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1 Feb |
Interview with Martyn Lawrence-Bullard Designer, Interviews
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“Follow your heart not fashion or public opinion… Don’t be scared to be an individual!”
Do you know who won the Andrew Martin award in 2010 – the award described by the Times as “The Oscars for the interior design world”? The answer is Martyn Lawrence-Bullard. Eclectic, luxurious, sophisticated, comfortable, fearless in mixing up different styles … all are words that come to mind when asked about Martyn’s designs. Martyn Lawrence-Bullard is one of the world’s top 100 interior designers by Architectural Digest. His work has appeared in over 700 publications worldwide. His clientele includes Sir Elton John, Edward Norton, Aaron Sorkin, Tamara Mellon, Christina Aguilera, Eva Mendes, Ellen Pompeo, Kid Rock and the Osbournes, among others. Martyn loves the earthy exotic furniture of Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and the color combinations of deep red and chocolate, and olive and eggplant. For more info on Martyn Lawrence-Bullard click here to read his profile on 1st Dibs. So let’s get on with it…
How would you describe your own style?
My style is totally eclectic. I love so many styles and periods, like Oscar Wilde said ” all beautiful things belong to the same age”…
When you were a child, did you want to become a designer?
As a child I wanted to follow in my fathers’ foot steps and become an actor, although I always loved interiors and would make my parents take me to visit the most beautiful stately homes, castles and museums around the world.
How did you get your first assignment?
I got my first job when a producer from a film I was in came to dinner at my then small home and loved it so he asked me to design his offices, the Hollywood film works. I did so for fun and ended up becoming my career.
Is there a designer that has influenced you?
I love the work of David Hicks… He has been an inspiration to me especially in the way he used color and mixed periods and styles. Also Renzo Mongiardino – his work was so chic and almost fantasy.
Are great designers born or made?
Great designer are born… It’s something innate not learned. A sense of style seems to me to be a gift you are born with, just like a singer, you are born with the tools and you refine them with age.
What do you enjoy most in your work?
I enjoy the joy my clients get from the finished product … making their decorative dreams come true!
Which project have you been most proud of?
I am always most proud of the last project I completed…. Currently that’s Sir Elton John’s home.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement has been the ability to stay so busy during this recession. My business has actually doubled. I’ve been very lucky.
What inspires your creativity?
Diversity.
What is your idea what a beautiful home should feel like?
A beautiful room is a comfortable room. Somewhere that you just want to curl up in.
You said: “The one rule I’ve always stuck to is to be honest. There’s no point in creating a decorative scheme on or around something you don’t believe in. To be a straight shooter is always the best policy.” Are you always a straight shooter?
I am always honest with my clients… Honesty is the only policy!
Favorite books?
The marchesa di cassati… Windsor style… The private lives of Yves St Laurent and Pierre Berge and Rooms to inspire by Annie Kelly.
What does success mean to you?
Success is happiness and contentment. To wake up every day and know you love what you do. That’s happiness!
What’s your advice to upcoming designers?
Follow your heart not fashion or public opinion… Don’t be scared to be an individual!
My signature Design Elements question – what are the most important design elements?
To me scale is the most important design element to a room. Perfect scale is actually very hard to achieve and is the signature of a seasoned decorator.
photo credit: Martyn Lawrence-Bullard Design
Kommentare
32 Kommentare zu “Interview with Martyn Lawrence-Bullard”
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Willkommen
Willkommen auf Design Elements - mein Blog über Interior Design, Inneneinrichtung und Inspiration.
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Great interview again! You are nailing it!
Have a nice day!
Ingrid:)
incredible variety of styles…
and I love his advice to follow your heart not fashion..
maureen
What a smart, talented guy. Wonderful advice, about honesty and following your heart. Love love love that kitchen, with artwork instead of cabinets. Such a great idea.
Wow! I love the living room in the third picture – I have a sectional sofa in my living room, so it’s always nice to see designers work with them – I can see that I will need to make more pillows for my sectional.
Great interview!
Very interesting interview in so many levels!
I really need to check his website! Loving these pictures!
You did a fantastic job again, Maria.
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
Post of the day: An Elegant House by Canadian Interior Designer Scott Yetman.
I love the eclectic style from the clean, high lines of the first room to the gorgeous wallpaper, feminine feel of the second one. I’ll definitely look for more of his work!
This is an absolutely very interesting interview and also a very inspirational talking! Thank you for sharing it – it was a pleasure to read it! ~ xoxo Diamond Cat
Wow I love the kitchen!!!
Very nice
Thank you.
tolles Interview, die Bilder sind der Wahnsinn!!
GGLG Simone
These interiors are absolutely beautiful. But I must tell you how much I like the quote you had at the beginning of your post. The advice is perfect for everyone, not just designers.
my favourite is the last photo. those huge windows and the space he created is beautiful!
Isabel @ Walk of Fashion
Great interview! I love his work…so inspiring!
Great interview and I also like the advice to follow your heart!
Excellent interview with a lot of thoughts to check. The room design of the last one look superb!
What wonderful quote from him…
And his spaces looks really lovely.
Love your interview!
What beautiful images! I love the large artwork resting on the bench in the kitchen, so unexpected… thanks for coming past our blog!
Oh ja! Der Stilmix hier macht sich richtig gut! Und was für eine Aussicht! Tolles Interview!
Viele liebe Grüße von mir
Solveig
What a wonderful interview Maria–that last image of his is just my ultimate living space–LOVE! And I adore his philosophy of a beautiful room being a comfy one.
xoxo Mary Jo
I totally get why this man is a sucessfull one and I love the answers he gives on each and every question!
Eclectic style I adore, especially the first pic. I feel so inspired by that one!!!
Also, loved the house tour from Mallorca. I actually have a dream of having a place of my own there one day. Mallorca is one of my favourite spots in the world!
And of course, the inspiring words from Tina Roth Eisenberg I had to print. Love these words of wisdom and I will truly do my best to follow each and every one of them from now on:)!
Thanks for some really, really, really great inspiration!!!
I love exotic furniture too, and I agree with him a beautifull room is a comfortable room.
One more time, a great interview!!!.
xxxx
I was in Tanzania and Kenya two years ago and it was the best experiencie in my live, I,m sure your travel will be fantastic.
That arched staircase is beautiful!
hi Maria, great interview.
He seems like a very versatile designer…
I wish he said something more about the scale as a design element, I mean the answer to your signature question… scale is a really interesting and difficult topic.
ps. where did you read about Lalanne?
Thanks for this Maria.
I am not sure about the “follow your heart, be an individual” quote though. Much and all as I would love to embrace this ethos fully, I find that it’s a very rare domestic client who wants to go out on a limb! Maybe I need to be more firm with them?!
Talk soon,
Stephie x
Hi, Maria!
Fantastic interview.
He is so eclectic and talented!
Love the first pic, just my style.
Hugs
Tereza
Such beautiful spaces… and what a wonderful interview!
I love the Oscar Wilde quote.
What an interesting interview. I read every single word!
I loved what Martyn said about scale and the importance of following your heart (not trends).
And ONLY a very seasoned and good designer talks about comfort first. A room where you don’t dare to sit and relax is not good for the room’s energy or for a person’s heart!
Great job, Maria!
Warm hugs,
Mon
P.S Love the kitchen with the b/w photograph.
Very interesting. I signed up for your emails.
Danke.
no way!!! that’s so, so, so, nautical! great post!!
Amazing, I’m very impressed! Feels like an epitome of imagination. Thank your for sharing this.
Das ist soooo toll! Ich liebe solche kreativen Häuser! Viele Grüße aus Hessen und gute Nacht ;o)
Geisslein
Beautiful! i love this organical architecture. This home is impressive. thanks for the visit, so I could find you. added to my list, your blog is impressive!
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