Timothy Corrigan

Garden, Home & Party TImothy Corrgan Book Signing

Source: Garden, Home & Party

Author: Karen B.

{GHP} Timothy Corrigan book signing

 

I had the good fortune of attending a book signing party held at my local Pottery Barn last week for the talented Timothy Corrigan.  His new book chronicles the restoration of his French Château du Grand-Lucé, located in the Loire Valley, just outside Paris.

Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan

Those of you who are kind enough to read my posts will know that I’m not necessarily drawn to château living, I typically prefer smaller spaces, more cottagethan castle.  I’m drawn to Timothy Corrigan designs in part because his core philosophy in design  is basic to comfort and livability where rooms are concerned.

Even the most beautifully decorated room is not a total success unless you, your family and your guests feel that they can really live and use the room. A well-designed room is one that is both comfortable and elegant. – Timothy Corrigan

As I read a bit about him prior to the book signing I wondered if being raised in California might have something to do with his determination to create rooms that are comfortable.  His early profession as an advertising executive took him to Paris, and other regions of the world, where he decorated his apartment.  After seeing his work a friend asked him to design his apartment and a new career was born.

Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan

Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan

For a video tour of his apartment visit HERE

Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan

In his interview in November of 2010 with Diane Dorrans Seaks of Architectural Digest he addresses his view on comfort and practicality.  While most of us strive for those two essentials, it’s easy to miss the mark sometimes.  We all get caught making design decisions that are more about form than function.  Mr. Corrigan believes you can have both, and proves it in the rooms he puts his stamp on.

The gardens of his château were another draw.  The formal design is breathtaking in the photographs shown in the book.  Part of his agreement with the French government when buying the historic chateau was that he would open the grounds to visitors 6 days a week.  A tour will be high on my list my next visit.

Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan

Photo by Eric Piasecki via Tiimothy Corrigan Blog

Garden, Home and Party; Timothy Corrigan

{via Architectural Digest}

The book shares details of the work involved in the restoration of  this historic landmark.  For its size it is such a warm, inviting and livable country home.  The initial major restoration took approximately 5 years and Timothy says it’s a work in progress—aren’t all homes?!

Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan

Garden, Home and Party
In a October 5, 2013 Los Angeles Times article by David A. Keeps on the book, Corrigan explained some of his decorating ideas,  ”If you want people to feel that a room is bright and light, use yellow, not white, as people often think…your eye unconsciously translates yellow as sunlight.”
Garden, Home and Party
Corrigan talked about choosing linen for the upholstery and unfussy curtains to keep the room feeling less formal.  He also used sea grass carpeting, he explained that it’s softer on the feet and it brought a “more casual California feel” which translates to relaxed comfort.  Oh, and the stools are from Pottery Barn—I love this man.
Garden, Home and Party
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
The Château is 45,000 square feet sitting on 80 manicured acres.  {Maybe that’s why I might be intimidated by a castle}
 
Timothy Corrigan’s Los Angeles home, as featured in Architectural Digest [April 2012] is more appealing to me.  Have a look.
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
Like his Château, the grounds are lovely in the Los Angeles home…
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan
It was such a pleasure briefly meeting Timothy Corrigan, the take away for me was that this is a designer that is so engaging and fun.  His high energy and genuine enthusiasm is contagious.  I hope you enjoyed this brief tour of some of his work.  His book is really lovely and would make a great gift for a Francophile (Christmas is around the corner).  Do you like château living or prefer the comfort of something a little more modest in size? :D

 

 

Click here to see article on Gardenhomeparty.com

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