Emma Jane Pilkington’s split upbringing in Australia and Greenwich, Conn., sets her apart from the rising generation of New York decorators. Employing influences from around the globe, she has a bohemian touch that banishes any hint of pretension. With a growing clientele of young families negotiating life in Manhattan and the summer social whirl in the Hamptons, EJP, as she is known, is poised to become the next It designer with her own furniture and fabrics. —Paul O’Donnell
What's your favorite space in your own house and why? I absolutely love my dining room [pictured]. I adore setting the long 18th-century table and how the pair of chandeliers glows against the pale lacquered walls at night.
What's something you should never skimp on when decorating your home? Sheets. They are a private luxury.
Biggest mistake people make when decorating? Following fads and staging a “look.” Successful decorating should create a calm within. This is best achieved by following one’s instincts.
Top tip for small spaces? Mirrors have the most important impact on small spaces. Adding a mirror is the single most effective way to expand a space visually. Be super strict about hiding—or eliminating—visual clutter;
