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PrintTips & Trends: Profiles
John Thorkildsen, Larry Thal, and Dan Pauroso
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John Thorkildsen
the red chair
John Thorkildsen of The Red Chair has more than 20 years experience as a professional interior designer. His roots run deep in Jackson Hole; his grandparents ran Al’s Motel, his parents met at the Silver Dollar Bar in the early 1960s, and he graduated from Jackson Hole High School in 1980. Except for time away at college, Thorkildsen has lived here since the fifth grade. He attended Brigham Young University in Provo, and after a few degree-major changes, landed in the interior design department. He started his career at VandeWater’s, later learning that five or six relatives on his mother’s side are either architects or designers. Thorkildsen loves to travel and his career has taken him far afield; one recent interesting project was the refurbishment of an old ranch in Lake Placid, New York.
TH&L: When did you first think about taking up this profession?
JT: After high school on a trip back East to visit family, I bought an Architectural Digest in the airport. I was very intrigued by the wonderful design in the magazine. It was after my first year of college that I found the design department at BYU.
TH&L: Who were your mentors?
JT: Francie Corbett, at Contract Design in Jackson—that’s where I got my technical training. They don’t really teach you how to correctly measure for carpet in college. Another mentor was Doug Preston, at Ontario Design Company in Park City, where I did my internship during college.
TH&L: What is your approach to design in the Tetons? First question you ask a client?
JT: Each project is different and I always design to the clients’ wants. I like to find out what are their favorite and least favorite colors. My second question is “How do you want this space to function?” Is it for eating, kids, a quiet space, or entertaining?
TH&L: What inspires you?
JT: Different cultures I find in traveling—history, art, anything that elevates my senses AND is beautiful design. Also, I always love one element of surprise in a building or interior design.
TH&L: Do you add a signature to a project?
JT: In the early years at The Red Chair, I always tried to place a red chair in a room or home for fun. Now I use a rich mixture of fabrics combining different textures, weights, colors, and fibers. And I love to dress a bed.
TH&L: What do you enjoy most about the business?
JT: When the client cries because she loves it so much—you know that’s customer satisfaction.
TH&L: How has your business evolved in the last ten years?
JT: I work independently as The Red Chair and rent space in my shop to two other designers who also work independently under their own business names. If a large project comes along and we three can collaborate, that’s all the better.
TH&L: What are you planning for the next ten years?
JT: I would like to collaborate on more owner, architect, builder, and designer projects that work toward a more minimalist design.
TH&L: What’s something else people should know about you?
JT: My life is busy with three kids, Megan (23), Lindsay (20), and Michael (11). Yes, we have an eleven-year-old. And I love to cook for family and friends. There is nothing better than being surrounded by beautiful art and sharing food with family and good friends.
