Having lived in New York, Palm Beach, East Hampton, Brussels, and Paris, author Katherine Bryan knows a thing or two about decorating. It has been “a 50-year journey of education, relocation, and transformation,” she says. A patron of interior design, she has embraced a plethora of aesthetics, including modernism, traditionalism, romantic eclecticism, and everything in between. She has collaborated with renowned interior designers as Tom Britt, Mica Ertegun, Susan Gutfreund, Mark Hampton, and Studio Peregalli Sartori—all traced in her new book, Great Expectations: My Adventures in Decorating with Notable Interior Designers.
In honor of its release, PALMER chats with her about some of her most memorable experiences.
Of all your homes around the globe which was the biggest challenge?
My first apartment was my biggest challenge from the standpoint of decorating. My husband and I had moved back to New York from Houston and we bought a big house in Locust Valley, but then we realized we preferred to live in the city. We had a very small apartment which had to accommodate two adults, two small children, one older son, and a nanny. We found another apartment for the older child who soon went off to college, the nanny got a studio across the street. Then, with four of us now living there, Tom Britt created another bedroom with an L-shaped living room. He attached two doors, closing off the half of the “L.”
Which was your favorite home and why?
My favorite house was a “one room deep” cottage on Lily Pond Lane in East Hampton. It was a shingle-style house designed by Greenleaf Thorp. There were nine bedrooms which provided room for five children and their friends. Mark Hampton helped me decorate it and we were always either inside or outside on the porch, which ran the entire length of the house. It was my favorite house because of its great light on both sides, and its spaciousness—we never had a problem accommodating numerous friends and family there at the same time.
Which were your most traditional and exotic residences?
Probably the most traditional is my apartment on Park Avenue. Many of the objects—chairs, paintings—were from the house of Evangeline Bruce, who had John Fowler as her decorator. They were “traditional” in the good sense of the word, not brown furniture, but stylish I think. Studio Perrigalli transformed Paris into my most exotic, glamorous apartment. Since I was living in New York, they had pretty much free rein. I would meet with the Perrigallis on a monthly basis and shop with them when I was in Paris.
In which home did you entertain the most?
I entertained most at Lily Pond Lane in East Hampton from 1985 to 2005. My tips for the most fun is mixing all ages, having the right music, and having indoor and outdoor dining when possible.
You have worked with some of the top designers in the world. Did any of them help you with your Palm Beach house?
Susan Gutfreund was the only designer who helped me with my house on South County Road in Palm Beach. We lightened up the living room walls, changed to white linen slipcovers and covered the floors with Mitchell Denburg’s carpets. I had the ceiling lightened with white curtains for the wooded structure. Everything was lighter. Mitchell Denberg also provided a beautiful wall covering with a Fortuny pattern printed on burlap. Susan had many good ideas and we were both pleased with the result. The guest house was perfection and I changed some furniture and fabric in the sunroom. We had a great time together.
What is the key to the perfect Palm Beach home?
Beautiful landscaping, light, and some (subtle) shades of green.
What is the biggest challenge in working with a designer?
There is no great challenge in working with a designer if they have great taste, good ideas, humor and appreciate your input.
Great Expectations: My Adventures in Decorating with Notable Interior Designers (Rizzoli) is available now.