Email
Print
del.icio.us
digg
FeedTraditional Charm
By Alecia Stevens
Photo by Alex Steinberg
1 Meaning
Belz’s mandate was to include the inherited pieces passed down from grandmothers on both sides of the family: the lounge chair, the lovely little needlepoint low stool that once sat in front of a glowing fireplace, and the unusual carved-back side chair at the desk. The homeowner recalled a chaise in her grandmother’s bedroom and knew she wanted one. Using a traditional cotton print, they reupholstered an existing chair and had a matching ottoman made in tribute to the memory.2 Yin/Yang
The husband requested “not too flowery,” so Belz wisely imbued the room with both masculine and feminine qualities. The massive brick walls and choice of dark woods add strength. The desk is tailored, not fussy. Yet the sheer gauze at the windows and one floral print soften the architecture and add a touch of romance.3 Accessories
Although there is not a stitch of modern furniture in this room, Asian antiques offer the perfect antidote to stuffiness. Their colors and materials add character that new accessories simply can’t match. Here, the lamp and pottery on the desk add the luminous patina of age, while a woven lunch basket provides color and texture as a side table.4 Complementary Colors
Green and red, opposite on the color wheel, are always going to be a winning combination. Complementary color palettes just work; we like them. The combination does not have to scream at you, however; it is often best tempered by beautiful neutrals, as it is here in the brick, wood, and carpeting.5 Tradition
Is the pendulum swinging back? Michael Smith, designer to the rich and famous, paid tribute to the English interior recently in Elle Decor: “English houses are the prettiest, most comfortable houses in the world….Youth-quakers are embracing tradition, and why not? It’s the last meaningful thing.”Alecia Stevens is a Minneapolis interior designer and stylist.
For more information on resources featured in this story, please reference our Buyer's Guide.
11 ISSUES (1 YEAR)
