David Hauslaib, Tim Gunn Show Off Where They Work
The New York Post has a semi-regular feature that showcases prominent New Yorkers photographed at their desks and explains the work that they do, in the environment where they do it. This week, the NYP features two people who I am very fond of … Tim Gunn from Project Runway and David Hauslaib, my boo:
On the face of it, a desk doesn’t amount to much. It’s a flat slab of wood or glass on legs, with maybe a few drawers attached. But given the number of hours many of us spend at them, they take on styles as idiosyncratic and varied as our dwellings, reflecting not only someone’s aesthetic sensibility, but also their working habits and the rituals that shape their day. With that in mind, we asked five notable city folks for what you might call a desktop tour:
Tim Gunn — Gunn’s known worldwide as the tough-love mentor to aspiring designers on “Project Runway,” but in 2007 he also assumed the role of chief creative officer at Liz Claiborne Inc. As debonair in person as on TV, Gunn wore a pinstriped suit and a bright smile when we visited his Midtown office.
Desk: Sea-foam green glass suspended by metal, rounded on one side, straight on the other. On the desktop is a book on Tom Ford, a Liz Claiborne collection catalog, “1001 Buildings You Must See Before You Die” and a fastidiously stacked paper pile.
“I don’t usually sit behind the desk when people are here. It creates a barrier. When someone sits in the traditional spot I think, ‘What are they doing back there?’”
Décor: Built-ins bulge with books on one side, an Asian screen and a stone-colored couch sit on the other, and a wall of windows provides an expansive view. A floor-to-ceiling portrait of Gunn wearing a stern expression dominates the space behind the door. “This is meant to be a minimalist environment, but I’m not a minimalist,” he says.
Detritus: A press pass for the Oscars, framed shots of Gunn with Heidi Klum and Oprah, a PETA award and multiple Tim Gunn bobbleheads, one of which delivers his signature lines “Make it work” and “Carry on.”
Pet: A fake goldfish encased in a plastic orb sits on a side table.
Current project: “I split my time between running to meetings, making showroom visits and writing. Right now I’m retooling the budget.”
Philosophy: Claiborne execs have suggested Gunn hold meetings in a “neutral” place, but he refuses, citing an aversion to conference rooms. “I believe in the semiology of clothes. Similarly, the way we live and work should send a message.”
Routine: In by 8 or 8:30, Gunn gets a doughnut and coffee and from the deli downstairs. He transfers the java into his “Ellen” (DeGeneres) mug, then eats at his desk. The doughnuts: “Whole-wheat – not glazed. My theory on glazed doughnuts is one is too many, a dozen is not enough.”
What’s next: Gunn’s a nomad. “I’m in my third office here.” He’s preparing for another office move and a new assignment in corporate design and merchandizing.
David Hauslaib — Hauslaib started Jossip, a celebrity and media gossip blog, in 2003 from his dorm room at Syracuse University. Today, through Jossip and its younger sibling, the gay lifestyle blog Queerty, the 25-year-old reaches 3 million readers a month. Though he maintains a staff and an office, Hauslaib works predominantly from his alcove studio in a prewar doorman building on Christopher Street.
Desk: A small, basic Pottery Barn piece with contrasting light and dark mahogany, tucked into an office nook that abuts the kitchen.
Décor: “It’s a smorgasbord.”
Detritus: A Starbucks coffee mug (“I collect them from around the world”), Gumby and Pokey figurines, miniature baby pictures of David and his brother, and his Sony Vaio. “I like to keep whimsical things around,” he says, picking up an Etch A Sketch. “When I struggle to find the right words, I play around on it a while.”
Current project: Keeping his blogs constantly updated and staying ahead of the buzz.
Routine: “I have a full staff. We all work from home in the mornings. Some days we go into the office at 1 or 2, but this is where the magic happens.” Hauslaib starts work around 7 a.m. and usually eats at his desk. A Tassimo coffee maker feeds his 4-to-5-cups-a-day habit.
Pet: A teddy bear perched on a nearby table.
What’s next: Applying more of a magazine model to the blogs. “Our editorial calendar used to be 24 hours long, but we’re planning packages ahead of time now.”
Yay! What a great piece and doesn’t David look hawt in his photo (Tim’s not bad either). Regarding David’s piece … I have to admit that I’ve never seen him EVER play with that Etch-A-Sketch (which came from his Xmas stocking) but the bit about the “4-to-5-cups-a-day habit” … yeah, that’s totally right on. On a really exciting day, it’s more like 7-to-8 cups a day. The window behind him looks out onto the corner of 6th Ave. and Greenwich Ave. and, I have to share, a framed photo of the two of us (the first photo we ever took together, on the day we met in Amsterdam in 2006) is on the table next to his desk … not that I’m AT ALL bothered that fact didn’t make the piece ;) In any event, I totally love this little NYP piece on David and Tim. Click HERE to see which other notable New Yorkers and their desks are featured this week.
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Tags: David Hauslaib, The New York Post, Tim Gunn
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January 26th, 2009 at 10:50 am
AWW Trent Your David is just adorable!!!
January 26th, 2009 at 10:51 am
That’s awesome!
Man, your boyfriend is GOOD lookin’!
January 26th, 2009 at 11:20 am
wow that is so cool!! congrats to him! :)
January 26th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Congrats!! It must be so exciting to see your BF featured in a story about “prominent new yorkers”!!! :)
January 26th, 2009 at 11:44 am
I saw David on something on VH1 the other day and he looked really cute!! He seems like such a great guy!! Good for you!!
January 26th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Tha’t so cool. I saw David on E the other day…can’t remember what he was commenting on now, but he was focused a couple of times.
January 26th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Aww, yay for David!
=]
January 26th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
So I just put the two together and realized that YOUR David was the same David that does Jossip. Wow. I have been reading both of your blogs forever and never put the two together. I feel dumb. But congrats on having your BF in featured in the New York Post. Maybe next time they’ll show the photo of the two of you!
January 26th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
So cute!!!!
January 26th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Congrats Trent! I must say I’m not a huge fan of Jossip (David’s gotten me a bit steamed about his views of PETA, but I try to ignore that b/c you love him) but it’s nice to see him featured as a prominent NYer. But, what does this mean now that he’s moving?
January 26th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
lol you’re so cute getting excited about your boy.
I love you both (ok I love you more but don’t tell David)
January 26th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Congratulations to David on that lovely piece and to the both of you on your new place in WeHo.
I haven’t been this happy for you since you were on your drive to make SoCal your new home.
I remember that I even invited you to stay with me when your car broke down!
January 26th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
aww me and david have the same desk with matching pokeys! good taste…
January 26th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Oh cooooool! David if you’re reading this, congratulations on the write up! Totally cute photo :)
January 26th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
So cool! Congrats to David for the write up. You two are so successful :)