I know I’m in the right field of work because I still get so excited when I see the smiles on clients’ faces as their furniture arrives and all the talk, and drawings, and swatches start to take shape in an actual put-your-feet-up and relax room.  

It’s a really fun process. But the thing I always caution my clients about is that you can buy the most beautiful furniture and paint the walls the most amazing color, but your room is not a room until you fill it with things you love… like art and books and things you’ve found, or things that belonged to someone who specifically passed it along to you. These are the things that make a room come alive. These are the things that, when you live with them, make your heart sing.

I think this cautionary tale plays out visually in the evolution of the living room of one of my California clients. 

My clients had recently been to Europe and had visited some furniture showrooms, so they came to our first meeting armed with photos of things they saw there that they liked. What I saw in the photos was a sort of glam aesthetic of leather and chrome. So we picked a clean, neutral palette… painted the room a creamy white, purchased gorgeous pearl leather furniture and a beautiful white rug.

Every time I do a room, I like to soften it and make it look less showroom-y and more lived in by adding some vintage pieces like the mid century wood lamps and the 1920’s French carved mirror. With everything in place, it was very definitely a huge transformation. But the room felt very empty.

We added a vintage copper vase; a mid century green art glass bowl; a collection of vintage amethyst bottles; and textured pillows and a soft grey cashmere throw. We also added vintage andirons and birch logs in the fireplace. And then, the real room-changer, a fabulous collage print that keeps just the right vibe of modern and engaging.

A mantle is a wonderful space to introduce intriguing collectibles. It’s affords a great opportunity to bring in color and texture. Here we brought in a collection of antique amethyst bottles and some vintage mercury glass for shine.