New York-based interior designer Young Huh has always added touches of glamour to the rooms she designs. Lately, she says, clients are asking for even more.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a backlash from the years of midcentury modern and minimalist leanings,鈥� she says. 鈥淧eople want lush fabrics, over-the-top finishes, and gold and silver touches. Clients are looking for a little fantasy and magic in their homes.鈥�
Los Angeles-based designer Jessica McClendon hears similar requests. Her work has always been infused with 鈥渃asual glamour,鈥� she says. Now, she sees a movement away from simplicity and toward bolder looks inspired by the rich fabrics and intricate embellishments on fashion runways.
鈥淭he incredible popularity of Gucci and other maximalist looks in fashion showcase how people are ready to let loose and indulge in fun and luxury,鈥� Huh says.
With HGTV calling 2018 鈥渢he year of glamour,鈥� homeowners may be drawn to this trend, but also worry about going too far.
We asked Huh, McClendon and Massachusetts-based interior designer Kristina Crestin for tips on ramping up a room鈥檚 glamour with a careful and delicate touch.
Choose your approach
If you鈥檙e craving glamorous elements such as velvet, silk and jewel tones, the classic approach always works: 鈥淵ou can add glamour to a room with rich colours, dramatic colour contrasts, moody tones and over-the-top flourishes such as overscale mirrors and gold-tone accessories or furniture legs,鈥� Huh says.
She advises clients who truly love glamour to embrace it.
鈥淵ou need to take a bold point of view and not be apologetic,鈥� she says. 鈥淚magine what it鈥檚 like to wear a sexy red-carpet gown. You have to love it and you have to want to flaunt it a bit.鈥�
But there is another way to add a measure of luxury while maintaining an otherwise casual, low-key room. Crestin uses elements traditionally considered 鈥済lamorous,鈥� such as velvets and metals with a shimmery finish. But she鈥檚 not aiming for anything sexy or glitzy. She chooses velvet seat cushions in soft, flattering shades for window seats or kitchen island stools to add 鈥渁 bit of lushness and a plush feel.鈥� The luxury fabric adds an attractive sheen, but it鈥檚 鈥渟till casual and clean,鈥� she says. 鈥淲ith all the hard, sleeker surfaces in a kitchen, the velvet tone and variability in the sheen really add depth and warmth to the room.鈥�
Velvet may sound like a surprising choice for kitchen seating, but it鈥檚 actually a durable and practical fabric, Huh says.
Mixing opposites
McClendon adds just the right amount of glamour by using sharp contrasts. She chose lush velvet upholstery in a bold shade of teal for her living room sofa. But she opted for an angular, modern shape, rather than a sofa with a tufted back and rolled arms. The clean lines keep the Hollywood glam fabric from feeling overpowering.
If you鈥檙e using velvet on one piece of furniture, Huh says, go with leather, chintz or linen on other pieces. 鈥淲hat I wouldn鈥檛 do is upholster every single piece of furniture in velvet.
鈥淚nstalling a richly coloured velvet sofa in a room gives instant glamour, and is a great foundation upon which to build a glamorous room,鈥� Huh says.
But 鈥渕ake sure that not every single piece in the room is high-octane and sparkly. You need a place for your eye to rest, and you need contrast for interest.鈥�
Crestin agrees. The lighting and sink hardware she recently chose for a powder room was done in a satin brass finish. 鈥淭he satin sparkled and popped against the dark finish鈥� of the room鈥檚 charcoal-grey trim and shiplap wainscoting, she says. 鈥淚t didn鈥檛 have to be glossy or polished to add sheen and sparkle to a space.鈥�
Red-carpet rules
Even for glamour lovers, Huh advises using the same restraint you鈥檇 use when dressing for a black tie event. 鈥淚f you have the sexy dress and blingy necklace, rings, bracelets, big hair, and lots of makeup and a tiara,鈥� she says, 鈥測ou probably need to take one or two things off or take it down a notch. So keep in mind to add some classic pieces to the mix.鈥�
She suggests choosing a traditional wood cabinet or a chair upholstered in a good, simple linen. 鈥淎nything clean and classic will keep the room looking both real and truly glamorous.鈥�
