Alessandra Branca's New Classic Interiors

Alessandra Branca is a designer who marches to the tune of her own drummer, and the results are always stunning. She's not a designer who embraces every trend, nor does she change her "look" every few years. A Branca interior of today looks much like those from twenty years ago- warm, inviting, comfortable, and spirited. These attributes can also describe Alessandra herself. I had the opportunity to speak with her a while back, and she's truly as warm and charismatic as her interiors. But you don't have to take my word for it. Alessandra's new book New Classic Interiors is testament to her zest for life- and for decorating.

The most important part of a designer monograph are the photos, and trust me, there are plenty of gorgeous shots of Alessandra's work. Truly, I could pore over them for hours. Oh wait... I have! But I was also charmed by the text. Alessandra describes her varied sources of inspiration, including Rome, the city in which she was raised. After reading about what a typical day is like for Alessandra in her hometown, you will want to move there pronto. And, you'll want to start decorating your home with some Italian flair. Alessandra also gives the reader little design tidbits, such as why bouillon fringe came into being (I won't spoil the surprise. I call it a surprise because I get excited about such things). And, you get an inside peek at all of Alessandra's gorgeous homes too.

I've included some images from the book below. We're all familiar with Alessandra's rooms with her trademark use of red and yellow, but her work extends beyond that. Just take a look:






(All images from New Classic Interiors by Alessandra Branca; Stewart, Tabori, & Chang. All sales proceeds will benefit inner-city educational programs.)