GRADE New York is a a full-service design firm owned and run by design duo Thomas Hickey and Edward Yedid. GRADE offers an holistic approach to design with contemporary sensibilities, meticulously planning and executing their design conceptions. Their Manhattan studio consists of globally-minded designers who live and breathe design. They have worked globally on luxury retail, residential, commercial and hospitality projects - in New York, Brazil, Hong Kong and Dubai. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of GRADE New York.
- Transcript -
1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
GRADE’s holistic approach results in an aesthetic that is sleek, clean, intelligent and timeless. We‘re global connoisseurs and curious by nature, leading us to push the envelope just so.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
We start be defining a very strong vision for each project, paying homage to history but also taking it upon ourselves to interpret how clients want to lead their lifestyle.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
We’re currently working with a Hamptons-based developer, Jay Bialsky who has a creative vision of breaking out of this community’s mold and introducing a cutting edge 21st century lifestyle. We’ve designed several homes – both architecture and interior design – created for the culturally curious. He’s not afraid to take chances and also insists upon quality which is paramount to our firm.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
We both travel fairly often to culturally rich locales. That exposure has lead us to both old and new architectural elements or designs that stay ingrained in our mind.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
Working with very wealthy individuals has introduced to the most luxurious materials, premier millworkers and fabricators, building essential relationships. Through this we’ve learned that ideas cannot be realized without understanding how they are made and what they cost. Good taste is not merely enough.
