Designer Edition

Describe your design aesthetic in a few words?

A mix of contemporary and traditional that is comfortable and polished without seeming ‘decorated’

What do you love about using antiques in your designs?

I have spent a good portion of my life learning about art, design, history, cultures both near and far. I prefer to mix objects and furnishings from all eras and origins. I have come to realize that my design work is more about a process of seeking essential elements for comfort and delight that includes objects, artwork, antiques, furniture, and textiles that is both half-full and half-empty; where the individual elements can be seen and understood on their own, but they are also in a dialogue with each other.

What inspires you?

My formal education was more rigorous in architecture and historic education—I didn’t study furniture, textiles, etc. All those things I learned on my own, although my background did bode well for what I wanted to do. It’s in my blood and it remains in my blood—the coalescing of art, architecture, design, lifestyle, and experience.

What is a favorite piece in your home?

I have had the good fortune to live most of my adult life with fine art.  Thinking my way through my apartment in Brooklyn Heights room-by-room the one item that stands out is a small abstract gouache painting I made in the 7th grade that hangs in my bedroom.

What are some details of your signature style?

The one word that others use to describe my work is calm – that is, of course, a feeling not a detail. Details would often include fine art, rich but understated textiles that are both new and vintage, typically a soothing palette, tailored upholstery silhouettes and a rich landscape of multi-cultural and historical objects and accessories.

About Glenn Gissler

Glenn Gissler Design is an award-winning, and widely published Manhattan-based design firm established in 1987. Gissler brings a multidimensional outlook to interior design. Trained as an architect at the Rhode Island School of Design, he has far-reaching interests in 20th-century art, fashion, literature, sociology, architectural and social history, and a general interest in objects as cultural artifacts.  With a focus on residential projects, Glenn joins architectural concepts with thoughtful applications of lighting, fabric and distinctive furnishings and is committed to providing beautiful and extremely livable environments in which his clients are inspired to fully express themselves.

He has worked with young professionals, couples, families, empty-nesters and created exciting pied-a-terre residences in New York City, the Metropolitan area, Long Island, Westchester County, Chicago, Massachusetts and Florida. His work is stylistically diverse and is regularly seen in magazines and books, Elle Décor, House Beautiful, Town & Country, House & Garden, New York Spaces, Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, Interior Design, New York Times Sunday Magazine, Art & Antiques and Interior Design Master Class by Carl Delatorre.

As a member of the Board of Directors – RISD Museum (Rhode Island School of Design)he has donated many designs and decorative art objects to assist the Museum in expanding its current holdings of 95,000 objects. Glenn was the 1017 President of the New York Metro Chapter of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers), and among many other innovative initiatives and programs, he launched the magazine DESIGN to represent the chapters many activities, and just organized twelve events on behalf of the chapter for ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) at Jacob Javits Convention Center.