Tailor Made
A fashion exec makes classic and quirky fit beautifully in his Delaware bungalow.
Here today, gone tomorrow doesn't cut it for Memo Faraj. As a fashion industry executive, he steers clear of "fast fashion." Look around his old Colonial home in Milton, Delaware, and it's clear he also avoids "fast interior design." The decor is a thoughtfully collected mix of pieces that have staying power, such as classic ship paintings and vintage globes.
Memo credits his shopping and decorating savvy from watching his parents design and alter clothing for their tailor shop. "They taught me to never settle for the ordinary, and to pay attention to details and craftsmanship," he says. "My parents always had the mindset that if you're going to live with something, you should love it so much you'll enjoy it for years to come."
That philosophy flourished as Memo began hunting at flea markets and consignment stores, as well as online, to outfit the home he dubbed "Memo's Bungalow." He focused on pieces that reflect his passions and that have personality. Ship paintings, pieces of coral and shades of blue give the home a classic but moody nautical feel. "I get lost in the stories of seascapes," Memo says. "Maybe I was a sea captain in another life."
ABOVE LEFT: The den's defunct fireplace is now display space. When lit, candles on a rustic trunk in the firebox are reflected in an old mirror. ABOVE RIGHT: "I gravitate toward things that are a bit worldly and off-beat," Memo says. Vintage ship paintings inspire adventure. A toy Moroccan monkey topped with a fez adds whimsy.
Along with the timeless pieces, there are quirky finds, too, such as the monkey wearing a fez that sits on an end table in the den. It's all part of Memo's plan to create a home that's uniquely him. "A space is a much better reflection of someone's taste and personality when it doesn't look generic," he says. "The combination of different moods, genres and styles inspires me."
"I want people to feel at home. Having items with a bit of nostalgia does that." —Memo Faraj
ABOVE LEFT: The horse collection started with a $3 toy rocking horse from a thrift store. ABOVE RIGHT: "I wanted to wake up to a nautical vibe," Memo says of his bedroom. The vintage portrait is an English Royal Navy admiral.
PHOTOS John Bessler
STYLING Frances Bailey
WORDS Melissa Parks
RESOURCES Learn more about Memo on his website here and follow him on Instagram @MemoFarajStudio. You can even shop with Memo @lecabinetofcuriosity.
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