Renowned interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard is well known for his eclectic style and relentless eye for detail. From Palm Springs to Paris, he has created luxurious and memorable homes, hotels and restaurants. Chances are you’ve seen his work on the pages of Elle Decor and Veranda or spotted him on Architectural Digest’s prestigious AD100 list of top designers and architects. Now he brings his inspired touch to a global collection made exclusively for us.
When it came time to shoot Martyn’s collection, he welcomed our photographers into his Palm Springs home. His collection of Moroccan-inspired and modern silhouettes is a natural fit against the backdrop of the midcentury oasis. In between shots, he talked inspiration, decorating and Daisy (the Wheaten Terrier usually found at his side).
On inspiration …
“This collection has really been inspired by my travels. It’s where I find all of the things that really make my mind sparkle. The world is, literally for a designer, our oyster … and from that we like to make pearls. The incredible things I’ve found in extraordinary places and all the inspiration I’ve gathered along the way have culminated into this premier collection for Frontgate.”
“The world is, literally for a designer, our oyster … and from that we like to make pearls.”
On style …
“I designed every piece so it could be incorporated into anybody’s home, from the most modern house to a traditional layered interior. You know, there is no set style anymore. It’s your style, and this collection is here for you to create your style. You make my pieces your own … and that, to me, is the most exciting thing about what I do.”
On designing your home …
“Comfort is everything. And every day we should live in some form of luxury. It doesn’t matter if it’s the smallest vase or the deepest sofa. Surround yourself with things that you love. And hopefully my collection is filled with those things that you will love.”
The importance of art …
“For a lot of my clients, art is the first place we start when decorating a room. And for this collection, I really wanted our art to be powerful, to be a really strong statement. We have some really cool imagery … these wonderful geodes that are floating on metal plates and beautiful gold leafed, bold, graphic pieces. This artwork will spice up any interior and give a fresh modern experience, which is so exciting.”
On Daisy …
“Daisy, my beloved Wheaten Terrier, is really my inspiration for so many things. When you feel unconditional love like a dog gives to you, and certainly my dog gives to me, you get inspired from that. I could have had the worst day ever … I could have had a terrible design disaster, and I get home and she doesn’t care that that sofa couldn’t fit through the door. She’s an amazing part of my life, and because of that I like to design furniture where I can have the dog with me. I like to make sure that every member of the family, including my beloved dog, gets to enjoy everything. I never believe in life you should make anything too precious.”
One of the most important pieces in a room …
“For me, a beautifully formed lamp that creates a great decorative moment is a vital element to any room. Not only does it add glamour, it adds the right kind of light. Within our collection, I’ve got these beautiful brass lights, and there’s one in particular that I love. It is a stacked brass and lacquer tower with a very special trick, which is that the shade is lined in gold metallic. It creates this warm lustrous glow on the ceiling, which not only makes the room look inviting, but also makes you look so good.”
A decorating secret …
“Buy really good shapes, really cool pieces that you love that you can then move from room to room or layer with different pillows or different throws. You keep your experience fresh, you keep your home fresh, and you keep the excitement going.”
Freshen up your own home and shop the entire Martyn Lawrence Bullard collection.
Can’t get enough modern? Read our post on contemporary modern to get even more styling tips and tricks.
