Talk Shop: Neely & Chloe Burch // Neely & Chloe
Chloe (left), Neely (right).
ABOUT NEELY & CHLOE
Based in New York City, Neely & Chloe, a go to favorite for chic handbags and leather accessories, is the eponymous creation of sisters (and fellow Main Liners!) Neely and Chloe Burch. The sisters saw an opportunity to develop a unique approach to fashion, and found there was a void to be filled between affordable accessories and luxury brands.
Neely & Chloe seek to invest in quality – and both sisters believe that consumers deserve more; most notably, trust in design. The duo makes precious things – items of quality and beauty – that are to be used for years.
“We believe that great design stirs our emotional connection to a product. The mark of luxury is not its price or a logo – it is the inherent beauty, quality, and usefulness of something special and worth keeping,” they say. We couldn’t possibly agree more. “Luxury should never be out of reach” has become the sister’s motto, and the pair has sought to create a line of handbags and shoes that redefines luxury.
We sat down with the über stylish sister set to chat about all things design – read the whole interview below!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Chloe: Clean and Classic
N: Thoughtful, fun, enduring (I hope!)
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
C: My parents are number one for sure - they have amazing taste both in their wardrobes as well as interiors. They can make anywhere feel home-y yet chic. Neely definitely influences my aesthetic as well - always asking her opinion! And finally travel- my parents always took us to antique stores and interior stores while traveling and it really influenced me and what I now look for when decorating!
N: Chloe stole all the good ones, hunh? I think travel is a huge one for me. Finding ways to integrate elements from places I’ve visited and loved builds such an interesting, dynamic design vocabulary. I feel like the older (and hopefully wiser!) I get, the more interesting my interiors taste becomes. For me, it’s all about building on a strong foundation (thanks to my parents) and really building on that with inspiration from all facets of life.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
We both really look to our Dad for career inspiration. He’s a bit of a serial entrepreneur and we feel so grateful to have listened to all his stories across the dinner table. Both our parents love the idea of building something from nothing, creating spaces (and companies!) with energy flowing through them that is palpable and magnetic.
What does your home say about you:
C: I am a neat freak! I vacuum about 5 times a day, pillows always need to be fluffed and everything needs a home.
N: I think your home should be able to tell your story. Someone should be able to walk in and know you love to… travel, create, explore. Or… that your bed is the most important thing in your house -- we’re great at beds in the Burch house -- feather beds galore.
Where do you find inspiration:
C: My parents, Neely, Instagram, and lots of vintage magazines, tv shows and books!
N: Wahhh everywhere. My fiancé always tells me that he can’t keep up, I will see plates I love and can’t stop talking about how fantastic they’d be as a dress, or how they inspire me for a living room!
Who are your style icons:
C: Betty Draper from Mad Men, Saiorse Ronan, Olivia Palermo
N: Lately, in the weirdest way, Peter Beard. I know he’s a guy… but I’ve really gone down a rabbit hole with journals and safari style.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
C: Oldies Music, finger food and great guests.
N: Close friends, a lot of (preferably good) wine, and tunes.
Do you collect anything:
C: Not a fun answer but no I do not!
N: I don’t collect, but we send. Each time we travel to a new city we write postcards to friends and family.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
C: @lizdamrich, @amandacbrooks, @indiaamory.
N: @soanebritian, @mafaragao, @maison_flaneur, @roman_and_ivy, @mrsaliceshop.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
C: I always make sure furniture is either completely on a carpet or completely off - drives me crazy when you have a carpet only halfway under a couch! And I love to mix patterns.
N: Love breaking the mold on a room’s single purpose. My fiancé and I are looking at a teeny little house right now and love the idea of an entry room with a fab skirted table that is usually your ‘front hall’ but then can convert into your formal dining for a dinner party! And for rule breaking-- so boring but winter white, baby. Oops, I broke two rules and followed none.
What are you working on right now:
Lots of fun and exciting collaborations/ partnerships for N&C. Spring 2021 is going to be busy!
Wardrobe staples:
C: Good pair of Ballet flats- you can’t beat a good pair of Chanel Flats (pricey but so worth the investment), dark indigo skinny jeans, and white button down
N: White jeans, mens button down (usually stolen from my Dad or fiancé), LWD.
Best interior advice you ever received:
C: Do not invest in trends! I think there is a way to integrate it but you want the pieces in your home to be classic and timeless.
N: With Chlo, here. Invest in timeless pieces!
Best career advice you ever received:
C: Stay focused on what you’re really good at and what you’re working towards- don’t let too many people influence your end goal.
N: Sometimes plan B is better than the plan A you imagined.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
C: Invest in art, throw pillows, duvet cover and euro square shams, feather bed. Save on a carpet and picture frames.
N: Save on sheets you don’t see (fitted, flat, regular pillow cases-- Land’s end no iron sheets are amazing-- Chloe’s trying to get commission for her word of mouth sales), splurge on the toppings- coverlet, duvet cover, bed skirt. Did I mention we love beds in the Burch house?
Your greatest extravagance:
C: Ironed sheets
N: Plates, plate, plates… and some glassware too.
Favorite places to shop for home:
C: My parents basement - the things you find down there! I have some amazing prints in my apartment that i found when digging through the basement
N: Chairish, 1st Dibs…. And man I’d be at Les Puces de Saint-Ouen in a second if I could be.
Most prized possession and why:
C: A jewelry box my dad made me for my 21st birthday. It is so unique and special. It has my initials nad 21 carved in it and i just absolutely love it
N: Interestingly, also a jewelry box. This one was passed down from my grandmother. It’s a wooden keepsake box/sewing kit with mother of pearl inlay. All the original little sewing boxes and compartments inside. Now thoughtfully combined with chunky bangles and fun earrings!
Your interiors motto:
C: A clean home is a happy home (Can you tell i’m a neat freak?!)
N: Design should take something out of you to create and then give back to you (and guests) over time.
Your life motto:
C: Early to bed, early to Rise
N: “Stay hungry, stay foolish”
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
C: Start slow! It takes time to develop taste. There will definitely be some misses but eventually you will figure out what you love and what makes your home yours.
N: Read and look at everything! And then love what moves you. I am currently working on leaning into things I’ve typically been uncomfortable with and trying to push into fun new ideas.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food:
C: Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with Cream Cheese
N: Really good sushi
Drink:
C: Honey Deuce - The drink at the US open! My fiancé learned to make it and now it’s my Friday and Saturday go-to cocktail!
N: Gin Fizz
Film:
C: Titanic
N: Ugh I am really bad at movies-- I’m a TV girl-- I just finished The Great and was/am obsessed.
Hotel:
C: La Mamounia In Marrakesh
N: Oberoi Amarvillas, Agra India
City:
C: London
N: Paris (paris paris paris)
Bedding:
C: Land’s End No Iron Sheets for your fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillow cases (I should get commission on how often I recommend these! They are the best and not very expensive!). Matouk for your duvet and sham covers
N: Two peas in a pod here.
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it):
C: Coffee in the morning with cream and sweetener and then English Breakfast Tea in the afternoon for a pick-me-up
N: Coffee from my Nespresso with a little frothed almond milk
Playlist:
C: Feelin’ Good on Spotify (and if i’m being really honest… The Greatest Showman)
N: Mood Booster on Spotify
Weekend Activity:
C: Sleeping in followed by long lazy mornings. I am pretty regimented during the week and make sure I’m up early to start each day! So on the weekends, I let myself sleep in and relax - I look forward to it all week.
N: Outside as much as possible. Usually not trying to doing anything to strenuous, mostly hanging with our new puppy Lou Lou
Design Book:
C: Cabana Anthology
N: Right now, Joseph Dirand and Veere Grenney, I’m trying to meet somewhere in the middle.
