STYLE INFLUENCER
David Santiago
Owner of Casa Santi Interior Design and Creator of the “Strictly Santi” Brand of Lighting, Wallpaper David Santiago, the award-winning interior designer, owner of Casa Santi Interior Design firm and creator of the “Strictly Santi” brand, blends his traditional and classical sensibility with the unexpected. It’s a design curation signature he has dubbed, “Santified.” With enthusiasm, he invites his clients to “Embrace a change in your residential or commercial space. Get ready to be Santified!” He defines the “Santification Process” as “Embracing the unfamiliar and getting comfortable with the uncomfortable, stimulating the senses, letting go and saying YES!” Inspired by classical music, travel and culture, David is a true “Renaissance Man.” He is not only a celebrated designer; he’s also an accomplished classical opera singer and alumni of Mannes College of Music, and has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the New York City Opera. David’s Strictly Santi brand was created in 2018, and since then, he has launched a lighting collection with American Brass & Crystal Lighting, and a wallpaper collection called The Passport Collection, catering to hospitality and residential markets with Bijou wallcoverings. Known as the “Prince of Wallpaper” for his ability to master the art of wallpaper application, David is considered an influencer by the High Point Market Authority. Currently, he serves as president of the New York Chapter of the International Furniture and Design Assn. (IFDANY), is an active member of the Interior Design Society (IDS), International Society of Furniture Design, WithIt and the Accessory Resource Team. He’s a familiar face and voice in the media as the design and lifestyle correspondent for “The Donna Drake Show” on CBS NY and as a guest designer on the NBC television series, “George to the Rescue.” What recent accomplishment are you most proud of? My most recent professional accomplishment would be becoming part of the creative administration as Cultural Outreach Officer for Teatro Grattacielo in NYC.
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What are your favorite sources of inspiration? Can you give a recent example of how you’ve incorporated this inspiration into your designs, product development, or merchandising work? My favorite sources of inspiration are reflections of my passions, like classical music, travel and culture. Most recently, I’ve had the pleasure of working on ”Acento Bar,” a concept for The Kaleidoscope Project in Lenox, Massachusetts. It is inspired by The Metropolitan Opera to the likes of the Lobmeyr Chandeliers, scarlet red walls and gold leaf. Travel and culture also are crucial in my products, which I celebrated through my wall covering collection called “The Passport Collection,” influenced by the charms of old San Juan, the history of Venice, Italy and New York City’s Botanical Gardens, The Cloisters and the Flat-Iron District. You’re a new addition to the crayon box, what color would you be and what name would you have? The color would have to be a fiery orange/red called, Oh, Santi! It reflects the (previously mentioned) “Santification Process.” What’s the last gift you gave someone or a go-to host/ hostess gift you give? The last gift I gave to a host was a bottle of Cesari Amarone 2015 for a birthday bash.
