Designer Jeffrey Bilhuber Talks Instagram, Reveals the Rule You Can Break in Advance of Texas Design Week Appearance

See the Famed New York Interior Designer in Dallas

By Lisa Collins Shaddock // Oct 2, 2019

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"English rooms tend to be filled with furniture," says Jeffrey Bilhuber, "but an American family living in an English house brings edited clarity and comfort."

The black painted floors anchor the room and provide a perfect foil for pattern.

An intense blue entrance connects to a white living room through the consistency of a painted floor, while the pattern on the settee has a touch of the gourd color found in the curtains and then again on the sofa in the next room.

"Pattern is a shortcut to charm, but it's not always my weapon of choice," says Bilhuber. "I'm at my zippiest when pulling colors together." This room is electrified through the mix of the orange in the rug, a blue chair, and a boysenberry tufted sofa.

The original version of this chrysanthemum pattern was made for Jacqueline Kennedy when she refreshed the White House with legendary decorator Sister Parish.

This dining room table is dressed with decorative elements and breaks the rule of having matching chairs.

"Nothing makes for a better night's sleep than a roof over your head," says Bilhuber

Jeffrey Bilhuber's newest book, "Everyday Decorating" (Rizzoli).

Designer Jeffrey Bilhuber will be in Dallas, Thursday, October 10 at Wells Abbott, as part of Texas Design Week Dallas.

With his work featured in every major shelter publication and published in more than 200 design books — including five of his own — NYC designer Jeffrey Bilhuber is one of the most preeminent interior design voices of our generation, known for the decoration of classic country estates and glittering penthouses around the world.

His distinct point of view and impeccable eye have drawn some very discerning clients — Anna Wintour, Iman and David Bowie, Elsa Peretti — and garnered permanent status on the Architectural Digest AD100 and Elle Decor A List. He received the 2019 Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award, the Oscar of design.

To those who look to Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration, Bilhuber has one thing to say: Go for it. For his most recent book, Everyday Decorating (Rizzoli), Bilhuber takes the stance of Instagram: showcasing stunning images of projects from 20 years ago to 20 minutes ago and dispensing timeless and practical tropes that ring just as true today as they have since Elsie de Wolfe launched decorating as a profession. If we could click like on that, we would.

Who you admire in the design world. Thomas Jefferson, as he was the definition of an inquisitive and acquisitive American.

Bedside reading. Instagram.

Home fragrance. Apothecary’s Amber & Smoke.

Personal fragrance. St. Johns Bay Rum. The one my dad used to splash on his face after shaving.

You are limited to one can of paint. Benjamin Moore’s White Dove, satin alkyd, is the go-to trim color for all my projects.

Most inspiring trip. Africa.

Favorite way to unwind. Whiskey sour.

Rule to be broken. Early to bed. . .

Most treasured possession. Curiosity.

Bilhuber will appear in Dallas for Texas Design Week, with an illustrated talk and book signing Thursday, October 10, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, at Wells Abbott showroom. For a complete schedule of Texas Design Week Dallas and to purchase tickets and attend this event, go to texasdesignweek.com.