Elle magazine – May 2013
The Neo Classicist – John Jacob
John Jacob’s self-taught approach is classic in all its permutations, yet he is as comfortable doing the interior of an aeroplane as he is creating homes for clients in South Africa, Europe, America and beyond.
John is one of those people who completely embraces the organic nature of the design process. ‘I have never worked on a project where the brief or expectation of the client has not radically shifted during the design and consultation process. So I guess you could say I’m one of those people who responds well to the concept of an open brief.’
He lets the architecture of a space be his guide and enjoys interpreting the intrinsic tastes of each and every one of his clients.
Your most adventurous recent assignment?
The interior decoration and livery design for a new Gulfstream jet. Aeroplane interiors are anything but standard and there are very few benchmarks to follow. Working with the Gulfstream designers in Chicago, all I had to do was follow my nose.
Describe your path into the world of interior design.
I have always been passionate about gardens, homes and food. My mother used to take us on trips to France because she had a thing about antiques, old buildings and gardens.
How important is intuition in design?
Everything I know about interiors I have taught myself. I’ve never had a mentor or a boss. I believe that this lack of decorating advice and wherewithal forced me to question every decision. It has also forced me to be thorough in my approach. When I consider, for example, a cupboard detail or a paint colour I do so with confidence because I have been through my own intense process already.