“I moved in 2006. My first studio was on 195 Christie in 2001, 350 square feet, with one window, fluorescent light and concrete floors. In 2003 I moved into 5 Crosby, 500 square feet, 4 windows and hard wood floors. I moved into my dream space here at 187 Crosby in 06, 2200 square feet with 14 windows. The space was gutted. I added a bathroom, a huge wall of storage closets, a kitchen and an executive office bigger than my first studio. My office has been through many a decorating incarnation, the current design is my favorite of all.“
Cindy Greene is a graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago with a BFA in experimental film. She was a founding member of the influential art music group FischerSpooner and was co-founder and designer of the fashion label Libertine. She has worked on numerous successful collaborations with other artists and design companies such as Muji, Goyard, Damien Hirst, Be@rbrick and Converse. Cindy founded her eponymous interior design firm in 2011 with a focus on residential and commercial projects.
FROM YOUR DESKS: How do you work?
CINDY GREENE: It depends on what I’m working on but regardless of the medium, I start with an inspiration board. I have a magnetic wall in my office that I use to hang images. I pull a lot of film stills, images from the library’s picture collection and scans from my books.
FYD: Some people crave work familiarity. Do you mix up your space or do you keep things clutter free?
CG: I’m a Capricorn, my space must be clutter free. I tidy up at the end of every work day.
FYD: What tool is always on your desk?
CG: A Magic 8 Ball and lip balm are always nesting on my desk, I’m addicted to both.
I’d love an apartment in Paris with an American bathroom.
FYD: You co-founded Libertine in 2001 and departed in 2009. Sometimes it’s refreshing to get out of the comfort zone. Was this the case for you?
CG: Thankfully it was a slow evolution and thus quite a comfortable process. I started with what I was good at; graphic design. In the end I found myself submerged in the fashion industry, I was very much outside my comfort zone at that point. I knew it wasn’t my calling, my background is in fine art, so I decided to move on after 9 years. I also felt like Libertine had had it’s day, it no longer seemed relevant in 2009.
FYD: Without this question sounding like it’s coming from a magazine–how would you describe your style; a play on the old and new?
CG: I don’t claim to be reinventing the wheel. It’s simply a mix of old and new, mostly old. In order of importance…antiques, contemporary art and flora. I’m more interested in decorative and fine art than furniture to be honest. I love shopping and styling with unusual accents. One of my recent purchases was a pair of art nouveau bronze cobra candle sticks.
FYD: If one wants to reinvigorate their space and can’t break the pocketbook, what is your washboard list of sprucing up ones living world?
CG: Start by simplifying, edit. A new paint job is always helpful. I love the palettes of Farrow and Ball. The 26th Street flea market in Chelsea has a plethora of wonderful vintage art work and decorative objects. Craig’s List is terrific for antique furniture and of course Ikea and CB2 are great for modern affordable furnishings.
One of my recent purchases was a pair of art nouveau bronze cobra candle sticks.
FYD: What are three great films to study for a kickass bachelor pad?
CG: Daniel Hircsh’s home/office in Sunday Bloody Sunday. Professor Emile Flostre’s Parisian pad in Funny Face. Without question the home/laboratory of Dr. Sherlock Holmes.
FYD: And a bachelorettes?
CG: Alex Greville’s London loft in Sunday Bloody Sunday, Edie Sedgwick’s studio apartment in Factory Girl. Laura’s apartment in The Eyes of Laura Mars is a work of art.
I’m a Capricorn, my space must be clutter free. I tidy up at the end of every work day.
FYD: If you had your chance at a second pad; where in the world?
CG: I’d love an apartment in Paris with an American bathroom.
FYD: Do you make reference to your books?
CG: There are some books I look at regularly, I go through phases with them. One of my favorites at the moment is a divine book on the Freemasons.
FYD: What makes bookcases so damn sexy?
CG: People find books to be sexy simply because they are rich with texture, color, typography and illumination. What more could you ask for in an object? Hard to compete with really.
FYD: What books are on the docket this Fall?
CG: I’m looking forward to finishing Moby Dick. It’s the first time I’ve read it. I was hooked from page one. I found Ishmael to be so funny. Mind you it’s getting a bit didactic. All this business about the Sperm whale vs the Right whale but I will power through.
Cindy Greene can be found via her blog.