“Clients come to design with a variety of life experiences that shape their taste and the way they want to live,” says Harry Schnaper. “It’s up to the designer to interpret this and be flexible enough to produce something that best reflects the client. People think there’s something scientific and formulaic about interior design. But the fun part of the entire exercise is the organic, creative quality of it—each new piece that is added changes the picture and influences what comes next.” The New York-based designer took a circuitous route to his profession, getting a degree in psychology, teaching special education and going to cooking school before he began working for the late Robert Metzger.

Looking at how design has evolved over the years, Schnaper observes, “Everyone today is design-savvy and design-opinionated. I’m afraid that fashion influences design more than ever and that we are evolving to a ubiquitous standard of ‘what’s cool.’ A new aesthetic is long overdue. But people who hire designers of a certain caliber don’t care about trends.” For Schnaper, it’s always been a matter of doing “what is appropriate for the client, the architecture and the budget while attempting to create something that satisfies my aesthetic in the process.” He typically takes on three or four projects a year, mostly in and around the New York metropolitan area, but he is especially proud of his work designing facilities for the Doe Fund.

Harry Schnaper

212-980-9898

www.harryschnaperom