New York-based design icon and tastemaker, Bunny Williams has been creating elegant, timeless and inviting rooms for more than 40 years. Before launching her own firm, she spent the first twenty-two years of her career with the legendary decorating firm, Parish-Hadley Associates. In addition to being an award-winning designer, she’s also an accomplished author, speaker and businesswoman. In October 2010, Bunny debuted her furniture line, Beeline Home II by Bunny Williams, at the High Point Market and received The Best of Market Award, which recognizes the showroom that best exemplifies design excellence. In addition, Bunny recently released her latest book, “Scrapbook for Living.”
Simplified Bee: Your designs are timeless, inviting and fit each client precisely. When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer?
Bunny Williams: I grew up in a wonderful house in Charlottesville, VA with a family who loved beautiful things and who loved to entertain. I had a little playhouse surrounded by a garden with wicker furniture and a small table with a miniature tea set. I loved giving tea parties for my dolls and rearranging the furniture. I learned early on how to create a comfortable welcoming house. I truly think becoming a designer was in my DNA. Later on when I moved to New York I was taught by the best, Mrs. Henry (Sister) Parish and Albert Hadley whose firm I worked at for many years. I opened my own firm in 1988 and have enjoyed working with many wonderful clients all of whom have helped me grow and expand my horizons as a designer.
SB: How would you describe your personal style?
BW: My personal style is all about making my houses comfortable and inviting for my family and friends, and of course, my dogs. I adore all kinds of furniture, love combining antiques and new pieces, and am always moving things around. I am a shopper and a collector. I love to be surrounded by books, have lots of comfortable chairs and good lights for reading. I get a kick out of putting something inexpensive and stylish next to a fine antique. It is the mix of periods, styles, and pedigrees that excites me.
SB: You have said that every design decision you make is based on a fundamental principle: “Knowing what you value is essential.” Throughout your career, has there been a common theme with what you and your clients value?
BW: It is true that I make design decisions based on the fundamental principle: “Knowing what you value is essential”. That underlying theme helps me understand each of my clients and is also important to me in designing my own homes. It is essentially getting to the core of how they live and how they want to live in the spaces I am designing for them. I would say the most common theme amongst all my clients is to have a home and surroundings that are comfortable, flexible and that suits today’s fast paced lifestyle. We all live much more casually today and people want a place to relax, enjoy a wonderful dinner, appreciate the outdoors, welcome family and friends, and feel at ease. In addition, they want the best quality their dollars can afford.
SB: Do you have “go to” paint colors? If so, which ones?
BW: My go to paint colors right now are all from Farrow & Ball. The quality of the paint is superb and the well edited color palette provides the perfect background for furniture and art.
My favorites are: Orangery, Blue Ground, with White Tie for trim. I also love Book Red.
SB: In March of 2009, you launched your first collection of furniture and accessories, Beeline Home. The collection is magnificent. The Eglomise Coffee Table and the Eclipse Chair are my favorites. What are your favorite pieces? Do you have any new pieces you can share with us?
BW: In my first BeeLine Home collection, I particularly love the Nailhead sofa. It has a high back the perfect seat depth, a charming scalloped apron, and nailhead trim which defines the silhouette of the piece.
In Collection II which we just introduced at the High Point furniture market a few weeks ago, I adore the Harvest table which has an unusual wrought iron base and is available with a cerused oak or honed marble top. It is very versatile and could be used as a center table in a foyer, a library table, or even as a dining table.
SB: In addition to designing, you have authored several books including An Affair with a House, On Garden Style and most recently Point of View. Was one easier to write than the others?
BW: Having written four books which is truly a labor of love and takes amazing discipline, I must say that the easiest one to write was “An Affair with a House”. Since the subject is my own house in Falls Village, CT which I bought and restored over many years and is where I escape to relax and work in my garden, the book felt natural and the words just flowed. My fourth book “Scrapbook for Living” published by Stewart, Tabori and Chang, with beautiful photographs by Amy Archer was also fun to write. It is filled with tips and things I have learned about creating a wonderful home that is well organized, personal and has soul.
SB: It seems you are embracing social media. You are on Facebook, tweet and write a blog {Bunny’s Buzz}. Do you prefer one over the other? What is your advice to other interior designers who are timid about trying social media marketing outlets?
BW: I think Social Media is definitely the way to connect with people today. I still love a hand written note and a telephone call, but the new ways to communicate are fast and fun. I just got an iPad and I am addicted! Stay tuned for our new website bunnywilliams.com. All of my enterprises will be there: my interior design projects, Bunny Williams Inc., BeeLine Home, and my shops Treillage. We will be able to link to other sites, show beautiful photographs, and Bunny’s Buzz will have the capability to show videos and give great tips and information.
SB: What is your favorite room in your house and why?
BW: My favorite room in my house is the Conservatory in the barn right next to the main house in Connecticut. It is a room filled with plants that during the day is one of my favorite places to read or visit with a friend as it gets beautiful light pouring through the hand blown glass windows. In the evening it becomes a candlelit dining room and is just magical.
*all images from Bunny Williams and used with permission
