Betsy Burnham - Interior Designer

Photo by @sahandnyebaziz

 

Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why

haven’t you done it?

I would love to open a retail store selling home furnishings. I have these advanced

fantasies about all the cool stuff I’d sell and where I’d source it all. I can give you a

hundred (mostly valid) reasons why it would be a terrible idea; however if I’m honest I

think I’m just afraid of taking the leap.

 

How do you measure success?

It’s changed over the years. Years ago it involved doing bigger and better jobs,

getting press coverage - maybe I was looking for proof that I was good at what

I do? These days it’s a lot more simple: as long as I still find happiness in my

work, and have the people I love close by, it seems like incredibly good fortune

as well as success.

 

Who is your best friend and how did you meet?

He’s actually also my colleague; Dave Lach. We met over 30 years ago working on a

USC graduate film (he was producing and I was costume designing). We bonded

over having gone to rival Connecticut boarding schools.

 

How do you waste time most often?

I online shop on the Real Real for fashion and on Live Auctioneers, Chairish and Ebay

for home stuff. I also love watching TV with my dogs at night. Jeez that’s a lot of time

wasted.

 

Give me some good deed ideas.

Mentor someone! Share what you know - and what you’ve learned - with

someone just starting out. There’s nothing simpler to do and simultaneously

more rewarding.

 

How do you feel about the word spiritual?

It’s overused.

 

Draw me your favorite food.

What is the perfect date and who should pay?

Maybe wandering around a flea market or vintage stores with a casual meal

afterwards. Bonus points if it’s in a far flung location. To me this could be a

romantic date or a friend date. Call me old school, but I’ve always thought

whoever asks should offer to pay.

 

What was your first job? Do you remember how much it paid?

My first job after college was for a fashion company in NYC called Echo Design,

- a family-owned-and-run company that designs and manufactures scarves. I

ended up in a couple of different positions there over two or three years, but

from the beginning I worked in the showroom, selling the line to retail buyers. It

paid $16,000/year - haha - and I loved it. First of all, it felt glamorous because it

was fashion, which was exciting. More importantly, there was a special

atmosphere there - Echo was (and is) the best at what they do - the excellence

and the creativity and the work ethic made a massive impression on me. I also

have to say I have an amazing collection of scarves, many of them from that

time.

 

Any tips on getting a good nights sleep?

Exercise every day, don’t drink, and don’t touch your phone in your bedroom.

Buy the best sheets you can afford. Read a good book.

 

Do you think the way we dress affects the way we feel?

Absolutely, it does. A great look can unlock confidence like nothing else. Something

else I’ve learned - it’s not about getting dressed up, it’s much more about dressing

like myself and feeling comfortable in whatever I’m wearing.

 

What was the last gift you gave and to whom did you give it?

I gave my granddaughter, Tav Eloise, a gold charm for her first birthday - a

heart with her initials and the date engraved. I plan to buy her a different charm

every year - something personal - so she can have the most fabulous bracelet

when she’s older. Maybe she’ll let me borrow it.

 

It’s talent night, what will you be bringing?

Juggling balls.

 

Do you feel you have met your own expectations?

I always expect too much, especially of myself.

 

Who is your favorite writer?

It’s hard to say cause I have many. One of my favorite books is The Secret History by

Donna Tartt.

 

Who inspires you?

My husband, Mark Stern. He’s adventurous, whip smart, an outstanding dad, a loyal

friend, an entrepreneur, a marathon runner, he gives wonderfully thoughtful advice,

and he can bake! His Parker House rolls are to die for.

 

What's a word or phrase people use that you just can't stand?

Human - as in “so and so is the most amazing human”. I have no patience for that

one. Also “shut up” - I think it’s awful - when my kids were little it was considered

worse than swearing in our house.

 

Betsy Burnham is an interior designer, wife, mom & grandmother (“Birdie”), dog lover and fashion enthusiast in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. Follow her @burnhamdesignla and see her work on the Burnham Design website.

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