#MoversandShakers #GarrowKedigan #InteriorDesigner Our Coverage Sponsored by Cosmopolitan Dental, Official Dentist of Whom You Know @GaroNazarianDDS #cosmopolitandental #loveyoursmile
.jpg)
The Best Dentist in Manhattan & Official Dentist of Whom You Know:
30 E. 40th Suite 1001
(212) 683-1960
Dr. Garo Nazarian is a Mover and Shaker, and was the first featured: http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/01/movers-and-shakers-dr-garo-nazarian-of.html
Dr. Nazarian, a graduate of Boston College and Columbia Dental School, opened Cosmopolitan Dental in 2006 and has grown in practice into one of the top cosmetic and dental implant practices in New York City. Cosmopolitan Dental strives to surpass all patients' expectations by catering to your dental needs while providing the utmost professional results. Cosmopolitan Dental has been recognized by America's Top Dentists and has earned both the Patients' choice award and the Doctors' choice award. Dr. Garo Nazarian is a proud member of the New York State Dental Association, New York County Dental Society and the American Dental Association. Cosmopolitan Dental loves to make you smile!
***
Although Garrow Kedigian is originally from Montreal, Canada, he is a tried and true New Yorker, having lived in Manhattan for over a quarter century. He has made his mark on the city, renovating some of the most illustrious homes and decorating the residences of many of society’s notables. Garrow’s unmistakable classical style coupled with his daring use of saturated color and high lacquered paint has become his calling card.
After attending the prestigious, McGill University in Montreal Canada, and obtaining a masters degree in Architecture from there, Garrow moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1994, where he worked for the renowned interior Designer William Hodgins for over six years, before taking a bite out of the Big Apple. Garrow has been in New York ever since. After working for several design powerhouses in New York, Garrow established his own design firm in 2001.
Garrow’s classically trained architectural background is the foundation for most of his interior design work. He states: “The architecture is what sets the tone and tells you what you need to do with a space.” His firm’s work has been celebrated in all the major magazines, with Garrow’s own personal residences -his New York Home at the Carlyle Residence taking center stage feature recently in Veranda Magazine in May 2022; and his pied-a-terre apartment in Paris featured in House Beautiful in July 2023. His former Park Avenue residence was hailed as a milestone in his design career, where he extensively entertained clients and friends to a host of black-tie events, parties, and fundraisers. His company’s vast portfolio of work has been extensively featured in national and international magazines such as House Beautiful, Traditional Home, New York Spaces, and Architectural Digest. His Montreal home, a Georgian townhouse in the heart of Montreal’s Historic Golden Square Mile district which was featured in House Beautiful Magazine, was his weekend get-away until 2022 when he sold the property and purchased his pied-a-terre in Paris.
Garrow is an avid Francophile, and though he will always consider Manhattan as his home base, he cherishes his time in Paris, and makes the journey across the pond multiple times a year, taking clients on extensive buying adventures at the Paris Flea Markets. Most recently, Homeworthy shadowed Garrow and his adventures ‘tricks of the trade’ on how to successfully navigate ‘les Puces’. As a Designer Garrow’s personal sense of style can be seen in all his interiors; with heavy influences from his French background, his unique eclectic mix of vintage and modern references is apparent in his personal sense of style and way of life. Having joined the University Club in New York in 2007, Garrow honors his love of ‘Old New York’ and its history in architecture and fashion.
Coupled with his strong academic background and his passion for reading and learning everything about architecture and design, Garrow has a vibrant personality which has earned him recognition on many recurring occasions on the popular NBC New York Open House TV segment, where he has effervescently presented fifteen of his projects. Garrow is a two-time Kips Bay Showhouse designer; his first showhouse was in 2009 where he has transformed the smallest room in the house (barely the size of a small walk-in closet) into a jewel-box of a space, using simple techniques such as paint, and scale to create drama, focus and style. His second in 2016 and more whimsical ‘Napoleon Lounge’ inspired chalk paneled salon featuring elements from the classics made the front page of the New York Times Style section.
If you’ve ever been lucky enough to be invited to one of his legendary soirees, you know that Garrow is a marvelous host and it is a feast for the eyes to see his magnificent jewel-box of an apartment twinkling at night in the Iconic Carlyle house on the Upper East Side where Garrow has been since 2022. His apartment is steeped in classical design and layered beautifully inside and out (including two lovely manicured terraces), it transcends time and feels like a film set /scene from a Woody Allen movie. We are absolutely thrilled to present him as our latest Mover and Shaker. Peachy Deegan interviewed Garrow for Whom You Know.
Peachy Deegan: What does design mean to you and why?
Garrow Kedigan: Design for me is the essence of living one’s life with a certain sense of style and flair. It is the ultimate form of self expression, and helping my clients bring to fruition an interior deigned bespoke to them is a pleasure, and a passion for me.
What are your earliest design memories and how did they lead your life?
When I was seven years old, the week between when school ended and summer camp began, I was bored at home- and decided to rearrange my parent’s living room. I felt that it was a great space, but under utilized with a poor furniture layout plan. I commandeered my brother, our baby sitter and even the gardener to help shift things around; and when it was done I surprised even myself as to how much of an impact it had on the room! So much to say, that room remains in that layout configuration even until today, some forty some-odd years later…
Of architects and designers that came before you, is there anyone whom you specifically admire and what do you like about their style and work?
Well, I am a Francophile so really it’s the French designers I admire and draw inspiration from the most, designers such as Francois Cartroux, Henri Samuel, Jean-Louis Deniot, and Jacques Grange of course… but many good ones on this side of the pond too such as Bobby McAlpine, Suzanne Kasler, and Peter Pennoyer/ Katie Ridder.
It’s cold in Canada! lol, not but really it’s the people in Canada, they have a reputation for being kind and endearing, and it’s true. Canadians are empathic and their concern for others is something if we learned would benefit us all. Canada is a nation of only about 36 million people, and the raw nature and beauty of the country is really something that stands out when you are there.
What should everyone know about the fabulous city of Montreal?
Montreal is a unique city the architecture and style is like no other place in the work, a perfect blend of classic British architecture and French Victorian… the houses of Montreal are really special, I could wander the streets of all the distinctive neighborhoods endlessly admiring the buildings.
Other than the American National Anthem, O Canada is the only other national anthem Peachy knows and can sing by heart because of her hockey influence. Are the Montreal Canadiens your favorite hockey team?
Of course, I am from Montreal, so ‘Les Habs’ as the Canadiens are fondly known of up there are my favorite team without question!
We were delighted to meet you at The French Consulate. How do you define being a Francophile and what does being a Francophile mean to you?
The French have a flair for life, that encompasses all aspects of their conduct- it doesn’t necessarily have to work well, as long as it’s pretty! That’s kind of my motto! Lol. But seriously the French really appreciate things of beauty, and the aesthetic of something holds as much importance as anything else.
How would you compare and contrast New York Design today with how it was 25 years ago?
The Internet has unfortunately changed the business in a negative way- whenever I show something to one of my clients of great value and quality, I find often they then try and outsource it for less cost online, never understanding that a compromise to quality is detrimental to the design. When I worked for William Hodgins, there was a mystic about hiring an interior design, you were gaining access to things that were not available on the open market- bespoke if you will… today often times I see people happily substituting the best with the less expensive.
What did you like best about design in Boston?
Boston is very old school, people love tradition and the interiors we worked on were always so classic and beautiful. The Architecture there is also so unique, and decorating a townhouse or apartment in the Back Bay or the South End was always a pleasure, with the high ceilings and beautiful plaster moldings, who could resist?
What do you love about the Upper East Side and what makes it the best part of town?
The upper East Side is Home for me, In the last 24 years I’ve living in New York, I’ve lived in the 3-block radius from where I am now at the Carlyle. I can appreciate every/ all neighborhoods in New York, but at the end of the day coming up to the upper east side is where it’s at for me. I think it’s quiet, clean, and the subtle buildings on Park Avenue are a nod to ‘Old New York’ which I find charming and exhilarating.
What makes a good design and what are the best examples of good design?
Good Design essentially solves for the efficient use of something (like an interior) all the while being stylish and well put together. When a room works for the person it has been designed for and it is beautiful that’s good design.
What makes a bad design and are there any you’d like to correct?
Bad design are things that are impractical and don’t work well.
What do you love about les Puces?
Les Puces are my happy place- I love wandering through, seeing how every booth has been curated with the loveliest things- it’s inspirational and the opportunities are endless
What determines superior architectural choices and why don’t more people make them?
Architectural detailing such as wall paneling, crown moldings and well-trimmed openings make all the difference in any interior. I think the main reason why people don’t do them is because of cost.
Would you like Woody Allen or anyone to film a movie at your apartment?
Yes I often tell people my small colorful and eccentric apartment at the Carlyle feels like a set of a Wood Allen film- I think it would made a great background for one of his movies for sure
What or who has had the most influence on your pursuit of excellence?
Whom I admire the most is Jackie Kennedy and her sense of style and excellent example of public composure and natural grace and elegance.
What are you proudest of and why?
I am proud of my business and all the hard work I put into creating it. My projects and my work make me very proud.
What would you like to do professionally that you have not yet had the opportunity to do?
I would like to work on publishing a book of my work; I am working on that now…
What honors and awards have you received in your profession?
I’m very fortunate to have had many many accolades; top Designer for House Beautiful, Luxe Magazine, among many national and international publications of my work. Most prolific are my 14 appearances on the NBC Open House TV series/segment with Sara Gore.
What one word best describes you and why?
Fastidious
What do you take your sense of identity from?
My past, my family history, my background and education- all contribute to my sense of identity
What is your favorite place to be in Manhattan? And Paris?
Manhattan- Central Park
Paris- Café Marly
What is your favorite shop in Manhattan? And Paris
Manhattan- Bergdorf’s
Paris- Le Samaritane
If you could hire anybody who would it be and why?
I would hire my friend David Salvatore, we share the same tenacious and hard working qualities. And he most understands my work… it’s important to have employees that understand your work. (Note from the editor: Thank you David for your introduction!)
What is the best advice you’ve received in your career and what mentors have influenced you the most?
Mario Buatta, who was a friend of Mr. Hodgins once said to me ‘keep in small, and keep your overhead low’… words of wisdom I live by till today …
What is your favorite drink?
Alcoholic: Baileys on the rocks
Non Alcoholic: Shirley Temple
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at a cocktail party?
Once I was at a New Years Party on Central Park West, and a wardrobe malfunction right around midnight by the host of the party saw more of her revealed than anyone could expect…
What is your favorite restaurant in Manhattan? And Paris?
Manhattan: Le Bilboquet
Paris: Kong
What is your favorite Manhattan book or favorite character in Manhattan literature? And Paris?
Catcher in the Rye
Paris: Colette
What is your favorite tv show and why?
Nova- Love PBS I love learning
What is your favorite movie and why?
Sunset Boulevard- Love the classic dramatic over-acting…
What do you know now that you wish you knew at the beginning of your career?
You can’t make anyone happy- there will always be something they will complaint about lol. Being a people pleaser that was very hard when I began my business, but now I understand that it’s people’s nature never to be satisfied
What’s one thing you wish the world better understood about you and why?
I am a perfectionist and I will always try and make things the best they can be
Who would you like to be for a day and why?
Curator of a museum, would love have the inside scoop to Musee D’Orsay or the Met…
What would you like to be asked in an interview that you never have been asked, and how would you answer it?
Question: What is your happy place Answer: the Medici fountain in the Jardin de Luxembourg in Paris
If you could have anything in Manhattan named after you what would it be and why? And Paris?
Manhattan: a park bench in Central Park
Paris: one of the Bateau Mouche in the Seine river
What has been your best Manhattan athletic experience?
I cheered a friend in the New York Marathon once
And Paris?
Walking 42,000 steps one day between les Puces and back…
What is your favorite thing to do in Manhattan that you can do nowhere else?
Strolling through Central Park
And Paris
Hot Chocolate at Café Marly?
If you could have dinner with any person living or passed, who would it be and why?
I would love to have dinner with Audrey Hepburn, she just seems like she’d be fun to hang out with.
What has been your best Manhattan art or music experience?
Art in Manhattan: The Woman in Gold at the Neue Gallery
And Paris?
Musee Nissim Comando
What do you personally do or what have you done to give back to the world?
Kips Bay Showhouse to Benefit the Boy’s and Girl’s Club
What do you think is most underrated and overrated in Manhattan?
Underrated in Manhattan: Little Island
Overrated in Manhattan: The Mark Jean Georges Restaurant
Underrated in Paris: Muse Rodin
Overrated in Paris: visiting the Eiffel tower – better to appreciate it from a distance
Other than Movers and Shakers of course, what is your favorite WhomYouKnow.com column and what do you like about it?
READ THIS, the book review column because I love the insight of Carol Wallace Love.
What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?
My work is my passion and I love what I do; my favorite thing is to sit at my desk and do my design drawings… Fridays are my drawing day and I enjoy it very much
How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?
