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Martyn Lawrence Bullard, the celebrated interior designer for Hollywood royalty—from Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner to Tommy Hilfiger and Alessandra Ambrosio—has captivated the world with his vibrant, eclectic style. In his 30th year in the industry, marked by the release of his Star Style book, Bullard envisions the dream homes of Taylor Swift, Timothée Chalamet, and Cher. From romantic vintage rose tones for Swift, to bold Halston-inspired luxury for Chalamet, and Cher’s opulent, globally inspired retreat, Bullard weaves personal narratives into every space. Discover how he transforms homes into reflections of iconic personalities.
INTERVIEW BY AKGÜN AKDİL
If Taylor Swift were your client, what primary color would define her home?
The primary color for Taylor would be a deep vintage rose pink—a romantic and sophisticated hue that feels fresh and lively, perfectly reflecting her personality.
What objects would you use to set the table for her?
I would dress her table with inspirational books featuring fashion, design, photography, and iconic musician imagery. A large green glass vase filled with dusty pink English garden roses would take center stage, alongside a small antique bowl filled with ambergris to fragrance the space. A collection of antique and vintage boxes, collected from her favorite countries, would bring personality, memories, and points of interest to the table.
What objects would you choose to give personality to her home?
Photography would bring instant personality and style to her home. It would highlight her tastes and interests, adding drama and a modern twist. I’d feature iconic fashion photography from the 50s, 70s, 90s, and 2000s by artists like William Klein, Herb Ritts, Patrick Demarchelier, Steven Meisel, Ellen Von Unwerth, and Miles Aldridge. Additionally, vintage furniture juxtaposed with deep, comfortable sofas and club chairs would create a romantic yet inviting ambiance, complemented by interesting lighting for a sexy, soft atmosphere.
Which fabrics would you incorporate into her home?
I would use beautiful, soft velvets to add layers of comfort and luxury. Vintage chintz floral designs in linen would be perfect for accessories and curtains. I’d combine classic lines like Geoffrey Bennison with modern interpretations from brands like House of Hackney and Schumacher.
What fragrances would you choose for her home?
Diptyque’s Rose candles and room ambiance sprays would be my go-to for Taylor. It’s an old-fashioned fragrance that feels timeless and wildly romantic, much like her music.
What artwork or decorative pieces would best reflect her personality?
As mentioned earlier, I’d use photography—especially iconic fashion imagery—to reflect her personality and style. It adds a personal and dramatic touch while showcasing her sophisticated taste.
Are there any unique or unexpected materials you would use specifically for her home?
I’d definitely incorporate wallpaper. In spaces like her powder room, primary bedroom, and dressing room, I’d choose floral wallpapers featuring large cabbage roses and entwined vines in soft vintage tones. These would highlight her femininity and unique style while giving her home an air of sophistication and a well-traveled aesthetic.
If Timothée Chalamet were your client, what would inspire the design of his home?
For someone as stylish as Timothée, I would design an apartment inspired by the fashion icon Halston, whose refined taste shaped the 1970s and early 80s. I’d combine this with the great sophistication of British design legend David Hicks, using geometric fabric designs and luxe materials to create a space that reflects Timothée’s unique style and charm.
What color palette would you use in his living room?
The living room walls would be lacquered in chocolate brown paint, paired with ivory trim and ceiling for contrast. Furnishings would include an ivory-painted wood finish, a deep dusky pink boucle-upholstered sofa, and citron yellow silk velvet club chairs.
What kind of artwork or decorative pieces would you include?
I’d fill the walls with a mix of pop art, cubist movement pieces, and African sculptures, all bursting with magnificent jewel-toned colors. These would be framed in silver leaf or ivory-painted frames, adding a striking artistic layer to the space.
How would you design the kitchen for him?
The kitchen would feature cabinet doors made of beaten brass, with Italian chocolate marble countertops and a backsplash of bronzed mirror. A custom chocolate, brass, and burnished steel La Cornue range would be the centerpiece. For seating, I’d choose Hermès saddle-colored leather-wrapped bar stools in the style of Jacques Adnet, placed around a stone-clad island.
What would the bedroom look like?
The bedroom would exude luxury, with ocean blue velvet-upholstered walls and matching leather-clad doors. The doors would feature geometric shapes embedded with antiqued brass studs. A simple four-poster bed with ivory wool sateen drapery from ceiling to floor would be the centerpiece, paired with Scandia bedding in ivory sateen Egyptian cotton embroidered with triple navy blue lines on the edges. Sheared sheepskin rugs would flank the bed, complementing vintage Karl Springer warm chocolate parchment nightstands and brass Willy Rizzo lamps.
Would you include any standout artwork in his bedroom?
Absolutely. A blue, cream, and pale yellow Rothko painting would sit above an Italian 18th-century bolection-style mantlepiece sourced from Jamb in London.
What overall ambiance would you create for his home?
Sexy would be an understatement. This design would exude understated luxury and sophistication, creating an exceptional living space for an exceptionally talented actor.
You’ve designed for many notable clients. If Cher were your client, what design approach would you take for her home?
Cher is, in fact, a longtime client of mine. As a legendary performer and fashion icon, designing for her requires a theatrical and magical touch. Cher loves all things exotic, with a well-traveled eye and a deep appreciation for cultures such as India, Morocco, Indonesia, Egypt, and the Far East. I blended her passions into a cocktail of magnificent fantasy—a stage for her to shine upon at home, surrounded by her inspirations.
What color palette would define her home?
The primary palette consists of beige, ivory, cream, and antique white, accented with bursts of burnt orange, saffron yellow, deep burgundy, and golden threads. These colors create a sense of warmth, elegance, and opulence, perfectly reflecting her personality.
How would you incorporate cultural influences into the design?
For her living room, I painted Moroccan designs of entwined stars—patterns inspired by a palace in Marrakesh—onto the ceiling in pure gold leaf paint. The hand-chiseled limestone floors are covered with abaca rugs, and sofas in the Turkish Ottoman style are upholstered in corded beige silk twill. Throw pillows, heavily embroidered in tone-on-tone 19th-century Indian paisley designs, add layers of texture and detail.
What kind of furniture and decorative pieces would you choose for her space?
Antique Syrian tables and cabinets complement the exotic theme, while ancient Chinese Quan Yin sculptures, mounted on driftwood columns, serve as striking focal points. These sculptures are adorned with floral offerings, and incense burns in bronze bowls filled with golden sand from Malibu beach, placed on tables throughout the home.
What would her bedroom look like?
Cher’s bedroom centers around a mother-of-pearl and ebony inlaid bed, raised on a stone plinth to provide a view of the ocean while she’s in bed. A carved antique marble fountain in the form of a lotus adds a soothing ambiance in her private seating area, while a grand-scale Orientalist painting introduces vibrant color and life to the room.
How do the surroundings influence the design?
The breathtaking ocean views surrounding her home are the truest art, bringing life, color, and energy into every room. The furnishings are designed to complement these views, creating comfort zones and adding a sense of majesty to the spaces without overshadowing the natural beauty.
How do you ensure the home reflects Cher’s iconic personality?
For someone as iconic as Cher, her home has to match her personality and shine as radiantly as she does. It’s a space that blends comfort, elegance, and theatricality, embodying her spirit while allowing her passions and inspirations to take center stage.