It wasn’t long after interior designer Kevin Dumais began working on his own that he knew the occupation was his true calling. “It was the tip of a project installation, the development was over, and our clients walked in and saw their recent apartment completely furnished for the primary time. There have been tears of joy and gratitude for finally making their Recent York apartment feel like home. That’s why I do what I do,” the 16-year veteran of the industry shared.
Based out of each Recent York and Connecticut, Kevin’s style is a casually sophisticated aesthetic that brings together metropolitan elegance and a relaxed vibe. His inspiration is available in the types of mid-century style and a love for antiques, wealthy textures, and funky hues.
Alongside his husband Charlie, Kevin can be co-founder of Dumais Made. The brand incorporates a complete line of unique handmade ceramics, including lamps, candlesticks, vases, and more. All the work is created by the duo out of their Bantam, Connecticut studio.
With two businesses, ideas come at Kevin from all directions – so he can at all times be found carrying trace paper and a flair tip felt pen. “I at all times have a roll of trace paper between my office and residential,” he shared. “Thoughts come and go so incessantly, and sometimes a fast sketch may help me capture on paper what is likely to be fumbling around in my head and helps me and my team brainstorm during a project’s charette.”
After studying interior design on the Recent England School of Art and Design, he led projects for quite a lot of top Manhattan designers, including Russell Groves, before opening his own firm in 2009. Kevin’s work has been featured in The Recent York Times, Elle Decor, NY Mag, Luxe, and more.
Today, Kevin Dumais is joining us for this week’s Friday Five!
1. Church’s Pembrey Studded Loafers
These loafers were a spontaneous purchase during my first visit to London, so that they already hold some nostalgia and have managed to be the one shoe I keep in rotation year-round. They’re classic black leather penny loafers with a contemporary fringe of studded details.
2. Sunday Mornings With Cookbooks
My favorite a part of the week is Sunday morning, with two cups of coffee and a handful of cookbooks to peruse for that night’s dinner. A brand new book that found its way into my collection is the cookbook from Barbuto restaurant in Recent York City. The restaurant is certainly one of my favorite go-to places in the town. I generally order their roast JW chicken and pasta carbonara.
3. Dansk Kobenstyle Cookware
I inherited two, a green Dutch oven and a yellow casserole pot; each were wedding gifts my parents received in 1963. My mom never used them once we were kids apart from hiding my Halloween candy, which was a clever play by her as she could hear the clank of the enameled lid after I was sneaking it. They’re incessantly used at our house in Litchfield, and I actually have since added pieces to the gathering.
4. My Turntable
My turntable was a Christmas gift from my husband, Charlie, which he bought for me after finding records I purchased but never got around to purchasing the device to play them on. A few of our favourite nights at home find yourself with us rifling through our record collection, dancing to our favourite albums at the best volume. Aretha: Lady Soul, Live & More Donna Summer, Madonna’s Madonna Album, and Fleetwood Mac Rumours.
5. Cashmere Sweaters
My uniform consists of navy blue cashmere crewneck sweaters. My favorite sweater is from Margarette Howell, but I also stockpile these from J.Crew in all of the classic colours.