clos-ette case: Martyn Lawrence Bullard

If you’re not watching Bravo’s Million Dollar Decorators every Tuesday night, we might not be able to be friends. And if you aren’t completely mad for its breakout star, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, then we need to check your pulse. Because the dashing Brit is not just the most charming thing on the small screen; he’s also absurdly talented (just ask his bevy of A-list fans). His own Hollywood Hills abode, featured in this month’s Elle Décor, is proof perfect of his eclectic, stunning style. Exhibit A: a captivating new closet, which Bullard opens up to us here. 

Let’s start with this gorgeous dressing room. What inspired it?

I wanted to give it an inherited vibe –like [it was] on old dressing room from Downton Abbey.  It was actually a guest bedroom, and the idea of that inspired me to take it over and make into this big dressing room. The color is this rich, saturated red; it’s got this wonderful, warm effect to it so in the winter it feels very inviting, and in the summer it still feels fresh. As I decorator, I love things that are a little exotic, so on the walls I added my own fabric I designed for Schumacher, of a wonderful Turkish-inspired ikat. So it has this great traveled vibe to it.

Now for what’s stocked in it: who are your go-to designers?

I have my own line of clothing launching next year – vests and ties and cravats –so I’ve been wearing a lot that.  But I also wear a lot of John Varvatos, Ralph Lauren, and Paul Smith. For black tie, I like Dolce & Gabbana because their fit is fabulous on me. I also wear some Tom Ford –I’ve got a couple of really great smoking jackets I bought from them this season.

In general, how would you describe your personal style?

I’ve got a ‘quintessential English gentleman’ thing going on. I love tailoring, tweed jackets, vests and cravats. I like to accessorize with beautiful antique watches and chains and fabulous tie pins.  But I like to make it a little bit rock ’n’ roll and wear it with jeans and a cool pair of shoes. So it’s my own spin on the English gent.

Who is your fashion icon?

I love the whole ‘50s movie star vibe –they always dressed so wonderfully, and yet they had a Hollywood angle to them. Gregory Peck was always impeccably dressed. 

What’s at the top of your shopping wish-list?

There’s a fantastic pocket watch I saw at the L.A. Antique Show, so I’m hoping Santa is going to bring me that. Then there’s a really cool pair of Edwardian-style boots from John Varvatos. And there’s a very quirky three-piece suit from Ralph Lauren in a very bold green tweed.

What’s the most cherished item in your wardrobe?

I have a beautiful vintage Rolex that was my Dad’s that’s very, very important, and a little tie pin with a ruby in it that was my great-great-grandfather’s. I also have a wonderful cashmere cardigan that my grandmother lent me one day, and she passed away shortly after that.