Breaking into design
Cortney Novogratz: We purchased a wreck of a townhouse in Chelsea, New York in 1996. We had absolutely no clue what we were doing, but we did a pretty decent job. We went on to buy a small building in SoHo and continued from there.
The merits of reality TV
Robert Novogratz: Television is a powerful format to reach a lot of people. We also learned how to design on the fly—really fast.
Balancing a career and seven kids
CN: Robert handles most of the aesthetics, and I do the plans and drawings. It’s definitely a lot of work. We have been blessed with a great team around us—it takes a village!
Buying a castle (yes, a castle) in LA
CN: The castle was big and had an odd flow. We opened it up, turning its many small rooms into a few big rooms. As for living in it, it’s fantastic. The outdoor space makes the house, and it works well for our big tribe of family and friends.
Coolest thing in the office
RN: The prototype Heisman Trophy statue
Hotels versus residential design
RN: No question, hotels are our favorite. Clients are easier to work with, as the decision process is not as personal, and we have more freedom. It’s a designer’s dream for their work to be
seen by as many people as possible.
Timber Cove, Sonoma, California
