When it comes to interior design in New York, one name always stands out: Betty Wasserman. Since launching her design firm in 1996, she has established herself as one of the top interior designers in the city. Her unique approach—blending a decade of experience as a private art dealer with a deep passion for design and architecture—has led to a signature style that’s both warm and minimalist. We had the chance to sit down with Betty and uncover what makes her work so special. Let’s dive in.
Betty's journey into interior design was somewhat accidental. After ten years working as an art dealer, she found herself in the heart of New York’s design scene. One client, however, refused to take no for an answer. He had just bought a new apartment and insisted she help him and his wife design it, after firing a few others before. "I said, 'I don’t do that,' and he said, 'Yes, you do.' I was like, 'What do you mean? Yes, I do'... and it was just one of those people who doesn’t take no for an answer." She then assembled a team, removed the outdated decor, and transformed the space into something fresh and functional. "Somehow it came together, and we did an art collection, which was my first project. Once I realized I was pretty good at it and really liked it, I decided to go back and take classes to learn how to properly do floor plans and ceiling plans," she recalls.
After that first project, starting her own business felt natural. She already had an art business and an assistant, making the transition smooth. The two ventures complement each other beautifully. Design and art are deeply connected, and today, Betty’s New York City studio is nestled in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. From there, she designs for some of the most exclusive addresses in the city. She also has a home and satellite studio in The Hamptons, where she creates luxury spaces featured in top design publications.
Designing in New York has its unique challenges. “You have to be very smart about space,†Betty says. With the most expensive square footage in the world, every inch must be used efficiently. “You can’t waste luxurious space when designing Manhattan apartments.†Times have changed, and while past trends favored closed kitchens, today’s lifestyle demands open, interactive spaces. “The kitchen is now part of the living area, and people want to connect while cooking.â€
“The spaces have to function. They have to work well and they have to be beautiful, and they have to be bulletproof.†– Betty Wasserman
Among all her projects, Betty has a favorite: her own loft in Southampton. “It’s not the biggest project I’ve ever done, nor the one with the largest budget (laughs), but because it was done for me and my family, it was so personal. I loved working with my builder, and I enjoyed the process so much that I was sad when it was over,†she shares. After searching for houses for over a year, she decided to build her own. She hired an architect and brought her vision to life, creating a space filled with clean lines, elegant shapes, and high ceilings.
“I always try to have a say and be involved in the architectural process because architects tend to design from the outside in, while designers think from the inside out.†– Betty Wasserman
Despite more than 20 years in the industry, Betty shows no signs of slowing down. She plans to focus on fewer, larger projects instead of taking on too many at once. “I just can’t imagine not doing this because I love it so much. It doesn’t feel like work at all. I feel very lucky, and I always tell my daughter: whatever you choose to do for a career, you have to love it. Money isn’t everything—what matters is that you enjoy what you do, otherwise, you’ll wake up at 50 and wonder what you've been doing all these years.â€
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