Alessandra Branca
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? EVERYWHERE ELSE!! Everywhere I haven’t been...As I believe you only grow from new experiences.
What are three words to describe your style? 1. Fresh 2. Timeless 3. Exuberant
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? It was white with touches of orange. I had a Valentino panel with oranges on it, a snoopy poster and an orange lacquer desk. The Valentino panels I still have in Chicago.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? A pair of painted French Louis XVI Fauteuil chairs from the Wrightsman sale, which may have been in her housekeeper's bedroom. I still have them. The auction was in May of 1984. I even have the catalog.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Renzo Mongiardino or Elsie de Wolfe
No room is complete without comfortable furniture … or people!
People think of me as formal, but I am really extremely informal.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: the mix of tropicals with peonies
An hors d’oeuvre platter: something too spicy (although I love spice I just don’t think that would be nice!)
A bar cabinet: anything in a handle
A song for:
Dinner at home - Ella Fitzgerald or Sergio Mendes
Working at your desk - We like Rhye, Coldplay, & Amy Winehouse
Going for a walk - Polo & Pan
Biggest Vice? iPad or my gram laptop
If you were drunk and internet shopping, what would you buy? Flowers and really great French furniture or tickets for flights (these are things that have actually happened and didn’t need to happen in that condition!!)
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Absolutely! Although I don't wear red often except as lipstick.
Who is your star crush? David Niven
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? Dark Lacquered Ceilings
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be? The House in Good Taste by Elsie de Wolfe
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Quality and Timelessness
photo by Simon Upton
A Few Favorites
Movie: Auntie Mame
Book: How can you have one…anything by Nancy Mitford
Scent: Chanel 19 Eau de toilette
The fabric you always come back to: Tickings/Stripes
Dream project: Heron Bay, Barbados
Meal: Pasta anytime anywhere any kind.
Drink: Negroni Sbagliato (I like the lighter version)
Hotel: Everything has changed… Il Pellicano, Cala di volpe (not what it once was - used to be so chic!) or Amangiri
Travel Destination: Anywhere in Italy
Artist: Definitely Rothko! The highest example of color and light. Second, I really love Anish Kapoor - the ones that reflect the sky are so incredible! And then Cy Twombly.
Thing to collect obsessively: Vintage Books
Era in the history of design: Early 18th Century or Late 17th Century
Museum: There are so many!! Altemps in Rome
Paint Color that always looks great: Benjamin Moore Mascarpone - beautiful white!
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: @Marco_mansi_
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? ALL PETS ALL THE TIME!
