Good Living - The Andrew Suvalsky Inspiration

Andrew Suvalsky - Jazz musician cum interior designer

In a swift career shift in 1998, Andrew Suvalsky left the music scene for the Big Apple to work with internationally renowned interior designer, Benjamin Noriega Ortiz. Now, his firm, Andrew Suvalsky Designs, offers clean, fresh and intimate full interior architectural and design services dedicated to creating all-embracing visual stories that divulge the soul of a home, drawing inspiration from the unique makings of the dwelling and the people living there. Blending the many elements of architectural embellishments, layout and a palate of sophisticated colors, Suvalsky applies his copious experience to conjure the dreamiest ideas with maximum optimization of space. 

Imperative Styles

One of the paramount challenges for Suvalsky is finding the equilibrium between comfort, beauty and function. Suvalsky prides himself on the realistic approach he takes to design although feelings and aesthetics are some of his foremost influences. Determined never to forgo beauty for the practical or vice versa, he believes that design should not be a just a two-dimensional pretty face but should be made to be comfortable and livable as well. Style is a combination of vision and artistry. If you have a wide room, accentuate it with neutral paint colors and contrasting furniture. Consider, also, lining the edges of the room with the furniture to allow easy traffic flow through main corridors. Arranging furniture is more of an art than a science, so try a few different arrangements on your paper floor plan before attempting the real thing. High traffic areas can spell trouble for top-heavy lamps and other tabletop ornaments. Be sure that the shade of the lamp does not extend beyond the edge of the table. Additionally, multifunctional furniture can provide invaluable benefits. Futons are ideal for small apartments, since they serve two functions - sleeping and seating.

Positioning furniture along the edges 
can help with traffic flow.    

The Suvalsky Method

Suvalsky’s method is systematic; emphasizing the adage that design is a process. No matter what look he tries to produce, he believes that it should always be inviting and authentic which he strives to achieve by forming personal and intimate connections with his clients. One of his favorite parts of living in a big city is that everywhere he looks there he finds inspiration, such as the dramatic outline and colors of tall buildings set against the sky, which he later incorporates in his designs of interior living spaces. Some visible design features include solid colors with contrasting properties against blank slates of walls and floor. Use minimal number of accent pieces for a clean and open look for visual charm. To avoid your accent wall/floor looking like a cliché technique, Suvalsky advises to avoid choosing a color that exists within the room’s original palate. Try for instance to use a color that bridges the fabrics and other wall colors and the exciting, accent wall.

Use a contrasting color to perk up 
and accentuate other elements of the room    

Keeping it Clean

Andy also loves things that feel clean and fresh and finds that the easiest way to do this is via the liberal use of whites. He stresses that it has to be used with real intention; otherwise it might end up looking generic or unfinished. If you love the sleek, modern kitchens you see in IKEA or even in magazines, the solution is to use white on everything: cabinets, countertops, walls and ceilings. Place a few accessories, each sitting on an oasis of white to further accentuate the room. For ease of maintenance, shiny is always better as sheen is more washable than matte finishes. Tip: Try to stay away from dull laminates and matte colours.

Find the perfect balance between style and comfort

Named “One of the Top Designer’s to Watch” by New York Spaces Magazine in 2008, Andrew Suvalsky has been featured in the New York Times, The New York Observer, Passions International and The Robb Report and has appeared on HGTV, Oxygen, Better TV, Fox and NBC. Log on to www.goodlivingbyandy.com for more design tips, ideas and solutions to bring out the soul of your home.




Written for AMG International, contract publishers of I&P Living Vol. 2