Your Centralized Resource for Classic Style Interiors
Classic Style Interiors was founded on the belief that every individual deserves the knowledge and confidence to shape their own space. With over 30 years of experience and a deep understanding of design’s evolution, our founder created a trusted resource for those seeking thoughtful guidance, practical insight, and artistic clarity in bringing their vision to life.
Lesley Potter, MA
Lesley Potter, Historic Interiors Specialist of eighteenth-century American, British, and French decorative arts and interiors.
Every historic home tells a story, but it requires a specialized eye to preserve its past while styling it for contemporary luxury. As a Design Historian and Historic Interiors Specialist with a Master's degree from England in Decorative Arts and a Certificate in Decorative Art Appraisal from NYU, I bridge the gap between academic scholarship and approachable, high-end living.
Through Classic Style Interiors, I translate the romance of historic architecture into actionable inspiration, curated book recommendations, expert e-books, and bespoke virtual consultations. Welcome to your digital resource for timeless spaces--where history meets curated luxury.
Professional Experience:
2013-2023 | Lesley Potter, LLC Antique and Decorative Art Appraiser and Consultant Specialist in eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth century American, English, and French antiques and decorative art. Appraisal services for insurance, donation, estate, and fair market value for purchase or sale. Consulting services for collection development, deaccession, and installation of antiques and decorative art objects. USPAP Compliant
1996-2006 | Lesley Potter, Inc., ASID Allied, Boston, MA Interior Designer/Consultant Worked with architects, builders, and clients in New England, Virginia, and Florida to create high-end, award-winning interiors. She was nationally awarded by The Boston Architectural Society at their annual Build Boston Conference for the two consecutive years work was submitted for jury. Personal summer residence was published in Traditional Home magazine.
Education:
Fall 2014 | Florence, Italy
Renaissance Art and Architecture: Study and research of the Medici and Gonzaga family collections in Florence and Mantua, Italy.
Italian Baroque Art and Architecture (Rome, Italy): Concentration on Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s work in Rome and the Papal influence.
Fall 2013 | Winterthur Museum, Winterthur, DE
Winterthur Institute: American domestic furnishings 1640-1860.
Summer Institute 2013 | Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), Winston-Salem, NC
Early Southern Material Culture and Decorative Arts of the Southern Chesapeake Region; Tidewater Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.
Summer Intensive 2012 | New York University, New York, NY
Certificate in Appraisal Studies in Fine and Decorative Arts. USPAP Qualified 2012-2020.
2010-2012 | The Wallace Collection and University of Buckingham, London, England
MA in Decorative Arts and Historic Interiors.
1996 | New York School of Interior Design, New York, NY
AAS, high honors.
1981 | Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
BA, cum laude, major English/journalism.
Publications:
Ogden Codman’s English Precedents: From “The Decoration of Houses” Through His Works in Boston, Lenox, Newport, and Washington, D.C.
Anne Byrd Carter of Cleve: Dynastic Connections and Contributions.
Memberships:
The Decorative Arts Trust
Institute of Classical Architecture and Art
Society of Architectural Historians
Speaking Engagements:
Available for lectures, gallery talks, and public programs on eighteenth century decorative arts and design.
Images shown are examples of previously completed projects. They represent a restrained and classical approach to interior compositions where each element is considered in relation to the whole, creating continuity across spaces. Each is defined by symmetry and softened by light and color allowing each space to feel effortlessly curated.