Frank Maguire Jr., an owner of Quigley-Maguire of Delray Beach, has designed an office space in the 2011 Red Cross Designers’ Show House in West Palm Beach. This is his fifth year participating in the show house.
Photo by
Jerry Lower
Are designers born or made?
Frank Maguire says “born.” Maguire is a self-taught interior designer whose eye for design developed as he grew.
He thinks he may have gotten it from his French grandfather, who founded the family business that Maguire later managed, catering to the inventive minds on Madison Avenue. Over the years Maguire’s innate design sensibilities worked their way into interior design and down to Palm Beach County. Today, when you step into the home furnishings store Maguire co-owns in Delray Beach, it becomes abundantly clear: Design is in his blood.
Which is why, for the fifth year, Maguire has been asked to lend his talents to the American Red Cross Designers’ Show House fundraiser.
Now in its 35th year, the fundraiser invites nationally recognized designers to collectively transform a local residence, and then invites the public to tour it in exchange for a small Red Cross donation.
“It’s really a lot of fun with all the designers converging here, each creating his or her own unique space,” Maguire says.
This year’s Designer Show House is at 3000 N. Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach — a large house on the Intracoastal with plenty of separate spaces for the 16 participating designers to transform.
Maguire interpreted his assigned space as an office for the woman of the house, with a mix of old and new furnishings, Florida-themed art, and soothing tones of green. To create a mood of quiet contemplation, he covered the walls and ceiling with green-gray paint (color: Vapor, from Benjamin Moore), accented with classic white crown molding.
The room reflects Maguire’s trademark style: eclectic. He likes antique wood pieces alongside contemporary wicker and metal. Glass and ceramic art next to soft, colorful fabric. Décor splashed with oceanic blues and greens.
Maguire, who lives in Manalapan, currently divides his time between clients in Palm Beach County, New York City and the Hamptons. He is grateful to have commissions in South Florida that he expects will keep him busy through the rest of the year.
“Down here,” he says, “people want someone to be their eyes and ears. They need help putting their homes together. I really enjoy doing it.”
— Paula Detwiller
10 Questions
Q. Where did you grow up and go to school? How do you think that has influenced you?
A. I grew up in Rye, N.Y. I had a predictable upbringing that taught me both to value tradition and rebel against convention.
Q. How/when did you get into the interior design business?
A. I got into the business gradually, first by designing my own homes, then helping out family and friends. Later, I opened a home furnishings store with my partner, Karen Quigley, and Quigley Maguire Collections in Delray Beach was born.
Q. Have you had other careers (or hobbies)? What were the highlights?
A. In my former life, I owned and managed Horan Imaging Solutions, a print production facility that served advertising agencies in New York for over 70 years. The highlight was being part of the “Got Milk?” campaign. The creative energy was fantastic and the longevity of the campaign made it lucrative!
Q. How did you choose to have a home in Manalapan?
A. I chose to live in Manalapan due to its proximity to both Delray and Palm Beach and because I found a beautiful property on the water that I had a lot of fun renovating.
Q. What is your favorite part about living in Manalapan?
A. Living in Manalapan feels like I am living in a resort. One thing is every morning outside, watching a different sunrise, while reading the paper and having coffee. It’s hard to get me to leave here because it doesn’t get any better than this.
Q. Have you had mentors in your life? Individuals who have inspired your life decisions?
A. I have been very lucky to have been surrounded by a great family and friends, but I can name three people I have looked up to the most.
First, my late grandfather Julien J. Soubiran. He was born in Hell’s Kitchen in New York City and later founded our family business. In spite of his success, he always remained humble and never forgot his roots. Second, my father, Frank, who gave me trust and support throughout my life, and third, my son, Frank, who gives me the vision for the future.
Q. What book are you reading now?
A. Hell’s Corner, by David Baldacci.
Q. Do you have a favorite quote that inspires your decisions?
A. “Keep it simple.”
Q. If your life story were made into a movie, who would you want to play you?
A. Vince Vaughn, because my wife thinks he’s sexy.
Q. Who/what makes you laugh?
A. The previous question—and my answer to the previous question.
IF YOU GO
2011 Red Cross Designers’ Show House
When: Through Feb. 19
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday
Where: 3000 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach
Admission: $30
For more information:
Maura Nelson
American Red Cross
(561) 650-9131
nelsonm@redcross-pbc.org
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