Interior Designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Meet Martyn Lawrence Bullard ~ a multi-award winning Los Angeles based interior designer, renowned for his broad range of styles and eclectic, yet sophisticated and always inviting interiors. Martyn has been consistently named as one of the world’s top 100 interior designers by Architectural Digest, featured permanently in Elle Décor’s A-List, named one of the top 25 designers by Hollywood Reporter, and part of the Luxe Interiors + Design Gold List 2012.
MY IDEAL DAY …
… begins with breakfast at home with my dog Daisy. We share turkey bacon and lots of cuddles, then into the office for a staff round-up to discuss all of our different projects and where we are with them, what the days goals are for each client and project and then set that into action. I like to take a 20 minute lunch, close my office door and look at the latest auction catalogues or new design books that may have come in that day. Usually I spend the afternoons out looking in the design and vintage stores, finding pieces for my projects. Pass by a gallery or two for art pieces, preferably these days photography as I love that medium and then back to the office to look over mood boards, add the days finds to them and finally recap the day with my staff, look at the progress and hopefully assess that our goals have been met.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT THUS FAR?Winning International Designer of the Year in 2011, and being on the Architectural Digest Top 100 Design Talents in the world now for 11 years.
THE INTERVIEW: Martyn Lawrence Bullard
MY FAVORITE FURNITURE ITEM IS …
I love upholstered pieces and enjoy designing and making very loungy, deep, luxurious sofas that just beckon you to relax and enjoy!
ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT ULTRASUEDE® IS …
I use Ultrasuede® extensively between my residential and commercial projects. The softness of touch, the wide and varied range of colors, and the extreme durability make this a fabric of choice. I upholster furniture, cover walls, and have even made decorative accessories in Ultrasuede. For my own screening room sofas, I have used this material because of the durability and luster, and it allows my dog to come cuddle with me whilst I watch a movie without any worries of fabric damage or stains.
A LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT ME …
My middle name is Shaemus. Named for the bartender in a Dublin pub that my parents befriended the night I was conceived! He had apparently gotten them over served that evening! I had never been to Ireland until recently and was enchanted by Dublin and a wonderful historic house I am now decorating there. I may well use my middle name there just for fun and see what happens when I explain its origins.
• I am an avid collector. I love photography and collect across the board of periods and subjects. Books are a huge passion, especially design, decoration, art, and historic reference books. I currently am obsessed with 60’s and 70’s furniture and am filling my Palm Springs weekend home with pieces by Paul Evans, Vladimir Kagan, Milo Baughman, Margiotto, Pierre Cardin, Charles Hollis Jones, and Willy Rizzo.
• 1st dibs is a perfect place to spend an hour or so finding amazing and often hard to locate pieces from all over the world. A fabulous resource for designers, collectors, or just shop-a-holics like me.
MY TRADEMARK PERSONAL STYLE CAN BEST BE DESCRIBED AS …
My personal style is defiantly very eclectic. With my European background and being brought up in London, my tastes have been shaped with an understanding of many mixed cultures and styles. Britain once being a great empire has long gathered its decorative heritage from all corners of that empire, including North Africa and India. They have mixed those elements into their interiors over the centuries and truly created a bohemian style that is indigenously linked to their culture. For me seeing that as a child – the flea markets full of pieces from everywhere and the great houses and museums around the country that display this heritage – has always inspired me and really helped shape my understanding of how it’s always better to mix! My personal tastes now are driven with a love of exotic pieces punctuating spaces and creating diverse interest in a room. I adore bold color and primary solids mixed with patterned drapery and pillows. It’s my own version of the Englishman abroad … I take in my surroundings and allow them to enhance my decorative decisions while eclectically mixing elements from around the world that work together and complement one another.
WHEN I’M NOT WORKING …
Sunday is my day! I get up late after having a delicious smoky earl grey tea in bed with my favorite treat: English digestive cookies that I have flown in every month. I take a long brunch with friends, catching up on all our lives and loved ones news , spend the afternoon between dips in the pool and lounging by it, catching up on my magazines and books . As sun sets , I walk the dog in the local park and finally settle in for a cozy dinner and a movie. Perfect. My battery recharge and my day to get re inspired and enjoy as my reward for working so hard the rest of the week.
MY FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION IS …
Istanbul has become my favorite place to travel to recently. The exotic ambiance is always enticing, while the people and food are always so welcoming and wonderful. The Bosphorous is magical, especially in the late summer months, and the history that surrounds you is always inspiring. Let’s not forget the shopping too! From the bargain grinding in the grand bazaar to the caviar tasting in the spice market, Istanbul is a treasure trove of shopping delights. Suzani and ikat fabrics, antique lanterns, sparkling jewels and soft, voluminous towels … I am currently designing a hotel situated in the walls of the Topkapi Palace that has me there very often currently. I couldn’t be more happy to visit this magnificent city and be surrounded by its beauty and intrigue.
all images used with permission via Martyn Lawrence Bullard
