A Talk with Bunny Williams
There are decorators who design rooms that make great pictures, but Bunny Williams designs rooms that invite living. Her interiors have a relaxed elegance with a hint of understated wealth. They burst with textures, patterns, fabrics, antiques, along with a touch of modernity. Comfort is Bunny’s first consideration. She creates warm and inviting rooms with places to drink a cup of tea, good lighting for reading and clusters of couches for lively conversation. As all good rooms, they reflect the owner’s personality and are able to evolve over time with their lives.
Bunny Williams is as gracious as the rooms she creates. She is good-natured and laughs easily. Her childhood in Virginia contributed greatly to her sense of style. “I learned sociability and good manners from my parents.” She talks of gatherings of family and friends, of lavish preparations that began weeks in advance. “We live a more relaxed life now—more casual. I take the graciousness of the past and apply it to the way we live today. I believe that is what I bring to my clients.”
After years of decorating, Bunny realized that some essential pieces became increasingly difficult to find. Beeline Home (www.beelinehome.com) was born, a collection of traditional home furnishings with a touch of the modern. Meticulous about quality and details, Bunny Williams is very ‘hands on’ with this collection and continues to design and introduce new pieces each season.
Bunny and her husband, antique dealer John Rosselli, have a passion for wonderful garden objects. On a trip to London, attending the Chelsea Flower Show, they were inspired to create a source for these garden furnishings in the United States. They soon created Treillage (www.bunnywilliams.com/treillage), to the delight of “design professionals, magazine editors, stylists and dreamers.” With the success of the of the original store at 418 East 75th Street, they opened a second location at 73rd Street and Lexington Avenue. Both stores are a virtual wonderland of beautiful and unusual objects. To enter either shop is to be inspired.
The couple share an 18th-century home in the Berkshires. Bunny’s book, An Affair with a House, tells the story of how they rescued and renovated the house, giving each room a new life, filling them up for family and friends. This entertaining book is particularly helpful for those renovating or decorating period houses in the Berkshire area.
When asked “What is Berkshire Style?” Bunny replied, “Berkshire Style is more about a personal style than about making a design statement. Residents here are visually intelligent. They have more individualistic tastes. Berkshire residents have a great appreciation of nature and the serene. They don’t follow trends.” She paused for a minute and then added, “Friendships are important here.”
An interior by Bunny Williams reflects the style of the Berkshires. It embodies sociability and friendships, and over time acts as the perfect backdrop for a rich, full life.