Becky Birdwell
becky’s home As seen in frederic shot by paul costello
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? My explorer feed on Instagram is loaded with images from Savills, Knight Frank, and Jeremy Creasor, so it seems I’m moving to England, preferably near the white cliffs of dover or next door to Sissinghurst. One can get anywhere from London, and I love belonging to 5 Hertford that was designed brilliantly by Rifat Ozbek so that’s ground zero. I actually look at real estate wherever I go.
What are three words to describe your style?
1. Masculine
2. Vintage
3. Unassuming
4. Haha, unpredictable!
5. Textural
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? I really cannot give an answer to this that you might like..Happy to tell the entire story, but its not the happiest.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? Almost everything I had until I was 50 was given to me by my aunts who had grown up without means but had incredible taste—all of those pieces are very sentimental and important to me. When I turned 50, I wanted to start completely over. I wanted to break loose and understand who “I” was instead of an extension of them. One of the first pieces I chose with Brockschmidt and Coleman is a Roman Thomas buffet or cabinet that is now in our dining area. It has three doors, brass hardware, the inside is lined in walnut, and the outside is covered in pistachio dyed parchment which I don’t think anyone else does. One of my daughters has already claimed it when I die. It’s funny that I’m not picking an antique, but this is so beautifully made.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Oh it’s such a tough question because I’m not a designer, I am a great picker! I love working with Brockschmidt and Coleman as they don’t have one particular style and I needed that. I have many friends who are amazing decorators. However, if I could dream it would be Carlo and Tobia Scarpa, Federico Forquet, Piero Portoluppi, and for sure Gio Ponte! Contemporary might be Lorenzo Castillo, Veere Grenney, Damien Byrnes, Jasper Conran, Luis Laplace. Oh my, don’t get me started… Dirand! Casiraghi! Its important that whomever it is has a very strong appreciation for architecture and a rich commitment to details.
No room is complete without a great mix of pieces that are meaningful to the people who live with them…PERIOD.
People think of me as really outgoing and nice, but I am really, one who loves solitude and probably not nearly as nice as some might think. I love that saying, “Listen, I still want to be invited but I’m not coming.”
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: More than 2 types of flowers
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Anything bigger than a silver dollar – I honestly hate hors d’oeuvre platters along with tall cocktail tables. Please, NO!
A bar cabinet: Paper napkins with dumb sayings and cheap brands of alcohol.
A song for:
Dinner at home: Bebel Gilberto or Paolo Nutini
Working at your desk: I’m so distracted by nature that I can’t…nice thought though. Something old and French as long as it didn’t send me into a daydream.
Going for a run: The Cars or Earth Wind or Fire, but I honestly love listening to books on Audible more than anything. No one…NO ONE wants to see me run, but I can walk 12 miles and feel like I actually accomplished something.
Biggest Vice? Tortilla chips, potato chips, tequila and champagne!
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? I would buy something rare, for sure. A Chopard 18k yellow gold wristwatch with diamonds from the 1970s, a 1950s Cartier Vintage 14k desk clock or a set of very rare Jacques Adnet leather camp chairs. My daughter Camille’s take on this is that I would buy a house.
https://www.1stdibs.com/id-j_512192
https://www.1stdibs.com/id-f_5050383
https://www.1stdibs.com/id-j_16708412
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Absolutely. I invest in clothing, and I take it very seriously. However, I probably own more white Madewell t-shirts than anyone I know. I don’t have a ridiculous amount of clothing, but a lot of what I really cherish has proficient detailing, is textural, made of interesting fabric and most likely a lot of structure just like great architecture. I wonder who the equivalent of Carlo Scarpa would be in fashion? I love wearing long gowns, it’s insane. I love having my hair done up and feeling glamorous. Last night, I wore a long navy silk satin skirt from Nili Lotan and a short sleeve navy high crew cashmere sweater from Brunello Cucinelli to dinner at the Carlyle and both pieces are well over 10 years old. One of my favorite pieces is from Matsuda that I bought in 1986. Keep it clean, keep the quality high and don’t ever waste your money on trendy garbage.
Who is your star crush? Author and businessman, David Rubenstein, does that count? He’s a brilliant enormously philanthropic person who can interview people like no one else. Otherwise, Rahm Emanuel because he’s a badass in my book, and he seemingly says the F word more than me.
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? Remember, I’m not a decorator, BUT I would absolutely never in a million years load a project with market furniture especially the obvious kind. I would never design a project purely from one era. I would never fill a home with big expensive design books that the owners wont read. Maybe I would break all of these rules, but I pray not. I love how Mongiardino could manage pattern over pattern over pattern in such proficient and timeless way, and at the same time would not have the courage for that.
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be? I just had to take a whirl about my house to look at my books. I love them all, especially the ones where designer/maker/artist/architect pours their heart and soul onto the pages. Those are the rarest ones of them all. Miguel Flores Vianna is an example of one who buries himself into a book and it shows so maybe his books, but they are heavy as hell!
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Intelligent, thoughtful, blended, important, revered and for places that make people feel something that they don’t always understand.
becky’s home As seen in frederic shot by paul costello
A Few Favorites:
Movie: Id have to say, Sound of Music because I’ve watched it at least 100 times.
Book: I fall in love with a new book each week and the longer the better. I bury myself in books. There is not a chance I could ever single one out!
Scent: Ascentric Molecules—I have worn it for a dozen years, at least.
The fabric you always come back to: Anything natural. I touch everything all of the time and the way something feels is so important.
Dream project: Pulling the very best creative teams together for the most sophisticated and intelligent people in the world. Do you wonder if you would be included?!
Meal: Branzino with whipped potatoes and the way real Italians do eggplant.
Drink: Two parts Casamigos blanco, one part Mandarine Napoléon Liquor, one part fresh lime juice and soda.
Hotel: Mezzatorre in Forio d’Ischia, Italy. I went there alone a year or so ago and it was divine. The thermal baths are addictive.
Artist: Gosh, they are all seemingly overexposed these days. My favorite painting located in the Louvre is Pierre Narcisse Guérin’s Le Retour de Marcus Sextus. The way Guérin depicts the grief of Marcus Sextus is so deep. Diana by Gaudins at the Met is an all time favorite. Rodin’s highly sensual sculptures grip my heart.
A cause near and dear to me: Education and making sure poor kids who want one can have one without excessive burden. Helping underprivileged students find their way and not give up on design because they are incredibly unsupported.
Thing to collect obsessively: I am dying to say something really cool here, but the truth is clothing. If I ever have a ton of expendable cash—look out!
Era in the history of design: Italian 1930s and 40s design and really the best from any era.
Museum: Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Villa Necchi in Milan and of course the Soane Museum in London. CRAZY incredible places to absorb and with such great stories attached.
Paint Color that always looks great: Vert Blu by Emory & Cie Paint company based in Brussels. The lime paints from Domingue Finishes are beautiful in any color.
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: @Kenneth Ling..in the end, I cannot figure out how he comes up with the most brilliant posts and I always learn something. @Misterngo is also just incredible. @arlash a new IG friend who I adore. I wish I was able to sit with him and learn everything he knows. They all have an eye that I love.
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Dogs for days. I have a newfypoo and a golden doodle. They are the best. I hate being away from them and terrified for them to age. One day I will have 5.
