You might be familiar with Netflix’s hit show Emily in Paris, where actress Lily Collins plays a passionate marketing executive whose Chicago-based company sends her to live in the fashionable city. Well, here’s another story of Emily in Paris, but it is not what you might think…
For NYC-based designer Emily Del Bello, a trip to the City of Lights resulted in her own lighting collection. Last fall, Del Bello took one of her longtime employees to Paris, where they shopped at the furniture markets, keeping an eye out for unique vintage pieces they could bring back for a client. “It was the first time I was able to do something like that,” says Del Bello, who brings her sleek design eye to homes in New York City, the Hamptons, Connecticut (her own home was featured in CTC&G), and beyond.
“We had a French guide who took us through the markets and helped us negotiate with the French dealers,” Del Bello shares. “She was super chic and she had these amazing earrings on.” The jewelry in question was Christian Dior’s Pearl Tribales Dangle Chain Earring. After hitting the markets, Del Bello and her colleague “ran straight to Dior” to purchase the earrings for themselves.
Upon returning stateside, Del Bello received a newsletter from Blueprint Lighting. From there, the Emily Del Bello x Blueprint Lighting Capsule Collection was born. “I was trying to think of what’s been significant in my career, what’s something that really stood out for me? And it was the Paris trip,” Del Bello says. “It felt like it was a moment in my career that shifted things in the best way.” With that, the Dior earrings served as inspiration for the Capsule Collection, which features a flush mount, a sconce, a pendant, and a chandelier.
Once you had the idea in place, what was it like to actually create the collection?
It was so much fun. My team and I came up with ideas and different aspects. Each team member shared what they liked. That’s how we put together a presentation for Kelly [Aaron, CEO of Blueprint Lighting]. We had all of our inspiration, and then we came up with the design, placed it in a rendering of a room, and we went to the Blueprint Lighting studio.
How did you work with Blueprint Lighting?
Their lead designer took our designs and incorporated the Blueprint Lighting aspect, like the beautiful metals they use and making them viable—because as much as you can design it gorgeously, they were the technical side.
Did you ever think you would have your own lighting collection?
No! I am from a small town in Indiana.
Ideally, where would you like to see these fixtures?
Because Blueprint does a lot of restaurants and hospitality, I do say to my husband all the time, “John, could you imagine walking into a restaurant or the Nomad Hotel and being like ‘oh my gosh, there’s the light!'” That will literally be a moment where I’ll be like “oh my gosh, this is crazy!”
Do you think your clients will gravitate toward this collection as something missing on market before?
Absolutely. We want the new new. Designers want to see something that’s not on the market yet—especially for flush mounts. Flush mounts can be so boring. By bringing in natural materials—marble and travertine—the client is able to choose which option they want for a flush mount and really dress up a space. It’s a game-changer when designing an entryway or a hallway.
Do you have a favorite piece from the collection?
I love the sconce with the chain. I feel like it really represents me as a person and also our firm. It has that organic feel because of the natural material—the marble—used. But then, we have a little bit of an edge. I think that’s where the chain comes in. When it’s all put together, it looks sophisticated. And I think that’s truly EDBI as a whole.
Have you put any pieces from the collection in your own home?
I’m putting the Alla Wall Sconce in my family room. My electrician just has to come to install it!
Where do the designs—Lucie, Alla, Madeleine, Mitzah—get their names from?
All of the names are Christian Dior muses.
Current go-to color?
Green.
Decorating pet peeve?
When the rugs are too small.
A place you would love to decorate?
A beach house on the water.
What would you be doing if you weren’t a designer?
I would definitely be doing something in fashion, that’s for sure.
Favorite Instagram account that you follow?
It’s not design, but her name is @bonbon_chic and she posts all these different outfits. I really love her account.
Must-visit spots in New York and Connecticut?
In New York City, I love StudioTwentySeven. In Darien, I love L’Ostal. It’s a French restaurant—it’s very good and it’s a cool, chic vibe.
What is your holiday decorating plan this year?
I am so excited to decorate for the holidays. I seem to add a tree every year. I have a tree in my living room and family room, and this year I’m adding one to the entry. I want the kids to be able to walk down in the morning and feel like it’s really magical with the lights.