Jennifer Hunter discovered her love for architecture and design at a very young age as she stems from a design and real estate family. Her first formal foray into interior design was in 2006 when she had the privilege of interning for the late Albert Hadley.

She describes her aesthetic as traditional but seen through fresh eyes. It is equal parts tailored and eclectic, glamorous and relaxed, bold and subtle. It is this unique balance that she strives for in every project she embarks upon.

Upon graduation from the University of Texas in Austin with a degree in Architecture, Jennifer earned her masters degree in American Fine and Decorative Arts from the Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York City. She credits her extensive design knowledge to time spent at residential design firms before forming Jennifer Hunter Design in early 2019. Jennifer currently lives on the Upper East Side with her husband and two daughters.

Today, we are delighted to welcome Jennifer to The Glam Pad for a Style Profile Q&A. Welcome, Jennifer!

Q:  Please tell us about your childhood, when you knew you wanted to pursue a career in interior design, and your career path.

A:  I will always remember this moment from when I was about 5 years old. My mother had wallpaper installers over hanging some new wallpaper in our home and I was fascinated by the idea of wallpaper. I spent the entire day watching their every move and technique. That next day, while my mother was out, I was determined to wallpaper my parents’ bedroom. I spent the morning drawing patterns all over construction paper, and that afternoon, I concocted a paste from glue and water and then proceeded to plaster my “wallpaper” around their bedroom.

I also grew up around it as my grandfather was a well-known builder in Washington, DC. I spent weekends checking in on job sites and learning the ropes from him. When it came time to think about college, I thought I would really benefit from a 5 year architecture program as it taught me such an amazing skill set that I could apply to interior design.

I had the privilege of spending my last two summers in college interning for the legendary Albert Hadley. He gave me incredible advice when thinking about next steps on my path. Instead of going to design school, he encouraged me to attend a masters program that focused on fine and decorative arts so that I could learn the historical knowledge and significance of antiques and the arts. I therefore went to Sotheby’s and received my masters in American Fine and Decorative Arts. From there I went on to work for Harry Heissmann (Mr. Hadley alum) before going off on my own.

Q:  What a tremendous opportunity to intern with the legendary Albert Hadley! What were some of the most important lessons you learned from him?

A:  Oh there are so many, but to name a few:

Get up out of your chair and off your computer; go see things with your eyes. He always encouraged the office to attend museum exhibits or visit galleries and antique stores. It is the best way to train your eye and learn.

Nothing is too precious and things are meant to be lived in. He hated when clients asked for indestructible fabrics and furnishings. He thought clients should learn to live comfortably with pieces and well as properly maintain them.

He disliked pairs of things as he didn’t want spaces to feel too contrived or matchy matchy.

Another big no no was bowls or vases that sat around with nothing in them.

He was very practical and thought through designs–every chair should have a reading lamp, a drinks table, and a blanket. Nothing should just be for show.

Attention to detail was a big one. He thought about how curtains were lined or how the underside of a coffee table was finished. This also allowed for the unexpected. If you were to bend over and pick something up and happen to look under the coffee table, it should be painted a color and not left raw wood.

Oh how could I forget…calling items by their proper name, i.e. sofa vs. couch, curtains vs. drapes, slipper chair vs. club chair, etc.

Window treatments should all look the same from the exterior of the home so that it didn’t look like a quilt!

Q:  The rooms Hadley designed throughout his career remain just as fresh and timeless today as they were decades ago. What is the key to creating interiors that withstand the test of time?

A:  When you think of a room that is timeless it is a room that doesn’t feel decorated all at once. It should be a curation of different silhouettes, patterns, and collections, but overall you should invest in quality pieces because they ultimately stand the test of time.

Q:  How do you describe your design aesthetic?

A:  I describe my aesthetic as traditional but seen through fresh eyes. It is equal parts tailored and eclectic, glamorous and relaxed, bold and subtle.

My clients feel that their home is a true reflection of themselves and I pride myself on creating sophisticated, yet comfortable spaces tailored to reflect my client’s lifestyle and unique personality.

Q:  Has your style evolved over the years? And where do you find inspiration?

A:  I like to think that my style has become more sophisticated over time. I am still drawn to the same timeless, but find my taste less preppy and more tailored and classic. I am at a stage in my career where my clients can appreciate antiques, artisans, and craftspeople.

I find inspiration by looking at old design books and magazines.

Q:  What are some of your go-to wallpapers, paints, accessories, antiques, etc. that you like to incorporate within your designs?

A:  I Love sifting through the Albert Hadley archive at Zina Studios and try to incorporate one of those into my designs. Always use Farrow and Ball paints and shop accessories and antiques from artisans in France, Spain, and Portugal. Also very into faux finishes done by local artisans.

Q:  We love the botanical giclées you recently collaborated on with Paste. Do you have any future collaborations or projects in the works?

A:  I do and a few I am really excited about, such as a capsule collection with a well-known retailer launching late 2025/early 2026. Cannot wait to share more soon!

Q:  When you aren’t busy decorating, how do you enjoy spending your time?

A:  Being a mom and spending time with my family in the country. Oh and epic dance parties with my daughters!

Thank you, Jennifer, for joining us today! We loved learning more about you and exploring your incredible portfolio!

To learn more, please visit Jennifer Hunter Design and follow @jenniferbeekhunter on Instagram for ongoing inspiration. You can also tour the delightful New York City rental Jennifer customized with English Charm for photographer Jacqueline Clair here.