The lavish new volume Ann Getty: Interior Style (Rizzoli, $55) is the first dedicated to the San Francisco decorator. AD chats with the celebrated tastemaker.
Architectural Digest: You’re such a passionate collector of art and design. What are you after now?
Ann Getty: I keep an eye out for pieces that I can reunite with ones already in my home. On the book’s cover is an 18th-century gilt-wood cabinet by Giles Grendey. I was very happy to find the matching chest.
AD: Could you see such antiques in a contemporary setting?
AG: With imagination you can make anything work together. Too much harmony tends to be less exciting.
AD: Any holiday traditions?
AG: We always get at least one tree, for the music room, and decorate it with ornaments of opera characters that we had made years ago. Their costumes are so intricate—I am still noticing new details.
AD: The same must be true of your trove of art and furniture.
AG: From a bronze detail to an ivory keyhole, there’s always something to discover.