For Clive Lonstein, light, texture, and materials function like a cast of characters. The New York–based interior designer and architect previously served as design director at Studio Sofield and later as a Vice President at Tiffany & Co. for their in-house architecture and design department, before launching his own practice in a historic McKim, Mead & White building downtown. He is currently working on residences in Aspen, Southampton, New York, Palm Beach, and Cabo, while expanding his collaboration with STUDIOTWENTYSEVEN.

What do you do when you hit a creative block?

I step outside my usual rhythm. Travel, architecture, and nature always reset my perspective. I find clarity in observing how spaces, materials, and light interact in the world around me — those experiences inevitably spark something new.

What’s the worst recommendation someone’s given you?

I’m always cautious of trendy recommendations given the constant over-saturation of imagery we’re exposed to online. I find that focusing on timeless, well-crafted pieces and the integrity of materials helps cut through the noise and resist the pull of fleeting trends.

What book have you gifted most?

The Studio Sofield monograph, Studio Sofield Works. Every designer should have it.

What's the last article you sent to a friend?

"The Ironic Ubiquity of William Morris's Prints," in The Economist.

What's the last film you watched that moved you deeply?

The Tragedy of Macbeth.

Find Clive on Cosmos and Instagram.