We chat with Coco Republic creative director and co-owner Anthony Spon-Smith about his design business heroes, the most overrated furniture trends and his dream to one day design a hotel. The perfect work day is… there is no same day. Monotony is the death of an inspiring job in my opinion. Generally, my brain works best in the morning so for all creative jobs, whether they be sketching, thinking about structures or financials I try to take the time in the mornings. From midday, my b
y brain loses focus and creativity.
If you could swap jobs with anyone in the world for one day, what would it be?
Ian Shrager, the famous entrepreneur, co-founder of Studio 54 and hotelier. I would love to design a hotel. There’s nothing more experiential or brand immersive than a hotel to me, providing a space for your client to live and play.
What are five things that have helped you survive Covid, both personally and professionally?
My family. The kids are at a really cute age, it’s nice to have extra time with themWorking. I’ve been lucky enough to have a lot of projects on and to be able to get to those physically.Swimming. I swim every morning with my mates at 6am, rain, hail or shine. We laugh and we get cold.Designing furniture. The part of my job where I design pieces is an absolute refuge for me. My wife. She’s my biggest fan, and we all need fans sometimes.
Who are some of your business or design heroes and why?
Modern furniture designer Pierre Jeanneret. His designs mastered the art of simplicity. To design something that is simple is often the hardest task and his work inspires me in my design work every day.
CEO and chair of Restoration Hardware Gary Friedman. The furniture business he built in the USA is unique and inspiring.
Luxury designer Ralph Lauren. He has been able to master running a creative business, from designing to building a worldwide enterprise. He has remained both progressive and commercial. A true master.
What are some of the most overrated trends in design at the moment?
Outdoor bean bags. They seem comfortable and well-priced but they’re not. And they’re just not ever stylish. Ever.
Terrazzo stone. It’s trendy, but it’s just a composite of off-cut stone and I don’t think it’s timeless.
Cold baths. I love a cold dip in the ocean; however, putting one in a house is a little odd, unless you have a sauna.
How would you describe your ideal home office set-up? What would it look like?
The most important three things are a solid desk, a cool office chair, and a place away from everyone. After that, I would add lots of books and lots of wall space to pin up sketches and inspiration.
What is a skill you would love to master one day?
I need to be able to speak Swedish, so my three girls and wife don’t exclude me!
What podcasts/magazines/books/music are you consuming right now?
My go-to podcast is Monocle’s Globalist. A great up-to-date current affairs podcast by clever people. I’m also loving the WeCroak App at the moment. Every day, it reminds you via a series of quotes by philosophers that you’ll die.
What are your favourite accounts that you follow on social media and why?
I am constantly on Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration. Social media gets a bad rap, in my opinion. For me, it is a huge form of inspiration and ideas.
This article was originally published in the November issue of Inside Retail’s quarterly magazine
