On Design: COLOR!
On a recent flight, I watched Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door” with Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton.
I was particularly taken by the set design and costuming of Tilda’s character, Mary. Her struggle with terminal cancer and the final weeks of her life was juxtaposed by her apartment and wardrobe, full of color, verve, and LIFE.
I liked the film, but found myself less concerned with the morose plot line and focused on the visuals instead. The whole thing got me thinking about color - what it does for a wardrobe or a room.
Below are some of my favorite resources.
USM Modular Furniture
We have USM throughout our house, including a vibrant yellow credenza in our “cozy room,” and a big blue dresser in our son’s room. I love it juxtaposed with antiques.
Flos Castiglioni Snoopy Lamp
After seeing the Kelly Green lamp atop the check-in desk at Ett Hem years ago, I bought my own. It sits atop my desk at the house, loudly communicating my taste in midcentury Italian design to my guests.
LEJ
Nearly all of my shirts come from four brands: Drake’s (button down collar) and Sid Mashburn (spread collar) for dress shirts worn under a jacket, and 45r and LEJ for jauntier casual shirts. Luke at LEJ is a shirtmaking wunderkind and his shirts - many offered in vibrant hues and playful stripes - are exquisitely made. They give off a louche seventies vibe, free-flowing and very easy-breezy.
Bella Freud’s delicious carpet
I just started listening to her podcast on the strength of this apartment. Growing up, we had family friends who had this same Kelly green carpet across their entire house - I always thought it was so cool.
Auralee
I love Auralee for the construction and quiet details, but even more so for the incredible use of color.
Original BTC lighting
Years ago, I stumbled into the newly opened showroom of Original BTC and fell in love with the simple, well-made lighting. I’ve used the products in every house since, and currently have their large yellow pendants in my entry hall and their poppy red sconces in my bathroom.
Svenskt Tenn
ST is an icon of Scandi design, and their single shop in Stockholm is a MUST for any design enthusiast. Home to Josef Frank’s furniture and textile design, it ain’t cheap, but it’s made to last - these are pieces you invest in and live with forever and pass along to your kids. We have loads of pillows around the house, and I won’t stop until it looks like Svenkst Tenn threw up in my living room.
On point.