Top Interior Designer Jay Jeffers Lends Us His Expert Eye

By Emily Hsieh
August 31, 2011

Boasting a range of projects that diverge from classic and suburban to sleek and citified, interior designer Jay Jeffers' is one of today's most versatile interior designers. Just a simple flip through his portfolio shows the breadth of his interior design work.

Interior

Interiors by Jay Jeffers (photos by Matthew Millman)

But that isn't to say his hand isn't evident. There is a shared luxury and refinement throughout the San Francisco-based interior designer's work, coupled with vibrant color combinations and cozy touches that give each home a gracious and highly livable feel. We’re hardly the only ones who’ve noticed, either—Elle Decor named Jeffers one of their 25 A-List Designers earlier this year, and House Beautiful cited him one of its Top 100 Designers.

Curious to learn more about Jeffers and his process for putting together captivating, chicly nuanced interiors, we sat down with the interior designer and probed him for his style philosophy, shopping habits, and decorating pointers.

The Inside Source: Do you incorporate a lot of vintage/antiques in your work? Is there a certain era you’re drawn to?

Jay Jeffers: I work with a lot of vintage, and am attracted to '40s-style furniture. I like Art Deco pieces that are a little more diminutive, with a curvy shape. I’m less drawn to really low-to-the-ground, very recognizable Mid-Century, though to me it’s all about the mix, and I’ve been known to blend Deco with Mid-Century and things that feel really contemporary.

left: Jay Jeffers (photo by Drew Altizer)

The Inside Source: Are there any tricks for mixing vintage pieces with contemporary ones?

Jay Jeffers: I think less about what’s vintage and what’s modern and consider textures. I wouldn’t want to do a room that’s all smooth surfaces—a shiny lacquered end table, coffee table, and glossy lamp would be too much. You’ll want something more rustic, like an antique made of aged wood, to balance out something with a polished finish. That’s what gives a room depth. Also, it’s very important to edit appropriately. Also remember not every piece has to be a crazy knockout wonderful piece. If you have a heavily carved buffet in a dining room, then keep your table simple. The eye definitely needs a place to rest. While it’s tempting to just keep throwing everything amazing you like in a room, it can be a little chaotic.

Jay Jeffers

(photo by Matthew Millman)

The Inside Source: Are you a collector?

Jay Jeffers: There’s not necessarily one thing that I look for and collect. I will say I’ve been developing an art collection for the last 20 years, though it ranges from photography to oils on canvas.

The Inside Source: Do you shop eBay?

Jay Jeffers: Yes, though usually for things for myself like silver or sheets or clothes, rather than for my clients. I’ll hunt for bargains, and rarely just log on and start fishing around—it’s generally for something specific. There are certain designers I like that I’ll search for routinely, like Tommy Parzinger.

left: (photo by Matthew Millman)

The Inside Source: What’s the secret to a well-designed space?

Jay Jeffers: The most important thing is having proper scale. If you put a gigantic chair next to a tiny sofa, it doesn’t matter if they’re both beautiful high-quality pieces; they won’t work. All the items in a room need to relate to each other in terms of size and scale. There needs to be balance. If I’m working on a seating arrangement, of course I look at color and style, but it’s more crucial that the seats are level. If you walk into a room and things are out of scale, you’ll know it doesn’t work even if you can’t put your finger on what the problem is.

Cesar Rubio

(photo by Cesar Rubio)

The Inside Source: Where does the interior design process start for you when you’re decorating?

Jay Jeffers: I always start with a floor plan. I map out the furniture based on how I think a room should sit, sometimes three or four different ways. Looking at the drawings, I start to visualize what the furniture is going to feel like when you’re sitting there. Then I start to consider different shapes of furniture and begin shopping for the biggest piece in the room, like a sofa in the living area or the headboard in a bedroom. This becomes the focal point and sets the tone for what’s going to happen in the rest of the space.

The Inside Source: You’re known for your unexpected use of color. What are some of your favorite color combinations?

Jay Jeffers: Right now, I’m loving a mixture of greys, with warmer tones like persimmon and red. But this changes for me. If you told me five years ago I’d be into grey, I would have laughed. I used to be all about brown tones as my neutrals rather than greys.

The Inside Source: Do you have any tips for giving a space a sense of luxury, even if you don’t have a million dollar budget?

Jay Jeffers: Fabrics are one place I don’t skimp. I definitely work on budget-oriented interior design projects and I’ll buy an inexpensive dining chair, but I’ll reupholster it in a more expensive fabric. When you see fabric, you want to touch and feel it. And when I touch fabric and it doesn’t feel good, it makes me think of a cheap motel. I always suggest that the spending go into the showplace room—the living room, the family room, the dining room if you use it. Put more money in the areas you spend a lot of time in and plan to entertain in. Also, keep in mind your tastes are going to change, so it of course makes sense to invest in the classics. Also, ask yourself how long you’ll be living where you are. If it’s less than five years, you really want to think about how pieces will transfer to your next home. But if you plan on staying for at least five years, just do what you want, since after five years, chances are you’ll be onto something else anyway.

Jeffers applied his keen eye for design to a wish list brimming with luxuries.

Patek Philippe Nautilus Stainless Steel Watch

(buy it now price, $31,500)

"I own two watches, so I’m not an actual collector, but an aspiring one! I’ve always loved the style and shape of these Patek Philippes, and would love to own one like this."
Mid-Century Parzinger Dorlyn Brass Creamer

(buy it now price, $182.99)

"I love anything Tommy Parzinger. He was a brilliant designer."
Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite Canvas Roadster Luggage

"I’m always looking for the ultimate carry-on bag that’s lightweight but still stylish. Leather can be so heavy, so I love that this is made of canvas. And the tone-on-tone pattern is understated but luxurious."
1963 Mercedes Benz 190SL

I have a little house in wine country and my dream is to have an old roadster that stays up there to drive around town.
Adele Front Row Tickets on October 18th

(buy it now price, $1,999)

"Front row tickets to see Adele. Okay it's in Houston, but it's still front row."
Gulfstream III Private Jet

(buy it now price, $1,495,000)

This private jet seems like a steal to me. I'd have to redecorate the interior of course—and I'll have to check with my building on parking!"
1st Edition Eugene Printz Book

(buy it now price, $950)

"I'd love this book by French designer Eugene Printz."