It’s easy to get sidetracked when you meet Rodman Primack and Rudy Weissenberg, who run the design firm Ago Projects. They are masters of engaging conversation, peppered with interesting anecdotes. But don’t be fooled. Their contributions to the world of design are no laughing matter. They successfully stitch together high art, local crafts, and interior elements in a way that feels truly livable and inviting, and they’ve parlayed that aesthetic into their newly released book, Love How You Live: Adventures in Interior This is explained in “Design”.
Weissenberg and Primack have been a couple for more than 20 years and have collaborated on creative endeavors for almost as long. Recently, the two strengthened their professional relationship in the form of Ago Projects, an interior design firm and online marketplace for unique, locally sourced products. Primack previously served as chairman of Phillips Auction House in London, then chairman of Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills, and then executive director of Design Miami. He then founded his own interior design company, RP Miller. Weissenberg began his career as a television producer and exhibition curator before joining Primack at Ago Projects. In a professional partnership, Weissenberg thinks about furniture and room layout, while Primack focuses on colors, patterns, and textiles. “Rodman is a great editor, but I have a more obsessive, maximalist mentality,” says Weissenberg. “If we find an empty space, to me that’s valuable real estate that needs to be filled, Rodman will come in and edit it.”
The two have worked on projects everywhere from California and Mexico City to New York, Guatemala and Kentucky. They work with billionaires and art collectors around the world, including fashion and Hollywood figures like Dede Gardner, the Oscar-winning film producer of Moonlight and Still the Night. Their love and knowledge of art is evident in their work, as is their love of craft and history. This is a key element of Love How You Live, which explores the team’s interior projects (including parts of their own home) and the history behind them, as well as the 14 local artisans from around the world they’ve worked with. We’re featuring it. Primack and Weissenberg both enjoy working on projects in small, unexpected locations, in part because it helps them connect with local manufacturers like those featured in the book. . “We all love things that come from far away. If you live in America, you love Italian shirts. If you live in Italy, you love American T-shirts,” says Primack. . “It’s been this way for hundreds of years. It feels special to bring things from far away, but there are many reasons to make things and do things locally. I’ll think about how to resolve it.”
Working with local manufacturers allows Ago’s team to put their love of history at the heart of their projects. Their interest in history is evident in the projects presented in Love How You Live. “Rodman has been thinking about interiors since he was born,” Weissenberg added. It turns out that this is no exaggeration. Primack was only 10 years old when he received his first subscription to Architectural Digest as a Christmas present. He also received special permission from the local library in his hometown of Sun Valley, Idaho, to borrow books not normally lent to children, such as European Famous Houses. By the way, as we speak, he’s carrying around the exact book he voraciously read as a child, recently purchased at the same library’s book sale.
Primack and Weissenberg say that working with these manufacturers can give a space a timeless feel and keep it abreast of the rapid changes in fashion. “We build stories together[with clients]. Learn about the great architects in the area. How people use furniture, and how to make it modern and contemporary while making it contemporary.” “Let’s learn how it can be interpreted,” explains Primack. The team often coaches clients away from anything that feels like an imitation. “There’s no reason to have something that’s not authentic or authentic when you have something that’s really beautiful and could end up being equal, or something equally special, rather than a fake antique.” ” Primack said.
As Ago Partners grows, they hope to expand into larger projects such as hotels and holiday communities and continue to champion local artists. “What we do is a privilege,” Weissenberg says. “And we have the time to do that proactively and intentionally.”
Love How You Live: An Adventure in Interior Design (Phaidon, £44.95)
A selection of designs by Ago Partners
Louisville, Kentucky
“This old Victorian house had a lot of great qualities and features, including very tall and narrow rooms, but it was also challenging. We worked with Louisville-based architect Thomas Coote to create a , the pantry, butler’s pantry, and breakfast room were redesigned to be convenient and very comfortable.The marble top table and dining table were made in Mexico according to our design, and the lanterns were made by Mr. Noguchi. I designed an old-fashioned linoleum floor along the contours, but somehow it “accidentally” went off track – on purpose.
“The dining room is something you use every day. The silk of the John Fowler-inspired curtains, woven by Prell in France, has an exuberant feel. The idea was to address the unusual shape of the room by turning the other side into a gallery of objects: a specially commissioned crystal and bronze sconce by Thaddeus Wolff, and wallpaper by California-based artist Francesca. – Designed by Gabbiani, with paint and collage interventions, as well as works by Kiki Smith, Waiki Simmers and Evan Holloway.
Indian Bean, Kentucky
Stephen Kent Johnson / Otto
The master bedroom of a Kentucky farm called Indian Bean. “The walls are covered in some of my favorite textiles designed by Sister Parrish. A custom quilt designed by Rodman and a custom-made chunky cotton rug.”
Long Island, New York
Photo Dominique Volillon
A family weekend home on the North Fork of Long Island. “The building is more than 100 years old, but it was radically redesigned by architect Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig in Seattle. Most of the second floor was removed, making it nearly three times the height. We created a great room with vintage Charlotte Perriand tables and chairs, and painted steel cabinets by South African designers Dr. and Misses and Hass Brothers “Acretion” Ceramics. The walls are decorated with paintings by Thomas Hausgo. ”
Photo Dominique Volillon
Great room. “In the foreground is a vintage Jean Royère canopy chair and a vintage Royère coffee table with leather and brass details. The back-to-back sofas are vintage Edward Wormley sofas in Indigo by RP Miller. Hand printed and embroidered by Perry’s Arrows. The fireplace has a commissioned fire screen by David Wiseman beneath the reliefs by Thomas Housego. The rug is a custom RP mirror produced in Guatemala. .”
