Wish List: Sheldon Tager

In his almost forty years as a designer, Sheldon Tager has created beautiful houses all over the country. The native of Montreal, Canada, studied design at American University in Washington D.C., then lived and worked in southern California before moving to New England in 1994. Timeless design and a sense of pragmatism may be the keys to Tager’s long career. “I’m not really into trends,” he says. “I look back on some of my work and think, ‘Gee, that looks as good today as it did fifteen years ago.’ ”

Timeless, he’s quick to note, doesn’t mean stodgy. “I’m hardly dull!” he says. “I was eclectic before that became a fashionable term.” Even in his more contemporary projects, for example, he’s likely to add an antique or two.
Tager, who also owns the Newton home boutique Belle Maison, believes good design and a sense of the practical can go hand in hand. “Even if you have a lot of money, the things you surround yourself with don’t all have to be the most expensive things you can find,” he insists. “Most of us can’t buy Rembrandts and Picassos, but we can do great, interesting things in our homes.” NEWTON, MASS., (617) 964-6455, WWW.SHELDONTAGER.COM

Gothic Hanging Lantern in Natural Rust “What I like about this three-light lantern from Visual Comfort is the sense that it has antique roots but is interpreted in a contemporary design; it’s very today.” HOUSTON, TEXAS, (713) 686-5999, WWW.VISUALCOMFORT.COM, AVAILABLE THROUGH BELLE MAISON, NEWTON, MASS., (617) 964-6455, WWW.SHELDONTAGER.COM

Market Street Cocktail Table “This little table, from the Interiors Collection by Bernhardt, is a great value for today’s tight economy. With its glass top and deep-brown cast-iron base, it has simplicity and style.” HIGH POINT, N.C., WWW.BERNHARDT.COM, AVAILABLE THROUGH BELLE MAISON

The Alex Cocktail Ottoman and Tray from Hickory Chair “This is an extremely versatile piece by Alexa Hampton that works as both an ottoman and, with the tray, as a cocktail table.  It has great scale and a feeling of importance.” HICKORY, N.C., WWW.HICKORYCHAIR.COM, AVAILABLE THROUGH BELLE MAISON

Leaves Mirror by Carvers’ Guild “Elegant! Clean lines! I like to pair it with a dark wood chest or perhaps a contemporary console table, which is quite unexpected.” WEST GROTON, MASS., (978) 448-3063, WWW.CARVERSGUILD.COM, AND THROUGH BELLE MAISON

Bow Wow Wow Wallpaper by Peter Fasano “I’ve used this wallpaper many times and in different color ways.  It’s great in a powder room or small entry—it makes you smile.” GREAT BARRINGTON, MASS., (413) 528-6872, WWW.PETERFASANO.COM, AND THROUGH BELLE MAISON

The Savanna Collection Bedding by Mystic Valley Traders “I’m a fan of white bed linens, starched and ironed. What luxury! These are just as clean and crisp as I like, but the animal design trim adds some style.” NEWTON, MASS., (617) 244-2062, WWW.MVTBEDDING, AND THROUGH BELLE MAISON