Talk Shop: Chauncey Boothby // Chauncey Boothby Interiors
Photo by Read McKendree
ABOUT CHAUNCEY
Born and raised in Portland, Maine, Chauncey Boothby began her career in New York City under the tutelage of some of the country's leading designers. She trained with David Easton, Charlotte Moss, and most recently, Ashley Whittaker (among others) before starting her own eponymous firm in 2015.
Named one of House Beautiful's Next Wave Designers in 2018, Chauncey has taken on large scale residential projects from Maine to Florida, and in-between. Whether it’s new construction, or an existing renovation, she strives to create a warm and layered look that can stand the test of time. We love her work for its timeless nature, and its blend of traditional and contemporary while incorporating every client’s personality.
Chauncey lives and works in Rowayton, CT with her husband and their two young boys.
Describe your style in three words or less:
Classic yet Contemporary (and sometimes) Quirky.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Both of my parent’s were blessed with an innate sense of design. Being the youngest child (by a lot), I was dragged to countless antique shows and designer showhouses. My father would travel up and down the Maine coast for work and always stopped in his favorite antique shops and local haunts along the way returning with various pieces of maritime art and other odds and ends. My mother has always been so supportive of my love of color and fabrics and, very bravely, let me design various parts of our house at a young age.
My Uncle Chippy, he was the first Interior Designer I knew and I was alway so amazed by the way he could make a house feel like a home and how much his clients trusted him and continuously relied on him for his expertise, and panache.
Fabric Showrooms: It was always the textiles that got me hooked. I will fall in love with a fabric over and over again. It’s’ the first place I start and I’m always excited to be inspired by something new to the market.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
With the support of the most amazing husband, and a new baby in tow I finally went out on my own in 2016. I had created my LLC and dabbled on side projects before that, but when my business was in it’s infantry, so was my actual infant. I used to walk to the D&D and shop with my son in a Bjorn. When he finally woke up, I knew my time was up. It’s been the best, and busiest (!), ride ever since and I’m so grateful that I get to wake up every morning and do what I love.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I started my design career just before the Great Recession (2008). Fortunately, I always seemed to land on my feet. I worked for a number of extremely talented New York designers and I learned different and wonderful things from each of them. I won’t list them all, but I am forever grateful for all of the invaluable lessons they taught me. I’ve pulled from each of them and created a style that’s totally me.
What does your home say about you:
That I love to mix old in with the new and the frilly in with the plaid. That you can live in a comfortable and stylish environment without anything being too precious. There is plenty of space for mixing family heirlooms with kid-friendly ikea hacks. Oh and, boy, do I love fabrics. All of my favorites ( Robert Kime, Muriel Brandolini, Rogers & Goffigon…) are on display and they make me smile.
Where do you find inspiration:
Oh, literally anywhere! One of my most recent schemes was inspired by the color combination on the hull of a beautiful wooden boat sitting on a trailer on the highway. I couldn’t even get a picture- I just had to commit it to memory.
Who are your style icons:
A young Candice Bergen or Katherine Ross.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Good friends, good booze, and hummus. Oh, and maybe some fresh cut flowers.
Do you collect anything:
Yes!, our house is filled with vintage tchotchkes, wooden boxes, rattan pitchers and tiny silver or horn cups. I see things and pick them up for photoshoots or with the intent to sell them to clients, but they have all made themselves quite at home on our shelves.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
I love surfing instagram and finding new design accounts I’ve never seen before. At the moment, I’m into various different British designers and tastemakers.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Stylist Frances Bailey recently told me a good one. There should be at least one item in your home that’s older than you. For me, most things are ancient. Other than that, I’d say most rules are meant to be broken. Except guidelines for measurements - those are important, especially for lighting and rugs.
What are you working on right now:
A beautiful, large 1920s stone house on the Main Line of Philadelphia and a couple of more local projects.
Wardrobe staples:
Jeans, T-Shirt, Blazer + Nude Heels (but currently my No. 6 clogs or my Hari-Mari flip flops), an assortment of white eyelet and floral print blouses, my white painter’s overalls, fisherman’s sweater and a whole sea of navy + dark green.
Best interior advice you ever received:
There should always be something a little “off” to make a room feel just that bit perfectly imperfect.
Best career advice you ever received:
Stick with it. Hard work pays off in the end. Also, go to school to learn the technical stuff. The rest you will learn far better in an office. Try and work for the best- they’ll be the greatest teacher you’ll ever have.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Splurge on upholstery, hardware, lighting and decent window treatments.
Save on rugs, dishes, casegoods and tables. Sisal rugs and a trip to the consignment store can get you a long way!
Your greatest extravagance:
Long showers, nice new pajamas and sleeping in.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Chelsea Textiles, Mary Maguire Art, consignments shops, Fairfield Antique Center, Terrain and for Kid’s Rooms Scandiborn and Zara Home.
Most prized possession and why:
My two boys, and the magic eraser I follow them around with.
Your interiors motto:
There’s a lead-time, but it’s worth the wait. I promise.
Your life motto:
Kill them with kindness.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Listen to what you like. Your style doesn’t have to be defined, it just has to be you. My worst nightmare is walking into someone’s house and it looks like a showroom floor. That’s not you, that’s Pottery Barn.
Sit on things for a while. If you’ve pulled reference images (the best way to start) and you can still look at them and like them after a while, they have staying power. What you create will be more a reflection of you and less about the recent trends.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: A good lobster roll and french fries smothered in vinegar.
Drink: Dirty Tito’s Martini Straight Up
Film: Pretty Woman, Being There, or anyone of Wes Anderson’s visual masterpieces.
Hotel: Round Hill, Jamaica
City: Portland, Maine. Although I’m eternally grateful for all that NYC taught me.
Bedding: Brahms Mount
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Iced Tea (with lemon) , Iced Latte (with REAL milk)
Playlist: Grateful Dead
Weekend Activity: Hanging in front of the fire with my family.
Design Book: A copy of Billy Baldwin Decorates that Charlotte Moss gave me for Christmas in 2009 (I love her books too!)
