Such a subjective question. Some of those who are today's darlings I cannot understand, but that's just because it's not my taste. Pas de tout.

My favorite interior designer is me, but I'm not a professional! Actually, it's probably my maternal aunt who is my favorite, but I'm a close second!

Having said that, whenever I read the shelter magazines I'm always drawn to Miles Redd's and Eric Cohler's interiors, although Cohler isn't 100%, more like 85%. I like exuberant spaces, the walls covered with art. I like bold use of color. I like seemingly incongruent patterns used together.

It's just such an intimate definition of what "best of the best" even means, isn't it?

bnice,
It would be wonderful if there was such a list. But design is very subjective and design that one person finds stunning, another person finds awful.

Everyone has different tastes, (a great and wonderful human quality) so to ask who is the "best of the best" would vary by person. You are in effect asking who the mythical "They" consider the best. As in "They consider Jane Doe the best designer in the world today". There is no "They" :)

I could put links to designers who have won awards for stark modern monochromatic interiors and others who have won awards for light blue and yellow French Country interiors. Who is to say one is better than another?

If you are looking for work of designers in a particular style, then mention the styles you like and the wonderful people on this board could provide links to the that style.

Or if you are looking for a style, then mention some movies or shows that you liked the interiors and we can show you some sites and possibly name the style that you are leaning towards by liking those interiors.

My wife and I find in our business (custom rugs) that many people want to be "right" and that there are rules to design. I like to say there may be "rules of thumb" but there are no rules. No laws. The design police will not break into your home and arrest you because you chose Colonial style furniture when all the magazines and HGTV show "clean and simple" furniture.

Tell us what catches your eye and I'm sure you'll receive many responses with designer websites that will inspire you.

Of course now someone will point me to www.They.com and prove me wrong! Wouldn't be the first time!

People will name designers that they admire because of a magazine layout they've seen and they adore that house, it's style, and the whole decor.
There are high profile designers that are featured in AD; are they the best of the best? some of them are known to be, well they are certainly talented and very well known.

It's like asking: who was the best painter in the 20th century ?

The guidelines by which we judge creative activity are unlimited and blurry, imo, I think it's all in the eye of the beholder.

The problem with the big name designers, is that is what they are. They happened to have a friend or friends in the media business, they happened to have designed the home of a politician, they have friends in the Senate, the Congress, the press, etc., who gave them name recognition. I dare say there are just as good designers or better designers in many, many corners near and far, of the smallest to the largest cities who have never had their name in a headline, a magazine, a newspaper, but name recognition starts with getting that big break. One example of that is that Nate person who is on Oprah. Totally nice enough person. What has he done that has impressed me? Mediocre designer. Did he decorate Oprah's house? God, I hope not. I have seen the exterior of her house, not interior, but I could not imagine her lacking the good common sense to turn her home over to him, but that's JMHO.

I agree with all the replies so far, that it really too subjective a matter to have a blanket answer.

On these forums, I am astounded at how gifted so many are. I think quite a few here could give the best of the best a run for their money. I hesitate to mention names, as I really do not want to slight anyone but if FORCED to, I would say:
Les917
chicory flower
Igloochic
redbazel
And if your name is not mentioned it is probably because it just did not stick in my mind-honestly and truly.

Design is very subjective.

I think tastes evolve over time and sometimes changes. So, I am in agreement with everyone who has responded.

My tastes have become so diversed at the age of 55. So the best in interior design is myself and my eye. Even when you work with a designer which I am doing right now, the same should hold true. Hopefully, if you choose one you choose one who has been in business for a long time, has a gift, and you can trust not just a name. I think mine is having a lot of fun with me and vice versa.

Let's see:

Here's my highly subjective list of interior designers whose portfolios really appeal to MY taste:

Charles Faudree
Charlotte Moss
Bunny Williams
Dan Carrithers
Ann Dupry
Amelia Handegan
William Eubanks
Fairfax & Sammons
Mariette Himes-Gomez
Clare Fraser

In my opinion (and not necessarily in any preconceived order):

cattknap
mrsmarv
chelone
gwendolynne

and a whole host of others whose taste is exquisite--imo--but whom I can't remember without another cup of coffee first. :)

Oh, and of course, les.

In no particular order, and irrespective of style, any "best of best" list, right now, would probably include:

Henri Samuel
David Easton
Anouska Hempel
David Mlinaric
Juan Pablo Molyneux
Jeffrey Bilhuber
Rose Tarlow
Robert Kime

JMHO, but the local Design King would be Magnaverde...

If I had a million dollars (well, I'd probably need more than a million), I'd hire Elizabeth/Betsy Speert.

Hi Bernice, do you have favorites yourself? I remember you were struggling to find a decorator to help you decorate your new home - did you find someone and are you happy with the results? I wasn't following the boards for awhile so I don't know if you finished your home.

As to who is the best, that is so subjective and I wouldn't even know where to go to find such a list. Kelly Hoppen is my favorite, I like her use of high quality materials to elevate simple decor.

Sky

Teacats,

I didn't even know William Eubanks had national fame!! I always said I would have him someday!! He is a little over the top for me, but I love it!! (Couldn't afford him, anyways!!) I love looking at photos of his work and his place is a feast:)

I also think he is kinda cute, too. Love this pic of him with his big ole harlequin Great Dane!!

SMiles:)

Having been a designer, (now for myself and friends), I think what impresses me is how well a designer can distance herself/himself from their OWN style and design strictly for the client and do an outstanding job.

Most? Well, they have their signature style and choose to stick with it. This might be impressive but it's not designing for the CLIENT. It's designing for themselves...with someone else's money.

That said? I think Candice Olsen shows a wonderful and varied talent in just about any style, any period for any client at varied budgets.

C. Lowell? Pretty much the same thing. He was one of the pioneers of all this decor "thang" that we seem to be obsessed with (good or bad???)That man has vision and talent and can do anything any way. I know half of what he's capable of was never shown on TV.

Any yoyo can spend a bazillion bucks and buy what he/she likes with someone else's $$. AND then convince them they wanted it lol. Doesn't cut it with me.

Wouldn't have a prob handing my homes over to either of them. WITH my opinions, but of course! lol.

I'm not into decor mags anymore nor do I follow designers so I'm sure there are others........just naming who have impressed me over the years. Imagination rocks, not $$$.

Patricia...I believe Oprah hired her hair stylist to decorate her house!! lol I'm pretty sure.

BTW....Nate's a nice guy but a bit too "formula" and contemp for me.

Can he do a good formal room, country ??? That's the test.......get out of their comfort zone.

Rose Tarlow has had a real effect on the design community, while Kelly Wearstler is probably better known to the public at large.

Thomas Beeton, Barbara Barry, Jeffrey Bilhuber, Albert Hadley and Orlando Diaz-Azcuy are all well known.

As for links--Google anyone named thus far, and you can probably find sites showing their work.

For me, the stand-out would have to be Miles Redd.
{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Miles Redd

I'm thrilled not to see Jonathan Adler's name listed here! His pop-culture design for the masses really is a turn off! If you've watched Top Design you know who he is- also his bedding was carried by BB&B. See you later decorator!
I agree with Candice Olsen.

amysrq, I love Redd's portfolio, such a fresh approach to antiques and traditional decor.

Compu, when I popped into the Adler store in Soho this summer, I was quite freaked out. Reminded me of my grandparent's version of Florida in the 60's. Yes, a nicer version, but still a scary flashback!

Mitch, what is it that makes it fresh? While I always know what I like, I sometimes have a hard time pinpointing why. I agree with you...it is trad but with a certain energy. Any thoughts on this?

WOW. I could look at Miles Redd's portfolio all day. Of all the "new" traditional looks I've seen his is by far the best. I'd love to know what paint colors he uses. I wonder if any of the magazine spreads have additional info like that? Amysrq, thank you for sharing the link. Great inspiration.

Miles Redd was Bunny William's former assistant/colleague. She uses Farrow & Ball paint (I know this for a fact). He may use it as well.

Organic, I had to pinch myself when I saw my name on your list! I'm just muddling along trying not to get too many things wrong.... That's such a compliment, thank you :).

If I could have anyone at all decorate my house it would be Sarah Richardson, Rollande Vachon, Stephen Howard/Mario Cote, Jason Cass or Wendy Williams Watt. While Sarah Richardson is probably the best known of the bunch, the rest are rather well known in Canada. Rollande Vachon owns the prettiest design/decor shop - Moutarde, Stephen/Mario are behind Flik & Co. and Forest & Co., Jason Cass has a few HGTV Canada shows and is the Canadian distributor of Farrow & Ball paints and Wendy Williams Watt designed one of my all-time favourite homes. All are regularly featured in the Canadian design mags.

I'm sure it would be a blast to hit a flea market with Magnaverde too.

Bnice

It's good to see you back again.

How is your decorating coming along?

Are you planning to hire some of these people mentioned above???

amy, I feel like there is more breathing space in his decors and he often uses black and white, for me that's crisp and fresh, more youthful.

Although Eubanks' portofolio is gorgeous, I find it overdone and a tad stuffy, layers upon layers of fabric; his decors are opulent and grand, no doubt about that.

just my humble opinion.

I tried to look at Miles Redd's website, but it must be down at the moment. I saw his apartment on New York Social Diary and the zebra fabric covered doors are fab. I wish I had that much confidence when it comes to decorating. Here's the link to the interview:

Here is a link that might be useful: Miles Redd

Maybe we've flooded his website!

Thanks for the input Mitch. I'll go back and look for the B&W. Maybe he's Bunny, only better Rococo. Great stuff but less of it.

Gwendolynne, Moutarde Decor looks wonderful. I am planning to visit Montreal this summer -- will have to find this guy's store. I'm going with my favorite shopping/decorating friend. Oooh, I can't wait!

amy, Moutarde decor is owned by a woman....

gwen, I used to work for Rollande Vachon when she first opened Moutarde in another location on the west island, in 96. She has superb taste.

mitch - Really? Wow, that must have been fun! What a small world! I'm a West Islander (transplanted to Gatineau), but I would have been too young to really be into house stuff in '96. The stretch of Bernard Ave. that the shop is on now is really fun. My mom's grandparents lived just up the road so she spent a lot of time in the area as a child - it has really changed a lot. If I were going to move back to Montreal, I'd love to live in the area. There's a great little bistro on one of the corners too...Vasco da Gamma, I think. Their decor is fantastic too, all cobalt and yellow.

Out of curiosity, do you have any idea what Moutarde design charges for consultations? I've toyed with the idea of having them create a plan for me, but I probably don't want to know that cost... (the high-end designer who owns the F&B shop in Ottawa charges $250/hr - do you think it's in the same ballpark?).

Amy - ooh, you'll have fun shopping for decor stuff in Montreal! You should post on here for recommendations before you go, I'm sure you would get a ton, there seem to be a few current or ex-Montrealers on this board.

With all due respect, Miles' decor give me a headache. All the contrast. Too high energy. I used to like K. Wearstler but lately her design drive me nuts too. Every time I look at her portfolio I need a Xanax. or two.

I love Steven Gambrel. John Saladino. Michael Smith. Nowaday I am more drawn to stuff w/ lots of patina. Stuff with age and substance. Stuff that has been mellowed by time. Maybe I am getting old.

Who's the best designer all depend on what style you are drawn to.

Oops. Clearly, I misunderstood the OP. My second take: I guess I'd have to say that I prefer the idiosyncracy and eclecticism of private homeowners who have a real gift for decorating their home with warmth and elan. The last issue of New England Home featured the interiors of a few homes, and there was one Rhode Island (or was it Connecticut?) home that was decorated by the owners themselves (antique dealers), and it was sublime. On another note: Candice Olsen I can do without: all her rooms look the same to me. They all look "done." But that's just my opinion. I have friends who love her work.

amy -- I like his work though I couldn't live with it myself but if you look at Dorothy Draper and at Bunny you can see who he loves most. Bunny is a very, very hard act to follow, however.

I think bellaflora makes a good point. The lists people are coming up with here really hinge on their own tastes since no one is really making peer judgments -- it's more of a "who would I hire if I could afford to" or whose work would I want to live with.

Oddly enough, my very favorite designer -- the one I admire more than anyone on my list (which is basically hall of famers), is no longer alive and that's Frances Elkins.

Not surprisingly, people who buy houses she did in the 1930s through 1950s don't change a thing. Many of those homes are intact and so contemporary that it would be very easy (for me anyway) to live in most any one of them (though I have my favorites).

mitch, I have to agree with you on a lot of Eubanks' work that you find in his internet portfolio, national publications, etc. It is especially true of his Palm Beach work.

My favorites of his are homes that I have seen in our local interiors magazine (he has his original business here). There is one layout of a Memphis home that I use as my "go to" when I start to lose direction in my own home. It is more relaxed than a lot of his work...more comfortable and lived-in looking. If I can get my scanner working, I'll scan it for you.

Mmmmmm...Miles Redd...how could I have forgotten?

Mitch, yes now I see the "e" on the ende of Rollande. Silly mee.

Rococo, as long as we're talking about dead designers, I'd have to throw Billy Baldwin into the mix. And probably David Hicks, too. Less stuff than Miles. I missed the Dorothy Draper show this summer. Should look for the book.

There is a nice book by Mark Hampton called Legendary Decorators of the Twentieth Century. It is a fun stroll through our design history.

I like several mentioned above. Another architect/designer I enjoy is Bobby McAlpine of McAlpine & Tankersley and his business partner, Greg Tankersley. You can see some of their magazine features in the link below. They are involved in all stages of a home. McAlpine also has a line of furniture distributed by Lee Industries.

Here is a link that might be useful: McAlpine Tankersley

Very nice, Allison...and very "you", too. :)

I think that your home should be in one of those mags, especially highlighting all of the special touches like your using family memorabilia in such a pretty and personal way.

I'm with you on Baldwin and if we're going down the dead road then I'd have to add in Angelo Donghia. I still have clips of rooms he did in the 70s that look great.

There's a woman here in NY that lives in an apartment Billy Baldwin did for her, beige and French mixed with Lucite and quite wonderful. She never changed a thing.

The Draper show was terrific. She had such a great sense of drama and color. There was a video of her as part of the show that was a great camp moments. It was done for a TV show in the '50s and she's a big lady wearing one of those floral dresses with a huge full skirt that rustles, like my Nana wore. Mamie Eisenhower hair and bracelets that rattle. We were doubled over laughing. She had a voice that made Julia Child seem shy. It was a hoot.

One of her black dressers went for $200 at an auction not long ago. Someone got a big bargain.

So many great names to google and learn about; I do that in the early morning hours with my coffee, thanks all.

Gwen , funny you mention Vasco de Gamma cafe, there's one on Peel st close to where I live and I go all the time, it's great.
I have no idea what Rollande charges nowadays.

The September-October edition of Southern Accents was titled 'Celebrating 30 yrs.' The cover story was exquisite. It featured designer Beverly Jacomini's Santa Fe home. I've linked her website below. Skip clicking 'Portfolio' (it is not up to date) and go to 'Press.' I can't believe the article is not on her website. I may scan pages if I have time today.

Here is a link that might be useful: Jacomini Design

I scanned most of the pages. If you love this article, you should back order a copy. I left off the "of Timeless Designs" part of the title.

SH, thank you for the compliment. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Southern Accents article

I like Bunny Williams style a lot. Here is her New York Apt. on New York Social Diary.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bunny Williams New York Apt.

Re: Bunny's place. OMG, I am not a neatnik at all, and I have a great love for books, and have a pile or two of them in my workspaces, but I would go absolutely BONKERS with all those piles everywhere. She has some wonderful things in her home, but the 'book stalagmites' all over detract from the feel, imo.

I don't read the shelter mags, so I have never followed particular designers, or even heard of most of those mentioned here. I probably should do some reading on them, to better educate myself and develop my 'eye'. But in all honesty, having looked at some of the links and the pix, while I can appreciate seeing the spaces, most of them don't appeal to me at all. The mishmosh look of 'collected' rooms just isn't me.

I also wanted to thank the people who mentioned me on this thread. It is a huge compliment to be remembered in that way. You touched my heart.

I agree with you Les regarding Bunny. I have to admit, I was so excited to get her book, then a bit let down once I had it. Many of her things I love, but it is like someone else mentioned that they loved her look, but less of it. Can you imagine cleaning in her home? LOL

I'm sorry that I've missed pictures you've shown Les, it sounds like your rooms are much to be admired.

To the original question, I do believe it is a matter of opinion and taste. You'll get a different answer from anyone you ask.

tina

Find a style of design and decorating you like first. Then look at work you consider the best in that style. You might also concider great designers don’t have to be the biggest name out there.