Barbara Bottinelli began her career designing boat interiors. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that some of the Malvern-based interior designer’s favorite projects have been close to the water. Most, however, are on the Main Line. For those, she brings the ocean with her. “I love shells, so I always leave a client with a shell somewhere in the design,” Bottinelli says. “A shell is really a natural home.”
Personal decorating style: My style is clean, and I like to use color. I also adhere to the belief that a good designer never shows through their work. It’s the client that comes through.
Favorite room in her house: My living room. It’s where we spend the majority of our time.
Most prized possessions: Pieces that have been in my family for generations. I like to bring history into a space. It adds to the serenity and comfortable feeling of a home.
Color she couldn’t design without: White—and all shades of it.
Favorite design trend of the moment: I love using tons of personal photographs, making them into black-and-white, and creating something architectural with them—like personalized 3-D wall art.
Her definition of good taste: When you see good taste, you can’t keep your eyes off of it.
Biggest decorating faux pas: An overproduced space. It’s a bad thing, and it’s very common.
Three words that sum up her style: Very. Good. Looking.
