Thomas Pheasant

Thomas Pheasant (born 1955) is an American interior designer based in Washington, D.C. He is known for his design studio and collaborations with furniture brands like Baker and McGuire Furniture.[1]

Early life and education

Thomas Pheasant was born in Washington, D.C. in 1955 and raised in a split-level house in Adelphi, Maryland.[2]

Pheasant developed an early interest in interior design, redesigning his bedroom at age 9 after being inspired by a scene in Auntie Mame. His design changes included dyeing his bedspread and rearranging furniture.[3]

Pheasant attended the University of Maryland where he initially studied architecture. He shifted his focus to interior design after a discussion with a professor who noted his aptitude for interior spaces.[4]

While in college, Pheasant volunteered at a fabric showroom, seeking opportunities to network with designers. He met designer Victor Shargai and became his assistant.[2] Pheasant worked for Shargai for four years.[5] He reportedly took on an outside design project and was fired by his first client due to lack of experience.[5]

Pheasant's career began after college in the early 1970s when he renovated a derelict house. Following the renovation, a local paper reportedly described him as "Washington's new, young, 'radically spare' designer".[6]

Career

In 2013, Pheasant founded Thomas Pheasant Studios in Washington, D.C., producing limited-edition furniture.[7] The initial collection launched in 2013. He has undertaken residential and commercial projects in the United States, Europe, and Asia, including work for the Hay-Adams Hotel and projects for BET co-founder Sheila Johnson.[2] He was also commissioned to decorate and design parts of the Blair House, the guest house for the White House. Pheasant was hired in 2012 by the Blair House Restoration Fund to refresh the wear and tear of its interior.[8]

Pheasant was named "Dean of American Design" by the US edition of Architectural Digest in 2005 and received an award from Andrew Martin International.[7][9] He was reportedly the first American designer to exhibit at the Pavillon des Antiquaries et des Beaux Arts in Paris.[10]

Pheasant has worked on Georgetown's Rosewood Hotel, designing the interiors of six townhouses associated with the property.[11]

Collections

Baker

Pheasant launched a furniture collection with Baker Furniture, a luxury brand, in 2002.[4] Titled The Thomas Pheasant Collection, it was described by Sheffield Furniture as utilizing "simplicity, bold silhouettes and clean finishes."[12] The collection incorporates neoclassical influences, reflecting Pheasant's concept of "bridging the past to the present."[13]

Exceptional Living described the collection as having a "modern, elegant and distinctive" style.[14]

McGuire Furniture

Pheasant has collaborated with McGuire Furniture on two collections: The Thomas Pheasant Collection, focusing on indoor furniture using materials like rattan, leather, bronze, glass, and stone,[15] and The Thomas Pheasant Outdoor Collection, which includes pieces designed for outdoor use.[16]

Style

Pheasant's design style has been described as applying a "contemporary dimension to classical design."[17] He has stated that his style is inspired by traditional architecture.[18]

Taste of Life Magazine has characterized his design philosophy as "classic minimalism, tradition, and vision with a balanced tranquility.”[19]

Publications

Books featuring work by Thomas Pheasant include:

  • Mirror by Design: Using Reflection to Transform (1996)
  • Showcase of Interior Design (1997)
  • Eclectic Style in Interior Design (1998)
  • American Designers' Houses (2004)
  • Spectacular Homes of Greater Washington (2006)
  • House Beautiful Colors for Your Home (2008)
  • Regency Redux (2008)
  • Robert A.M. Stern, Buildings & Projects 2004-2009 (2009)
  • Simply Serene (2013) - With Victoria Sant, published by Rizzoli International Publications.[20][21]
  • Decorating with Carpets: The Stark Tradition (2015)
  • Jonas: The Art of Fine Upholstery (2015)
  • Interior Design Master Class (2016)

Awards and recognition

Pheasant received the Design Icon Award at the Las Vegas Market in 2016,[22] and the Andrew Martin International Designer of the Year Award in 1997.[23]

References

  1. ^ "Thomas Pheasant, Noted Washington, DC Interior Designer". French-American Cultural Foundation. 2024-02-27. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  2. ^ a b c Koncius, Jura (2012-10-31). "Checking in with Thomas Pheasant". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  3. ^ "An Hour with Designer Thomas Pheasant". Apartment Therapy. Retrieved 2018-10-16.
  4. ^ a b "Interior Designer Thomas Pheasant | NUVO". nuvomagazine.com. Retrieved 2018-10-16.
  5. ^ a b "An Hour with Designer Thomas Pheasant". Apartment Therapy. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
  6. ^ "MEDIA". Thomas Pheasant. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  7. ^ a b "ABOUT". Thomas Pheasant STUDIO. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  8. ^ Koncius, Jura. "Inside Blair House, where the president's guests get the VIP treatment". Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  9. ^ "Thomas Pheasant: Simply Serene - Rizzoli New York". Rizzoli New York. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  10. ^ "Thomas Pheasant – Taste of Life". Taste of Life. 2014-01-04. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  11. ^ Cooper, Rebecca (2018-10-03). "Rosewood hotel in Georgetown to close for renovation, add Wolfgang Puck restaurant". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  12. ^ "Thomas Pheasant by Baker Furniture". Exceptional Living. 2012-08-24. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
  13. ^ "Collab/Baker". Thomas Pheasant. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  14. ^ "Thomas Pheasant by Baker Furniture". Exceptional Living. 2012-08-24. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  15. ^ "Collab/McGuire Indoor". Thomas Pheasant. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  16. ^ "Collab/McGuire Outdoor". Thomas Pheasant. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  17. ^ "The Thomas Pheasant Collection". Baker Furniture. Retrieved 2018-10-16.
  18. ^ Song, Elaine. "A conversation with Thomas Pheasant | Style at Home". Style at Home. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
  19. ^ "Thomas Pheasant – Taste of Life". Taste of Life. 2014-01-04. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  20. ^ "Thomas Pheasant". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
  21. ^ "Thomas Pheasant". PHILIA. 2023-09-20. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
  22. ^ "Las Vegas Market Names Thomas Pheasant 2016 Design Icon". Furniture Today. 2016-01-12. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  23. ^ "Thomas Pheasant". Thomas Pheasant Official. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
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