We’re back with a new guest tastemaker for some quick-fire questions and a mini-curation of some fab Chairish finds!
This week we got a chance to sit down with a blogger and stylist from our neck of the woods (San Francisco), Anthony Rodriguez of 136 Home. Anthony is always making swoon-worthy changes to his home in the Miraloma Park district and sharing his favorite design projects, from his gallery statement wall of Baroque art to his breakfast nook design collaboration with Leo Cesareo that incorporates what he likes to call “the Beyoncé of banquettes.”
Read on to find out his favorite piece of art in his home, and why he believes no one should only have one style icon.
What’s helping you get through quarantine? What are you excited to do once it ends?
This has been a challenging year for so many people for so many reasons. But connecting with people who are passionate and excited about design, DIY, and interiors like I am via my Instagram account @136home has been a breath of fresh air. I really look forward to connecting there and discussing throw pillows, gallery walls, and design. It’s an amazing community full of great friends DIY’ers.
Aside from that, I take a sunrise walk every morning with my dog Echo and a hot cup of coffee in hand. Getting out of the house and some fresh air has been a game-changer for me.
What is the coolest vintage piece in your house?
I have a really great vintage oil painting above my fireplace. We call it “Broken,” because the artist threw it away after clearly having made a mistake on the painting of the woman’s hand. It looks almost as if her wrist has been broken. But I just love that about the piece. Something odd or unexpected in a room just makes a space more interesting. I like pieces that give people pause. You might see that mischievousness in the items I curated today. The piece is awkward with muted jewel tones and an antique wooden frame with brass leafing. So essentially it’s everything that I love in an aesthetic.
Often, my favorite pieces in my home are from thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, or Chairish. I enjoy the process of casually curating my spaces over time. Often, I can get a deal along the way. Amazing design doesn’t need to break the bank. It just takes a bit of time and patience. I got this painting for $20, and I love it.
Who is your ultimate style icon?
It’s hard to pick just one, I love so many incredible style icons such as Kelly Wearstler. But, believe it or not my real design heroes are lesser-known niche designers like Jake Arnold Alexander, and Heidi Callier Homes. To say I am obsessed with them is an understatement.
But I am also completely enchanted by other stylists – we/they play such a critical part in bringing a space together, and to me the styling is arguably the best part! I follow my favorites closely: Colin King, Steven Cordony, and Brady Tolbert.
But if I had to pick just one design icon I look up to the most, I would have to choose Josh Young. He seamlessly blends the modern and traditional aesthetics perfectly in his home. He is a talented artist, has a laser focus presentation of his brand, and integrates his “vibe” into everything he does effortlessly. I really love literally everything he does. But this was an impossible question to choose just one. Especially because I also adore so many other incredible and inspiring instagram influencers who I see also see as icons: Abeautifulmess, ChrislovesJulia, Yellow brick home and Young house love.
My advice, don’t pick one. Pick em’ all! You learn so much by following a diverse group of icons. It’s a community after all.
What’s something you wish would change in the interior design industry?
I love design, all of it. I always have; scale, color, the people, space planning, creating mood boards, procurement, dealing with contractors even. Of course, the install and styling are always a thrill.
But, I do wish that the design industry would move away from the HGTV BIG REVEAL expectation trend. I dream that we move to longer partnerships with clients and friends over time and that the process evolve itself naturally towards one of establishing a lifelong partnership with both the client and designer from home to home or even season to season. In this way, both parties can revisit spaces over time or consult when something new pops up — similar to an accountant, real estate agent, or even a dentist. I’d like to see more of that type of relationship also reflected in the pricing models of the industry and move away from front loading the big tickets up front and stretch the budget and partnership over time.
Do you collect anything?
I try to approach things with a less is more mentality so I don’t collect a ton of things. But I do have a few guilty pleasures when it comes to collections.
One pass I give is vintage art. As you can see, I am just obsessed with locking interesting pieces of art together into new beautiful ways that tell a story in the form of gallery walls. I will never pass up a great deal on a vintage oil painting — especially if the frame is gilded. I will always find a use for the art, frame, or both. Plus, I love to simply swap out art on my walls from time to time when I feel like I need a refresh. It’s pure joy for me. Although, my garage and better half might disagree with this statement.
What would be the title of your autobiography?
“We didn’t always agree. But when we did, it was for the better.”
I just think speaking up is a core foundation to success. It’s not always easy to discuss a delay, the need to ask for additional budget, or how to politely guide someone away from a paisley sofa. But, in the end I want my family, friends, co-workers, and clients to trust that I’ll be honest with them, and help them navigate towards their goals. Even if it means that we disagree. In the end, the discussion will always net positive, and that’s what this statement means to me. I hope that in the end, I can look back knowing I stood for saying what should have been said, and pushing for the best.
