Veere Grenney is one of my favorite designers. His work is always elegant, polished, and timeless. There are countless rooms he has designed that rank among my all-time favorites. Grenney has been at the forefront of the International interior design industry for over 30 years. He trained under Mary Fox Linton, and later was a director at Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler prior to launching his own company in central London seventeen years ago. Veere Grenney has been named to just about every list of “Top Designers” there is, including House and Garden‘s “The Directory of 100 Leading Interior Designers” for the last 7 years, Veranda magazine’s ‘Magic Maker’s’ in 2013, along with Architectural Digest‘s coveted AD100 list. His first book, Veere Grenney: A Point of View on Decorating was released today and is filled with many familiar favorites along with some new ones. Enjoy!

Paloma Contreras: How would you describe your style?

Veere Grenney: Classical, elegant, contemporary, always with an element of surprise

PC: How has living in London (your city) influenced your aesthetic?

VG: London is one of the melting pots of the world when it comes to design. Living here, you are exposed to almost every possibility of design. One’s style is usually the result of continuous editing.

PC: What does your home say about you?

VG: My homes are all original, elegant, supremely comfortable, and appropriate for where they are

PC: Where do you turn for inspiration?

VG: The world around me

PC: Who are your personal style icons?

VG: Billy Baldwin, David Hicks, Nancy Lancaster

PC: What trait do you most admire in a person?

VG: Integrity

PC: What is your guilty pleasure?

VG: Property porn

PC: Who/what has been your greatest professional influence?

VG: Billy Baldwin

PC: What is your idea of living “la dolce vita”?

VG: The life I lead between London, the English countryside, and Morocco with visits to my family in New Zealand. And of course, New York at least 5 times a year.

PC: What can we look forward to next from you? 

VG: My new book, Veere Grenney: A Point of View on Decorating, and a new fabric collection with Schumacher in the spring

Go-To Outfit: Richard James suit

Style Mantra: More beauty, less cool

Scent: Safari by Ralph Lauren

Piece of Jewelry: Cartier watch

Color I Never Tire Of: Plumbago blue

Flower: Carnation

Indispensable Design Element: Down cushions

Era for Design: 1950’s

Dream Project: A large house on Southampton beach, Long Island

Fabric/Textile: Chintz

Meal: Roast chicken

Drink: Negroni

Way to Unwind after a Long Day at Work: Walking the dog

3 Things I Love About My City: Hyde Park, The Royal Academy, The Royal Opera House

Weekend Destination: Suffolk

Hotel: The Mark, New York

City: New York

Museum: The V&A

Artist: Roger Hilton

Actor/Actress: Annette Benning, Cary Grant

Prized Possession: Rio, my dog

Risk Worth Taking: Swimming in salt water

Greatest Extravagance: Traveling first class

Go-To Color Palette: Brown and blue

Rule to Break: Pink and yellow

Movie Set Design: Any shot in London

I can never have too many… dogs