The judges of Westchester Home design contest have chosen the work of Interior Design Professor Phyllis Harbinger as winner in the category of Best Traditional Living Room. To add to the tribute, images of her award-wining interiors appear in the cover story of the issue announcing the award.
Harbinger, the magazine said, “made it look easy with this beautifully designed living room—sporting traditional lines in the furniture and accessories with added daring twists of color.”
Westchester Home magazine
“The Interior Design Department is extremely proud of Professor Harbinger’s professional accomplishments,” says Interior Design Chair Andrew Seifer. “We congratulate her on her work being shown on the cover of Westchester Home and for winning this award.”
“The architecture of the room called for two distinct conversation areas—one fireside, and then a main conversation area visible through antique wood-and-iron doors at the entry to the space,” Harbinger told
Westchester Magazine.
The winning living room
“The designer has balanced light and dark, ornate and strongly classical, and neutral shades with vibrant color to create a warm, rich, and inviting living room…It is neither over- nor under-decorated. The room is formal, but thoroughly hospitable and welcoming,” said New York School of Interior Design Associate Dean Veronica Whitlock, one of the four judges.
In a New York Daily News profile of Erick Garcia, the first-year Fashion Design student states his preference for “natural, subtle beauty.” He also admires top designers like Oscar de la Renta and Elie Saab.
Garcia’s vision and ready inspiration come from his immersion in New York City and Dominican Republic life. But with more formal training at FIT there’s additional dimensions to explore. Garcia had this to say about his experience with the Daily News story. He also let on which special person in his life helps him with his homework.
“I’m entertained and excited by top designers – I’m such a big fan, so I follow their work. But I also do a ton of (other) research at the library. Pictures stay in my head or scenes from movies, actresses from the 30s and 40s…I don’t necessarily get my inspiration from designers but from people, culture and movies.”
Erick Garcia in the New York Daily News
“The experience the with the Daily News was very special,” says Garcia. “It was like a conversation. It was like being on Charlie Rose. It was easy to tell (reporter Kathryn Kattalia) how I felt.”
His earliest fashion venue was at home. “My grandmother, Santa, is really, really good at construction and pattern-making,” says Erick. “When she was younger, she made her living sewing bridal dresses, and also made clothes for her kids. If I run into trouble I go to her. If I don’t know how to sew a certain kind of seem, if I forget, she’s my textbook.”
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