Design
5 Takeaways from Kelly Behun & Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s Designer-to-Designer Interview
What do Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s and Kelly Behun’s designs have in common? Confidence. From a young age, both Martyn and Kelly exhibited a knack for design, which has since blossomed into their award-winning careers. While they share a penchant for bold eclecticism and a willingness to push boundaries, it is an insistence on making clients feel at home that underlies both practices. Here are some takeaways from their conversation.
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Design is Empowerment: When Kelly was given the freedom to design her childhood room at 12, it ignited a lifelong passion for design. Re-creating her space brought her peace and confidence. Designing intentional spaces for clients can shift their mood and ultimately their destiny–never underestimate the power of design!
Design: Kelly Behun, Photography: Nicole Franzen | Opera Chandelier
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Lighting is Everything: No, seriously. Lighting is often overlooked as a foundational design element despite its’ transformative nature. As Martyn Lawrence Bullard says, the right light fixture grounds the space and brings the drama. While architectural lighting sets the tone, decorative lighting like chandeliers, pendants, and wall sconces elevate the overall design impact.
Design: Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Photography: Sam Frost | Aries Chandelier
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Use Lamps as Sculpture/Art: When it comes to table lamps, think beyond accent lighting. From Kelly’s POV, portable lamps should be additive to the space and not purely functional. Seek out bold, sculptural forms and delight your clients with unique lighting pieces. From voluminous shapes to intriguing materials, choosing table lamps with artisanal flair will transform any tablescape.
Design: Megan Molten, Margaret Wright Photography | Tiptoe Table Lamp
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Design is Personal: While every designer has their own aesthetic, each home should be a reflection of the client, capturing an elevated version of their personality. The best projects feel like a collaboration. Whether they love neutrals or color, classical or contemporary art, opulence or minimalism–it’s your job to understand the client’s desires even if they can’t articulate them.
Design: Design: Kelly Behun, Photography: Nicole Franzen
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Embrace Community: Both Kelly and Martyn feel pretty optimistic about leaning on the design community. There’s a generosity in design that’s inherent–after all, we are a creative collective. All it takes is a quick call or text to another peer to see that people are willing to share feedback, resources, and ideas on how to navigate the daily demands of a design business.
Design: Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Photography: Sam Frost | Broomley Pendant
Ready for more insider tips? Dive into our Designer-to-Designer series and catch the full conversation here.
Explore the Tastemakers Lighting Collection: Kelly Behun Studio for Hudson Valley Lighting | Martyn Lawrence Bullard for Corbett Lighting