Chad Dorsey designed the bar in the Dallas home of fellow architect Christy Blumenfeld.
Photo: Stephen Karlisch
Chad Dorsey Shares Secrets on How to Conjure “Relaxed Luxury”
With a new book and sumptuous residences for Auberge Resorts Collection on the way, the Dallas designer shares his secrets to devising thoughtful interiors that are relaxed, elegant, and authentic
“Chad Dorsey: Relaxed Luxury.” Photo: Courtesy of Assouline
Even though he was drawing floor plans at age five, Chad Dorsey never thought he’d work in interiors. Shortly after studying architecture at the University of Tennessee, the natural talent quickly hit a stride designing hospitality spaces: clubs, Baccarat lounges, and even a 10,000-square-foot penthouse for a major Las Vegas resort. He relocated to Dallas and launched his own design-build firm in 2004, pivoting to the residential sector full-time nearly 10 years later when his luxurious homes started attracting new clients in droves—largely owing to their abundance of thoughtful, human-scale details and ambiance of laid-back livability. “It’s the personal aspect of residential interior design that draws me,” he writes in the foreword to Chad Dorsey: Relaxed Luxury (Assouline), a richly illustrated new monograph that journeys though more than a dozen residences from the past decade of his award-winning firm. “There’s no formula. Every project is different, every client is different, and I like that.”
The ethos takes center stage as the book journeys far and wide through the Lone Star State, where he has solidified his eponymous firm as an impressive force to watch with penthouse pieds-à-terre, historic homes, and modern bungalows under his belt. (He’ll soon add a jewel in his crown as the lead designer of 48 residences at The Knox, Auberge Resorts Collection’s new luxury hotel and private residences in the vibrant district in Dallas.) Each is united by his wholly original aesthetic of haute relaxation—surely the result of his hospitality background and mastering the art of devising approachable, personality-packed spaces that never overdo it.
Below, in an exclusive interview with Galerie that has been edited and condensed for clarity, Dorsey unpacks the meaning of “relaxed luxury” and explains how to achieve the atmosphere in your home.
A residence in the Highland Park neighborhood of Dallas. Photo: Douglas Friedman
Relaxed luxury is the idea of living casually with things a person loves: approachable, understated, quiet, and often goes unnoticed. It’s the difference between existing and living. My style has always had an experience of its own. At first, I wasn’t sure it resonated with most people, but I knew it did with a few. This was enough to keep me going.
My style became more refined—perhaps even more distinct—over a few years, and my name began to be synonymous with doing interesting things. My training as an architect has always defined my process. I always follow the architecture’s lead and never try to overshadow it. My hospitality background trained me for residential design. Resorts are great training for luxury residential projects and how our clients want to live every day. Today, we’re working on two projects with Auberge Resorts Collection, including The Knox in Dallas.
Sitting area in a home in Los Angeles. Photo: Nathan Schroder
A residence in the Highland Park neighborhood of Dallas. Photo: Douglas Friedman
To achieve an atmosphere of relaxed luxury through furniture and art, start with something existing that you love. Follow with something found, something refined, and finally something that seems slightly off or quirky. It should feel very personal. The art should speak to the buyer. My advice depending on budget is to look at emerging artists that have pieces which have been recently acquired by national museums. These can be great indicators of investments to acquire, even possibly before the pricing increases.
Chad Dorsey. Photo: Thom Jackson
I have great relationships with galleries across the United States, Europe, and Mexico, but our relationships with art advisors are important. I attend art fairs regularly to see what’s happening in the art world. I don’t always know offhand when I’ve found the right artwork—sometimes it’s my mood or the right time, right place. In December, I was shopping for three or four projects at Art Basel Miami Beach when I spotted a Sean Scully piece that I knew immediately would be for a Dallas project. I sent a photo to my client and they were in love. We installed the piece a few weeks later. I also placed a Josef Albers series and Idris Kahn series in two other projects.
Every room needs at least one antique. I suggest to all my clients that we want our project to look great in 20 years as well as today. Combining pieces from all decades really does have a great feel to it. Who wants to finish a project and it’s already out of style?
“Chad Dorsey: Relaxed Luxury” (Assouline) will be available for purchase on February 25. Scroll below for more images from the book.
Kitchen for the inaugural Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas. Photo: Stephen Karlisch
A downstairs wine bar at a home in Amagansett. Photo: Stephen Karlisch
Kitchen for the inaugural Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas. Photo: Stephan Karlisch
Dorsey’s line of bespoke fireplace mantles, Strike. Photo: Stephen Karlisch
Outdoor dining area at a home in Dallas. Photo: Cody Ulrich
Cover: Chad Dorsey designed the bar in the Dallas home of fellow architect Christy Blumenfeld.
Photo: Stephen Karlisch
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