Design Tips From the Countess of California Cool
Betsy Burnham on When to Go Bold, Best Paint Colors, Mixing Patterns and More
Los Angeles interior designer Betsy Burnham is as masterful with the art of interior design as she is with the art of business. While Betsy and her full-service firm, Burnham Design, turn every square inch of high-end California interiors they touch into gold, Burnham and company also bring that signature style to budget-based clients through her online service, Instant Space.
Despite a schedule packed with back-to-back client installations, custom fabrications and Instant Space orders, the Countess of California Cool took time out to share her thoughts on decorating and design with Houzz readers. From Betsy's go-to retail stores to the proper way to mix patterns, here's the rundown on outside-the-box design straight from Ms. Burnham herself:
Despite a schedule packed with back-to-back client installations, custom fabrications and Instant Space orders, the Countess of California Cool took time out to share her thoughts on decorating and design with Houzz readers. From Betsy's go-to retail stores to the proper way to mix patterns, here's the rundown on outside-the-box design straight from Ms. Burnham herself:
While color is one of Betsy's signature design elements, she finds it more practical used in small doses set against neutral backdrops.
BPF: Give us three paint colors you use time and time again on walls.
BB: Dunn Edward’s “Silver Spoon,” a fabulous pale blue/gray that all of us have used in our own homes; Benjamin Moore’s “Providence Olive,” a gutsy neutral that looks amazing with black wood finishes and hits of red; Dunn Edward’s “Whisper,” our go-to white that’s crisp and fresh but also soft enough to be extremely livable. We love it for wood trim.
BB: Dunn Edward’s “Silver Spoon,” a fabulous pale blue/gray that all of us have used in our own homes; Benjamin Moore’s “Providence Olive,” a gutsy neutral that looks amazing with black wood finishes and hits of red; Dunn Edward’s “Whisper,” our go-to white that’s crisp and fresh but also soft enough to be extremely livable. We love it for wood trim.
Fans consider Betsy's work very complex and meticulously well thought out. Mixing patterns and using neutrals in fresh, unexpected ways isn't a skill picked up through reading a textbook. Betsy, who originally worked in menswear for The Gap, has an in-depth understanding of textiles and tailoring which often shows in her upholstery and seamstress work.
BPF: When is it okay to mix pattern?
BB: It's okay when there’s a color or mix of colors consistent between them and when their scales are different. For instance, a two-color, medium-scale ikat in grassy green and white will look fabulous with a multicolored paisley that has a bit of the same green in it. Add to this a small-scale leopard print with a white ground (and perhaps one of the colors from the paisley), and you’ve got a cool room. What’s important is to make it look just random enough; in other words, not too perfect.
BB: It's okay when there’s a color or mix of colors consistent between them and when their scales are different. For instance, a two-color, medium-scale ikat in grassy green and white will look fabulous with a multicolored paisley that has a bit of the same green in it. Add to this a small-scale leopard print with a white ground (and perhaps one of the colors from the paisley), and you’ve got a cool room. What’s important is to make it look just random enough; in other words, not too perfect.
As this living room demonstrates, something indicative of a Burnham-designed space is a meticulous layering of textures, sheens, colors and shapes.
BPF: If you had to name the biggest mistake people make when decorating their own homes, what would it be?
BB: Not respecting the integrity of the architecture. A Spanish-style house really isn’t the best setting for italian modern furniture. I’m not suggesting being overly literal — too much of any one thing won’t look fresh and up-to-date — but give a nod to the style of the outside of your house with your furnishings.
BB: Not respecting the integrity of the architecture. A Spanish-style house really isn’t the best setting for italian modern furniture. I’m not suggesting being overly literal — too much of any one thing won’t look fresh and up-to-date — but give a nod to the style of the outside of your house with your furnishings.
BPF: Any decorating pet peeves?
BB: I can’t stand it when people push their furniture up against the walls of their room. This is not a furniture plan! Pull your furniture in, let it “float.” By creating more intimate groupings of pieces, the result is a much warmer space. Another pet peeve, and I’m sorry BPF, is too much DIY. Most people are not good painters, or paper hangers. Hire a professional to do the work. It’s really well worth the splurge, and that well-prepped and painted wall will make even Ikea furniture look expensive.
BPF: No offense taken! I'm a pretty darn good painter and stylist; however, I leave true wallpaper hanging to my team of professionals. I totally agree that there's many cases where paint jobs should be left to the professionals.
BB: I can’t stand it when people push their furniture up against the walls of their room. This is not a furniture plan! Pull your furniture in, let it “float.” By creating more intimate groupings of pieces, the result is a much warmer space. Another pet peeve, and I’m sorry BPF, is too much DIY. Most people are not good painters, or paper hangers. Hire a professional to do the work. It’s really well worth the splurge, and that well-prepped and painted wall will make even Ikea furniture look expensive.
BPF: No offense taken! I'm a pretty darn good painter and stylist; however, I leave true wallpaper hanging to my team of professionals. I totally agree that there's many cases where paint jobs should be left to the professionals.
BPF: Since not everyone can shop at trade-only showrooms, give us your go-to retail store for great home furnishings.
BB: West Elm for desks and accessories, Crate and Barrel for off-the-rack upholstery and Anthropologie for great-looking drapery panels.
BB: West Elm for desks and accessories, Crate and Barrel for off-the-rack upholstery and Anthropologie for great-looking drapery panels.
BPF: One of my biggest pet peeves is rod pocket drapery panels thrown up on cheap rods, then considered "window treatments". If someone wants tailored draperies but is on a budget, what should they keep in mind?
BB: One thing we did recently was pick up ready-made panels from Anthropologie (they have a fabulous selection of them), and then to smarten them up: we had our drapery fabricator add lining and hem them so that they were just the right length to “kiss” the floor of the room. Once these updates were done, even the rod pockets didn’t bother us; the panels looked completely custom.
BB: One thing we did recently was pick up ready-made panels from Anthropologie (they have a fabulous selection of them), and then to smarten them up: we had our drapery fabricator add lining and hem them so that they were just the right length to “kiss” the floor of the room. Once these updates were done, even the rod pockets didn’t bother us; the panels looked completely custom.
BPF: You use animal prints and make it look so luxurious. What can make leopard or zebra prints look cheap and gaudy?
BB: Garish colors are a no-no, as are inexpensive or overly furry fabrics. It sounds oxymoronic, but look for tasteful animal prints.
BB: Garish colors are a no-no, as are inexpensive or overly furry fabrics. It sounds oxymoronic, but look for tasteful animal prints.
BPF: Many of your spaces sport breathtaking millwork. Any trick for making it look great without spending a fortune to do so?
BB: Oh, there’s no trick — custom millwork is expensive! One cost-saving idea is to use paint grade material, like MDF, for the actual millwork. Paint-grade materials are generally more affordable than finer, stain-grade woods.
BB: Oh, there’s no trick — custom millwork is expensive! One cost-saving idea is to use paint grade material, like MDF, for the actual millwork. Paint-grade materials are generally more affordable than finer, stain-grade woods.
The featured Los Angeles-based designer at home in her back yard.
Next: Browse more home design photos
Next: Browse more home design photos
BB: When you want to add a bit of whimsy to a room, it’s great to take a risk with pattern on major pieces. I’ve done striped sofas — even a camouflage print one — that added just the right twist to a room. Another time to go bold is when you’ve got a piece of furniture with great lines that seems overly serious; a Louis-style settee is a lot more fun in a red linen than it is in a pale silk, for instance.