Traditional with
a Twist Designer Interview with
Carmiña Roth of Belle Haven Interiors  Where did you grow up? I was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina What influences did you have growing up that made you become a designer? My passion for art, furniture and design was strongly influenced by my family. My father had an extensive, yet eclectic, collection of art and antiques. With a discerning eye, he could look through a dusty pile of junk at a flea market and spot a first edition book or a valuable painting. His appreciation for a variety of aesthetics was a strong influence on me. In addition, from an early age, my parents exposed my sister and me to museums, historic sites and gardens in travels around the world. Much of my inspiration today comes from traveling and experiencing different cultures. Tell us a bit about your business: Belle Haven Interiors is a full-service design firm. We don’t limit ourselves to a particular style. Our designs always depend on the client’s personal preferences, location and appropriateness. Our objective is to optimize the client’s budget, taking into account their current lifestyle and future plans. For example, a family with young children may be advised to invest in a few high-quality pieces that they can keep forever and mix them with less-expensive, mass-market upholstery and floor coverings. We believe that you can mix high and low as long as you achieve harmony of scale and color palette.
What would you consider your design style? Traditional with a twist – I enjoy designing classically inspired rooms with modern elements. My home is eclectic in the sense that I like contrasts of furniture styles and materials. For example, in my living room I have a Louis XVI-style coffee table interpreted in Lucite. I like to use antiques in a sculptural way and mix pieces from different time periods, like a new lacquered Parsons table with Gustavian chairs. How long have you been designing? Where did you study? My design background includes studying art history and architecture in Italy and France, combined with a law degree from Yale where I focused on the nascent field of “Art Law.” During law school I also studied architectural history with the legendary Vince Scully at the Yale School of Architecture and interned at the Museum of Modern Art. I then worked in the financial industry in New York City. During that time I attended classes at the New York School of Interior Design and completed a number of renovation and design projects in the Hamptons and New York City. I launched my firm in 2006.
How do you define “home”? Our homes are the backdrop upon which our lives unfold. Great design should enhance our quality of life. Designing for a lifestyle means putting elements together so that our environments feel natural, inviting and comfortable, while being functional. What are some questions you ask your clients before you begin a project?  Before I begin to design for a client I ask them to bring a list of “likes,” “dislikes,” and “dreams.” People can often tell you more about what they don’t like than about what they do like. It is very helpful to see visual references from magazines and books. I also want to know about furniture or collections that they own that they want to keep. It is important to take what a client already loves and work with it. Who are some designers that have influenced your work, and how? Designers who have inspired me include: David Hicks, who was famous for mixing antique and modern furniture and contemporary art; Victoria Hagan, for her elegant but eclectic simplicity, and John Saladino for marrying classicism with minimalism. What are some trends we should look out for in design? Any particular colors? I’m interested in design apart from fashion or trends – I try to create rooms that will age gracefully. How does your home design reflect in what you wear? In both my wardrobe choices and my home design I tend to favor tailored, well-edited looks. You won’t find a lot of ruffles in my closet or on my window treatments. Editing is critical to good design. After all, a well dressed woman does not wear all of her jewelry at the same time. I don’t mind mixing high and low, and formal with informal, as long as the result is tasteful and makes a personal statement. Who is your dream client and why? My dream client has a point of view but is open to experimentation….and can make a decision! Carmiña Roth |
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