Everyone wants to know what an Emmy-nominated TV personality and beauty expert’s office looks like, right? I was especially ecstatic to write this feature about Paul Wharton! I’ve been watching him on TV for years, from MTV’s ‘Made’ and making models over on VH1’s ‘The Agency’, to seeing Paul’s castings and shoots for ‘America’s Next Top Model’ on The CW. More recently, I’ve caught his fun segments just about every week on Fox 5’s ‘Good Day DC’.
Let’s go on a journey of style and substance. Enjoy this guided tour of Paul Wharton’s Dupont Circle office in Metro Offices – a woman-owned company with eleven locations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Paul describes his business relationship with Metro Offices as close. “I’ve housed my company at Metro Offices Metro Center location for over 7 years. I heard about renovations of the Connecticut Avenue location and as soon as I saw the space, I knew my team would thrive in this location and we moved immediately.”
Stepping off the elevator, I entered a vibrant open concept space with a rustic edge, modern seating areas, several workstations, and a state-of-the-art kitchen. Across the hall was an office straight out of a design magazine, with vibrant flowers, elaborate mirrors, Warhol-inspired art, elegant wallpaper. Sitting behind the desk was the fabulous Paul Wharton himself.
Paul’s taste is impeccable. He made no exceptions with expertly combined patterns, colors, and textures in his office, reflecting Regency Moderne style with a touch of rustic charm. It’s an incredibly creative workspace, and Paul’s charm immediately put me at ease. He shared intimate stories about his collection of pictures, unique furniture, awards and décor, which are all personal to him.
I fell in love with the soft hues, glamorous gold accents. Behind Paul’s desk is shimmery wallpaper designed by TemPaper Designs. He explained how easily the self-adhesive paper re-sticks, so anyone with a little patience can “juj” up a room.
Hanging on the wall are two Pop Art-inspired prints of Paul circa his MTV Made days! The photos by New York photographer Fadil Berisha were made into prints while Paul was working as an on-air talent for The CW Network. “There was a guy named Rob that worked in the art department at the CW and I went in one day and asked him to make me an Andy Warhol. He was quirky enough to be into it and this is what he gave me.” There is also a portrait painted by the artist Dike.
Paul fresh cut flowers in his office which are delivered weekly from Lee’s Flower Shop on U Street NW. Several candles give the lighting in the room a wonderful tone. “I love candles and scents. We’re launching a new line of candles and my personal fragrance in 2019 so our offices always smell amazing.”
Everyone has the mug they keep in their office, but it should be no surprise that Paul Wharton drinks out of beautiful crystal glasses! “You don’t have to pull out your nice glasses just for special occasions. How about pouring a glass of fresh water in them?” His glassware is from L is a Luxury, designed by his longtime friend Lisa Bolden.
Next to the window overlooking Connecticut Avenue are photos of him with Oprah Winfrey, Andy Cohen, and the iconic Patti LaBelle, taken during their Emmy-nominated holiday special, ‘Home For the Holidays’. Paul shared the story of how he met Patti when he was just thirteen years old and later fulfilled a dream by hosting his show at her beautiful house. There is a statue of Buddha gifted by his lovely mother, and a collection of books by Christian Dior, Gucci, Kevyn Aucoin, and Scavullo. Paul says,
“These timeless books will inspire your inner fashionista. I am inspired by beauty, the history, and culture of fashion.”
Paul’s book “Pulling It All Together: Essential Style Advice on Being Beautiful, Confident & (Most of All) Happy!” is available on Amazon.com.
