Business of Home Podcast Summary
Episode: Andre Malone Wants Less Perfection, More Emotion
Host: Dennis Scully
Release Date: December 2, 2024
Introduction to Andre Malone
In this episode of the Business of Home Podcast, host Dennis Scully engages in a deep conversation with renowned interior designer Andre Malone, the founder of Studio Malone. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Andre's journey from his vibrant upbringing to establishing his own acclaimed design studio in the United States forms the backbone of their discussion.
Early Life and Influences
Andre shares insights into his formative years, highlighting the influence of his father, an industrial designer, and his affluent Italian-Portuguese family background in São Paulo.
Andre Malone [02:39]: "I was born in Sao Paulo, which is the, you know, for context, right. Sao Paulo is the New York of Brazil...my dad sort of developed very early on as a way of communicating."
Growing up in a household steeped in design, Andre contrasts his father's straightforward, masculine approach with his own sensitive and creative nature.
Educational Pursuits and Career Beginnings
Despite his father's encouragement to pursue business, Andre felt drawn to design. He clandestinely applied to industrial design school, subsequently earning a place and moving to the United States to study architecture at Syracuse University.
Andre Malone [05:38]: "He said, that's very... if you wanna study abroad, I think you should study architecture because it's a more complete course."
After successfully completing his degree, Andre's persistence paid off when he secured a position with the prestigious architectural firm Robert A.M. Stern. His unique approach of including watercolors with his application set him apart, leading to his immediate hiring.
Andre Malone [06:25]: "And then I was hired. I was offered the job that was 1994...cutting paper all day long."
Mentors and Professional Growth
At Robert A.M. Stern, Andre honed his technical skills, learning to tell the story of a design and master aspects like scale and line weight. However, a pivotal moment came when he attended a party at MoMA, where he met key figures like Mark Hampton. Intrigued by Hampton's holistic approach to design, blending architecture and interiors, Andre decided to join his team despite initial skepticism.
Andre Malone [11:06]: "Mark absolutely sort of seduced me... I want to work with this guy."
His tenure with Hampton was transformative, teaching him the importance of understanding clients' lifestyles and infusing design with personal emotion.
Transition to Entrepreneurship
After gaining invaluable experience, Andre contemplated starting his own firm but grappled with the business aspects of design. It wasn't until his friendship with Brian Sawyer — a mentor with a strong business acumen — inspired him to take the plunge. Observing Brian's success in managing a design business fueled Andre's confidence to launch Studio Malone in his mid-40s.
Andre Malone [22:35]: "If he can do it, I can do it."
Initially, Andre lacked a significant client base but strategically offered sketching services to established designers, which organically expanded his network.
Andre Malone [25:11]: "I started to charge them for my sketches... Everyone wanted a sketch."
Design Philosophy: Emotion Over Perfection
A core theme of the interview revolves around Andre's belief that design should evoke emotion rather than strive for perfection. Influenced by his father's mid-century design principles, Andre emphasizes imperfection and authenticity in his projects.
Andre Malone [52:33]: "It’s about creating an emotion. It’s about creating an energy."
He rejects the notion of overly extravagant designs, advocating instead for environments that reflect real-life imperfections and personal stories.
Andre Malone [52:28]: "There's something that is out of place. There's a piece of paper on the floor. There's a dead flower... that's how it is."
Business Challenges and Growth
Navigating the business side of design remains a challenge for Andre. Although he possesses a natural talent for design, managing financial aspects and pricing services has been a learning curve.
Andre Malone [38:52]: "I wish I maybe had gone to business school... but I know that no matter how much I try... I will never be as good of a businessman as I am a designer."
Collaborating with his partner, Kevin, who brings a finance background, has been instrumental in structuring the business effectively. This partnership alleviates some of Andre's business-related apprehensions, allowing him to focus more on creativity.
Andre Malone [40:02]: "Kevin... has been really helping and giving the business structure and has become an essential part of business and the operation."
Client Relationships and Industry Perceptions
Andre discusses the public perception of interior designers, addressing misconceptions that designers are overly critical or push unnecessary changes. He strives to build genuine relationships with clients, ensuring that design enhancements are both meaningful and emotionally resonant.
Andre Malone [50:14]: "I am providing a service... It's important to keep it separate and to understand that ultimately we are providing a service."
He advocates for selective client partnerships, preferring projects where he can align with clients' emotional and aesthetic visions rather than impose excessive changes.
Andre Malone [55:04]: "There is kind of like a dating process... you either vibe or you don't."
Future Aspirations and Expansion
Looking ahead, Andre envisions expanding Studio Malone's portfolio to include architectural projects, furniture design, and custom objects. His aspiration to design a ground-up building—be it an apartment complex, resort, or bespoke residence—reflects his desire to merge architectural prowess with interior design.
Andre Malone [36:20]: "I am an architect and I want to do a building. I want to do a ground up building..."
Additionally, he aims to design furniture and rugs, leveraging his architectural insights to create cohesive and emotionally engaging pieces.
Personal Interests and Inspirations
Outside of design, Andre finds solace and inspiration in classic cinema, particularly the works of Alfred Hitchcock and Akira Kurosawa. These cinematic influences subtly permeate his design work, evident in details and compositional choices.
Andre Malone [57:11]: "I'm absolutely obsessed with anything done by Hitchcock... I know every Hitchcock movie by heart."
His passion for films enhances his ability to create environments that tell a story, further emphasizing his design philosophy centered on emotion.
Conclusion
Andre Malone's journey from a design-influenced upbringing in Brazil to establishing a successful interior design studio in the U.S. underscores the importance of blending creative intuition with business acumen. His commitment to prioritizing emotion over perfection and fostering authentic client relationships positions Studio Malone as a distinctive player in the interior design community.
Andre Malone [55:00]: "I could actually be an interior designer thinking that way, which seems... the antithesis of what we do."
As Studio Malone continues to evolve, Andre remains dedicated to expanding his creative horizons while maintaining the emotional integrity that defines his work.
Notable Quotes:
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On Embracing Imperfection:
"It's about creating an emotion. It's about creating an energy."
[52:33] -
On Business Challenges:
"I wish I maybe had gone to business school... but I know that no matter how much I try... I will never be as good of a businessman as I am a designer."
[38:52] -
On Future Aspirations:
"I am an architect and I want to do a building. I want to do a ground up building..."
[36:20] -
On Design Philosophy:
"What is design other than really understanding how people want to live... and that's how it is."
[17:15]
This comprehensive conversation with Andre Malone offers invaluable insights into the intersection of design, emotion, and business, serving as an inspiration for both emerging and established professionals in the interior design industry.