Billy B.

"The Essence of Relationship Between the Client and the Decorator must be We."

- Billy Baldwin

After reading through two books dedicated to Mr. Baldwin, "Billy Baldwin Decorates" & "Billy Baldwin Remembers" I learned that he was not only known as a designer to the stars, but a style icon himself. He had impeccable taste, but said "if you can tell I did a house, I didn't" .

Mr. Baldwin's creativity flowed more freely when client's shared their opinions. He relied on the client/decorator relationship to drive the design.

He also had a pet peeve, client's with too much money. I love this about him because to me it showed he was a real person.

Mr. Baldwin said, "I can't tell you how many people I know who won't by something unless it's expensive. I know it isn't good business, but I tell them what I think anyway. I think an unpleasant atmosphere results from the entry into the obviously 'rich' room-the kind that makes you feel you're caught right in the middle between the devil of a museum ant the deep sea of the embarra de richesse."

Here are some of my favorite renderings and rooms from the books I mentioned above.

1949 "A Gentleman's Brown Living Room Accented with Bright Green and Punctuated with a Collection of Black and White Prints and Drawings"

I love the chocolate brown lacquer walls, and black lacquer table. His arrangement of artwork harmonizes the room as well.

Fabulous sofa print fabric, sunburst mirror and the rug is to die for..

I am personally obsessed with the double cushion ottoman & of course the fur rug! Favs!

1949 "A Pink-Walled Stair Hall in a Country Cottage, Its woodwork White Its Floor Painted Black with a Striking Rug and Runner of Black and White"

Orange Doors... Amazing

"The Things I Love" - Billy Baldwin

1. Clean Clean Color

2. Brilliant Flower Colors.

3. Lots of White

4. A 'Coming Home' Look in The City

5. Cotton Everywhere

6. Off-White Textured Materials

7. The Look of Comfort

8. The Banquette

9. Curtains As Simple As Possible

10. Off - White Rugs and Carpets

11. The Elegance of Simplicity and Honesty

12. A Room that is, Above all Personal

I Am Kind Of Into Fur...

Since it's starting to feel cool right now in the state of TX... and rainy all I really want to do is curl up with a good design book and/or Audrey Hepburn movie and a faux fur throw. Here are some inspirational photos from Elle Decor that got me thinking...

"In the library of Ralph and Ricky Lauren's Manhattan apartment, the wall of lacquer shelving serves as a backdrop for a custom-made sofa, armchairs, and cocktail table by Ralph Lauren Home; the binoculars are antique, the vintage floor lamps are from Wyeth, and the silk rug is by Stark Carpet. " Elle Decor

I absolutely Love this room. It is symmetrical and yet still achieves a softness due to the arrangement of color, natural light...and the fur throw.

"In the living area of Atwood’s apartment, which was renovated by architect Matteo Bermani and decorated by Nate Berkus, a vintage Arredoluce Triennale floor lamp illuminates a sofa by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia; the 1970s cocktail table is from 1stdibs.com, and the vintage hand chair was found at a Manhattan antiques shop." Elle Decor April 2009

Once again notice the fur throws and pillows on Brian Atwood (if you don't know who that is.. the famous shoe designer. http://www.brianatwood.com/) "I die". Oh and btw i love the gold hand chair.

This photo is of a vacation home in Montana. I love the fur throw on the ottoman, but I also love the foot stool upholstered in cowhide. I feel like the room isn't too overdone, yet the bed is pretty whimsical and rural at the same time.

"At Hobble Diamond Ranch, the Montana vacation home of Susan and Robert Burch, London-based decorators Philip Hooper and Sally Metcalfe added a bucolic touch to the master bedroom with a birch four-poster by Diane Cole Ross." Elle Decor