Designer Friday: An Aspire Exclusive Interview With Andrew Suvalsky

Andrew Suvalsky is a multifaceted artist whose fresh, color-driven spaces reflect an open, bold approach to interior design. A jazz musician of many years, Suvalsky’s passion for design resulted in the launching of his namesake firm, Andrew Suvalsky Designs, in 2005. His smooth, sophisticated interiors, a luscious blend of rich, defining characteristics and clean negative space, provide clients with an environment to both flourish and relax in. Suvalsky’s work has been featured in publications including The New York Times and Robb Report. Introducing this week’s Designer Friday, Andrew Suvalsky.

Rough wood paneling, pale textured carpeting, and thoughtful glimpses of brighter tones bring together the sitting area of this Lincoln Center Penthouse.

Rough wood paneling, pale textured carpeting, and thoughtful glimpses of brighter tones bring together the sitting area of this Lincoln Center Penthouse.

Andrew Joseph: If you weren’t a designer, you’d be a ….?
Andrew Suvalsky: I would be a jazz musician or working in music performance. I moved to New York City originally to pursue singing. I love jazz and used to go to jam sessions at clubs wherever I could find them (the Lenox Lounge in Harlem, the C-Note in the East Village). I became part of the local jazz scene. I recorded three albums and performed at notable clubs – including the Blue Note – and I’ll never forget the rush of energy playing there live. I believed I would do design projects until I ‘hit it big’ in music. Instead, I started my own design and architecture firm. I have a piano at home in my living room that combines my two passions, music and design. I look forward to performing live and recording music again – hopefully soon.

Suvalsky plants a medley of vivid, ornate elements between counterpoising white walls in this Montclair dining area.

Suvalsky plants a medley of vivid, ornate elements between counterpoising white walls in this Montclair dining area.

AJ: How do you define beauty?
AS: I think beauty is something you experience rather than define. For me, that means anything that evokes an emotional response – be it physical or auditory appeal, great order and depth, or palpable authenticity and humility. Beauty, in any form, is a unique experience that appeals to one’s senses, sight, taste and touch. Beauty goes a bit deeper than the outer shell of appearance and perfection.

AJ: What are three words to describe where you live?
AS: Scintillating, warm, loving.

The color blue appears as both a backdrop and a highlight throughout the Montclair residence, magnified in this living space by light-receptive drapes.

The color blue appears as both a backdrop and a highlight throughout the Montclair residence, magnified in this living space by light-receptive drapes.

AJ: What’s inspiring you in life (in the industry) now?
AS: In March of 2020 when the pandemic began, and we went into lockdown, as expected it temporarily shut down many of my client projects. I remember thinking that, with everything nearly spinning off its axis, how will interior designers and boutique firms scale the business? Will it progress? I’m inspired and very thankful that residential design did end up blossoming in ways I did not expect (even though I am usually a perennial optimist). I did not imagine it would encourage a seismic shift around the business and comfort of being home. Now, more than ever, the importance of improving one’s home is a shared experience that I believe nearly everyone can relate to, and that makes me happy.

AJ: How would you define your work in three words?
AS: Colorful, bold, inviting.

Suvalsky’s contemporary Park Avenue design matches a cool neutral couch against marbled flooring, adding pink highlights, patterned pillows, and pops of gold.

Suvalsky’s contemporary Park Avenue design matches a cool neutral couch against marbled flooring, adding pink highlights, patterned pillows, and pops of gold.

AJ: Which room in the house do you find yourself working from the most?
AS: If you can believe it, my laundry room. I spend hours working in the basement laundry room and I love it! When I designed it, I knew, typically a laundry room in the basement of one’s home can be a non-desirable place, but instead I wanted it to be inviting. It is bright white, and I combined a second kitchen into the laundry room. It created more space for my husband and I to each have our own white Ikea desks, that fit perfectly along one wall. There is also a small white TV above the desks that I turn on for background music and screen saver. I think I like the calming sound of clothes tumbling in the washer and dryer and the lack of color makes me feel like I’m working in/on a clean and pristine canvas.


About The Designer | Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin Andrew was born with a love for design, architecture, and music. In 1998 his passions propelled his move to New York City where he began working for the iconic designer Benjamin Noriega Ortiz. In 2005, Andrew established Andrew Suvalsky Designs, ASD. His firm offers full interior architectural and design services and has produced projects in New York, the Hamptons, New England, Chicago, Palm Beach, Miami and Puerto Rico.

Andrew’s work has been celebrated internationally and published in The New York Times, The New York Observer, Architectural Digest Online, San Juan’s Por Dentro, The Robb Report, and as a participant in the 2013 Kips Bay Show House in New York. He was named “One of the Top Hot Designer’s to Watch” by New York Spaces Magazine. His television work includes appearances on HGTV, Oxygen, Better TV, Fox and NBC.

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