Talk Shop: Molly Bates & Julia Duke // Susan Becher & Associates
Julia (left), Molly (right). Photo by Lindsay Brown
ABOUT MOLLY & JULIA
Molly Bates and Julia Dukes’s story is a crazy-yet-exciting-yet-unreal one: They started working at Susan Becher & Associates, a boutique public relations and marketing firm that specializes in representing home and lifestyle brands, within weeks of one another. Within three years, they were asked to take over the company as principles.
Susan, who had founded her company in 1982 and ran it for 35 years, knew that Molly and Julia were the right people to take over, and passed the torch to them. Ever since 2017, Molly and Julia have been running running the firm with aplomb. We’re so inspired by Molly and Julia —they make an unbelievable team in and out of the office. We sat down with them to chat all things interior and lifestyle, and loved every second of it; we hope you do, too!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Julia: Curated Classic Clutter
Molly: Artful Danish Modernism
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
J: Cities and places I love—New Orleans, Austin, Texas, New York and a pre-Covid Swiss adventure with Molly. People close to me—my mom, my twin sister, and Molly. Additionally, our clients who offer design wisdom on a daily basis.
M: Walking into the great Susan Becher’s gorgeous UWS apartment for my interview with Susan Becher & Associates was a huge one—I immediately felt a sense of comfort and old school NYC. My parents too – both have great taste and my mom is an incredible ceramicist. Also shout-out to Julia! She has definitely influenced my penchant for “things”, is the best gift giver out there and knows what I like. She is always the first person I consult when buying something – at this point she knows me inside and out and has the discernment to say, I wouldn’t buy it for me but it’s perfect for you (or occasionally: “No, put that down!”)
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
J: We took the reins from our boss at the time, the legendary Susan Becher. She was in business for 35 years, helping home brands and personalities make a name for themselves. My favorite thing is that we’re storytellers, and put our clients on the map. It makes it easy that we love design, and what we’re talking about all day.
M: We were lucky to take over an already established and well-respected business. It’s wonderful being a small part of all of the visual beauty our clients bring into the world.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
J: Susan Becher. She believed in us to have passed the torch. She’s one-of-a-kind. Also, my parents (Sandy and Roger) who are in business together full-heartedly supported us in taking over. Their work ethic is unparalleled. Roger, my stepdad, advised us every step of the way on becoming business owners. I still look to all of them for advice!
M: Ditto! Susan gave us such a gift with her company, and endless advice that comes in hand on a daily basis. I also could not have done it without my parents or Julia’s parents, who have helped us every step of the way.
What does your home say about you:
J: Everything. Every nook and cranny is filled with something personal, something that I love. I’m a collector of weird, quirky objects, but they all have a story.
M: That I love art (favorite being David Hockey) and music and movies - these define a lot of what I buy and like to have around me.
Where do you find inspiration:
J: Magazines (long live print), editor friends, books, clients, travels!
M: So many things! Industry friends, New York City, stylish films - anything by Eric Rohmer, Paolo Sorrentino, Sofia Coppola, John Cassavetes, Wes Anderson, François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard.
Who are your style icons:
J: Linda Rodin & Winks
M: Sofia Coppola, Lauren Hutton, Francoise Hardy & George Harrison
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
J: Candlesticks (dim lighting), ceramics, blown glass, patterned tablecloth, music. Oh, and good food/drinks!
M: A good playlist and plentiful drinks.
Do you collect anything:
J: Books, miniature ceramic objects, blown-glass paperweights
M: Criterion Collection DVDs, diner pens, unofficially anything with a rabbit motif.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
J: @tmagazine, @savedny, @ateliervime, @aspoonfulofbenjamin
M: @idea.ltd, @colorpalette.cinema, @communedesign, @bode, @flamingo_estate
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
J: I suppose, proportions and scale. But, really there are no rules.
M: Buy what feels like “you”. Generally, if you really love something, don’t worry too much about how it will fit with your other pieces.
What are you working on right now:
J: Clients are introducing new product launches and collaborations, designer projects are being photographed, showrooms are opening their doors – so, a lot on our plate in terms of sharing those stories with press!
M: So much! Settling into our new office, and working with our clients to strategize new product launches, project pitches, etc. - everyone always has something different going on, which keeps it fun.
Wardrobe staples:
J: Good jeans, turtleneck, blazer, and great boots.
M: Western boots, blazers, jeans, vintage sweatshirts
Best interior advice you ever received:
J: We receive tips/tricks from designer clients every single day, but I think it has to be from Thomas Jayne on the topic of “embracing clutter”, advising that for small collections to create an artful framework. Trays, cabinets, shelves are the key to helping small collections look organized.
M: Well, Julia once told me while agonizing over a large-scale art purchase, if you love it but don’t have a spot for it – buy it, you will find one eventually. You will have it forever, unlike that tiny NYC apartment. Intelligent hoarding?
Best career advice you ever received:
J: In reference to taking over SB&A - to go for it!
M: Know your worth and ask for it - A Susan Becher line.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
J: Spend on art and special furniture pieces…but Housing Works, Chairish and fleas are my go-to, so decorative accessories and even vintage furniture pieces have been a bargain.
M: Agreed. I don’t think there’s a hard and fast rule category-wise, but in general I’d say save on pieces that you can find a cheaper, almost identical version of, and invest in one-off pieces you happily stumble upon (usually art and vintage pieces).
Your greatest extravagance:
J: One-of-a-kind textiles…I can’t stop.
M: Oy vey, there are a lot of them. If we’re talking design, then old movie, music and museum posters - framing them is usually more expensive than the piece itself!
Favorite places to shop for home:
J: Housing Works, Chairish, John Derian, (my sister who gets deals on La Cienega and works for Marc Phillips), clients (Utopia Goods, Tamam, Marigold Living), NYC sample sales!
M: Also Housing Works, John Derian, Marigold Living and Tamam...The Real Real, BDDW (mostly window shopping ;)
Most prized possession and why:
J: I have two great art pieces from County LTD, an amazing photograph of Cher…and a burled desk from Craigslist that houses all of my curiosities. Don’t make me choose.
M: My dad’s vintage Oliver Peoples sunglasses and my grandma’s herringbone necklace – both very sentimental.
Your interiors motto:
J: Layer, layer, layer.
M: Embrace the mix.
Your life motto:
J: Hard work pays off.
M: “Let everything be not everything” – I picked this up off a matchbox and I think it's a more poetic way of saying “don’t sweat the small stuff”.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
J: Don’t bend with trends. Think about what you love and why, things that make you feel at home. You’re the one who has to live in the space, so fill it with things you actually want to live with, and watch it come together.
M: I think this happens naturally over time and you shouldn’t stress too much about being able to articulate it - it’s okay to be indecisive and not always get it right. Think about the things you used to love but don’t anymore, and then the things you still love after a long time – the former will naturally shuffle out of your home and you’ll eventually be left with your personal version of timelessness...and then you will just instinctively start to make more lasting purchases moving forward.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food:
J: Tacos
M: Burger
Drink:
J: Ranch Water
M: Dirty Martini with stuffed olives
Film:
J: Little Women
M: The Graduate
Hotel:
J: Hotel Peter & Paul in NOLA
M: Maison de la Luz in New Orleans (designed by Studio Shamshiri). Or the Manhattan Freehand Hotel by Roman and Williams.
City:
J: NYC
M: I <3 NYC
Bedding:
J: Saved for cashmere, Marigold Living for block-prints
M: I still use a blue Daffodil-patterened set by an Australian brand called Sheridan that my mom bought at ABC Carpet & Home in the early 90s. I have been sleeping on them since I was four! They have held up and I’ve never found a pattern I like as much.
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it):
J: Coffee, cream, sugar
M: Hot coffee with a splash of cream and half a Splenda
Playlist:
J: Molly creates all of my Playlists – mainly Tame Impala. French Café during work.
M: This is like choosing a favorite child, but perhaps Best of Wes Anderson Soundtracks for it’s well roundedness of oldies and nostalgia.
Weekend Activity:
J: Weekend strolls with Brady & Fitzgerald
M: Eating out, seeing friends, enjoying all The Big Apple has to offer.
Design Book:
J: The World of Interiors
M: Classical Principles for Modern Design by Thomas Jayne and Pierre Yovanovitch: Interior Architecture