British designer Stewart Horner is the Co-founder and Principal Designer of Penny Black Interiors, based in Portland, OR. His designs are innovative, experiential, and boundary pushing. We’ve featured him a few times for his exciting approach–both in our spring issue of the magazine and in a recent home tour that highlighted the power of custom furniture. Stewart’s studio manifesto “expresses a commitment to lead you on a journey of discovery, to collaborate on a multi-sensory vision, and together realize your personal idea of beauty.”
He’s a true pioneer in the industry and we think you’ll enjoy this edition of #5MinutesWith:
MY LIGHTBULB MOMENT:
Sitting in another corporate meeting, discussing another innovation to help another athlete break another record, all the time thinking … this isn’t me.
I CAN’T START MY DAY UNTIL:
Un-surprisingly my answer is coffee. But I’ll throw in breakfast with the kids for good measure.
SUCCESS IS:
Temporary. Glory is forever.
YOU’LL NEVER SEE ME WITHOUT:
My giant hat.
DREAM COLLABORATION:
As far as a client collaboration goes, I would love to work with Billie Eilish. My kids and I love her. Her creativity, her originality, her youthful authenticity and most of all her pursuit to maintain control of those things that define her. A notion I vehemently subscribe to.
As for a design collaboration, to go back in time and work with Vernor Panton, the ‘Enfant terrible’ of his time, would be incredible. His approach was jaw dropping, his vision out on a limb. He was one of the greatest whose work is still produced today.
THE ONLY CITY BETTER THAN PORTLAND:
‘Better than’ implies ‘superior to.’ I don’t think any place is superior to another at a level that isn’t subjective. Subjectivity is key. Many places have aspects I feel are ‘better’ their Portland equivalent, but by far, London England is my favorite place on Earth.
Portland however is where I call home, it’s where my kids were born, it has small amounts of many great things. It’s the sum of all its parts. We love it.
WHEN I FEEL UNINSPIRED
I never feel uninspired. I’m more likely to feel ‘over inspired’ but challenged with channeling my direction. I’m also in perpetual search for new sources of inspiration and nothing is more inspiring than being and experiencing somewhere else.
ADVICE I WISH I HAD 5 YEARS AGO:
Find a business mentor.
IN 5 YEARS, FIND ME:
In pursuit of enlightenment. Or running a boutique hotel somewhere.
ABOVE ALL ELSE:
My life’s goal is..
- To inspire people to surround themselves in their own ideas of beauty.
- To see my 3 daughters grow into healthy, happy, authentic humans with compassion, drive and purpose.
- To leave no stone unturned in pursuit of my dreams until the day I die.
- To be remembered as a great husband, a brilliant dad, and a creative soul with nothing but good will for all.
