Susan Weiss Takes A Beautiful Approach To Interior Design
An Oregon ranch girl pays homage to her family’s trade in the Rocky Mountains
The Montana Gallery showcases pieces from the Emerson Bailey collection. From left: 17th-century ebonized Baroque cabinet, black leather T-lounge chair, Nubibus No. 30 painting by Frida Manuella Hauge, 19th-century reeded provincial Gustavian cabinet, and 18th-century Swedish Baroque stone-top table. | Photo courtesy of Nicole Franzen
Susan Weiss grew up primarily on an Oregon ranch in the Sunriver Resort area, where her life revolved around horses—4H, polo, dressage and jumping—combined with the area’s boating, biking and skiing. That was juxtaposed with global travel inspired by her father, Emerson Bailey, whose namesake is Weiss’s brand.
“We traveled and sourced with him as he was an avid antiques collector and architect, which included owning the African Queen from the movie, in which he gave rides up and down the Deschutes River in Oregon,” reminisces Weiss. “As I got older, my passion for travel and culture expanded my global viewpoint, looking at each destination as a unique discovery, collecting and bringing back objects from various places and using them to narrow in on my design perspective.”
Weiss’s endless inspiration occurs while traveling throughout Europe numerous times annually. That allows her to explore and visit show-rooms, galleries and personal collections while making meaningful, long-lasting relationships that expand her showrooms’ offerings. “This year, I am looking forward to exploring the numerous artists in and around Mexico City as well as a planned trip to Japan,” she says.
Weiss’s design firm has been present in the Denver market for nearly 30 years, and in 2018 she launched Emerson Bailey Collection after the completion of her Belgian-inspired design studio in Cherry Hills Village. “While being in Denver I felt like I had a unique opportunity to provide other designers, architects and creatives access to building materials, antiques and contemporary collections in a curated, experience-focused way, and this allowed me to successfully showcase my aesthetic,” explains Weiss.
Susan Weiss | Photo courtesy of Jimmy’s Photography
At Emerson Bailey, extraordinary need not be inaccessible. The design studio became a way for a wider audience to feel inspired because it was unlike anything they had experienced before; they wanted to visit often, enjoy the space, and explore the discoveries exhibited throughout the studio.
After spending a lot of time visiting the greater Yellowstone area and surrounding mountain regions, Weiss fell in love with the Bozeman, Mont., community. This past spring, she officially opened her second U.S. Emerson Bailey location in Bozeman’s Cannery District.
Weiss says, “The combination of the grandeur of the natural world that fills the Rocky Mountain region and the pieces sourced at Emerson Bailey make a harmonious and effortless pairing for our clients. Those who inhabit the Rocky Mountain region understand, cherish and celebrate nature’s beauty, and because of that we knew that what Emerson Bailey offers would be welcomed and appreciated.”
“At Emerson Bailey, we are entrenched in rarities, the sophistication of environments and design. We offer the experience of beautiful things that people have never before witnessed or shared a space with.”
Susan Weiss
Expanding into new markets has offered both clients and trade partners more opportunities to visit Weiss’s galleries. Regardless of location, she consistently tries to source as many Swedish drop-leaf tables as possible, since they are her No. 1 seller. “They are so versatile in use and make the perfect console table, sofa back table and center table, which can then be transformed into an extra dining table when hosting large dinner parties,” she notes.
The boutique design house and antiques gallery also takes on a handful of client jobs every year. The Denver Design Gallery location is open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Bozeman Design Gallery is open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; both locations are open for appointments as well.
Julie Bielenberg is a Colorado-based writer for outlets such as Cowboys & Indians, Newsweek, Family Vacationist, Rachel Ray in Season, Spoke + Blossom, and USA Today.
