'Bring on the drama'

The best fashion speaks volume.

Anyone that has flipped through the pages of an Annie Leibovitz or Steven Meisel editorial in Vogue or W Magazine knows this. Anyone who has sat at a highly anticipated fashion show like Marc Jacobs or Alexander McQueen knows this.

With the model’s back turned to the camera, Iselin Steiro stares sultrily into the mirror in a Lanvin SS09 ad campaign (shot by Meisel). Despite her smoky eyes and dark lipstick, I am more distracted by her dress: a chunky, blue chain link necklace slung round her neck, the fuchsia pink bodice and the crimson red dress panel that falls to the back. The jewel tones are striking against her alabaster skin and the beige bergère she sits upon.

Here, there’s drama; there’s contrast.

The same rule applies to décor.

Redecorating your living room doesn’t have to be difficult as say, renovating your kitchen (we all know how that goes). Think of it as you would go about cleaning your closet.

These are the basics. First, throw out what you don’t need. Ask yourself what you do need.

Then, organize your room into the following categories:

1.Painting

2.Art

3.Fabrics

4.Lighting

The more categories you update, the greater the impact the room will have. And keep in mind: contrast, contrast, contrast.

1. Painting: If painting an entire room a different hue is too time-consuming, choose an accent wall and paint it in a bold color (see above). Colors that are rich (orange, blue, green, purple, red, etc.) allow furniture or wall hangings in that space to get special attention that would’ve gone unnoticed before.

2. Art: Update the artwork hanging on your wall. Make sure the colors in that Claude Monet or Gustav Klimt painting pop against the other furnishings. Rearrange the photos you do have. Or better yet, showcase new photos.

3. Lighting: Create high and low by alternating the wattage in a room. Determine where you want the emphasis to be and reflect that in the lighting. Place a uniquely styled floor lamp, table lamp, or bubble light to set the mood (see left).
4. Furniture: Rearranging your furniture is the simplest way to change the look and feel of a room. Whether you choose to buy a few new pieces or not, remember to alternate heights, colors, materials.
I guarantee the effort is worth it.
- S. Gonzalez*Photos courtesy of heavyheels.blogspot.com, Elle Decor and modern-interior-home-decoration.blogspot.com

'Tropical Escape'

I can still remember the first time I visited Paris. The golden glint of the ceiling at the Galleries Lafayette department store, the buzzing of the closing metro train doors and the smell of warm brioche from my ‘quartier’s boulangerie were some of the new sights, sounds and smells that followed me home to the Chône residence.

The Chône family lived in the only house on an apartment-lined street in the bourgeois 16ème arrondissement of Paris. The family had taken in American exchange students for many years; I was the third student to live with them that summer.

Their home was as romantic as the city itself – a mix of Monsieur Chône’s affinity for 16th Century findings (he was an etchings and engravings art dealer) and Madame’s love of hand painting ceramic tiles and wall borders. There was a recamier at the heart of their living room (above left), hand painted bees on the wall tiles in the kitchen, and a wrought iron patio furniture in the well kempt garden outside.

But my favorite room would be my bedroom.

Unlike the rest of the house, the room had a photograph of a tropical sunset as a mural that extended the entire length of one of the accent walls. The mural drew a sharp contrast to the country French styled surroundings (below center), but it worked.


The use of a giant-sized wall covering that had the colors orange, pink and red added height and drama to furnishings that lacked clear personality, except for the Tintin garbage bin underneath the table. During the course of those six short weeks, that Hawaiian sunset and the rest of the bedroom became my escape from the tiring city life.

Since my return to the States, I’ve seen similar murals pop up in restaurants and hotels. But I have yet to see the photographic wallpaper in a typical American home.

I may not have to wait much longer.

The New York Times recently hit the nail on the head in its April 8 ‘Home & Garden’ section, reporting that a series of photographs-turned-murals (taken by photographer Dianne Bos in France )will be sold online exclusively at Target (see left). The Brewster Home Fashions images include those titled “Eiffel Tower” and “Along Paris Streets.” Browsing the selection, I found a similar version of my Hawaiian sunset available at Target for $99.99.

Looks like I don’t need a visa to visit France anymore. I can relive the experience right from my living room.

-S. Gonzalez
*Above photo courtesy of The New York Times

'Spring Inspired'

As I am writing this, the rain continues to patter against my window and the walls of my bedroom, although painted a crisp mint green, have somehow adopted the gray somberness of the sky outside.

But it isn’t just the wall color that has become listless and uninspired. There are the winter white curtains with its tasseled valence, the festive arrangement of potpourri, and the fleece blanket underneath the dark, olive green and purple quilted comforter on the bed.

Now I can understand why my bedroom décor refuses to make the seasonal switch, which is overdue by almost a month now. It’s probably for the same reason my snow boots, wool coat and gloves are next to the front door in the hallway.

The answer is: Yes. For those living on the East Coast, what you saw yesterday were indeed snow flurries in the midst of April.

Well, if spring refuses to come to us, then we must go to it.

***

Fresh floral and colorful motifs in this season’s bright shades of orange, pink, blues and greens lay the foundation for any living space badly in need of a spring revival.

Architectural Digest finds the latest in prints by some of the world’s most cutting-edge textile designers. Whether influenced by a paisley pattern of Kashmir or concentric rings, each print takes a bold approach to using color.

Clarence House, known for its modern production of tapestries, silks and prints, created ‘Primavera’ on cotton and linen.

Covering an end wall in a leafy fauna wallcovering, interior designer Scott Snyder brought the outside in to this Florida home.

Adding to its catalog of over 30,000 fabrics, Gaston y Daniela present ‘Acapulco Lino’ on union cloth.

While strapping wallpaper to a wall in a daring print is one option, there are other ways to add a touch of spring to your décor:

• Start with the pillows on your couch and eventually work your way to replacing that chunky comforter.
• Have an armchair upholstered or simply throw on a new slipcover.
• Throw in some brightly colored vases for added measure.

And before you know it, spring will have arrived. Finally.

- S. Gonzalez

* Photos courtesy of Architectural Digest online

'Organic Blend'

If the green movement had a celeb face, it'd be that of Cameron Diaz.

When the model turned actress is off screen, Diaz (left) is busy campaigning for global warming awareness with activists like former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. She urges others to conserve energy as a member of the Environmental Media Association. And in this month’s issue of Vogue, Diaz can be found posing in a uniquely organic outfit from British label Bamford.

She wears in the April issue white cotton jeans ($495) and an organic cotton blouse ($1,195) with puffed sleeves and a detachable necklace (middle) of white flowers from bamfordwayoflife.com. The all-white collection is inspired by an English spring meadow where the look is fresh, light and airy. Vogue reports Bamford founder Carole Bamford as saying: “We stand by our belief that organic can also mean luxurious]. It’s not a trend but a way of life.”

Diaz is one of many names on a long roster of organic cotton followers. Donned by celebs like Gwen Stefani and, Paula Abdul and Jamie Foxx, its allure might come from the fact that the organic cotton is free of chemicals and natural dyes.

Cotton reportedly relies on more pesticides and other toxic chemicals to produce it than any other crop. That means that our cotton fabrics – from our denim jeans to our bedroom sheets, are the end products of much chemical dousing.

Without these residual chemicals, organic cotton provides immediate relief to those with sensitive skin. As a result, this eco-friendly “way of life,” has been cropping up in towels, bed linens and most notably in baby clothes.

Need a perfect gift for a girlfriend’s baby shower? I suggest buying a 100% organic cotton baby jumper and blanket set (bottom).

Or in need of a new camisole or pajama pant? Massive retailers like H&M, Victoria’s Secret and Banana Republic have added products to their Spring collections made from 100% organic cotton or from over 50% recycled materials.

But before you buy, make sure that it’s certified organic cotton.

Now there’s an organic blend you can trust.

-S. Gonzalez


*Photo (top) courtesy of www.topnews.in; (middle) bamfordwayoflife.com; (bottom) www.decorinnovation.com

'Faux Real'

The chocolate minx throw laid sumptuously on the tufted leather chair and its rich, glossy sheen quickly caught my eye from the other end of the store. I headed towards the chair, catching an end of the throw and running my fingers among the silky brown hairs.

“Oh,” I purred. This was magic, I thought. It only seemed natural that I would then envision the furry throw slung over my living room sofa, an exotic touch to my otherwise conventional furnishings.

Despite media reports of gloom and doom, the Fall ’09 fashion shows had even more fur stoles and coats claw their way down its catwalks than years prior. I was already on the hunt for a Fall ‘09 chinchilla vest dipped in blue and purple dye like the one at Alberta Ferretti (top middle), or a Dolce & Gabbana (top left) shocking pink fur coat with exaggerated shoulders. Why should fur stick only to my wardrobe?

Besides, I reasoned, there was no price too great for luxury. Until I looked at the price tag and nearly gagged.

“$4,995?! Is this for real?!” I blurted.

“Oh yes, 100 percent minx,” chimed a sales assistant. The sales assistant hadn’t realized that my involuntary yell had more to do with the price and less to do with the fur’s authenticity.

There must be a better way to adopt a fashion trend without prompting an unwanted visit from People for the Ethical Treatement of Animals, I thought. And there was: going faux.

***

Ocelot, chinchilla, coyote, fox, rabbit or minx? Pillows, blankets, curtains, rugs, coats, stoles, or slippers? On my faux animal hunt, I discovered that going faux boasted as many varieties and styles as the real thing.

I stumbled upon a licorice-colored faux fur stole at Nordstrom’s for $63 (on sale!) and a faux tiger-printed bathing suit by Tyler Rose Swimwear (left) at Shopbop for $198. Then there was the must-splurge item, a faux spotted pony fur frame Roberta di Camerino bag at Barneys’ for $1,485.

For many designers and fashion/home labels, the staggering economy has encouraged many to not only limit their resources, but to consider environmentally-sound solutions. Faux is one of them.

This fall, London favorite Stella McCartney (recently honored Tuesday by the National Resources Defense Council for her green efforts) again refused leather and fur for her ready-to-wear collection, opting for shaggy lamb’s wool for her coats and a fabric treated to look like leather for leggings.

I finally settled on a luxurious white minx pillow for $20 with a matching fur throw (right) for $65 at www.decorinnovation.com. The pillow adds wonderful contrast to my dark sofa. It’s perfectly batted, neither too soft nor firm. As for the ivory-colored minx throw, the added bonus is the underside, which is lined with velvet-smooth microplush. The end result is a fight between family members as to who gets to cuddle with it first.

Now, is that $65 price ‘faux’ real?

Absolutely.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of WWD, gifts.com, shopbop.com and lindaanderson.com