A Chat With Jackye Lanham

Known for her unassuming approach to color and comfort, designer Jackye Lanham chooses palettes, whether the shades are quiet or strong, that welcome and envelop. Influenced by her travels around the world -- as a child she lived in Japan and Greece -- Lanham translates everything she sees into her global vernacular. What we've always loved about her work is the way you experience her rooms -- first the warm welcome, and then the soothing colors, the personal collections, and finally the subtle details.

Southern Accents: What does a signature Jackye Lanham room look like?
Jackye Lanham: I like to think that my style looks layered and collected, but most important, interesting and always appropriate to the setting.

SA: Can you describe your dream master bath?
JL: I just remodeled my bathroom, and I wanted it to feel fresh, sparkling clean, and cool. Colorado gold-veined marble, which is white with a subtle veining, covers the floors, countertop, and wet walls, and the remaining walls are a calming egg-shell ecru. I love Old Paris porcelain, antique perfume bottles, and water-gilt frames, so they inspired me to use brass fixtures, hardware, and bath accessories. I splurged on a brass towel warmer.

SA: How do you envision your ideal master suite?
JL: Generous in size, but not too big, with French doors looking out to a garden. It would need to be cool, dark, and cozy with a fabric-draped four-poster bed dressed in white vintage linen. It would have straw matting on the floors and small Oriental carpets strewn around for pattern and color. I like to be surrounded with books, but I must admit, once in that comfy bed, I would be fast asleep.

SA: What will you never see in a Jackye Lanham space?
JL: Never say "never." I have eaten my words too many times -- even silk flowers can look good. But two things you are not likely to see are harsh colors and aggressive artwork.

SA: What will you always see in a Jackye Lanham space? 
JL: I like to think that no matter what the space is, there is a flow of color, texture, and patina that pulls your eye gently from corner to corner and back again. It should look like a well-dressed lady with style and panache who is also elegant and classic.

SA: It's difficult to date your rooms, which proves that good decorating endures. What are some keys to achieving timeless style?
JL: Start with a color palette that has no timeline. Use soft or deep indescribable colors that are gentle, handsome, elegant, rich, or pretty. Use fabrics that seamlessly flow from surface to surface, and objects with textures and patinas that are timeless and interesting. Some examples are ebony, walnut, tortoise, ivory, silver, shell, bone, marble, limestone, pottery, and porcelain.

SA: You are the queen of couture curtains. What are some of your favorite curtain details?
JL: I am always looking at fashion, old and new, for interesting details because that is the key to creating a new approach to curtain making. The finishes on a curtain are like the details on a well-made dress. A colored or patterned lining, a grosgrain trim, a ruffle, or a frayed edge are details that make curtains beautiful.

SA: Your work is always filled with quality antiques. What is your personal favorite antique period or style?
JL: The early 19th century was such a period of refinement, but it still evoked adventure. I love the gutsiness of Regency furniture, especially when it's interpreted in the Anglo-Indian style.

JACKYE'S POINT OF VIEW

Embrace
Flooring: Natural flooring, antique York stone, black limestone, or wide-plank reclaimed wood
Kitchens: Spaces that are charming and elegant yet still utilitarian
Color: The appropriate colors for the circumstances, taking natural lighting and locale into account 

Avoid
Flooring: Patterned carpet that is printed rather than woven or tufted
Kitchens: Of-the-moment design (think avocado appliances in the '60s)
Color: Too many colors in a single space

Designer Jackye Lanham's Favorite London Haunts

A frequent traveller, Jackye shares her favorite places to eat, shop, and stay in London, England.

WHERE TO STAY

The Franklin Hotel on Egerton Gardens, Knightsbridge
Reopens this year after a complete reconstruction; in a great neighborhood on a quiet street.
22-28 Egerton Gardens
Knightsbridge, London SW3 2DB
011-44-207-584-5533
www.franklinhotel.co.uk

Gravetye Manor
A beautiful setting with 19th-century gardens; not too far from Winston Churchill's home Chartwell.
Nr East Grinstead
West Sussex RH19 4LJ
011-44-134-281-0567
www.gravetyemanor.co.uk
 

WHERE TO EAT

INDIAN

Chutney Mary
535 Kings Rd.
Chelsea, London SW10 0SZ
011-44-207-351-3113
www.chutneymary.com

Rasoi Vineet Bhatia
10 Lincoln St.
Chelsea, London SW3 2TS
011-44-207-225-1881
www.vineetbhatia.com

If you're adventurous, try one of the Indian restaurants on Brick Lane. www.bricklanerestaurants.com.

ITALIAN

Daphne's
112 Draycott Ave.
London SW3 3AE
011-44-207-589-4257
www.daphnes-restaurant.co.uk

Scalini
1 Walton St.
London SW3 2JD
011-44-207-225-2301

FRENCH

Aubaine
260-262 Brompton Rd.
London SW3 2AS
011-44-207-052-0100
www.aubaine.co.uk

Racine
239 Brompton Rd.
Knightsbridge, London SW3 2EP
011-44-207-584-4477
 

LUNCH & PEOPLE WATCHING

The Wallace Restaurant
The Wallace Collection, Hertford House
Manchester Square, London WIU 3BN
011-44-207-563-9505
www.wallacecollection.org

The Wolseley
160 Piccadilly
London W1J 9EB
011-44-207-499-6996
www.thewolseley.com

WHERE TO SHOP

CLOTHING

Egg
36-37 Kinnerton St.
Knightsbridge, London SW1X 8ES
011-44-207-235-9315
Eskandar
134 Lots Rd.
London SW10 0RJ
011-44-207-351-7333
www.eskandar.com

Shirin Guild
The Queens Elm
241 Fulham Rd.
Chelsea, London SW3 6HY
011-44-207-351-2766
www.shiringuild.com

ANTIQUES

Andrew Nebbett Antiques
35-37 Church St.
Marylebone, London NW8 8ES
011-44-207-723-2303
www.andrewnebbett.com

Barry Landsman
Alfies Antique Market
13-25 Church St.
Marylebone, London NW8 8DT
011-44-207-723-1513

Christopher Jones Antiques
618-620 Kings Rd.
London SW6 2DU 011-44-207-731-4655

Guinevere Antiques
574-580 Kings Rd.
London SW6 2DY
011-44-207-736-2917
www.guinevere.co.uk

Portobello Road
Located in the Notting Hill district.
011-44-207-229-8354
www.portobelloroad.co.uk

Victoria Harvey at Deuxieme
44 Church St.
London NW8 8EP
011-44-207-724-0738

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

"Walk along the Thames River from Somerset House to Westminster Abbey," says Lanham. "My husband loves the boat trip to Greenwich, and he loves the Science Museum."

ARTS & CULTURE

Apsley House (former home of the Duke of Wellington)
149 Piccadilly
Hyde Park Corner, London W1J 7NT
011-44-207-499-5676

National Portrait Gallery
St. Martin's Place
London WC2H 0HE
011-44-207-312-2463
www.npg.org.uk

The Queen's Gallery
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA
011-44-207-766-7301
www.royalcollection.org.uk

Science Museum
Exhibition Road
South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
011-44-870-870-4868
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

Sir John Soane's Museum
13 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London WC2A 3BP
011-44-207-405-2107
www.soane.org

Somerset House
Somerset House Trust
South Building
Somerset House
Strand, London WC2R 1LA
011-44-207-845-4600
www.somersethouse.org.uk

Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
South Kensington, London SW7 2RL
011-44-207-942-2000
www.vam.ac.uk

Westminster Abbey
20 Dean's Yard
Westminster Abbey
London SW1P 3PA
011-44-207-222-5152
www.westminster-abbey.org
 

 

RESOURCES: Jackye Lanham, Jacquelynne P. Lanham Designs, Inc., 404/364-0472