We might not be able to have a fancy decorator on call 24/7, but by learning from the pros you can nurture that polished decorator look by yourself. This month I have rounded up my top 20 favourite classic decorator touches. Insert one or add them all, and your home will be feeling chicer by the moment. Enjoy! — Laura from Lolalina
Greige
Bellini Side Table – $745
1. A shapely table. A little dining table, like this one completed in a fine wood with lovely lines, can be tucked in virtually anywhere and brings a little gravitas to a mostly modern room. A pair facing the couch could be beautiful.
Greige
Boston Terrier Figure – $28
2. A dog (or two). Foo dogs might be the classic choice, but decorators appear to be fond of puppy amounts in general, and also this little Boston Terrier has so much more personality! I would tuck one near the fireplace or at an entryway.
Tonic Home
Wire Dining Chair – $450
3. A modern cable seat. Bertoia’s side seat design from the 1950s is now such a classic, and it is possible to discover riffs on it everywhere. Decorators love the iconic form and will tuck one in anywhere, from a complete place in the dining table to one seat in a desk or as a spare at the living room. The brilliant thing about the wire chair is how easily it works into any style — a conventional home can handle one.
Tonic Home
Starburst Mirror – $325
4. A sunburst mirror. Mirrors, mirrors, everywhere! If ever there were a decorator’s maxim, that could be it. Mirrors enhance lighting, expand the feeling of space, and make the most of perspectives and artwork. Sunburst mirrors, in particular, are fabulous for adding a dash of drama. You can not fail with a single hung above the mantle.
Bunny Williams
Harvest Table, Marble
5. A round table. Round tables are way more flexible than rectangular ones. It is possible to use one as a dining table, sure, but they are also brilliant at a breakfast nook, full of sculptures and books at an empty corner or taking center stage at a big entryway.
This one, from famed decorator Bunny Williams, was featured on before (with the bamboo shirt), but that I could not help highlighting it again, this time in marble, because it’s simply so magnificent.
Bunny Williams
Nailhead Sofa
6. Nailhead trim. Add subtle definition to a shapely seat or couch with a row of nailhead trim. Ottomans, dressers and even desks can find the nailhead treatment too. Or for an easy DIY project, hammer your trim onto a linen-wrapped cork board.
Paris Hotel Boutique
Vintage Palace Hotel Service For Four – $375
7. White china. There’s something incredibly chic about easy white china stacked neatly on open shelves in the kitchen. Add even more kindly cachet with a set of vintage hotel china, like this collection from The Palace Hotel in San Francisco.
1stdibs
Antique Bust Of Godess Athena
8. A bust. Room feeling somewhat plain? Add important drama with a classical Greek or Roman bust. Historical reproductions are often reasonably priced and gorgeous. This one of the Greek goddess Athena would look amazing on a console at the entryway. I would give her a jaunty hat to add a dash of good humor.
Terrain
Rosette Urn And Plinth – $800
9. An urn. Objects that look pulled straight in from the backyard are wonderful for adding a sense of background to the conventional “white box” apartment. An urn with a bit of patina, like this one from Terrain, is a excellent choice because it looks just as gorgeous with or without a plant indoors.
Terrain
Parisian Blue Tablecloth – $128
10. Blue and white stripes. There’s something so crisp and refreshing about blue and white stripes. Every house should have them somewhere. This Parisian tablecloth receives the shade just right.
Gracious Home
Canister Uplight – $60
11. A canister uplight. Great lighting is critical to creating a room that feels comfy and welcoming. Try tucking these little canister lighting in a dark corner where a normal lamp will not match. When the corners are lit, the room feels larger — it is as simple as that.
Gracious Home
Matouk Jordan Towels – $43
12. Greek key trim. The sharp geometric lines of the ancient motif work superbly as a trim on everything from couches and curtains to sheets and towels, and in modern and traditional interiors alike. These plush Egyptian cotton towels are a fun update from standard white.
Gracious Home
Matouk Arcadia Throw – $174
13. A fancy throw. Virtually every room in the house can use a great throw, and this one gets bonus points to be decked out in a Greek key design. Twist one over the back of a couch, lay one at the foot of the bed or take it outdoors to flake out on a cold night.
Gracious Home
Olivia Small Tumbler – $27
14. Petite stemless glasses. In case you need to choose just 1 kind of glass to get at the house, make it little and stemless. Glassware like this is frequently used in the home in Europe instead of wine glasses, and they can easily handle anything out of juice and water to cocktails. I am particularly smitten with these hand-blown and delicately embellished tumblers out of Juliska. They’d look amazing lined up on shelves that are open.
Garnet Hill
Frette Classic Hotel Percale Bedding – $65
15. Hotel sheets. Colorful, printed bedding is fun, but if it is chic you are after, you can not get much better than trimmed and monogrammed resort sheets from Frette.
Garnet Hill
Garnet Hill Canecroft Flat-Weave Wool Rug – $68
16. Cane print. Recalling outdoor furniture and entertaining ’50s pool parties, cane print is a superb addition to the joyful chic home. This rug from Garnet Hill will be beautiful from the entryway or onto a three-season porch.
Calypso St. Barth
Apt. Pencil Tray – $92
17. A decorative tray. Decorators adore trays. Love them. In fact, I would be hard-pressed to think of one room in the house that may not benefit from at least one or two little trays. This one from John Derian will be perfect by the front door, holding stacks of mail or keys.
Calypso St. Barth
Two Elephants Pillow – $155
18. An exotic touch. Animal motifs, Indian prints and Moroccan cloths have staying power in the design world. Scoop up an accent bit like this pillow out of John Robshaw to include exotic flair to your mat.
Garnet Hill
Moroccan Leather Pouf – $348
19. A pouf. Poufs may be trendy, but they are so adorable and useful. There’s no doubt that they are here to stay. The classic version is leather and large in natural white or brownish. But these days it is possible to find any color under the sun, from hot pink to metallic silver and gold, so go with what you love.
Jonathan Adler
Jonathan Adler X-bench In Tanzania indigo – $695
20. An animal print and an X-bench! This bit from Jonathan Adler has it all: a classic, versatile design and a fun animal print. Many decorators like to sneak in at least one thing featuring an animal print — it warms up a room like nothing else. Navy blue zebra might not seem versatile, but you would be shocked at how easily this little seat can match in!
Next: Get a Million Dollar Decorator’s Look for Less
