Accessorizing a Cocktail

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When accessorizing, I like the idea of mixing clean lines with elaborate pieces. It takes some experimenting, but it is definitely worth the effort. Take a look at a stainless-steel cocktail mixed with a Kilim rug, leather ottomans, and a very traditional sofa covered in chintz.
To add to the eclectic feel of the room, I wanted to keep mixing it up with accessories on the cocktail table. For height, I used a Baccarat piece made of crystal and an exotic stand covered in stamped aluminum. I then added a bird’s nest filled with delicate eggs centered on a celadon bowl for texture. To add some whimsy, I layered a peacock made of horn, a vintage purse all hand-beaded, and a Chinese figurine made of porcelain on the exotic stand. The eclectic mix really works, because it is all tied together through color.
Initially, I placed the tall Baccarat piece in the center of the cocktail with the stamped-aluminum stand on the left and the celadon piece with the bird’s nest on the right. I noticed that the composition was unbalanced for some reason. With a simple tweak, I corrected the imbalance by moving the Baccarat piece from the center and creating a high point with it on the left side of the cocktail. Using the other accessories, I filled in with different heights like stairsteps coming off the crystal. Very assymetrical. Sometimes, all it takes is a little tweaking. Experiment to find your best style.


Setting the Mood

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In the July/August issue of Lonny Magazine, designer, Adam Strauss, explains how he created ambiance in his Los Angeles apartment. He likes to unify interiors through color, mix modern and mid-century pieces with traditional pieces, and accessorize in out-of-the-box ways. His helpful advice dovetails nicely with the Doux-Nid philosophy.

Unifying Through Color

Color is the easiest way to create mood in a room. Dark colors like the deep browns, charcoals, blues and black are backdrop colors that are neutral but dramatic. Think about blending your fabric tones, wood, and metal finishes too for a really unified look. One of my favorite fabrics to use to set the mood is mohair, fabric made from one of the oldest textile fibers. It is luxurious and durable. When it wears, it gives you the shabby chic of an English-country house.

Mixing Modern and Mid-Century Pieces with Traditional Pieces

Doux Nid loves to use juxtaposition. Mixing high-end with low-end, formal with informal, or rustic with sleek. It is all about keeping balance between elaborate pieces and those that have simple lines and tying the whole look together with color.

Accessorizing in Out-of-the-Box Ways

Once you know the design elements and principles, you can start breaking the rules. I love how Adam Strauss propped paintings on sofas and headboards instead of hanging them on walls. He also mounted a series of small charcoal drawings on antique mirrors. Very out-of-the-box. The charcoal drawings have more presence, and the mirrors bring light and sparkle to rich-colored walls.



Malibu Magic

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Recently, my husband and I went on a summer trip to California. Our first stop was Malibu. I always wanted to go. It was early one Saturday morning when we found ourselves wandering through the nestled neighborhood by the Pacific. Of all places, we started to see garage-sale signs. I was curious. We decided to stop at one of the sales. I am glad that we did. To my excitement, I found a small cache of beautiful leather belts. The homeowner told me that one of them was once sported by the actress, Alfre Woodard. Kind of a fun story that you would only hear in Malibu. Even though I didn’t need five belts, I bought them all. As I was making the purchase, I struck up a conversation with the owner. She told me that there was a really big garage sale at Our Lady of the Lake, a church in Malibu. Evidently, Martin Sheen had just dropped off some things there for the sale. I got caught up in the celebrity of it all and went straight to the church. The hunt was fun.

When I finally returned to Houston with my Malibu belts, I wondered how I was going to wear them all. During a moment of inspiration, I adorned some of my favorite silk and velvet pillows with the leather belts. The rest is history. It turned out to be a smashing combination. I am really pleased. If you want to breathe new life into your old pillows, take a peek into your closet. Do you have some woven, embossed, or hand-tooled leather belts that you aren’t wearing? I love to find new uses for treasured accessories. Belts are beautiful cinched around pillows. Perfect for adding panache.