Design Interview With Heiberg & Cummings
Dear blog readers. Sorry for the delay on this post. But now there will be two “In The Spotlight” this month instead!
I get all giddy whenever I hear or see their names - Bernt Heiberg and William Cummings, the partners behind Heiberg & Cummings (hcd3). One of my absolute favorite design teams on the planet. I am in awe of everything they do – and I have saved magazine articles about them from years back. Their firm has offices in NY and in Oslo.
Why am I so crazy about them? Because their interiors are calm, beautiful and sophisticated without feeling contrived. It does not matter if it is an elegant Manhattan penthouse or a beach cottage somewhere, their rooms are always warm, inviting and personal (not the same old, same old). Their mix of old and new pieces is well thought out and always fantastic. They have a great eye for art (and run their own art exhibitions) and of course with Bernt Heiberg being from Norway, they bring in a lot of (old) Scandinavian into their residential and commercial projects.
It is a great honor for me to introduce them to you.
Oh, one more thing. I have learned that William and Bernt are all for peace and making people happy but they don’t mind smashing mobile telephones to pieces with rocks! One more reason to like them!
Define your design style?
High-end residential. Neo-Scandinavian with an international touch. Sophisticated yet livable.
Are you able to take your design eyes off when you visit friends’ homes? (Or do you do a quick design on a napkin for them?)
W) Yes! I appreciate finding new and different aesthetics. And I always enjoy finding treasures in other homes.
B) Yes, but it is always fun to give advice. Interior design is our lifestyle, 24/7.
What was your first-ever interiors buy?
W) A Munch drawing I purchased years ago. It is a an outstanding etching that hangs in our home.
B) A Swedish empire bureau that is still in our home. I was so attracted to the paint and patina of the piece.
Design accomplishment you are most proud of?
W) That people copy our work. (And they do! Splendid Willow’s comment)
B) We are really proud of all of our projects – both large and small.
Any fun project(s) you are working on right now?
Many! Our projects are always lots of fun! We feel lucky to have such wonderful clients.
Right now we are working on a new styling concept for clients who need a touch of help with space, layout, and bringing new life into their homes. This new concept will launch in the next couple of weeks. (You heard it here first! 
What is bad interior design in your opinion?
W) Design that is poorly conceived and/or poorly executed.
B) Using lots of colors and crossing borders of given space.
What 3 things can make a huge impact in a living room – without the steep price tag?
1. Proper lighting. 2. Beautiful textiles. 3. Less is more.
Any design item you can’t live without?
W) Gray flannel
B) Comfortable and cozy but elegant seating
What do you collect?
W) Small carpets.
B) Antiques. Mainly from the 18th century.
(The plate racks are from their own furnishings line).
Any design heroes that truly inspire you?
W) Michael Graves
B) John Saladino
What’s your take on bedside tables?
W) I use them all the time!
B) Necessary. And great with lots of books, personal items and photographs.
What wall color can you not get enough of?
W) White
B) Light gray
Where do you shop online?
W) Nowhere! I prefer the traditional way of shopping with touch & feel!
B) Hermes
Knowing your wonderful collection of Scandinavian antiques. Do you have a favorite piece you can’t live without?
W) A small Gustavian side table with thin legs.
B) A rustic Norweigan country foot stool.
Thank you so much gentlemen! It is a pleasure getting to know you a little bit better. And I for one, can’t wait to see what you are up to next! A suggestion: your own book!
For more of hcd3 and their portfolio, visit here.
Images: No. 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 via NY Spaces. No. 4, 15 and 17 via Litteavmeg. No. 5, 7, 8, 13, and 16 via House & Garden (07). No. 9, 10 and 11 via hcd3. No. 14 Via Homes and Gardens UK. Note: a few of these images I have scanned from older Magazines and they are nowhere else to be found on-line.
