Meet our friend Beatrice "Bici" Novobaczky, a Creative Consultant with an extensive career in luxury branding, marketing and environments. A native New Yorker, she lives in Manhattan with her husband and son. We sat down with Bici at her Greenwich Village loft to chat the art of mixing the new with the old, the maximal to minimal, and everything in between.

It’s a way to show individuality – to connect with the world and say a little bit about who we are. I love it all: maximalist, minimalist and everything in between.

How do you approach styling your wardrobe vs styling your home?

Pretty much the same way. Mixing basics with special pieces or objects, new and vintage. And collecting quality pieces that I’ll hopefully have for a long time. 

What’s on your coffee table?

Books about homes in Palm Springs and cars and architecture in Havana. Ostrich eggs in a bowl made by a friend. Antique Tibetan and Chinese carved beads. Things connected to people and places I love. But it’s always changing. Every few months I move things around.

What’s hanging on your wall?

A mix of painting, photography, sculpture. Ilan Rubin, John Ittner, Milton Resnick, Pat Passlof, Steve Saltzman, Glen Luchford, Bruce Davidson, Arthur Elgort, Ellen Kahn, Roxy Paine, Ken Hiratsuka…and others. Some picked up working in fashion and a lot of it by friends and family.

What’s the last book that you read?

“Table for Two” by Amor Towles.

What’s the last song you listened to?

I Can’t Stand The Rain, by Ann Peebles.

What’s the last interesting thing you saw?

The Cycladic figures at The Met and the Alvin Ailey show at the Whitney. 

What do you love most about NYC?

The constant exposure to new and interesting things. There’s always something to do and see: an exhibit, a new building, what people are wearing. It’s always changing and never gets old.

Go-to spot in the city?

The Hudson River, around Little Island and The Highline. It’s at the top of my list for people visiting NYC. I try to explain what it was like when I was growing up in the village and the incredible transformation.

Favorite piece in your wardrobe?

That’s tough. Probably my mom’s velvet leopard coat from the 70’s. 

Any tips for mixing vintage and modern style? 

I usually let one or two pieces stand out and be the stars, and keep the rest of the outfit simple.

Favorite color?

A pop of pink.

Favorite dish?

Hungarian paprikash with homemade spaetzle. I don’t have it often but it’s my comfort food.

Favorite pastime?

I wish I could say something interesting but I think it’s puttering around the house while I talk on the phone to friends.

If you could have dinner with one person dead or alive, who would it be?

Queen Elizabeth I. Can I choose the restaurant?

What brings you joy?

Eating a meal made by my husband, taking a walk with my son.