From House To Home

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Susan Goldstick and her team create hand-painted furniture in rich jewel tones with jewel-like hardware to finish.

Describe your work.

Paint is my medium. My furniture is built by a cabinet maker in Los Angeles. I do the designing and have a team of artists who interpret the looks I create. It’s a little like communicating the same message in different people’s handwriting.

What do you look for in an artist?

They have to show me they’re fascinated with what we do. One artist many moons ago had a background in photo-realistic pet portraits but had taken a cake-decorating class. She brought me these beautifully sculpted marzipan fruits, and I thought, if she can make those, she can make gorgeous knobs.

Where do you get inspiration?

I’m most inspired when I travel and get away from running the business. I get a chance to be very open about everything I say and do and not hampered by the things that get in the way of creativity.

Our Barcelona bed came from a visit to Barcelona when I saw Gaudi’s buildings. I was so intrigued by the way he used color and glass and texture and ceramic. He was so fanciful, yet he was creating for adults. I loved the sensibility of it all.

Can you give us a story behind a particular motif?

Lizards in the San Diego Zoo inspired patterns we use a lot on our furniture.

Do you have a particular source of color inspiration?

The Christmas displays at Barneys. They always do a wonderful something with colors.

Are there any color combinations you’d never use?

We don’t use white, apart from some alabaster knobs. White is almost alien to the line. It’s like a bouquet: if you put one white flower in there, the bouquet looks pastel. Take it out, and the colors look vibrant.

What do you predict will be the next big color?

I have a feeling we’re going toward blue. The green “earth” movement gave way to green color. The next logical place, with the whole eco-thing, is sky.

What is the color of happiness?

It’s hard not to feel good when you see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, so I’d say reds, golds, purples.

Who are your favorite artists--in any genre?

When I saw Cirque du Soleil back in 1992, I got a lot of inspiration from their funny little hats. That’s where I came up with the knobs.

Is there a shape you’re drawn to?

A scrolly pattern, a curve like the S, which is my first initial. A lot of our artwork uses it.

Which film sets do you think are good?

The more stylized, the better. My favorite time period is the ‘50s--Alfred Hitchcock’s with all those glamorous women wearing walking suits, hats, gloves, and bracelets with charms dangling.

It’s a little like communicating the same message in different people’s handwriting.

Do you have a favorite hotel?

The Park Hyatt in Paris. Everywhere it’s a feast for the eyes. Very imaginative, very elegant, but also cutting-edge.

Is there a literary or historical character you identify with?

Scarlett O’Hara. I wouldn’t say I identify with her, but I like her determination. She was a real trooper, a real survivor, and always very feminine. 

For more information visit www.susangoldstick.com.

Kathryn Casey hopes Susan’s prediction about the advent of blues proves correct.