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As the senior vice president and executive editorial director of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Kevin Sharkey has been shaping major trends in home decor behind the scenes for the past 20 years. He’s planned cookware and bedding lines with Macy’s, orchestrated brand collaborations with companies like California Closets, and created over-the-top Easter basket centerpieces for Stewart every year

On this week’s episode of Design Time (out today on Spotify and Apple Podcasts), Sharkey (virtually) sat down with Domino’s editor-in-chief, Jessica Romm Perez, to talk organizing bookshelves by color, arranging flowers, and party prepping with Stewart.

“Martha really taught me you can never have enough platters or too many glasses. That makes a big difference,” says Sharkey. “In my dining room, [which I designed] with California Closets, I created these cabinets for all the pieces of serveware I kept. Whether you’re a beginner or a real pro, there are even more things out there from the brand to help stay organized.” 

After an extended conversation, Sharkey also listed his 10 favorite things of the moment. Read on for a sneak peek. 

Design Heroes

There are many, but Mark and Alexa Hampton is the easy answer. We’re old friends. I typed my first résumé on the floor of Alexa’s dorm apartment. 
 
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three paint blobs

Go-To Color Pairing

I’m really into that emerald green and black and white motif right now. Maybe with an accent of purple.

Material of the Moment

Cashmere is definitely my favorite fabric. I just bought a mink coat from a resale shop in Darien, Connecticut, that I’m making into a blanket. It will be lined with a cashmere-alpaca blend. I’m obsessed with it.

Photography by KM6064/Getty Images

Courtesy of Hôtel Duc de Saint-Simon

Hotel Hitmaker

The Hôtel Duc de Saint-Simon in Paris. It’s the place I really want to go [back to], and I love staying there because it’s so small and pretty and charming.

Must-Have Design Object

I have a giant bag of velvet swatches from Schumacher that I’m obsessed with. It’s like when you were a kid and got the jumbo box of crayons—that’s the same level of excitement I get looking through these.

Courtesy of Schumacher

Bedside Book

I just finished a book called The Last Mughal, which was really amazing. It’s so descriptive and evocative of India.

Fave Florals

When Martha Stewart interviewed me [for my job], she asked what my favorite flower was. I said carnation. I love the form, and the petal structure is amazing and varied. I love the smell, too; it’s sort of a spicy, sexy scent.

Photography by Vikarus/Getty Images

Wind-Down Routine

I ride horses!

After-Work Drink

I had dinner at Mr. Chow last night, so I would say a lychee martini, because they are so delicious. But I think normally what I’m into now is Belvedere on the rocks with a big wedge of orange. Because as the ice melts, it dilutes the vodka and you’ve got that orange there. That’s kind of my thing. And I’m not embarrassed to say that.

Photography by Murzik Nata/Getty Images

Photography by Tony Arruza/Getty Images

Iconic Space

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. It’s so beautiful. I took painting classes there all the time. It has a John Singer Sargent painting. I just love that courtyard. For me, when I die, just cremate me and spread my ashes there.

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