“The apartment is located in the heart of SoHo,” says Mellett. “It’s classic New York.” Decorating the apartment was a collaborative effort between Mellett and his client, who chose the furnishings for the guest room. The bean bag is from Maison e Vacances, and the vintage leather butterfly chair is from Mellett’s shop in Amagansett, New York. FASHION I FORWARD Jarlath Mellett brings his fashion know-how to interior design Written by Shawn Gauthier Photography by Patrick Cline Art Direction by Michelle Adams Lonny january • february 2011 n the mid ’90s, Jarlath Mellett, then the director of design at Brooks Brothers, put the storied American brand back on the map by making the colors bolder and the tailoring sleeker. But after two decades in fashion design, Mellett was ready for a change. “It was time for something new,” he says. With that, Mellett entered the world of interiors. Although he’s now dressing homes instead of people, his design approach holds steady. “I see interiors from a fashion-design standpoint,” he says. “My aesthetic has a vintage twist in regard to the resources we use, but a fashion twist in how we put the house together. Even 2011 174 january • february Lonny 175