American designer Ken Fulk creates memorable interiors with a playful mix of influences, ranging from cinematic history to runway shows
For San Francisco-based interior designer Ken Fulk, the process of designing interiors is akin to producing a movie. “Every project, no matter how small, begins with a cinematic concept,” he explains. “I like to conjure up a mental reel of inspirational references coming from not only films of every era and genre, but also literature, runway shows, music, TV and advertising. All these images and experiences come together to inform the look and feel of our designs.”
Often pictured with a bow tie, the inimitable American designer is known for crafting sophisticated interiors in a lively mix of textures and colours, coupled with a dose of whimsy. Fulk is adept at injecting a magical quality into spaces across the globe, ranging from luxurious homes to stylish hotels, restaurants and bars—each project has a cinematic intensity and a rich narrative, whereby rooms unfold from one scene to the next while forming a continuous visual flow.
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The self-taught design doyen highlights that while he had never formally studied design or architecture, he has always been “innately confident in my ability to dream big”. “I’ve never really thought of myself as a designer; rather, I see myself as a conjurer of wonderful memories,” muses Fulk.
The designer offers a peek at some of his most prominent endeavours in his new book, The Movie In My Mind. The monograph, which is his second overall and first with publisher Assouline, captures his creative ethos and process through 30 key projects, with insights penned by Fulk himself and photography by Douglas Friedman.
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