Betsy Burnham launched her eponymous firm—Burnham Design—over two decades ago. From the start, she’s had an iconic take on what makes a well-designed space. In her work, seemingly classic furniture selections sit alongside unexpected art, while color and texture and pattern blend beautifully. Her style seems to be a direct result of her geographical perspective: Betsy was raised in Connecticut, graduated from Dartmouth College, and eventually settled in Los Angeles—the architecturally spectacular Hancock Park neighborhood, to be specific. In a Burnham Design home, East Coast sensibility collides with SoCal cool—each room more memorable than the last. In addition to a full-service practice, she offers Instant Space, a secondary service for projects that are smaller in scope and budget. And even with twenty years of experience, she’s got no plans to slow down. Take #5MinutesWith Betsy to learn more:
MY LIGHT-BULB MOMENT:
It was probably back when I was in school, when I realized that my taste was different from that of my friends. I preferred olive green to lime or Kelly, thought that high fashion was exciting and that vintage shopping was a great way to spend an afternoon. In fact I could be very intense about it. I preferred studying art to almost anything else. And, later, that these were preferences that could be embraced, leaned into, and cultivated.
I CAN’T START MY DAY UNTIL:
I get up really early with my dogs (5AM-ish) and we have a routine that revolves around food and naps for them. Then it’s coffee, email, and the NYTimes Spelling Bee for me. Most mornings I do boot camp at 7AM with a very cool group of women, led by my favorite trainer, Lacey Stone.
SUCCESS IS:
Enjoying what you do every day.
YOU’LL NEVER SEE ME WITHOUT:
A pair of glasses, wearing something denim, and a tan.
MY DREAM COLLABORATION:
A textile collab with Pierre Frey. Or Kufri. Or Claremont. A vintage-inspired lighting capsule for The Urban Electric Company. I could go on…?!
THE ONLY PLACE BETTER THAN LOS ANGELES:
Montecito, CA. Quogue, New York. London. But I still only want to live in LA.
WHEN I FEEL UNINSPIRED:
I go shopping.
ADVICE I WISH I HAD 5 YEARS AGO:
Absolutely everything changes. Be flexible.
IN 5 YEARS, FIND ME:
Still designing beautiful spaces, celebrating the publication of my first book, remodeling my own beach house, and enjoying a grandkid or two.
ABOVE ALL ELSE:
Family (and dogs).