10 Questions With… Damon Liss

ID: What were your early years like in the field?

DL: My first job was an assistant to the renowned interior designer Noel Jeffery. Spending a lot of time in the D&D Building, I became close with the team at Holland & Sherry, who later referred me to a small design firm in Tribeca—Kevin Hart and Company. A couple of years after I joined Kevin’s team, he closed the firm, which was the catalyst for me to venture out independently.

ID: How specifically did you draw inspiration from your father’s bespoke clothing shop?

DL: I spent a great deal of time at one of my father’s boutique clothing stores on Madison Avenue, where I was exposed to fabric from all over Europe. He would go on shopping trips in Switzerland and Italy and return with bolts of these beautiful fabrics of all colors and patterns. Beyond the fabrics, I was fortunate enough to witness the customer service end of catering to important clients. His stores have always inspired me—they catered to icons like Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy Onassis.

ID: Can you tell us about the way you blend classic and contemporary styles?

DL: We design in a wide range of modern styles, everything from the 1920’s through today. Our interiors have moments of history woven into the design to create a timeless yet contemporary feel.

ID: What’s your approach for working with clients?

DL: I constantly remind myself that we are not designing for ourselves, but for the people and families who entrust us with their homes. We always start the process with understanding how the client wants to live. We aim to capture and elevate their dreams by translating them into reality.

ID: Your projects show a careful consideration of materiality. How do you approach specific materials for furnishings?

DL: Materiality is essential to good design. Furnishings should feel cohesive while still bringing in elements of freshness and interest. We almost always layer a mix of materials—stone, glass, ceramic, wood, and fabric—to elicit an inviting, comfortable, and dynamic space.

ID: How do you use vintage pieces, and how do you source them?

DL: Vintage pieces are a critical part of most of our projects. I have always been drawn to their history and the incredible value they bring to a space. We source vintage pieces from trusted galleries, auction houses, 1stDibs, Incollect, and through many personal relationships with dealers all over the world—connections I’ve cultivated over the last 20+ years. To say I’m obsessed with sourcing high-quality vintage pieces is an understatement.

ID: You recently designed your own cottage in East Hampton. What did you strive to do for that project?

DL: Being on a quaint street in the village of East Hampton, our home needed to blend in with the neighborhood. We wanted the home to have a beachy feel while remaining elevated and elegant. Having designed both the architecture and interiors, we were able to achieve exactly what we had envisioned. On the interior architecture, we created a timeless backdrop to support our collection of important vintage and contemporary furniture, making our home feel collected but comfortable.

ID: How does working all over the U.S. inform your work?

DL: I am very fortunate to have been able to work with clients all over the country. Working in different locations helps expand design styles and has allowed me the opportunity to challenge myself. Having recently worked on a mid-century home in Palm Springs, a ski house in Yellowstone Club, and a quaint historic house in Park City, Utah, I’ve had the chance to adapt my design approach to various styles, climates, and client lifestyles.

ID: You’ve worked primarily in residences. What is your ideal project you’d like to take on in the coming years?

DL: While our focus is primarily on residential projects, we recently completed an amazing restaurant—designing Mavericks, a standout restaurant in Montauk. It stretched my creativity and pushed the boundaries of my work. In the future, I would love to design a boutique hotel—it would be a welcome challenge.