How did this project come up with Elle Decor and Van Cleef & Arpels?
Van Cleef & Arpels and I agreed that the worlds of jewelry and home furnishings have so much in common and wouldn’t it be fun to have both worlds meet.
What interested you most about designing a room inspired by jewelry?
I’ve always thought of furniture as being “jewelry” for the room. The way furnishings accentuate a room and give you a glimpse of the owner’s personality is similar to to the way jewelry can encapsulate personal identity.
Was there a hero piece from Van Cleef & Arpels that drove the design?
There were actually two. The minaudière clutch and the earrings drove the design because they were so representative of the deco-era style for which Van Cleef & Arpels is famous. Of course I re-envisioned the clutch as a massive lacquered coffee table and re-created the earrings as sparkling wall sconces which are essentially earrings for the walls!
Tell me about the design and how you’d describe it in your own words?
The design is clearly inspired from the French deco era. It is timeless and elegant.
What were your thoughts towards color in regards to the room design?
You’ll see that the room is relatively monochromatic. I wanted the pieces to speak for themselves rather than have them be overpowered by an element of color. The pieces are more about the lines and the curves rather than color.
What are ways people can bring subtle feminine touches into a room?
Through the introduction of curved lines as in the base of the console and within the wall sconces. Soft fabrics accentuated with delicate pattern can bring a sense of fashion into a room. And, of course lighting can also be introduced to bring a certain femininity into a room setting.
What type of person do you see in this living room?
A sophisticated couple who love gracious entertaining. They are a well cultivated couple who appreciate historical references to the classic deco era.
What are your five essentials for a beautifully styled room?
Scale—the furniture must be in keeping with the dimensions of the room and be able to “speak to each other” without any one piece being overpowering
Color—Creates the mood of the room.
Function—Keep in mind the purpose of the room—is it a room to be used for entertaining or merely to kick back and relax?
Location —How does the room flow into the other rooms….There are subtle things such as lighting, flooring and painting that will allow one room to flow into another without creating a schizophrenic interior.
Surprise—add an element of surprise to focus the room and add an element of suspense. In this case the lacquered coffee table is the focal point of the room.
