The Style Files: Conversations with Creatives

Internationally celebrated for interiors with an inviting flair, Alessandra Branca has classicism running through her veins—her signature style born of a Roman childhood, nurtured through 30 years of experience. Branca blends color, pattern and texture with an abundant sense of joy, a little wink and the wisdom to make

it all work in perfect harmony. Branca’s interiors are livable— designed to reflect and soften our complex worlds. What unifies her work is an overall sense of balance—and the practical magic she casts, turning houses into homes.

The hallmark of any Branca interior is authenticity—reverence for quality craftsmanship, finely-tuned proportion and scale, rigorous attention to detail and a focus on the individual client. Everything contributes to the complete vision for a home designed to meet her clients’ needs, supporting and enhancing a well-lived life. Whether she’s creating a family beach house, a Park Avenue pied-à-terre,

After earning a degree in architecture from Columbia University and mentoring under renowned decorator Miles Redd, Nick Olsen started his eponymous firm in 2010. Nick creates comfortable, stylish interiors that nod to the past and his arch sense of humor while maintaining an air of modernity. Hallmarks of his aesthetic include mixing antiques and contemporary art, playing with scale and texture contrasts, and creating unexpected color combinations--all while tending to the unique needs of each client. Recent projects include a mid-century modern home in Cincinnati, separate Park Avenue apartments for members of the same family, and a Nantucket vernacular summer home and guest house.

At age 24 Nick's first studio apartment landed on the cover of Domino magazine, and one his first decorating projects made the August 2013 cover of The World of Interiors. His projects have also been featured in Architectural

Growing up in Palm Beach in the 1970s, Amanda experienced Florida at its most magical. The style, the architecture, the climate – it would all imprint on her, taking root and blossoming throughout the years.

Through her 20s, Amanda worked at WWD and W magazine, as well as PR for Gucci and other luxury brands in New York, Paris and London. In her 30s, she moved to Nassau full-time and applied her design eye to her own home, then to properties associated with her husband’s development company, and eventually for friends who became clients (and, of course, clients who became friends).

Throughout her work, she kept the focus on breezy sophistication and vibrant layers of texture and color – the hallmarks of inviting spaces to host family and friends.

Jeffrey Bilhuber has a uniquely American perspective that breathes new life into tradition with a confirmed understanding of modern sensibilities. He mixes periods and design ideas with a confidence and instinctive style whose rules are self-evident: practicality and sheer beauty. Hamish Bowles of Vogue likens him to a 21st century Billy Baldwin. Sara Ruffin Costello has exclaimed " Jeffrey Bilhuber has sealed his legacy as a design pioneer on par with phenoms like Albert Hadley.” Bilhuber’s unlikely combinations of plain with fancy and new with old make for dwellings as fascinating as they are functional. One of a handful of preeminent American decorators, Jeffrey Bilhuber takes his design cues from understanding the importance of history while optimistically looking towards the future. With almost thirty years of decorating experience, he brings an acclaimed confidence and clarity to his far-reaching projects. His interiors consistently address the needs of an evolving and enlightened society with historic respect and modern insightfulness. Bilhuber represents the quintessential New York based interior designer. Engaged by both the past and present, his work is honest, urbane, edited, intuitive, brisk, stylish and modern, with a strong individual point of view. Join us as we delve into a lively discussion about Jeffrey's career trajectory, his most memorable projects, licensed collections, and what he is most looking forward to. 

In this lively conversation, Jeffrey shares how he is thriving and surviving in the midst of a global pandemic, shares his philosophy on color and crafting timeless interiors, and dishes on what it's like to work for high-profile clients such as Anna Wintour and David Bowie. Candid and hilarious, Jeffrey Bilhuber's joie de vivre and passion for design are palpable in this creative conversation. 

Considered one of the most talented names in design, Bunny is also an accomplished businesswoman, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. A lover of dogs, gardens, and china, Bunny’s knowledge and expertise is on par with her enjoyment of life. Her eponymous firm — launched in 1988 following a 22-year apprenticeship with the esteemed Parish-Hadley Associates — has wrought its own indelible imprint and legacy.

Bunny Williams Associates is renowned for balancing refined beauty, welcoming livable appeal, and attention to detail. While the creation of delightful rooms is Bunny’s passion, her firm’s success above all, is anchored in long-lasting and valued relationships with its clientele. The resulting commissions over three decades — many for repeat homeowners — are found across the United States and abroad, in city apartments, country estates and cottages; in the mountains and by the water. Bunny’s own houses and her long career have provided ample material and inspiration for six books to date, and she is a sought-after speaker and mentor on design, decoration, gardening, and entertaining.

Bunny grew up in the countryside near Charlottesville, Virginia. Her parents encouraged her passion for the arts and led her to Garland Junior College in Boston, where she studied interior design. A watershed moment at age 15 was visiting the Dorothy Draper-decorated Greenbrier Resort, which had a color palette unlike anything Bunny had ever seen. “It really opened my eyes and the lesson I learned was not to play it safe,” shares Bunny.

Upon moving to New York, Bunny worked at Stair & Co., an antiques gallery frequented by Sister Parish and Albert Hadley. Bunny subsequently joined Parish-Hadley and remained at the venerable firm for 22 years. “I was honored to work there and was exposed to so much; their extraordinary projects and partnership, the design process, everything. By the time I left, I’d been the secretary, an assistant, and a buyer. I had the tools and experience to run my own enterprise, which I did — starting with three people working out of my guest bedroom!”

Shortly thereafter, fueled by her devotion to gardening, Bunny opened Treillage in 1991 along with her husband, the antiques dealer John Rosselli. Considered both ground breaking and industry changing, Treillage drew A-list designers, editors, and tastemakers to its off-the-beaten track, Upper East Side destination for the ultimate in home and garden. “Twenty-five years ago, Treillage was something entirely new, but all good things come to an end. Now, with Bunny Williams Home, I’m proud to show an entire line under one roof and we’re creating accessories with the aim of becoming a complete home-furnishings company.”

Never one to rest on her many awards, accolades, and honors, Bunny keeps her eye on what’s next, whether it’s her collaborations with Ballard Designs, Bunny Williams Home, or her next book. Forward thinking always, Bunny says, “While it’s certainly nice to look back on one’s accomplishments, it’s more interesting for me to look ahead. The firm, while instilled with my expectations and objectives, is taking on an exciting new dimension with Elizabeth Swartz as my partner. Together, we are all part of a greater legacy that branches out from Parish-Hadley and it feels very relevant in our fast-paced world. She completes my vision and takes it a step further: we work hard and have fun in the process.”