Campion Platt – Master of the Bedroom

Whether he is designing a custom residence, new boutique hotel, or an exclusive line of furniture and textiles, interior designer Campion Platt has one thing on his mind: luxury. “Luxury is about both materiality and context,” he explains, adding, “context might mean creating clear, open spaces within the confines of a Manhattan residence, or selecting opulent finishes – such as leather, resin, or marble – to accentuate spatial forms.” Splitting time between Manhattan and the Hamptons with his beautiful wife Tatiana, and their brood: Jeremy, Fox, Xenia, and Rivoli, Campion shares, “I have been in love with the Hamptons since the early ‘80s. I have lived in every town except Sag Harbor.” Campion offers us a feeling of just how he WOULD live in Sag Harbor in his recent WatchCase Loft showhouse space.

KDHamptons: Please tell us what inspired the design of the master suite?
Campion Platt: For this year’s unusual WatchCase Loft showhouse location, we channeled the straightforward sensual exuberance of a wealthy Hamptonite, transplanted from her manse to a more pampered existence of loft living in this famous whaling town. Contrasting the industrial quality of her new home, we balanced her need for feminine comfort with a strong and forceful, modern approach to color and furnishings. She is not afraid of bold colors and rich finishes that mimic her take-no-prisoners approach to life, whether in the city or country.”

KDH: The wallpaper sets such a dramatic backdrop, who is the design resource?
CP: It is hand painted de Gournay wallpaper and I love the unusually large print. I was looking for something totally new and unexpected, even for them. The large Lillys translate more as an abstract then literal because of their scale.

KDH: Is there a risk in making such a bold design choice in the master suite?
CP: I think that as long as the concept is strong and the ideas well executed, a room never really gets old, that is why we all appreciate great historical design. Aesthetics may change over time, but timelessness about a room is its resonance with your soul, not the furniture or accessories inhabiting it.

KDH: When setting out to design an unforgettable bedroom, what are your three key benchmarks for making it special?
CP: Easy and soothing to the eye, lets in the light (even though the room is to sleep in), and curtains are my benchmarks. While the bed is the most ergonomically important for good rest, the spirit of the room contributes greatly to calming the mind.

KDH: Do you redesign your own bedroom every few seasons?
CP: When my wallet is big enough and my wife isn’t watching…

KDH: What do you think is the biggest trend in Hamptons design currently?
CP: Double height entries seem to be the thing these days, but are very hard to light well and populate with good art because of the size needed. I think good height in every room is paramount, not just the entry….and while many of the houses in the Hamptons are in the shingle style, the interiors are much more modern, sparse, light and beachy.

KDH: Lastly, having a TV in the bedroom – a must, or a no-go? What say you?
CP: TVs will morph over time and soon be a part of the invisible audio-visual landscape we are moving towards, so in my mind, TVs are inevitable, and soon the aesthetics will take care of the themselves.