My parents were both sharp as tacks until they died in their early 80s. My stepmother was the same way, and she lived to be 99. Some of it is genetics, some is lifestyle, and some is just good luck.

I enjoyed seeing her apartment. Give me a good prewar place any day over a sterile glass box.

That was very enjoyable, I’ve always been a fan of hers. Thank you for sharing!

It’s all about having a passion, which she clearly does.

She didnt let Susanna Salk get a word in.

My father and my maternal grandfather were the same. Sharp as tacks. Dad lived to 91 (last year) when his heart just couldn't take anymore (CHF). He had a memory like an elephant. My grandfather very sharp also into his mid-80s, but his heart was his problem too. One thing I know, is they believed in hard work and I honestly think that ha something to do with it.

I think I read that BW and her DH moved into that place six or so years ago, meaning they would have been over 70 at the time. Just the willingness to take on a project of that magnitude probably tells us more than anything about her mindset. DD is a project manager for large ($500K-$1M) renovations. One of her clients lives in NYC, but three years ago they bought a brand new condo in an Austin highrise as a second home, and then (like most buyers in that building) immediately renovated everything. Very, very particular and energetic about overseeing every detail. A year after the reno the unit flooded. So they hired DD to do what she'd done the first time and redid it all without missing a beat. The couple just turned 79. Apparently, they travel everywhere all the time and are involved in a zillion things.

Am I so out of it that I'm the only one who doesn't know who Bunny Williams is?

She's a high-end decorator to the .1%.

Kswl, your mother looks fantastic!

Good genes and staying involved in life have kept my relatives doing well into old age. No living in isolation, bemoaning the passage of time for my grandmother who was sharp and happy until she wasn't, just for a short while at the very end.

Thank you for sharing that Bestyears. I'm a fan of Bunny's work but I don't believe I've ever seen a video of her sharing one of her homes. Loved it.

I'm almost never interested in a person's physical aging, but I'm completely intrigued by people over say 70-ish, who think and speak as if they were in their thirties.

I share your intrigue!

Zalco, thanks 🙂 She has always had a mind not like a steel trap but more like a far flung net. She was taking philosophy classes in her 70’s, and even now reads two or more books a week. She says her Kindle is her favorite possession.

How old do i sound?

70+ is the new 39. Really.

Your mother looks great KSWL

70 in 2021 is the new 25 in the Middle Ages 😎

Sushi- no . I was with you.:) now going to read more

I enjoyed that very much! Went on to watch another one with her. I always had a couple of Bunny Williams coffee table books back a few years ago, and would look at each page in detail. I was into more of Ralph Lauren, but found myself mixing the two styles, but tend to go more masculine in design, for some reason. Love her name. That was one of the names I had picked out if I ever had a girl!

Hmm, I usually like BW, and I think I recall adoring her CT home. I liked almost none of this, and strongly disliked a lot of it (K, eww, MBR, nooo). And sorry, you can argue that your fave chintz is timeless because you are BW, but if you line up 100 people, I am sorry to tell you that a lot of them will not think it is timeless at all, and moreover will give it a big thumbs down today.

I did love the entry and her MBA. I thought there were 2 interesting tricks; match the sofa color to the wall to make the room look larger, and raise the door ways to make the ceilings look higher.

Her TV "composition" is really lovely and clever; using the black screen as a foil for the plate. However, even I, the queen of form over function, find it impractical. She has to move not just the very large plate, but probably some of the candlesticks, in order to view. It also only works for a quite diminutive size TV.

As one who is looking so much at real estate, incl several urban properties, I was actually a little heartened to see she has awful views from some windows. It is very hard to find urban property with consistently pleasant views throughout, even, apparently, at her (I assume) rarified price point.

In re aging, I was always struck by the late, great Justice Ginsburg. I recall reading this article, https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/17/insider/lunch-with-ruth-bader-ginsburg-and-gloria-steinem-you-bet.html and being struck by the photo.

The honorable RBG is 83 in that photo. Dining, working, coiffed, impeccably attired, etc.

She is an inspiration in ways great and small.

KSWL, your Mom is a doll! Brava to her.

mtn, I have to agree with the "chintz is timeless" comment-I screamed (in my head) NO it's not!

I just found it interesting to watch, because she was such a decorating icon during that time, that lasted MANY years.

eta: Although, I admired RBG somewhat, I never found her to be and inspiration in the looks or impeccably-attired department. She always seemed to wear the same ol' thing and her hair the same. Forever. But, that is not why she was so admired, so it doesn't matter anyway. She had numerous other things going on for her!

So funny. I thought as Mtn but was afraid to say it.

I was surprised too that none of the windows had a view.

And sorry, you can argue that your fave chintz is timeless because you are BW, but if you line up 100 people, I am sorry to tell you that a lot of them will not think it is timeless at all, and moreover will give it a big thumbs down today.

I would argue most people would dislike BW's style. I am all for chintz, and objects, and books a-go-go, but most are searching for something more current, and dare I say, fashionable. Pull pictures out of Veranda, AD, World of Interiors, and most will pass. When Hamish Bowles's place was shown here, the derision was practically universal (granny, people cried, and not in a good way.) He has left Vogue and is now editor in chief at WoI, and I am pretty excited about that news.

I went looking for the video of BW's CT house, and instead came across this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5WBip4Rd-E

I like this home so much! Plus it is exactly the size and vibe I would like for our next home.LR is TDF; I am guessing that may be Robshaw on the walls?

Funny how the host keeps insulting this home! Essentially dissing the DR space, "weird" shaped rooms, etc. Geez.

Fabulous house, Mtn. I love how fresh and modern it feels, without being au courrant.

Funny, I didn't feel like the host was insulting the house at all. I think Suzanna was drawing out the ingeniousness and inventiveness of the designer's work by highlighting the challenges of the space.

Well I am kind of overstating it! I don't like the host so maybe that is why!

These homes in NY are making me really want some lacquered walls. They would not suit my house, but they are drool worthy. The curtain rod in the living room is interesting, with the shape in the middle. I love the dimension it adds.

Mtn, while I agree that calling chintz timeless might be an overreach, I think one could probably say that fabrics beautifully rendered in limited quantities can still fit into a room, especially if applied in a more modern fashion like in that bedroom. Had the room been overloaded with chintz, or in the styles with lots of skirts on the chair, etc, it would have been dated. The way she used it in the bedroom in a more restrained manner worked for that room.

Tish,

I think that is a very fair point that the chintz, as used in that room, did not make the room look dated. I'd attribute that more to the talent of the designer than the chintz itself, but then I guess one ends up arguing that anything of quality is timeless if used "correctly". And perhaps that is true?

I hear you on the lacquered walls! But,yes, (perhaps thankfully) they really only belong in a formal home. I also always imagine how difficult it is to achieve on older walls.

Oh, Mtn, I've never cared for SS's approach to this series, although I very much enjoy the homes featured. In this one, she says, "Can I just say, it feels a little bit like the way people outfit if they live in a boat?" Granted, she goes on the clarify she's referring to how the space is used, but really?

I really like the commentary on the dining area off the kitchen. That is the setup of my home now, and it's very much used. Much more so than a traditional dining room.

And I agree that there are so many positive examples of aging around us now. It's inspiring and hopeful.

Bestyears, thanks for posting the BW interview. I found her apartment interesting, I no longer care for so much stuff/layering, but found her place overall would be a pleasant place to visit. But no matter how costly the items I need far fewer in my own home. However, my porch windows have finally been installed, and in the Spring after the trim is painted white to match the windows, I'll get the curtains up that I fell in love with that have been waiting, new in their packages for 7 years...a soft sage-y green, natural and white muted cabbage-y rose print, not at all a shiny chintz material but a similarly dated look. I still really like the print and hope I still love them when installed because, well, you know....

I am a fan of chintz (tho I dont think I have any) and esp "a soft sage-y green, natural and white muted cabbage-y rose print,"

Mtn - I 'm surprised - figured with your post above you would give my curtains a big thumbs down, thanks for that! Bestyears, I thought Bunny came across as physically aging very gracefully as well. The over-talking not so graceful.

No, I really like chintz. At one point I was thinking of doing my Maine LR all in chintz, with matching wallpaper. I particularly love the color way you describe and cabbage roses.

But I don't think it is timeless, especially not in the color way BW alluded to.