Katie Ridder

By Marni Elyse Katz
August 6, 2010

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Above: Images from the house in Pebble Beach that Katie Ridder designed for her parents. Photos, provided by the subject, taken by Eric Paisecki Photography

Interior decorator and eBay enthusiast Katie Ridder does boho chic with the utmost sophistication. She brings gorgeous color that enriches, not overpowers, rooms bedecked with Middle Eastern patterning and punctuated with easy to live with upholstered pieces and proper antiques. The result is a sort of smart whimsy, an ethnic take on grown up spaces.

Ridder, a West Coast bred, New York City dwelling decorator and mom who’s married to architect Peter Pennoyer, studied art history at USC and learned about interiors during stints at House & Garden and House Beautiful. She made the switch to decorating after clients at her Upper East Side shop, which she opened after returning from an inspirational trip to Turkey, asked for help putting together the pieces they purchased.

Ridder established her design firm, Katie Ridder Interior Design and Decoration in 1995 and her work has since been featured in Elle Décor, Domino, House Beautiful, The New York Times and other publications. She has a line of wallpaper and textiles, and soon, a book.

The Inside Source: I understand you are working on a book. Is there a particular angle?

Katie Ridder: Yes, it’s my first book. It’s being published by Vendome Press; it won’t be out until the fall of next year. You probably won’t be surprised to learn that it’s about color.

TIS: You use color so well. Is that one of the reasons clients come to you? Or are you often in the position of trying to get clients to veer away from neutrals and experiment with color?

KR: I naturally veer in that direction, and yes, most people associate me with color. However, I would love to try more neutral decorating.

TIS: Your daughter's bedroom is spectacular. It’s really feminine but not too girly or childish. How did you achieve that?

KR: Well, including the brown walls helped the pink and green palate. Bright color looks so wonderful against deep, dark walls.

TIS: Is that a Middle Eastern influence we see in your work?

KR: I had a store on Upper East Side from 1989 to 1996, and almost everything in it was Turkish. I love the Turks' use of color and pattern. I favor European-looking ethnic designs.

TIS: Your wallpaper and textile designs, especially “Leaf” and “Attendants” really show that influence. Do you have any plans for additional patterns?

KR: I have a new pattern called Pagoda. And this summer I'm working on small repeat patterns.

TIS: One of your wallpapers was in “Sex and the City 2!” (We wouldn’t of known if we hadn’t spotted it on the Elements of Style blog. Did the set designer contact you about it?

KR: It’s “Oiseau” in chocolate. The set designer did not contact me. I knew it was going to be in the movie because I knew that they had placed the order, but I didn't know they would use it for Carrie's front entry.

TIS: Who are your favorite designers?

KR: Renzo Mongiardino, Bill Willis, and Tony Duquette.

TIS: Do you have a favorite flower?

KR: Absolutely, I’m a huge gardener. I love David Austin roses, peonies, dahlias, sweet peas, and lily of the valley.

TIS: What are your favorite shops in New York?

KR: H.M. Luther Antiques, Amy Perlin Antiques, Treillage, James Sansum Fine and Decorative Art, Todd Alexander Romano Antiques and Decorations, and Mish New York for jewelry.

TIS: Do you shop eBay?

KR: Yes, I did an eBay Show House about five years ago when Marion McEvoy was organizing it. My theme of my room was a cabinet of curiousities. eBay allotted me a $10,000 budget for the room. It was really fun and I showed it on “Good Morning America.” For clients I've bought many tiles and textiles from eBay. My husband [architect Peter Pennoyer] bought a Rolls Royce, of all things, from eBay. It’s embarrassing!

TIS: What’s coming up on your travel itinerary?

KR: I’m not quite sure what’s next, but I haven’t yet been to Sweden, Berlin, Prague, or India, so maybe one of those.