Talk Shop: Lucy Bamman
ABOUT LUCY
Lucy Bamman is a New York City based editor and stylist, specializing in interiors, design, and jewelry. Lucy honed her skills as an editor at the Hearst Design Group (Elle Decor, House Beautiful, and Veranda magazines) and as a buyer at One Kings Lane before heading to Milieu Magazine, where she’s currently the Style and Market Editor.
We count Lucy as one of our most trusted friends and confidants, and we love working with her as a stylist on shoots for her well-edited eye and wry humor on set. In addition to her work at Milieu and her styling business, Lucy consults in various areas including creative direction, product development, and editorial and representation strategy for home brands and designers. She also contributes to a number of publications including Veranda, HC&G, and Hodinkee. Lucy holds a master’s degree in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons, the New School for Design, and is one of the most well-studied people we know on the subject of home.
We love Lucy for her take on all things aesthetic, so we couldn’t think of anyone we’d want to sit down with more. Read below for her best entertaining advice, a surprise recipe, and more than one interior design motto to live by.
Describe your style in three words or less:
Thoughtful, inviting, non-apologetic.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Alabama, New York City, and Jaipur.
How did you start your company, and what is your favorite thing about what you do: The birth of my company is a story of silver linings, as I was pushed to begin my freelance career when I found myself out of a job following a round of layoffs at the Hearst Design Group. As an editor and stylist, especially in my freelance career, I have loved discovering new places and spaces, artists and designers. The opportunity to work and create for so many different outlets and clients has been a wonderful challenge and the best gift I never asked for.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
Sabine Rothman took a chance on me. I interviewed for a market editor position at Hearst with no prior formal experience in editing, and because Sabine hired me, I now work in my dream job. She is an outside of the box thinker, and she is always, always kind. Thinking outside of the box is so important as an editor and stylist. And being kind is the most important thing in life.
What does your home say about you:
My home and my boyfriend both agree that I have a coffee table book problem.
Where do you find inspiration:
From history.
Who are your style icons:
Mrs. Maisel, Doris Duke at Shangri-la, Ali Macgraw in Love Story.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
The Perfect Pimiento Cheese:
1 Scoop Duke Mayo
2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 Cup Pepper Jack
Chopped Jalapenos
Chopped Roasted Red Pepps
A Dash of Worcestershire Sauce
Squeeze of Lemon
S&P
Do you collect anything:
I have been collecting matchbooks since I moved to New York in 2010. We have bags and bags full. One day I’d like to frame them, shadow box-style, if and when I ever leave this place. Each book holds a memory, and I love anything that tells a story.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
I enjoy following the accounts of landscape designers and gardeners, and there are so many florists that I love:
@clausdalby, @debbytenquist, @mccormickcharlie, @nicamille, @derletztewolf.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
I say follow your heart instead of rules, in design and (perhaps unfortunately) in life, as well.
What are you working on right now:
Editorial work for a few outlets, styling photoshoots for a handful of clients, and I feel very happy to have accepted my first official decorating client during COVID — a Stanford White carriage house in Southampton, which I’ll say is a lovely way to begin!
Wardrobe staples:
Breezy Dresses, Big Totes, Turtlenecks, and NO black if I can help it.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Richard Keith Langham taught me the distinct difference between the color shrimp and the color salmon. Some of the best colors are named after sea creatures.
Best career advice you ever received:
Deena Schacter, the Luxury Sales Director at Veranda, told me that you should always RUN TOWARDS your problems. I hate running, but she’s smart.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest: Bedding, Sofa, Draperies
Find on Chairish, Ebay, in Vintage Stores, Flea Markets, on the Side of the Road: Bookshelves, Case Pieces, Dining Chairs, the Perfect Rattan Hat Stand
Your greatest extravagance:
New York City
Favorite places to shop for home:
Chairish, Ebay, Vintage Stores, Flea Markets, the Side of the Road.
Most prized possession and why:
Can’t pick a favorite child. BUT, probably a piece of jewelry given to me by a loved one.
Your interiors motto:
No beige.
Your life motto:
Don’t be beige.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Take a trip to the D&D Building.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Nachos
Drink: Full-bodied Red
Film: Hook
Hotel: The Lowell
City: Usually New York.
Bedding: Crisp and white.
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Iced Coffee with Oat and one Splenda. Even in January.
Playlist: “Dad Music” — Grateful Dead, Van Morrison, James Taylor, STEELY DAN. And 90’s Country.
Weekend Activity: Sleep in, Read, Explore, I’ve been golfing a lot these days.
Design Book: Wendy Goodman’s May I Come In, and I adore Bill Abranowicz’s American Originals — the interiors in these two books feel so lived in and loved in and real.
