Robert Couturier
World-renowned interior designer Robert Couturier, who grew up in Paris, can live anywhere he chooses. Yet he confesses that Kent is where he is happiest.
“I love my house and I love being quiet. I go out less and less and do more entertaining at home. Everything I love is in this house.”
And what a house it is. Twelve years ago, Robert and his now husband architectural historian Jeffrey Morgan were in an original 18th century house that they had clearly outgrown. When they found an ideal piece of land right across the road they decided to buy it before someone else did.
Robert designed an extraordinary house in the tradition of French and English manor houses that looks as if it has occupied its space for centuries. Surrounded by magnificently designed gardens and walking paths, the property is an enviable sanctuary of tranquility and beauty. Over time the original house has been seamlessly added to and every inch of the house is beautifully appointed yet amazingly comfortable. There is a room for every occasion and every purpose.
“Americans live very differently from the French,” he explained. “There is no difference between public life and private life here. In Europe we have private areas; the concept of one room for everything – what Americans call the family room – doesn’t exist there. We love our houses and our collections but in a much more formal setting. Everything is precise – we do not eat meals in our living rooms in front of the television. We have no interest in what is termed open floor plan. Why must rooms be so big? When I design a room, I envision its purpose and it doesn’t necessarily have to be oversized as long as it is graceful and inviting.”
Robert has been in New York since 1978. has designed projects all over the world and always manages to combine elegance and taste with comfort and style. And always succeeds in creating what the client wants. First and foremost he is diligent about establishing a rapport with a client so that they are working together.
“I need to understand the person’s needs and respect them. In the end, I want them to have the house they dreamed of, not the one I created for myself.”
Unlike many interior designers who have created their own fabric and furniture lines, Robert has no desire to follow that trend.
“I applaud people who can do that successfully, but I’m not interested. I do design furniture for clients, but it’s one of a kind. I wouldn’t want to see the same sofa in many other houses. It’s the uniqueness that matters to me.’
And that is also what matters to the select number of people who have had the pleasure and privilege of working with Robert. And for those of us love his work there will soon be a book to commemorate his talent.
“It’s not going to be a book with a succession of rooms I’ve created. The book will be about life with Jeffrey and our dogs, how we live and entertain.” Certainly a book worth waiting for.