MDS- How would you define your style?

PD- Atmospheric, eclectic. David Keeps defined my style in The Los Angeles Times as, “Merchant Ivory Moderne.” I think that’s pretty accurate.

Peter Dunham Designed Sitting Room for Veranda’s “House of Windsor” Show House.

Dining Room from a Hollywood Hills Residence designed by Peter Dunham.

Bedroom from a Hollywood Hills Residence designed by Peter Dunham.

Peter Dunham-designed Space at Hollyhock for LCDQ.

Woodside Project Sitting Room by Peter Dunham.

MDS- Where did you grow up and how do you think that influences your work?

PD- France, England (for school) and Spain (summers). Each has influenced me with its own strong, different type of style. From France, restraint, balance and elegance; from England, color, comfort and layering; and from Spain, organic, modern rusticity. All play very strong roles in my projects and I like to mix them together.

Also, my mother notoriously picked my schools by their looks. Coincidentally Ashley Hicks, son of the great David Hicks, was one of my closest classmates. Through them my eyes were opened to the world of design, particularly textile design, which is part of my business today.

Family House in Country Outside Paris.

Peter’s Parent’s Deco Apartment.

One of Peter’s Boarding Schools.

Another Boarding School.

MDS- If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?

PD- This is my second career and, as challenging as it is sometimes, I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.

Benedict Canyon Project by Peter Dunham.

Benedict Canyon Project Library.

Benedict Canyon Project Bedroom.

MDS- Who or what is inspiring you right now?

PD- I’ve really stepped up my travel schedule to more exotic places. India, earlier this year and again in February. Weekend trips through the central coast of California or out in the desert. The new energy at LACMA has been really inspirational too.

Peter, During a Recent Trip to India.

Fort Alhiya, India

MDS- What is the favorite room in your home?

PD- My bedroom. It’s a small room with a lovely view through palm trees in West Hollywood. I upholstered the walls in my peacock Kashmir Paisley and plastered them with my collection of photos, Mughal drawings and 19th-century photos of India. There’s a coral and blue dhurrie. And, I made a four-poster bed from Georgian posts I bought at a One King’s Lane Tony Duquette sale that dominates the room. Combined with a great mattress and ironed sheets, it’s my idea of heaven.

Framed 1920s photo of the Calcutta Riverbank from Hollywood at Home.

Framed Taj Mahal Photo from Hollywood at Home.

Peter Dunham Textiles Kashmir Paisley in Peacock.

 MDS- Is there anything you obsessively collect?

 PD- Indian memorabilia and textiles, especially anything pre-1900.

Photo of Mahraja Holkar of Indore at Hollywood at Home.

Vintage Indian Print Pillow at Hollywood at Home.

Stone Indian Sculpture for Sale at Hollywood at Home.

MDS- Fill in the blank: “I could never own too many ____________ .”

PD- Photos. I’m never without some kind of camera. I take pictures of things that inspire me, pictures of items I need to remember, pictures of things i have to go back for, to fix or to buy. I take pictures of architectural details or colors I like for use sometime later. They’re the eye’s memory bank.

Photo Peter Took of the Le Courbusier-Designed Sarabai House in India.

MDS- If you could decorate anyone’s house – who’s would it be and why?

PD- Lenny Kravitz. He’s sexy, creative and collects art.

Lenny Kravitz

MDS- What do you want to be known for?

PD- For doing timeless interiors, both contemporary and traditional, that stand the test of time through their quality and look.

Beverly Hills Home Designed by Peter Dunham

Beverly Hills Home Dining Room

Beverly Hills Home Designed by Peter Dunham

MDS- What do you think is chic, stylish and glamorous?

PD- Paris (chic), London (stylish), New York (glamorous)

London, New York, Paris Print