David Kleinberg, the founder and president of David Kleinberg Design Associates, is a leader in the residential interior design industry, both in terms of artistry and management. He was one of the first owners of a namesake interior design firm to make his principals limited equity partners. Since he did so, other firms have followed suit. Kleinberg is a member of NYSID’s Board of Trustees, and of the College’s Committee for Institutional Advancement. He supports Nantucket by Design, Dialogues on Design, and the Albert Hadley Endowed Scholarship Fund. A graduate of Trinity College with a degree in urban studies, he got his start in interior design at Denning & Fourcade, and then worked for 16 years at the legendary firm Parish-Hadley. He struck out on his own in 1997. He was first named to the Architectural Digest AD 100 list in 2012 and has been a member of the ELLE Decor A-List since 2011. He was introduced to NYSID when the College awarded him the Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. We sat down to talk to him about his passion for design education.

Why do you support the College?
My mother, who was a teacher, always did charitable work, so she was a model for me. Back in the day, when I had three disposable dollars, it became clear to me that I had to focus my giving on the issues that really matter to me. I lived through the AIDS epidemic, losing many colleagues and friends, so for 25 years one of my priorities had been AIDS organizations. I also feel very appreciative of this industry that has given me a full and meaningful life, so I wanted to find a way to invest in the future of design. I was introduced to NYSID when the College awarded me the Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award. Hadley was my mentor and the person who most influenced my career. When I accepted, I said, “Thank you, and I’m honored, but I need to learn more about this school.” I met with David Sprouls. The minute I saw what they were doing, I knew this was something I wanted to be involved in. I especially value the fact that the NYSID curriculum recognizes that residential design has equal merit, that it’s just as important as contract design. Joining this board was a good choice. It’s been rewarding to be on a board with like-minded, collegial people.

You hosted a party in your legendary NYC apartment for NYSID. Why?
There are ways of giving to NYSID beyond direct monetary donation. The cocktail party you speak of was a way for me to introduce my colleagues who were not aware of the school to what’s going on there. You see, Albert Hadley and Sister Parish were great examples of how to be supportive of young people, so I do what I can to build community. I wanted to live up to their examples. I feel an obligation as a member of society because I wake up feeling very grateful every day.

Why do you support NYSID student participation in Nantucket by Design?
I’d been up to the Nantucket Historical Association to give a keynote speech. I’d seen what NYSID students had done in the Oldest House there. By supporting NYSID student work in Nantucket, I knew I could help them create a space, get recognition, engage with vendors, and have a first showhouse experience. I liked everything about that! As a designer, you have to stand in front of your work and own it, and that is an experience I wanted to give students.

Why is interior design still important in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic?
When you’re stuck at home socially isolating, it becomes apparent why interior design is so important. Normally, I am a quintessential urban creature, working all the time, out all the time. But home is enormously important to me. Even when I lived in a 200 SF studio back in the day, my space felt like such a visceral experience for me. In other crises, we gathered together publicly. In this instance, we have to isolate to withstand this, so it is probably more important than ever to find comfort in the environment in which you isolate. Your home environment needs to help you work and relax. Now more than ever, the design of the home must support and calm us.