{"id":249249,"date":"2025-01-22T10:28:29","date_gmt":"2025-01-22T15:28:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interiordesign.net\/?post_type=id_news&p=249249"},"modified":"2025-01-22T10:28:35","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T15:28:35","slug":"10-questions-with-designer-jessica-schuster","status":"publish","type":"id_news","link":"https:\/\/interiordesign.net\/designwire\/10-questions-with-designer-jessica-schuster\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Questions With\u2026 Interior Designer Jessica Schuster"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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An apartment in the Verona on Madison Avenue in Manhattan. Photography by Douglas Friedman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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January 22, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n

Words: <\/span>Athena Waligore\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

10 Questions With\u2026 Interior Designer Jessica Schuster<\/h1>\n\n\n
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Jessica Schuster is founder and president of the New York-based design firm Jessica Schuster Design<\/a>. From an office in lower Manhattan, Schuster and her team work on projects across the country, ranging from residential to commercial and hospitality spaces. Recently completed interiors include residences in New York and the Esm\u00e9 Hotel in Miami Beach. The firm has also work in the Hamptons, Boston, and Palm Beach, Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schuster approaches each project with fresh eyes, crafting unique spaces that \u201cmaintain a harmonious balance between the unusual and the familiar.\u201d While she \u201ckeeps her pulse on what\u2019s happening globally,\u201d Schuster also is firmly committed to the art of enduring interiors. \u201cTimeless joy, for me, is about the beauty of a well-designed piece that can stand the test of time,\u201d she explains. Schuster studied communications at New York University before earning an associate degree in interior and architectural studies at the Parsons School of Design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interior Design<\/em> speaks to Schuster about her path into the field, her approach with clients, and designing her own apartment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Jessica Schuster Crafts Unique Spaces With Harmonious Balance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Interior Design: What drew you to the field of interior design?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Jessica Schuster: I think interior design found me more than I found it. Growing up, I was always surrounded by design. My parents were building a home in Palm Beach with my family\u2019s interior designer, and I found myself attending meetings and soaking it all in. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Jessica Schuster of Jessica Shuster Design. Photography by Nick Mele.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, I was studying at NYU and working in fashion, so it just naturally evolved. It wasn\u2019t a grand plan, but more of a series of fortunate events\u2014like interning for creative director Tui Pranich\u2014that led me into design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ID: You started Jessica Schuster Design in 2013. What did you learn from the firms you worked with before and what came from within yourself?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

JS: <\/strong>From the firms I worked with, I learned the importance of being organized behind the scenes. The operational side of the business is just as crucial as the design side. I also learned the value of transparency and keeping an open dialogue with clients\u2014making sure they feel informed and involved in the process. What came from within me was a desire to foster a collaborative environment\u2014one that is both fun and challenging. I wanted the studio to be a place where creativity thrives, but where there\u2019s also room for growth and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A residence in New York; styling by Mieke ten Have. Photography by Douglas Friedman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

ID: What sustains your creative energy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

JS: Staying engaged in the world around me is key. Whether it\u2019s traveling, visiting art galleries, or attending design fairs, I\u2019m always looking for new sources of inspiration. I find that keeping my finger on the pulse of what\u2019s happening globally helps me bring fresh energy to every project. It\u2019s not just about the new trends, but also about experiencing new places and meeting new people that influences the direction of my work. In each new project, I\u2019m able to channel that inspiration into something unique and meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ID: What\u2019s your approach when working with different types of clients?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

JS: Every client is different. I think a huge part of my job is educating them about how design can elevate their life and how to live luxuriously in a way that\u2019s personal to them. Understanding their needs and goals for the space is always the starting point. Some clients have designed homes before and are more familiar with the process, while others are learning as they go. I really enjoy working with such a varied clientele\u2014families, bachelors, and hospitality clients\u2014all with different visions. The key is to adapt my approach to each unique project, whether it\u2019s residential or hospitality, and I provide a tailored experience that suits their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An apartment in the Verona on Madison Avenue in Manhattan. Photography by Douglas Friedman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

ID: What types of palettes and materials are you drawn to and why?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

JS: Each project has its own personality, so no two palettes are ever the same. Lately, though, I\u2019ve been drawn to deeper, more saturated colors\u2014there\u2019s something intriguing and moody about them. For example, with the Chelsea Project, our client was passionate about primary colors, and I loved finding ways to bring them into the design in an elevated, timeless way. I\u2019m always drawn to the juxtaposition of contemporary pieces with antique elements\u2014like Italian and French mid-century, Brazilian design\u2014it keeps the space feeling dynamic and layered. The beauty of what we do is that no two projects are alike, so I get to explore a wide range of materials, styles, and aesthetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ID: What do you hope to create when working on hospitality projects?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

JS: For me, hospitality design is about creating spaces that people can engage with, spaces that spark conversation and make people feel something. We\u2019re currently working on a project at Windham Mountain Club in New York, where we\u2019re designing several different spaces throughout the development. The challenge is creating a cohesive narrative while also allowing each space\u2014whether it\u2019s the inn, spa, or activity center\u2014to feel unique. It\u2019s been incredibly rewarding to design spaces that elevate the user experience, helping people connect with the environment and enjoy their time on the mountain in a new way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An apartment at 35 Hudson Yards in Manhattan. Photography courtesy of Jessica Schuster Design.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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An apartment in the Verona on Madison Avenue in Manhattan. Photography by Douglas Friedman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

ID: How does place inform your interiors, or are you more concerned with creating a refuge from specific locations?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

JS: I think it\u2019s a bit of both. The architecture and location of a space definitely inform the design, but I also love creating a sense of refuge for the people who live there. In a city like New York, for example, it\u2019s all about balancing the home\u2019s architecture with an interior that feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city outside. I\u2019m always inspired by the history of the space, the stories it holds, and the needs of the client. That\u2019s when the magic happens\u2014when you take those elements and create something that\u2019s truly unique, a space that feels like it\u2019s been designed just for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ID: And you\u2019re working on your own apartment. Can you tell us about that process?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

JS: Designing my own space has definitely been a challenge. There\u2019s something about being your own client that makes every decision feel high stakes! The process has been slower than I\u2019d like because the studio is always busy, but it\u2019s also been incredibly rewarding. I\u2019ve gone through several iterations, but I\u2019ve ended up with a design that\u2019s much more classical than I initially envisioned. I\u2019ve been inspired by French classic designers and their use of timeless materials and elegant details. I think of it as creating a sanctuary\u2014a space that reflects where I am in life right now and offers a peaceful escape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A residence in New York; styling by Mieke ten Have. Photography by Douglas Friedman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

ID: You\u2019ve said you\u2019re inspired by timeless joy. What does that mean to you?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

JS: Timeless joy, for me, is about the beauty of a well-designed piece that can stand the test of time. It\u2019s like the work of Italian architect Gio Ponti or Italian designer Piero Fornasetti\u2014masterpieces that remain relevant and beautiful, no matter when or where they\u2019re placed. It\u2019s about collecting iconic pieces that spark conversation and bring a sense of joy to a space. Each piece has a story, and that sense of timelessness is something I aim to bring into every project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ID: What are you currently working on, and what would you like to work on next?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

JS: Right now, we\u2019re working on several exciting projects across the country\u2014from South Florida and NYC to the Hamptons, Malibu, and the Caribbean. Each project is a new challenge and an opportunity to bring something special to life. Looking ahead, I\u2019d love to continue expanding our portfolio, especially in hospitality and high-end residential design, while always staying true to what makes Jessica Schuster Design unique: our commitment to creativity, collaboration, and elevating the spaces we touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Esm\u00e9 Hotel in Miami Beach. Photography by Christian Harder.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Esm\u00e9 Hotel in Miami Beach. Photography by Christian Harder.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n