In Conversation with Elizabeth Lawrence
Ahead of Interiors – Including The Hamptons Design Edit, sold to Benefit East Side House Settlement, join Gemma Sudlow, Managing Director of the New York Region, as she speaks with renowned Interior Designer Elizabeth Lawrence of Williams Lawrence. Read as they discuss Lawrence’s interior design practice and her generous donations to the auction.
Gemma Sudlow: It was such a pleasure working with you and your team to style some photographs of these gorgeous donations in our East 67th Street gallery! It seemed so intuitive for you to work creatively with material that you didn’t select – do you often have to work with a client’s existing collections? How does that work?
The Hamptons Design Edit, Styled by Williams Lawrence
Elizabeth Lawrence: I often work with a client’s existing pieces and encourage them to use what they have. Your home is a personal experience, and incorporating pieces with a connection or passed down from family members makes it truly unique. I have worked on several projects where clients have wanted to move in and use the house while we collaborate with the architect on construction plans. My team and I will end up moving in the client's existing pieces and set up the house to be used — it’s like a big jigsaw puzzle. It’s really rewarding, and from there, we can make a list of what needs to be purchased, recovered, and restored. This also allows the client to live in the space and figure out exactly how they will use it, which provides helpful information for me and the architect as we work on the plans. My clients are often surprised by how their pieces are given a new life in the new space, and sometimes a different way to be used.
It was a very similar experience setting up this space to display the auction items. When you see all the pieces piled in one room, people find it overwhelming, but once you make sense of it and create seating groups, it brings life to the pieces. This is critical for clients who struggle with visualizing how a space will look; they can see how beautifully the large hand-painted screen works with the modern lacquer coffee table and chairs. While they may not purchase every piece, they can start to dream about how these pieces could work with their existing furniture, helping them to make an educated purchase.
GS: What are you seeing as current trends in the design world? You mentioned loving auction finds. Do all your clients share that passion?
The Hamptons Design Edit, Styled by Williams Lawrence
EL: I don’t pay too much attention to trends. I want to ensure we provide clients with a house that reflects their desires and will stand the test of time, one that will not look dated. This is where auctions can play a significant role: the thrill of the hunt and finding those special pieces that make a client's home stand out from their friends' and reflect their lifestyle. I’m not just going to pick everything at one time. I want the time and space to find the one-of-a-kind items. I really believe you have to make sure you don’t just decorate with fabrics; you need to make sure there is interesting furniture and attention to architecture. I love looking at the auctions and have found so many great things over the years. Auctions are a wonderful resource for designers.
GS: You have been involved with The Winter Show now for some time and collaborated as one of the design co-chairs. What inspired you to participate in this auction?
EL: First and foremost, East Side Settlement House is a great and important cause to support, and Helen Allen, the Director of the Winter Show, is a great collaborator with both the dealers and designers. It is also a show that I can remember attending from the beginning of my career. Young Collector’s Night never made me feel intimidated about talking to the dealers and learning more about their pieces. It’s a great way to get exposure to amazing things when you are first starting in the industry.
GS: Williams Lawrence generously donated a pair of faux bois cast metal jardinières, Robert Jackson's Untitled (Landscape from a Balcony), and an English porcelain polychrome-painted and parcel-gilt compote– thank you! If you could choose two other items from the sale, what appeals to you and why?
The Hamptons Design Edit, Styled by Williams Lawrence
EL: The modern lacquer coffee table is a standout piece that could be mixed in so many spaces — the color is lovely. The four green, rounded-back, upholstered chairs are a favorite of mine. I love a round back chair. It is more interesting to walk into a room with a pretty back of a chair to look at, and they are really comfortable. There is something kind of 1950s Mad Men loungey about them. They are cool.
GS: Instagram tells me there’s never a quiet day at Williams Lawrence! What are you most excited about this fall, both personally and professionally?
EL: I am really looking forward to the installation of a project I have been working on in collaboration with Ferguson & Shamamian for a lovely client in Connecticut. Bunny and I are busy working on our next book. It’s been a long time since we have put out a book on our work, and there is a lot to share. My daughter will be starting pre-school in the fall and my husband and I are looking forward to all the fun activities and new connections. It will be a busy time with so much to look forward to.
Photo Credit: Lesley Unruh