In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.
Bennett Leifer strives to strike a balance between classic and contemporary. The New York designer mixes time-honored motifs and materials with modern shapes and patterns to push the boundaries of traditional interiors. “We love blending sophisticated color palettes, historical references and whimsical concepts to design uniquely tailored interiors,” he tells Business of Home.
Having just returned from Paris, he employed everything from a Marie Antoinette–shaped candle to an 18th-century-style embroidery in his current mood board to evoke the spirit of the city. An impressive range of tonal values and tactile finishes is what ultimately draws Leifer’s flat lay together, but not without the occasional zip of playful print or statement-making silhouette. “I always feel inspired by travel,” he says. “This scheme loops together so many feelings—deeply rich, moody jewel tones mixed with textures that create a storied but fresh look.”
Here, the designer breaks down the details, from burnt-orange velvet fabric to a ginkgo-leaf brass chandelier.
1. CONCIERTO FABRIC IN CAMEL BY HOLLAND & SHERRY
“In a serene conglomeration of blues and greens, this burnt orange adds a pop of color.”
2. COULONGES SEMIS WALLPAPER IN MANDARINE BY PIERRE FREY
“This embroidery is a reinterpretation of a canvas [featuring] the block printing technique in France in the last quarter of the 18th century.”
3. CUSTOM GILDED GLASS FINISH
“Is there anything more regal than gilded glass? I am instantly transported to Versailles just thinking about it.”
4. MARIE-ANTOINETTE CANDLE BY TRUDON
“These bust candles are fun gifts and are always a conversation piece.”
5. BORDURE LES FLEURS DU BENGALE IN JONQUILLE BY PIERRE FREY
“This trim leads you down a whimsical trail while still feeling elegant and elevated.”
6. LES PALMIERS DE COMOGLIO FABRIC IN PALMERAIE BY PIERRE FREY
“I like to balance the traditional with the unexpected.”
7. NENUFAR FABRIC IN DEEP FOREST BY DEDAR
“This coagulation of blue and green is a fun fabric pattern to utilize when you can’t choose between the two.”
8. GOYA FABRIC IN VERT BUIS BY CHRISTIAN LACROIX AT DESIGNERS GUILD
“With it being a very cold winter, I guess this is me manifesting warmer weather. We used this in a Miami project, and it is still one of my favorites.”
9. CUSTOM CARD HOLDER BY CARTIER
“I can’t seem to hide my love for French brands and Parisian culture, and this custom wallet was a gift from Cartier.”
10. OBSIDIAN GREEN PAINT BY LITTLE GREENE
“I recently got back into painting, and I have been loving all of Little Greene’s colors in both my art and my projects.”
11. BOKEH II RUG BY TAI PING
“[Tai Ping/Edward Fields] is my go-to for carpets—there are no boundaries to its creativity, heritage and craftsmanship.”
12. GINKGO BLOSSOM 05 CHANDELIER SAMPLE IN POLISHED AND BRUSHED BRASS BY ROSIE LI
“This chandelier supplies a truly bespoke approach to lighting.”
13. AREZZO VELVET IN PEACOCK BY CLARENCE HOUSE
“Velvet is a work of magic—lighting changes the entire approach.”
14. DEBUSSY VELVET IN EMERALD BY CLARENCE HOUSE
“I am drawn to bold colors, and most of the spaces I design tend to be rooted in deep greens.”
