HOME + BEAUTY
Celebrity spark New kids on the block
Metallic accents and lush colours add the type of glamour to a room that neutrals can struggle to achieve.
One of Taylor Swift’s many houses is a 10-bathroom Tribeca apartment she purchased from director Peter Jackson. Jennifer Lopez has a putting green on the roof deck of her Manhattan penthouse. Beyonce and Jay-Z installed a candy room (the kiddie kind) in their Bel Air mansion, while Lady Gaga has a built-in bowling alley. The list of celebrity decor extravagances is legion. So, what do you do when you want to incorporate a little superstar style in your own casa? Try these brillianceon-a-budget ideas.
Downplay it. Liberace may have favoured gilded taps in the shape of swans, but your best bet at creating celebrity chic on the cheap is not to be too obvious. Pick plush area rugs, luxe-looking floor-toceiling curtains and sculptural light fittings.
Invest in statements. Oversized artworks, boldly hued sofas and glittering coffee tables will ensure your home is remembered. Large, graphic paintings or photographs, in particular, draw the eye upward and make spaces feel more substantial.
Learn to accessorise. Making a room look luxe is often about introducing a feeling of timelessness. As a curator might stage a collection, restrict the number of objects — ornaments, cushions, books and so on — and instead choose a few key pieces that are not only beautiful but mean something to you. Consideration is crucial when you’re going posh.
Layer up. There’s nothing wrong with neutral colours but there’s everything wrong with a neutral room lacking texture. It will feel cold and clinical. This is where rugs, sumptuous throws and gorgeous cushions come in.
Aim high-low. Regardless of style, the most exciting interiors mix premium and cut-price items. If you like it, that Ikea or Freedom cabinet should work as well as one by Giorgetti. That said, never underestimate the wow factor of a premium-brand piece.
Something old. Add in a vintage piece or two. Few rooms look lived in if everything is shiny new and from the same era. Mix and match hand-me-downs and op-shop or market finds with up-to-the-minute buys..