When Kate returned home from Tuesday’s House Beautiful Color Institute in Florida the first thing I asked her was “how did it go?” and “did Jeffery Bilhuber say anything about the colors he chose for Anna Wintour’s Hamptons retreat?”
To which she replied “terrific!” and “no” — but Kate did say that he told a cute story about when he was working on Ms. Wintour’s project… one day she called and informed him that she was taking on the task of shopping for her own lamps (alone)- but upon arriving at a showroom and discovering a selection of hundreds of lamps ( for as far as the eye could see)- it was an endeavor, the queen of fashion later assured him, she would never attempt again. ( Phew! glad to know that even the most stylish amongst us get overwhelmed when it comes to this stuff)
Jeffery also talked about Mariska Hargitay presenting him with a random bunch of fabric swatches telling him that she liked them all and to make it work and of another client who when asked what colors she was thinking for her home simply answered him with a one word description- “Red”.
I suppose the fortune of working with a fabulous designer allows one the free reign to be a little demanding… all the while knowing you’re going to love what you get to come home to.
Jeffrey Bilhuber delivers to his lucky clients just that- homes that feel like homes. Rooms that have that wonderful balance between designer touches and a comforting familiarity. They are spaces that rightfully grace the pages of interior magazines- but happily they are the ones that you say to yourself- “I would love to live there”.
When I was perusing Mr. Bilhuber’s website and bio I couldn’t figure out quite what I was more excited about- his rooms, his client testimonials, ( I mean come on Anna and Elsa Peretti- that’s impressive!) or the fact that he began his career working at the Carlyle Hotel and was inspired to become a designer by the late, great Mark Hampton who at the time was renovating rooms in the iconic New York hotel. ( On a side note Mark Hampton’s designer daughter Alexa Hampton was the guest designer at the Color Institute I attended this past fall in NYC…she was so cool and funny and told these awesome stories about growing up in a ‘Hampton’ designed home- must profile her soon!)
Okay so back to Jeffrey, “color is confidence, color is pattern”… were but a few things that he touched on as he presented to the audience a little insight into the design world of Bilhuber & Associates, the design firm that he began in 1984. Kate was most impressed by his candid and refreshing reminder to the room ( that was filled to the brim with designers and color enthusiasts) that ‘being a great designer is 10% design brilliance and 90% business smarts. Even the most inspired design can’t make up for poor execution — always be on budget and on time.’
His idea that “color is confidence” came pretty clear to me as I began pulling images from his website, his palettes are best described as just that -’confident’. He has a innate knack for combining colors that you may not think would work together in the same room- yet somehow they do, and beautifully at that.
How awesome is that punch of blue and the touch of unexpected art- they add just the right amount of energy to the room ( isn’t funny that its a ‘cool’ color in a room of warm colors that’s adding the spark, plus check out the touch of purple quartz on the table… I have a sneaking suspicion he loves touches of purple).
Can’t explain how much I would love an entry with a round table and giant lamp ( by the way how does one deal with the cord in a pretty manner ?)… Love the heaviness of the blue velvet and fringe set against the lighter colors and fabrics- the formality of the dual ferns is speaking to my symmetric- loving self!
Icy pastels- mixed together-cozy? Somehow yes…hey, there’s that purple again.
‘Modern History’ is one of the terms he uses to describe his rooms… I think that description best sums up this ‘Americana with a twist’ palette.
Who wouldn’t love to have a room to read, stargaze and escape the stress of the world in… I so love the deep stone fireplace and dark color on the built-ins that I’m eyeing my recently painted white living room bookcases and thinking maybe… just maybe….
And of course I couldn’t help but notice that his website’s color perfectly represents his work ( if you’ve been following my blog you know that I’ve become somewhat obsessed with the colors that designer’s choose for their own sites!)
If I ever get to meet him I’m going to have to ask him about that purple…. there’s a story there- I just know it….
FYI- Future House Beautiful Color Institutes are happening this year in Atlanta and Houston… check in at House Beautiful.com for dates… they are free to attend and the line up of speakers and events always make for a colorful, fun day!
More from the House Beautiful Color Institute:
Kate on her presentation in the Duralee showroom: Creating Moods with Color…
Julie, you’ve truly captured the essence of Jeffery’s presentation for House Beautiful and I couldn’t have said it any better! He was truly inspirational and is a kindred spirit in his belief that using color well comes from gaining your own confidence with color not from color rules per se.
It is always such a pleasure for me to be a presentor at the House Beautiful Color Institute plus I just love hearing from the amazing designers that kick off a day all about my favorite topic COLOR!.
In the past they have had some fabulous designers including Alexa Hampton and Windsor Smith (both of who charmed me from their first words) but I think Jeffery Bilhuber has been one of the best simply because he gave so much great information to the audience. Many people were taking notes as fast as they could write in order to capture all of the design wisdom he shared.
Your eye for details and color picked on on the purple and reminded me that I had forgotten to share with you that when Stephen Drucker asked Jeffery about color “Purple” was the one he said he most enjoyed. I agree that there might be more to it than just his love of this color so we will have to ask him.
What an interesting story on such a great talent! I’ll stay tuned to hear more about that purple!
His color combinations are exceptional!
There are several ways to hold colors together: tone, value, intensity, saturation, etc.. In the rooms shown here, the tonal quality is the glue — most all of them are somewhat muted, plus, he repeats the accent to give the room balance. In the room with the black and blue, for example, the black artwork is repeated in the sofa pillows, the chair frames, and a piece on mantel. The soft blue in the center of the room sings (quietly) as the focus expands to take in the black, then reigns in to read the rest of the room.
The library, too, is cohesive in tone, with a broad range of value, or lightness and darkness. The walls are dark and the upholstery is light, making it embracing and inviting.
His color use is really quite masterful.
Loved the article! I received his book for a Christmas grit ” Defining Luxury” I love it. Wish I could have been there to see and listen to him speak. Sounds like a fun and fabulous real person! He is now on my meet and greet designer list!
Julie, bravo on outlining the most inspiring points of Jeffery’s presentation. It was an honor for me to see and hear his experiences and advice in person, as I had the amazing opportunity to speak after him at the event. He was absolutely a hard act to follow.
His references to “color confidence” pleased me immensely (this is a concept I preach in color seminars). His points hit the nail on the head when he touched on gaining confidence himself through his years of practicing design and producing the talent to pass that confidence on to his clients.
I truly enjoyed his effortless humor, his passion, and his fabulous stories (especially the one about Mariska Hargitay, she is my favorite actress)! The House Beautiful Color Institute event was a wonderful day, and I had a blast meeting Jeffery, the amazing House Beautiful team, all the fantastic designers and readers, and of course speaking at another outstanding event with Kate.
Thanks everyone for stopping by today…color is an endless and fascinating topic for sure. Nothing is more fun then taking a peek into how designers ( both home and fashion ) take the color wheel and twist and turn it into something quite remarkable and all their own.
It sounds as if the HB event was a real success- so glad I have such fab friends to live vicariously through!!
Great post. I love that quote ‘color is confidence’. The leading designers have such a realistic view of the use of color or unique objects in design…they realize that walls can always be painted, pillows can always be replaced, sofas can always be reupholstered. Maybe the willingness to take risks comes with big budgets, because a big budget can always pay the price to change something if it doesn’t work!
love the twilight picture, the blue and black chairs, and the punches of orange sorbet, also the gold rococo looking mirror is insane!
TTI- I agree that $$$$ does allow lots of freedom when it comes to redecorating in a trendy scheme- no holds barred ( do you watch Real Housewives of NY- Jill’s new apartment is case in point ).
But I’m guessing that what Jeffrey means by ‘color is confidence’ is that we all know what colors we love and desire- which ones we want to surround ourselves with, yet sometimes we get bogged down by the latest trend or what everyone else is doing and are swayed into going against what we truly desire. The confidence lies in staying true to one’s self.
I think most mistakes in decorating come when one doesn’t sit down first and clearly get an idea about what the desired outcome is. That’s where a professional comes in handy ( they make you do that! )… yet most of us are happily ( and budget driven ) DIYers ( me included ) so we really have to force ourselves to do just that…
Last month I took almost the entire downstairs of my house from deep, dark colors to lighter than air ones- and believe me my heart was beating out of my chest the whole time. And though it was a drastic change it was one I had been pondering with doing for so long that I knew it truly was what I needed to do…I can’t explain how much happier I am in my house- nothing else changed but the color of the walls… but that’s what it needed- and all it took was the confidence in my own color desires to make it happen.
I often dream of just living in shades of white but somehow, I find myself needing color, wanting change, like the seasons. I saved some rooms, of his, intense colors.
Sounds like the Institute had a terrific line up of speakers/presenters. It’s inspiring to see someone with enough “color confidence” using color combinations that on the surface may not be compatible in conventional terms.
I attended the event and loved every minute. Kate obviously took better notes than I did, Thank you Kate! So much to take in, and then to learn to relax and be confident, thank you Jeffrey Bilhuber. I will do my best to pass on the encouragement to the new moms to be that read my blog..
You’re welcome Shirley. I actually didn’t know I recalled so much about what Jeffrey said until I started telling Julie about it and then more and more kept coming back to me.
So glad you could attend. It was such a fun and informative day.
PS-Love Your Sew Simple custom bumper pads on your site.
Loved this post. I just love his work, I have his latest book and I just love the way he has the leaves or petals or fruit on the table in addition to in the bowl or vase. Looks so casual yet at the same time elegant! Great post!
Thank you so much for sharing some of Mr. Bilhuber’s work. I agree with everyone’s comments above. Creating something new with color is, in some ways, like writing a new musical score. It takes courage to do that; to try something new and/or bold. Safe color combinations can be a simpler route. But designers like Bilhuber are willing to take chances so that we can enjoy the results. What a breath of fresh air his palettes are!