, letting go of period tradition in favour of pared-back, quietly refined modern living.

The starting point was the view. With oversized windows framing the Manhattan Bridge, we chose simple roller blinds over curtains, letting the cityscape take centre stage, and drew the furnishing palette directly from what lay beyond the glass; the concrete, steel and cable of the bridge itself.

In the living room, crisp white walls form a quiet backdrop for two very different sofas; one curved and salmon-toned, one linear and striped in grey, brought together through glove leather, plush velvet and ribbed ottoman cloth, echoing the couple's fashion-forward sensibility and their easy, individual-yet-together dynamic.

A shared love of entertaining shaped the kitchen, fitted with a ceiling-integrated, restaurant-grade extraction system and generous stained-oak islands for serious home cooking, with a bar cabinet standing ready for evening cocktails.

In the primary suite, the mood shifts toward sanctuary: a curved soaking tub offers respite from city life, paired with a richly upholstered bed designed purely for rest.

And beyond the interiors, a generous terrace, developed with a Brooklyn-based landscape firm, brings lounging and alfresco dining together with planting and hardscaping, creating a private park in the middle of the city.

A home, ultimately, designed around a couple's fresh chapter, quietly refined, endlessly liveable, and completely their own.

As a designer, I was captivated by the Royal Palace of Naples because it reminds us that great interiors aren’t created ...
07/22/2026

As a designer, I was captivated by the Royal Palace of Naples because it reminds us that great interiors aren’t created overnight—they evolve over generations. Every room reflects changing tastes while remaining part of a cohesive whole. Rather than feeling staged, it feels lived in, and that’s what gives it such extraordinary soul.

One of the reasons it feels so intact is that Naples escaped the widespread destruction that affected many European royal residences during the 19th and 20th centuries. The palace also benefited from careful stewardship after the Bourbon monarchy ended, preserving much of its original decorative schemes and collections rather than replacing them with period reproductions.

Given your interest in authenticity and storytelling in interiors, I think the palace embodies something you’ve spoken about often: the idea that the most compelling rooms are those that accumulate history rather than imitate it. The Royal Palace of Naples isn’t impressive because it’s perfect—it’s impressive because it still tells the story of the people who lived there.

Every home has a story to tell.This recently completed residence in Washington, Connecticut is shaped by a lifetime of t...
07/21/2026

Every home has a story to tell.

This recently completed residence in Washington, Connecticut is shaped by a lifetime of travel, a love of design, and an extraordinary collection of art, Asian antiquities and handcrafted objects gathered over decades. Rather than simply filling a space, these pieces create a home with depth, character and a genuine sense of place.

For me, every project begins by listening. Understanding how my clients live, what inspires them, and the collections and memories they want to live alongside forms the foundation of every design decision.

As I wrote in Authentic Interiors, the best rooms don’t just look beautiful; they tell a story. I’m delighted to share the first glimpse of this one. Stay tuned for more!

Wallcoverings have the power to completely transform a space.As an interior designer, I often think of them as more than...
07/20/2026

Wallcoverings have the power to completely transform a space.

As an interior designer, I often think of them as more than a decorative finish. They introduce depth, texture and pattern, helping to shape the atmosphere of a room and adding a layer of character that paint alone simply can’t achieve. Whether creating a subtle backdrop or a bold focal point, the right wallcovering can bring warmth, movement and a greater sense of cohesion to an interior.

From timeless grasscloths to richly patterned designs, every selection plays a role in telling the story of a space.

Here are a few recent projects where wallcoverings have been integral to the overall design, including several featuring pieces from my own wallcovering collection.

In 1734, Joseph Hurlbut organized the eastern section of what is now Washington, Connecticut, the start of the town’s co...
07/15/2026

In 1734, Joseph Hurlbut organized the eastern section of what is now Washington, Connecticut, the start of the town’s colonial settlement. This 1750s center-hall Colonial, one of the oldest houses in the area, likely belonged to someone in Hurlbut’s circle, though the original owner’s identity has been lost to history.

I’d driven past this house countless times, always stopping to admire its symmetry and restraint. So when the couple I’d worked with just across the street purchased it as a guesthouse, I saw two stories to tell: honoring 270 years of New England architectural heritage, and building a twenty-first-century retreat for their family and friends.

We stripped the house back to its timbers, saving original mantels, reconstructing the chimney from salvaged brick, refinishing the wide-plank floors, and reinstalling the wrought iron hardware by hand. New wiring, plumbing, insulation, and HVAC brought it up to code, and a second staircase solved a safety issue without disturbing the historic front stair.

To gain a fourth bedroom without expanding the protected footprint, we replaced an old shed with a new primary suite; its tray ceiling and Scandinavian-inspired millwork are a quiet nod to my clients’ heritage.

A covered porch creates a true in-between space: open to the garden, yet furnished with all the ease and comfort of home...
07/14/2026

A covered porch creates a true in-between space: open to the garden, yet furnished with all the ease and comfort of home.

Here, layered seating, soft textiles and abundant planting transform the threshold into a place to linger, whether for a morning coffee, an afternoon with a book, or an evening spent with friends. It is these considered transitional spaces that make a home feel connected to its surroundings.

Madonna Madonna Madonna! ❤️ a truly memorable evening at the knockdown center in Brooklyn!
07/12/2026

Madonna Madonna Madonna! ❤️ a truly memorable evening at the knockdown center in Brooklyn!

There are designers whose work you admire, and then there are those who quietly shape the way you see the world. For me,...
07/09/2026

There are designers whose work you admire, and then there are those who quietly shape the way you see the world. For me, that was Bill Blass.

While many remember him for fashion, it was his interiors that captivated me. His Sutton Place apartment in New York and his house in New Preston, Connecticut, remain two of the most influential interiors I’ve ever encountered. In fact, seeing his Connecticut house was one of the reasons I was so drawn to Washington, Connecticut, and eventually made it my home.

What struck me most was his extraordinary restraint. Rather than relying on bold color, Blass built entire rooms from layers of to***co, camel, chocolate, parchment, and warm stone. Those rich browns and quiet neutrals created interiors that were unmistakably masculine, sophisticated, and deeply comforting and proof that a restrained palette can be every bit as dramatic as vibrant color.

His rooms were filled with references to antiquity and the Grand Tour: classical busts, ancient fragments, weathered furniture, and objects that looked as though they had been collected over a lifetime. There was an intellectual quality to them that recalled the spirit of John Soane and even Monticello; interiors rooted in history, curiosity, and the enduring ideals of the Enlightenment.

At a time when so much design feels fleeting, Bill Blass showed that true luxury isn’t about excess. It’s about confidence, restraint, and creating rooms with soul; spaces that tell a story and become richer with time.

His interiors continue to remind me that history, authenticity, and a beautifully edited palette never go out of style.

This feels like a somber Fourth of July to me and I know I’m not alone. Not from a partisan perspective, but from a deep...
07/04/2026

This feels like a somber Fourth of July to me and I know I’m not alone.

Not from a partisan perspective, but from a deep sadness about where we are as a country, divided, consumed by extremes, with a widening wealth gap and a growing sense that power and influence belong to fewer and fewer people and the most corrupt and dishonest presidency in history.

Lately, I’ve found myself reading more about the American Revolution in search of comfort and perspective. Here in Washington, where the Continental Army and George Washington passed through several times during the war, history feels especially present. The town was later renamed in his honor, and living among these quiet reminders of the Revolution — old roads, cemeteries, homes, and stories — makes me reflect on the sacrifices and struggles that created this country.

Coming from old New England roots, I feel that connection deeply today. The Founding Fathers wrote often about the dangers of concentrated power, tyranny, corruption, and the fragility of liberty itself. Their words feel remarkably relevant now.

As John Adams wrote:

“Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”

I hope we all take a moment to reflect on what that means not as partisans, but as Americans.

Wishing everyone a thoughtful and peaceful Fourth of July. God bless America. ❤️ 🤍 💙

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