Designer Betsy Brown on the Essence of Authentic Interiors

Rip & Tan: In as few or as many words as you’d like, how do you define your interior ethos?

Betsy Brown: Successful interior design is first and foremost about how a space makes the client feel. That end goal dictates everything else—aesthetics, comfort, energy and authenticity. 

Rip & Tan: You strike a beautiful balance between modernism and antiquities. Any advice for finding the same golden ratio in our own homes?

Betsy Brown: To achieve a sense of timelessness, it’s good to start collecting early. If your style is modern, look for pieces that are crusty and ancient, and mix them with things that feel simple and clean. If your style is traditional, use classic, traditional pieces mixed with strikingly modern art. It’s the contrast that creates depth. Trust your gut! As hard as it may seem to choose pieces when you’re 25 that you’ll still love when you’re 90, it’s important to trust your intuition early on and, later, honor your younger self by embracing the choices you made.

Rip & Tan: When you look back through your portfolio, are there any design elements that have come to feel signature to you in any space? 

Betsy Brown: I’ve been working in the field for 45 years, so I have a large portfolio to look back through! My work has seen a huge evolution over the years, but the goal is always the same—authenticity. I like for my spaces to feel uncontrived and as timeless as possible.

Rip & Tan: When you’re consulting with a client for the first time, what initial signs and tells are you listening for? In terms of this particular project, what initially informed the design direction?

Betsy Brown: First and foremost I look for clients who are engaged in the process and very kind. This particular client was exactly those things. She is a person who is beloved in the community—very, very kind. But at the same time, she knows her mind and isn’t afraid to say what makes her happy. Her color palette was soft beige, soft beige, and soft beige. She gravitated toward that color for almost every material—wood, stone, and fabric. This is different from many of my other projects, so I had to put myself in her head and work hard to feel what she was feeling.

Rip & Tan: Can you walk us through the general design process for this interior? 

Betsy Brown: Sure. I first met with the client in her previous home. She had asked me to consult on making changes that would update the existing spaces and make them work better for her family. I was honest and told her that there were issues with the floor plan that made the space difficult. Then she mentioned the possibility of building a new house and I was relieved that she came to the conclusion on her own.

We discussed a beautiful piece of property that was for sale nearby and the possibility of engaging Paul Bates Architects to design the house. When Paul was on board we worked together on the plans. He and our client started with the idea of using a reclaimed barrel roof tile and an amazing Italianate house began to grow from there. My team worked with Paul Bates Architects on floor plans and finishes and then presented a plan for furnishings that included antique rugs and vintage pieces. As long as we stayed within color boundaries in which the client was comfortable, everything went very smoothly. Like most of our projects, it was incredibly fun!

Rip & Tan: As someone who designs specifically for lifestyle, can you speak on that with respect to this project? 

Betsy Brown: The key is to understand how clients want to live and what makes them comfortable. Where do they like to eat breakfast? When and where do they watch TV? Do they entertain? Formally or informally? It’s a process of immersing yourself in someone else’s life and making a home that does the job it should do. Sometimes I feel like I only live other people’s lives and not my own. It can be a funny job!

Rip & Tan: Let’s talk details. Whether it’s a particular finish or a piece of furniture, what are a few key pieces that we may not notice right off the bat—but are integral to the overall feel and flow of the home?

Betsy Brown: The travertine Bellini dining table is very special. I love the way it works with the Robsjohn-Gibbings chairs. The table has a good bit of mass and the chairs are delicate, so the balance is nice. The antique gilded chandelier adds a piece of sparkling jewelry to a simple outfit.

Rip & Tan: What are some of the most essential elements of a home that truly “feels like home?”

Betsy Brown: The tangible elements are wonderful lighting, comfortable sofas and chairs, and personal pieces with character that make you smile when you see them. The intangible element is placement, the art of putting them together in a way that creates interest and beauty.

Rip & Tan: If you’re willing to spill your secrets, how did you go about sourcing some of these incredible pieces? From vessels to light fixtures, everything feels so storied. 

Betsy Brown: We have dealers all over the world that we follow on Instagram, and we often use Incollect and 1st Dibs for sourcing. There are vintage furniture and antique rug dealers in LA and NY that we visit. We also custom design beautiful furniture and light fixtures when size and function dictate. Paul Bates designs wonderful pieces, too. He designed the lovely pair of credenzas in the dining room.

Rip & Tan: What’s your approach to pared-back luxury? When do you see design becoming superfluous?

Betsy Brown: I’ve always been uncomfortable with the word luxury. It implies a level of living that only wealthy people can afford. I prefer authentic. Whether a space is stark and minimal or packed full of objects, peace and comfort will be achieved when a space suits its owners in every way. Any particular piece or aesthetic decision that doesn’t suit the client’s life is superfluous.