Inside your homes: Phil Cohen
We’d be lying if we said we weren’t a little bit envious of Phil Cohen’s beautiful New York home. First catching our eye on Instagram a few months ago - his minimal, considered style really stands out from the crowd.
After being drawn in by an expertly curated selection of designs, we just had to find out more about Phil Cohen and his style. An Art Director by day, Phil’s considered eye stretches from his interiors to his clothing, also being the man behind one of Instagram’s most-followed men’s fashion accounts @thepacman82.
Your home has a very distinctive, minimal style – what inspires your look?
I’ve long been inspired by Scandinavian minimalism and the design principles that surround it. I love the use of natural materials, pale colours and minimalistic shapes. It’s contemporary yet timeless. This style isn’t something you typically see here in the States, especially where I’m located.
When choosing timeless furniture for your home, what qualities do you look for?
It’s about buying less but buying better. Before I make a purchase, I ask myself if it’s something that will add purpose to the house and my life or if it will just create clutter. Every piece of furniture should have its purpose and place. I value products that are created to last. Pieces that are crafted with thoughtfulness and care.
Achieving a considered, minimal style can sometimes be quite a challenge. Have you got any tips for people looking to create more minimal spaces?
Unless you’re starting with an empty house, it can be a bit overwhelming. Clear the floor and walls, clean the surfaces, declutter and evaluate the space. Get rid of things that you don’t need or haven’t used in quite some time and then store the rest out of sight. If you don’t have a lot of space to store things, then I would look into pieces that provide ample storage. Everything should have a place.
Pick subdued colours for the paint and neutral, earthy colours for furniture. A pop of colour here and there is certainly fine. Furniture selection should be intentional—less is more. Think about what you can eliminate and still maintain comfort and enough seating to entertain family and friends.
You are also behind @thepacman82, one of Instagram’s most followed menswear accounts. Do you find your interior style is influenced by your clothing style?
Absolutely. I certainly gravitate towards neutral colour palettes in my clothing selections—many times opting for full monochromatic looks. I love navy, grey, beige, black and white. It’s easy to mix and match these tones without being too fussy about your outfit. I love fabrics that have a lot of texture which create visual contrast and depth to the outfit. This is especially important when you’re wearing shades of one colour.
What made you take the leap from clothing to interiors? What was it that sparked your love for interior design?
It was very much a natural transition for me. What you wear and the things you surround yourself with should bring you joy and confidence while removing stress from your life. Interior design was a new and exciting area and a welcomed creative outlet.
My wife and I were blessed with the opportunity to purchase a home that was only partially built. This allowed us to work with an architect to create something that ultimately reflected our style. As the build progressed, I grew more and more attracted to the world of architecture and interior design.
What’s your go-to place for inspiration? Are there any people, places or brands that never fail to inspire you?
It may sound a bit cliché at this point, but Instagram has been the biggest source of inspiration for me. It’s connected me with people and styles from all over the world. I love seeing how others style the same or similar pieces that I own—whether it’s furniture or clothing.
Throughout the build I found myself referencing blogs such as Leibal and est living for daily inspiration and ideas. I also looked to architects such as Norm Architects and Vincent Van Duysen for cues on minimalistic design principles and materials.
Has social distancing changed the way you’ve been using your home? Are there any pieces of design which have made the transition to spending more time at home any easier?
Just prior to lockdown, we got some outdoor furniture which really helped ease the transition. It’s amazing what some fresh air can do for you when you’re inside for so long! Being quarantined provided us with time to complete lingering home projects such as re-painting and caulking a few areas. We were also able to set up some storage in the basement and organize our pantry and a few closets.
Do you have any further plans for your home? Is there anything you will be looking to change in your interiors after spending more time there?
It’s taken about a year, but we currently have most of the main furniture pieces that will allow us to live comfortably. I’m still on the hunt for one more lounge chair (I have my eye on the Fredericia Swoon chair!). There are just a couple of areas that I could stand to take a second look at how space is being used daily and where clutter tends to pile up. My next big goal is to tackle the landscaping. It’s another new world for me and I’m excited to dig into it (pun intended!).
Do you have an inspirational interior? Share your home with us over Instagram by tagging us @nest_co_uk. Looking for your own piece of forever furniture? Browse Nest today to discover thousands of everlasting designs.
