Leonardo DiCaprio, Adrien Brody, Steven Spielberg, David Geffen, Thomas Keller and John Mayer are just a few of the notable clients she’s shared her design mantra with over her illustrious 20-plus year career, which includes a seven-year stint at Polo Ralph Lauren, where she oversaw the design and construction of flagship properties in Beverly Hills, Chicago and New York, and four years as head of the Interior Design Studio for Giorgio Armani. The Joy Moyler Interiors founder credits a trip to Spain at age 14 for opening her up to global colors, textures, angles and many other elements that serve as her foundation for design today.
“My style is casual comfort, urban modernity with industrial and global referencing,” says Moyler. She is also a trained architect, which often comes in handy. “I am always mindful of the architectural aspects of [a] space. I know what’s happening with electrical, plumbing, and can deal with whatever problems or surprises arise, and have whomever I need to talk to on speed dial for solutions, if I cannot solve it myself.”
Always one to reach back and uplift, Moyler lends her expertise and prestige to missions such as that of Top 20 African-American Interior Designers, a collective started by interior designer Kimberly Ward, a Mississippian and advocate for African Americans in the highly competitive field. In addition, she recently participated in “Update My Space Dream Home 2013 Experience,” an initiative conceived by Curacao-based interior designer and owner of InteriorVisions, Nadin Benito. Moyler, Ward and another U.S.-based interior designer, Janice Palmer, created separate spaces using items from Curacao’s Building Depot, a Home Depot–esque store, and later engaged customers–many of whom had never met designers of color– in the subject of beautifying their own spaces through seminars and one-on-one interaction.
Globe-trotter Moyler incorporates global influences in much of her work and encourages her clients, who are often just as well-traveled, to display their own collected pieces from their excursions in their spaces, as well as purchase ethnic items. “I remain devoted to a broad cultural heritage, and to representing these objects in my projects,” she explains. “I urge clients to be open to having global decoratives and furnishings in their home. It’s wondrous to gaze upon these works and see not just their beauty, but the strength of the people who created them.”
When working with superstar musician John Mayer—with whom Moyler has developed a cherished friendship after designing both his SoHo, N.Y., residence and Montana home— incorporating his artistic personality and comfortable, laid-back style were of utmost importance. Mayer’s prized Jimi Hendrix pencil drawing, for example, serves as the centerpiece of his NYC residence.
“When I first entered the apartment prior to renovation, John and I both said in unison ‘Jimi has to stay here!’” she recalls. “The drawing really sets the tone for the grown, sexy, bluesy, soulful environment throughout the apartment.” Sadly, she laments that others cannot “see and feel the [residence] when all the lights are dimmed and the Baies [candles by Diptyque Paris] are burning and John is playing around on the guitar and friends are chillaxing—it’s the coolest blues joint in town!”
For Mayer’s northwest sanctuary, Moyler focused on his personal style. “All John asked for was a ‘relaxed home,’” she says. And she responded with what she terms an “urban cowboy” theme “because it still has a cool urban vibe, though a far cry from New York City.”
With Angelo Moratti’s residence in New York, Moyler says that because “he owns a prominent soccer team in Italy, we have subtle soccer references in the residence. Two apartments were combined,” she continues. “One apartment is seated at the absolute dead center of Central Park on the 35th floor with the most amazing views. I placed several [pieces that] reflect his extensive travels. Many great images by Gregory Colbert are placed, yet my personal favorite is a framed photo of Moratti with the Dalai Lama.”
As for how you can reinvigorate your own space this summer, Moyler suggests that you “freshen up with a coat of paint or two, drape your bed with mosquito net for a real [tropical] feel, change the pillows and get rid of the bulky, heavy winter comforter [by replacing] it with a cool, lightweight duvet cover.”
Simple touches and additions can quickly update any space, says Moyler. “Freshen up your kitchen accessories with color. Get some cool ice cube shapes and new colorful flatware,” says the designer. According to her, its your home and you reign. “Remember, this is the place where you have no one to please other than yourself.”
