Manhattan is a magnet for creative types. So it was no surprise that among Domino magazine’s 10 “decorators on the verge” in April’s issue, five were based in New York City.

But, while the youngest of the bunch, Michael Bargo, makes his living there, the 24-year-old is a native of Corbin.

Domino was so taken with the young designer that several pages are devoted to his small but stylish Upper East Side apartment. That’s him, wearing the incredibly hip shrunken Thom Browne tweed suit while perched in a window.

With a background of fresh white walls, the space is one room, save for a bath and kitchen. But as the story shows, Bargo doesn’t shy away from using bold pieces to anchor sitting areas. His large walnut bed, for instance, sits right smack in the middle of the room.

Elegant but not in the least bit stuffy, the designer’s apartment is filled with flea market finds as well as custom-made pieces. Bargo reveals in the magazine that he’s constantly rearranging — taking away and adding new items — to give the space a new look.

Recent images Bargo e-mailed to the Herald-Leader reflect his artful changes since photographs for Domino were taken in June.

Bargo said he realized there was a way to channel his creativity into a career when he was in the sixth grade and his parents hired a decorator. Harold and Nancy Bargo now live in Lexington.

So after graduating from Corbin High School in 2001 and spending short stints at the University of Kentucky and the New York School of Interior Design, Bargo landed his dream job: personal assistant to top designer Thomas O’Brien, known for his line of bedding and home furnishings at Target, among other things.

Last week, Bargo, who last year ventured out on his own to start Michael Bargo Inc., took time out from working on a project in his studio to talk to the Herald-Leader about his business and his Kentucky ties.

Question: Do you ever come back to Kentucky?

Answer: Yes actually. Usually twice a year. For Christmas and usually once in the summer.

Q: You mentioned to me in an earlier conversation that one of your influences was an interior designer who came to the house when you were in sixth grade. Could you tell me more about that?

A: It was so interesting because when I was growing up I would enjoy painting and drawing. And it seemed like the first career — quote, unquote — that I saw, that was a creative outlet for that. To have all the same elements, like colors and textures. And up to that point I wasn’t aware it was done.

Q: Did you always know you wanted to be in New York?

A: New York was the best place to be in the middle of design and fashion.

Q: How long were you at the New York School of Interior Design before you became an assistant to Thomas O’Brien?

A: I was only there for a year and a half — it was three semesters — and then I was offered the full-time job with Thomas. It seemed like a pretty good learning experience in itself.

Q: And what did you carry away with you, from your time with Thomas O’Brien?

A: Thomas does so many different things. He has a store here in New York. … He has the Target line. … His whole bedding collection and housewares are sold through Marshall Field’s. And he still is very involved in actual client projects.

So it was so fascinating, because I really feel like I got to see how you could use design in so many different aspects to build a business.

It was all about his design aesthetic and how he was truly passionate about his work in every single aspect. And obviously he has created an incredibly successful business.

Q: How long were you with him before you started your own business?

A: It was almost two years. And I’ve been on my own just under a year.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

A: My ultimate goal would be to have a firm in New York and then something in Los Angeles as well.

Q: Any high-profile clients you could tell us about?

A: Actually all of them work in the fashion industry — except for a client in Texas who doesn’t work in fashion. But other than that, they’re all in the fashion industry.

Q: Looking at the magazine, you have a banquette and a bed frame made by a Kentucky artist. Tell us more about that.

A: They’re made by a Kentucky woodcrafter, Shelby (Reynolds) at Morningside Woodcrafters, there in Lexington. He’s actually really fantastic. He’s doing several pieces for a project I have here in New York right now.

Q: How did you find him?

A: Through a family friend who used him quite frequently. I was actually working on a commercial project here in New York, a restaurant project, and was designing a chair that I wanted to use for the whole restaurant, and he did a prototype for that. And then I started using him for everything, personally, that I couldn’t find.

Like it says in the (Domino) article, living in a small space, … if you can’t find the exact piece, it’s easier just to design something and have it made for the space. And I’m sure you can imagine, woodcrafters in New York are somewhat expensive.

Q: Do you bring any Kentucky sensibilities to your design work?

A: I would have to say the traditional aspects of my work definitely come from that heritage of growing up there.

There are certainly sources that I love to use, like Berea College. They have incredible baskets and blankets. And I worked on a project where I used quite a few of the brooms, the handmade brooms that they have. They have beautiful pottery, vases and so forth.

source : www.kentucky.com

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