Capturing the Classical Interior with Eric Piasecki

This photo essay, featuring reflections from photographer Eric Piasecki on his work and process, seeks to highlight the essential—and too often overlooked—role that photography plays in the ecosystem of classical and traditional design. The photographer’s careful attention to light, composition, and color enables designers to showcase the beauty of their work to the widest possible audience and document the ongoing achievements of classical and traditional design for posterity.

I feel very lucky to be constantly inspired by some of the most thoughtful and talented practitioners of residential architecture and interior design. When documenting a project, I’m trying to find compelling moments that draw the viewer in and let a story of the home unfold. I like to think of a home as being alive, with emotions and a soul waiting to be discovered.

I am a seeker—always looking and planning for when that wonderful streak of light brings a room alive (or creating it!), roaming the setting the home is sited on and connecting it to the surrounding landscape, and capturing all the wonderful details inside and out that enrich its story.

This is an upstairs hall architects Gregory Gilmartin and Peter Pennoyer designed for Rowdy Meadow, one of the most rewarding projects I have had the pleasure to photograph in my career. Here my eye was drawn immediately to the faceted ceiling which catches light in the most interesting ways. This is one of those spaces that could have been overlooked, but instead, for me, is a real show stopper.

I have found the homes designed by architect Gil Schafer and designer Rita Konig to be so inspiring and magical. As I first toured this home the day before the shoot, this game table moment caught my eye immediately. I kept checking in on it the first day, watching the light move, and honestly it looked great in any kind of light! I decided, and admittedly got a bit lucky with soft cloud cover, to capture it in the afternoon with this early summer glow. Love that moment.

Historical Concepts has been such an amazing client for many years. On this home they collaborated with designer Bryan Graybill. I could have photographed in this kitchen all day! Stylist Helen Crowther brought her magic and created a narrative that brought the space fully to life. I think this is a great example showing the real value of a stylist. They can take a great room and elevate to something truly special - you could walk right in there and start the party!

I always find rooms where light is coming in from both sides to be challenging to photograph. This classic, serene room designed by architect Stan Dixon is a favorite of mine not only for its beautiful symmetry and scale, but it also gave me an opportunity to try some different approaches to try to shape all the light streaming in from both sides. I’m not going to give away all my tricks, but this was one of those instances when taking away some light calms the space, and brings out the depth in color and shadow that I’m always trying to capture in my photographs.

Architect and designer Steven Gambrel's work has luckily been my playground for something like 20+ years. The homes he creates always contain the most interesting objects, finishes, materials, lines, color, and surprises! My job is to bring all this together through strong compositions in which I try to reveal the soulful energy present in all of his work. This stair landing in his NYC townhouse I believe encapsulates his alchemy perfectly.