TOCAR by Susanna Salk for 1stdibs

“Tocar means ‘to touch or influence’ in Spanish which is exactly what we do.  We love the fact that we are able to make our clients lives better by filtering their aesthetic through ours,” says Susan Bednar Long of the Manhattan design firm she runs with her partner Christina Sullivan. “Everything in our own homes is well thought-out and has a purpose – we bring that same sensibility to our clients’ rooms,” adds Sullivan. These are women who aren’t afraid to use their wedding china every day – especially if it’s Hermes.

Both women were drawn to design from the get go: Sullivan remembers staging variety shows in her neighborhood complete with old velvet curtains hung from elm branches and elaborate costumes perfect for channeling The Captain and Tennille songs. Long, meanwhile, was fascinated by a giant round pine brush in her childhood backyard: “I imagined it contained a hidden front door to an elaborate house for which I spent hours drawing intricate floor plans!”

Long and Sullivan both went on to work at Polo Ralph Lauren in the Creative Services Department, albeit in different orbits:  “I immediately thought Susan was great at what she did because besides being creative, she got things done and was honest and thorough with her approach,” says Sullivan of Long. The women got better acquainted at a party Coach VP Reed Krakoff hosted at his home. At the time, Sullivan was helping Krakoff with the interior design of his apartment and Long was designing his Coach shops and furniture line. “I always found Christina so upbeat and fun,” says Long, “especially when she wore her black beret to work.” Once the two started talking design, it soon became clear that they should start their own firm. “In our initial year. we worked out of one-another’s homes,“ recalls Long. “My apartment is where we would put the presentations together and Christina’s is where we would complete the business aspects. We took it very seriously but I laugh thinking about it now!”  Tocar’s first official job was to renovate a banquet hall in a Jewish temple on the Upper East Side.  Soon, a flurry of apartments followed.

Now Tocar has its focus set on a wide-range of projects from its Madison Avenue offices which include: a gut renovation in Greenwich Village that will create a fabulously modern loft space for a well-known movie actor as well as a 7,000 square-foot London townhouse which will blend classic American furnishings with European antiques for a family friendly vibe.
Also in the works is a graphic, fun Southampton beach house:
 “Each room has a sophisticated, yet vibrant color palette,” explains Sullivan, “We are using graphic patterns set against a wonderful modern art collection.  We’re having a ball!”

At Tocar, the lines between shopping as work and pleasure are seamless. Long and Sullivan will scout for their clients separately and then pool their selected sources at meetings that feel more like deep conversations between friends. When time allows, the women give themselves the luxury of a shared outing to their favorite haunts. “We both love special finds and get very excited about sourcing new decorative smalls for clients,” says Long.
“Not to mention ourselves!” adds Sullivan.
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TOCAR Q&A

OUR DREAM PROJECT WOULD BE
Restoring a 17th century Venetian Palazzo for an owner who appreciates and wants to celebrate all things Italian: beautiful religious antiques, vibrant Fortuny fabrics, sleek modern Italian furniture, and lighting – and who loves the concept of mixing old and new!

WHERE DO YOU FIND DAILY INSPIRATION?
 Christina: Currently I have been working on the Upper East Side quite a bit and have found immense inspiration at Tom Ford’s Boutique, the Conservatory gardens in Central Park, and the Frick museum.

Sue: The Bergdorf Goodman windows, the countryside of Litchfield County, CT, the book: The World of Interiors,and  watching Project Runway.

WHAT WOMEN CAN BRING TO A PROJECT THAT' S UNIQUE
Women tend to have first- hand knowledge on designing to enhance daily family activities and household functions.  We understand how to make a space beautiful and still have it work.

IF WE COULD DESIGN A LIVING ROOM FOR ANYONE IN HISTORY WE WOULD 
CHOOSE
 Queen Elizabeth II would be our pick because she understands the importance of living well and takes pride in her interiors.  All of her homes are unique and serve a purpose. What a remarkable experience it would be to have the opportunity to design them all!

IF SOMEONE ONLY HAS $500 TO SPEND ON A ROOM
 An amazing wall covering and some really good paint.

THE MOST UNDERRATED ACCESSORY IS
Shagreen cigar boxes

IF WE HAD TO PICK ONE PATTERN TO USE ALL OVER A ROOM IT WOULD BE
A subtle damask grass cloth.

OUR FAVORITE ACCESSORY IS ALWAYS
Colorful patterned Ginger Jars to match an accent color in the room