Autobiographie

"There is always a reason…", explains Donald Bingham Schmitt, discussing his unique perspective on the art of design. "It can be almost anything – a mirror, a plant, a red wagon, a rusty iron chair, a photograph – but there is always a reason for it. I design environments for people and purpose. Therefore, the objects, colors and layouts I employ will always have relevance to the person, or people, who live in that environment. It may not make any sense at the beginning, but it will when I am finished. Whether I'm designing an entire home, a single room or a work environment, I find the elements that will illuminate and bring harmony to my client's personality, life, work and passion. If I can't find them, I design and produce them. Everything in my life to this point in time contributes to this effort. From the time I was a child I have had an interest in fine art, that interest has never left me."

"Through my experience at Wittenberg University and NYU, along with my hands on training, living and working in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Florida, my understating of art and design has become mature. Natural. Part of my everyday life. This training, practice and daily exposure to the arts helped me to develop an acute sensitivity to and an intuition for people-what they love, what they are attracted to and what they are afraid of. What I work at today is to discover why."

"Understanding why helps my design both aesthetically and emotional. If my clients have anything in common, it's in their satisfaction with how their space makes them feel... because let's face it, space is space. It's how it feels that really matters. I design for my clients, not myself. I understand their needs, their budgets and their personalities. That makes my design relevant, revealing and effective."