Meet Kevin Sharkey and look at his office!

After receiving a degree in architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design, Kevin became an assistant to Albert Hadley of Paris Hadley & Associates, a venerable New York City interior design firm.  When Kevin came to work for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia twelve years ago, he started out as a department assistant.  Kevin worked like crazy and it wasn’t long before his keen sense of style really started to shine and promotions followed.  Today, Kevin is Executive Editorial Director of Decorating, Creative Director of Merchandising, as well as a Senior VP of the company.  And I just love visiting his colorful office at Starrett!

Here’s Kevin sitting at his faux bois painted desk.

Kevin loves books and has an amazing collection – books about furniture, floral arrangements, fashion, photography, architecture, decorative arts, etc.  He has them displayed this way because he remembers each book by its color and also, so he can just grab an appropriate stack when styling for a photo shoot.

On this wall, Kevin displays his collection of Blanc de Chine statues – beautiful Chinese porcelain.  This is a collection in progress and we had fun hunting for pieces in markets on our last trip to China.

Here’s a cute picture of us hanging on his wall!

Comments

[Heather]

What kind of file cabinets are those under the bookshelves??? So hard to find ones that look good!

[Angelica]

I LOVE THIS OFFICE! I think im going to copy that book idea! I have hundreds of books and color coding them in that fun way will look great in on my living room shelves. Take care, Angelica

[Pat]

I never thought of arranging books by their color. What a unique way of looking at things. I bet he catergorizes things he sees in life by color in his brain too.

[megan]

Kevin could use a bigger office or he needs to stop buying stuff. He is a clutter bug.

[Chris Tyler]

Perfect balance to be good friends with someone you professionally respect. I've wondered about who Kevin is since he seems to spend a lot of time/travel with you. Thank you Martha and continued creative fortune to you, Kevin!

[John Kloderfeld]

Those color arranged books are a work of art in itself!

[Kathy]

Martha,
Thanks for the peek into Kevin Sharkey's office. He certainly does have a "keen sense of style" evident in his colorful and well organized office. What an amazing place with his faux bois painted desk and his collections of books and Chinese porcelain: a wonderful spot to explore!
Kathy

[PAULINE MUCCIACCIO]

Hi Kevin,
Enjoyed looking at the pictures of your office. I usually organize my books by subject..like your idea organizing
by color...they add a burst of color to your office!
Best,
Pauline Mucciaccio

[jams]

Uh, I've been thinking about arranging my books by color, but never get into it.. And this reminds me to do it.

[Margie]

I think Kevin is the greatest. I always enjoy the pictures where he is just "there" in China, on the plane, on the helicopter, at a project or just about anywhere.

Thanks Kevin for being so wonderful in your career. You allow us to enjoy everything you have helped create.

[Andrew Ritchie]

A very nice office, indeed! I love how Alexis describes Kevin: "My best friend and Martha's almost-son."

I think a feature on 'managing' large book collections in decorative and effectively organized ways is a must for the magazine. We buy almost a book a week, so you can imagine the space concerns!

-Andrew

[Trish]

I feel like I already know Kevin from his earlier blogs while traveling with Martha and from tidbits from Alexis. I like his office and the way his books are stacked but I think he needs a bigger desk! Does he have his own blog where we might ask him questions? When Kevin speaks decorating, I listen! Trish

[Catherine dée Auvil]

Martha, This is my favorite post of yours so far. I do love the "behind the scenes." Cute portrait of you two!

[TGL]

Whow, that's an impressive way to get promoted! I know he deserves it, but it's nice to hear that at MSLO one can get promoted from a regular day-job to a high level managerial position. I like places where one is promoted for merit. Kevin certainly deserved it!
By the way, i do love his office as well!

[Alcea Alba]

Martha/Kevin,

I thought I was the only person in the world to arrange my collection of books by spine color. Seems like I'm finally in good company. When my husband built a bookcase in his study, I volunteered to organize it. He was horrified when he saw the result. Shelves and shelves of books arranged by color not subject. He lived with it for about six weeks until he'd finally had enough and reorderd it to his liking. From my perspective, it now looks messy and disorganized.

[Claudine]

Kevin & Martha,
Thanks for a glimpse of your office. The book cases look great but the wall of Blanc de Chine. What a great statement they all make together. and the shelves they sit are just as wonderful. Grandma has a few pieces of those, looks like I need to make a visit to her.
Thank you for sharing
Claudine

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, Thanks for the new glimpse into the life and office of the very talented Kevin Sharkey. He is one lucky guy who picked the right company to work for and his many talents shine through every thing he does. Thank you for these tours of the offices in the Starrett-Lehigh Building. Jan

[Pam]

What a colorful idea on the arrangement of the books. I am also impressed by Kevin's hard work that led to his advancement in the company. Good job Kevin!

[theresa]

Is all the same color books together because that's how designer books come? I also loved the statues but they kind of got lost in the wall. I guess the finished look was to look like they were sculpted from and part of the wall? I am not a designer so I guess I would have put them against a wall of royal blue to see the details. I am soo lost at this kind of thing.

[theresa]

Oh I forgot to mention how cute Mr. Kevin looks in that picture with you. I bet you named your little Sharkey after him, huh Martha?

[Lola Kern]

Thank you for an inside look into such an artistically decorated office. Congratulations to Kevin on his success. he looks very comfortable in hi office!

Lola Kern of Internal Energy Plus™

[Pam From California]

Now that is an office! Kevin you need to bargain for a bigger desk. Enjoyed your blog this summer and that of Memorie too well done- wish you had continued it.Never did find out how the rental car got dented nobody finished that tale!
Photo of Martha & Kevin priceless!
Pam from CA

[Kristan]

I love how Kevin has his books organized by color! I think I may have to re-organize my book collection like Kevin.

[stephanie]

I love Kevin! This is a fun blog entry! Between this blog, Alexis' blog, seeing Kevin on the TV show - traveling with Martha - I feel like I know him already! He has a lovely smiling face, but more importantly he has TASTE - a rare quality these days.

[Jane]

Kevin, you need a bigger office - and more importantly, a bigger desk - it looks so small with you behind it - especially with that huge table lamp!

[martha]

I love the fact that kevin started with Parish- Hadley. My favorite designers. And I think Sister Parish would be so proud of his accomplishments. What a devine job to have. I love kevin's work. Martha I.

[Linda Gail]

Martha:)
Kevin:)
I love the pictures and the way you've organized your books is priceless. Leave it to a designer to do this and have it look perfect. Thanks for the insider view with these pics.
Linda Gail

[bethany]

Don't the BEST people come from RISD?!! My only regret in life was not attending there.

[matt]

Simply amazing!

[Lisa Lisa]

WOW! Thanks for the back-door glimpse! LOVE Kevin's office and the books-by-color organization! We all have our own little mnemonic devices and how fortunate that his look so stylish and organized! Like working in a rainbow! P.S. To "Pat" stop being so judgmental, the man is an artiste! YOUR "clutter" may be his inspiration. Be nice or be quiet!
LOVE LOVE LOVE Martha and Kevin and thanks to both for the education and inspiration you offer every single day!

[M&Co]

What a gorgeous office!! On Monday your show starts airing for the first time here in Norway, and I'm soo thrilled as I'm a huge fan! :-)

[Teapot Collector]

Kevin, love the "Great Wall of Blanc de Chine China".
If you are visiting Michigan this spring please come to my tag sale, lots of 'stuff' from the Orient will be tagged from; China, Korea, & Japan. Marth'a prop room photos inspired me to clean up & clean out. The shelves will be empied down in the dreaded basement!

[Ric T]

Love Kevins style! When are we going to see more of his office and apartment!

[Marilyn Wisniewski]

Hey Kevin: You have a double! My son Brett (33 yrs.old) who is finishing his Phd. in The Classics down the street at NYU. He also plays in his SKA band when he is home here in Michigan. Both of you are sooooo equally talented in your chosen fields! Your Mom must be as proud of you as I am of Brett.

[kelli]

I've never thought to organize books by color!!!!! So unique!

[Heiko]

Amazing library! Best wishes from Munich.

[Laura C]

Kevin, You're awesome!!!!

[Valery]

Hey Kevin!!
Long time!How wonderful to know you are doing so well!
Mail me sometime,
Valery (RISD '93)

[Helen]

Such a creative person. Need larger office.Place you might be interested in Shipshewana, Indiana, northern Indiana.

[Frederic Kahler]

Hello, and greetings to Kevin!

I also arrange my books on shelves by color. How fun!

In the past I've tried many other permutations, including the Dewey Decimal system. I once purchased rolls of postal paper (tan) and covered all my books with it and attached typed labels. It made for a very clean look in the library. This was inspired by the great designer Coco Chanel, who re-bound all of her books in one kind of leather.

Martha, years ago, on your old show, you gave viewers a glimpse at your messy, cluttered home office (guests were never allowed to see that mess). Later you whipped it into shape. My office is very cluttered, especially around the desk, which makes for an overwhelming sensation.

I shall place the first image of Kevin in his office on my desktop to inspire me to get it all organized again - especially since I am hosting a very large party on Memorial Day weekend.

Well, carry on!

Frederic Kahler,
Las Vegas, NV

[carson]

so instead of having his books categorized by subject matter, he has done it by color. . . well okay i'll suggest that to the next librarian i run into!