At Home with Wesley Mancini

Fabric designer Wesley Mancini offers an exclusive tour of his Myers Park residence, providing insight into the design principles that underpin his professional achievements. Having spent nearly three decades in home fabric design, Mancini’s home reflects a meticulous curation of fabrics, art, and artifacts collected from his extensive international travels. His living space is characterized by a carefully assembled collection that mirrors a museum display but maintains a comfortable and livable atmosphere. As he prepares to launch a new line of handmade tribal rugs, Mancini details the aesthetic choices that have shaped his success and personal environment. Upon acquiring his Myers Park home, Mancini prioritized properties with “good bones” and expansive rooms, essential for accommodating his collection of large-scale furniture. The house, approximately 5,000 square feet, presented an opportunity for significant renovation, evolving from what was initially thought to be minor adjustments into a year-long gutting process. The structural and cosmetic changes were substantial, revealing challenges such as hidden wiring and asbestos, requiring comprehensive overhauls of the electrical system and removal of hazardous materials. The previous iteration of the house, a designer show home, had been assembled hastily, necessitating these extensive renovations to meet Mancini’s standards. In terms of design philosophy, Mancini’s current home embraces a theme of silver and mirror, a departure from his previous residence which featured more wood and a tactile, less reflective aesthetic. The present design incorporates hand-blown glass mirrors, silver leaf, quartz, and Lucite, contributing to an overall sense of "old Hollywood glamour" and a more contemporary feel. The residence is adorned with five chandeliers, all featuring quartz crystals, further enhancing the glamorous theme. Color choices are subtle and nuanced, favoring "neutralized" shades like a grayed-down sage green or amber, intended to provide longevity to the design while still introducing color. Mancini’s global travels, including annual trips to Paris and London, serve as a significant source for his collections. He integrates business travel with personal interests, visiting art galleries and collecting unique items. His art collection began as soon as he could financially support the hobby, and he now possesses more art than can be displayed. He is currently drawn to portraiture and representational artwork, noting a subconscious inclination towards portraiture that became apparent through observation by others. Among his favorite artists are the Ed Rihaceks, with five of their pieces displayed in his home. Beyond art, Mancini collects stemware, Mexican masks, old beads, tassels from nomadic tribes, and historic and nomadic textiles. The tribal African Kuba cloths, known for their museum-quality embroidery, are among his earliest collections, with some currently on loan to the Mint Museum of Craft + Design. His passion for fabric design stems from the blend of mathematical precision required for weave and structure, combined with the visual sensibility needed to create cohesive designs. His own fabrics feature prominently throughout his home, from the living room chairs and walls to the master suite’s seating and decorative trims. He plans to incorporate his new line of tribal rugs, marking an evolution in his design contributions. #WesleyMancini #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #FabricDesign #MyersParkHome #ArtCollection #GlobalTravels #Renovation #LuxuryInteriors #WesleyMancini #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #FabricDesign #MyersParkHome #ArtCollection #GlobalTravels #Renovation #LuxuryInteriors