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It’s In NY #10

Cecil Hayes: Queen of Interior Design
“Architectural Digest” is a dream book of decorating for people who are waiting to get their money right; and a guide for those who have their money right. Mrs. Cecil Hayes has her money right. As one of the soigné AD 100 (Top 100 Interior Designers) she is a world renowned authority on interior design. Her homes have been featured in thousands of magazines like the “Robb Report” & “Ebony.”

Hayes is the first African-American to be an AD 100 designer. She is the winner of the 2002 Visionary in Design Award from the Design Center of the Americas and the 2002 NAACP Hall of Fame. Hayes is one of the most sought after interior designers in the world. Her ability to creating a space that stirs awe and comfort is unparalleled. Her signature look is fly!

Hayes bright spirit resonates over the phone. Like your favorite Aunt, she tells you like it is with humor and sophistication, and is hip to the sounds of hip-hop. She is an authority on life, and did I mention hilarious. For her, obstacles are bridges to dreams.

Please don’t call Hayes asking her to update your house if you are not ready for a unique experience. She is not a designer from Trading Spaces; Hayes makes homes exquisite at the starting rate of around a half-a-million dollars. A true artist, she is not going to escort you around The Pottery Barn. Hayes sketches her inspirations; and with her husband, make their own custom furniture in their factory for their private label Mikala. “Any one can pick out furniture,” she says with a chuckle, “I create a lifestyle.”

Hayes success stems from determination, a B.A. degree in Art Education from Florida A & M University in 1967, and her design degree from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. She opened her own studio storefront across the street from a movie theater in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Hayes would work late into the night as movie goers from the theater would admire her work, and then hire her to style their domiciles. It didn’t matter that she was African-American and they were not; her stellar style set her apart from her peers. Having a mother and aunt that were particular about their homes inspired her to be an interior designer, however “then we didn’t know about certain professions like we do now.” The rise to “Queen of Interior Design” was not easy, there were times when her phone was cut off, or rent was late; but she continued to take risks and to satisfy her clients.

Surprisingly, several of her acquaintances, like many of us, don’t fully understand what an interior designer is supposed to do. People would corner her at parties and ask her to put up their drapes. Hayes is not putting up drapes in the homes of clients like Wesley Snipes and Samuel Jackson. She is creating a theme, a livable look of elegance and flair.

Hayes’s “9 Steps to Beautiful Living: Dream, Design and Decorate Your Home with Style” is for everyone who needs to beautify their home. I asked her is this book good for Ikea addicts like myself?” She laughed, “Yes.” The first step is that you “Get to Know Your Space” first by measuring and taking inventory of details like electrical sockets, number of windows, and assessing light levels. “The Art of Decorative Details: Creative Ways to Design the Home of Your Dreams” is the sequel to “9 Steps to Beautiful Living.”

If you think you don’t need an interior designer, or this book, think again. “I can do my own hair, but I go to the hair salon to get it done right,” laughs Hayes.

Cecil Hayes television show will launch soon. Visit Cecilhayes.Com for more details.

Thank you Mrs. Cecil Hayes, and Ms. Monette Thweatt.

http://www.ItsInNY.com with Stephanie Taylor
E: stephanie@itsinny.com
Mail: It!s Media Group
P.O. Box 253
Nyack, NY 10960

Message Cecil Hayes and Stephanie Taylor and tell them what you think

By Stephanie Taylor on 2/11/2008[read on] [1 comment]

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