Even if you’ve never met award-winning interior designer and author, Thom Filicia - if you’ve ever been in one of Delta Air Lines’ outdoor lounges; took a load-off, in the USA Pavilion’s VIP Lounge, at the World’s Fair, in Aichi, Japan; have rested your head in any of a number of W Hotels; visited Radio City Music Hall at Christmastime; or ever watched an episode of Bravo's game-changing reality series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (that earned Emmys for Thom and the other members of the “Fab Five”) – odds are, you’re familiar with his oeuvre.

The comfortable sophistication that Thom exudes not only resonates in his work for his many celebrity clients (Tina Fey, Jennifer Lopez, and Peter Jennings, to name, but a few); but makes him a favorite of such television hosts as Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Jay Leno, and Jimmy Fallon.   

I've been friends with Filicia and Greg Calejo (Filicia’s self-described “partner, significant other, and biggest fan”) for longer than any of us would care to admit.  And whenever we’re together (whether on a beautiful Caribbean island, on the shores of Lake Tahoe, or in the Finger Lakes region of Central New York) some bizarre adventure - sprinkled heavily with hilarious hijinks - inevitably ensues.  Suffice to say, we’re much closer, for having experienced them, together.

So, when I heard that Thom was coming to Las Vegas, on September 24th, for Decorating from Top to Bottom (being moderated by VEGAS editrix, Andrea Bennett) – an event hosted by the Interior Design Society and the Las Vegas Design Center, that’s benefiting the Las Vegas Philharmonic - I was pretty stoked. 

And, since I was Finger Laking, for a week, over the Labor Day holiday; I thought that in advance of his speaking engagement, I’d pick Thom’s brain for some of that wit-induced sensibility that makes him one of my favorite conversation partners.

The Q&A that transpired, is below; and true to form, Thom didn’t disappoint.

ShulmanSays:  What three words/expressions best describe your design aesthetic?

Thom Filicia:  Layered, Luxurious and Livable

SS:  What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

TF:  Albert Hadley told me that “Every room should have a surprise.”

SS:  What advice do you have for new couples who are moving-in together?

TF:  Individually edit down to your absolute favorite items and work together with new items to connect the dots, creating a unified aesthetic that tells your combined story of where you were, where you are, and where you’re going (hopefully together)!

SS:  What about for someone undertaking a DIY home improvement project?

TF:  Trust your instincts and encourage/celebrate your most outrageous ideas as individual moments, while connecting those moments through pieces and elements that feel grounded and authentic. This will create a beautiful, natural rhythm – between the relaxed and easy, and the stylish, fun and unique - that will allow your personality and point of view to shine through.

SS:  Describe the atmosphere of a great dinner party.

TF:  Candlelight, lots of laughter, a bottomless bar, friends and dogs, no shoes...  And, oh yeah, food!

[Continued in Part 2…]

Thom Filicia: Decorating from Top to Bottom
hosted by Las Vegas Design Center & Interior Design Society|benefiting the Las Vegas Philharmonic
Thursday, September 24th|5:30pm
Click HERE for info

Get into it!