Million Dollar Decorators Give Us a Peek at the Style of the Stars
Million Dollar Decorator Jeffrey Alan Marks says, “My design mantra is that there should be something unexpected in a room….what can be more unexpected than a Where the Wild Things Are table?” From this whimsical table to an all leopard-print room, one thing that you can be sure of is that the designs on this hit Bravo show are never dull. What could be better than a little ritzy voyeurism as we take a peek inside the homes of the rich and famous? How about a few MDD tips for your own home?
Try something unusual. While top designers certainly have preferences and tastes of their own, they also have to be willing to work with the clients’ tastes. This is what makes Jeffrey Alan Marks so sought-after. He designed a Brentwood home for Jack Bender (TV director, Lost, Alias), who is also a sculptor and painter. “My stuff,” he says, “can be pretty funky, but Jeffrey has this way of working that goes from the extremely elegant to the pretty out-there. He can find beauty in both.”
The take-home lesson for your home: don’t be afraid to try something different. Homes that are too “matchy” risk looking like perfect, impersonal magazine photos. They aren’t homey, and they aren’t lived in. If you like art or creating your own crafts, showcase them. If you have a penchant for bold colors, go with it. Just balance it with more laid-back elements.
It’s all about the fabrics. While artwork and furnishings are crucial, it is often the littler touches that make a big difference in your décor. Mary McDonald, another Million Dollar Decorator has a wild side, and she’s not afraid to show it. She designed a home for TV execs Jennifer Nicholson Salke and Bert Salke which featured a warm neutral and chocolate color palette. Small touches, like the ottoman upholstered in zebra, helped make a statement without being extravagant.
Kathryn Ireland also loves to work with rich fabrics. So successfully, in fact, that client David Mamet said, “I love Kathryn’s fabric so much, I want to wrap my wife and children in them.” Go ahead; wrap your home in sumptuous, comfortable style.
Go beyond the usual suspects when using fabric. For instance, you could try a gorgeous upholstered headboard from Skyline Furniture or add an easy chair in the kitchen. Treat yourself to the best you can; you will never regret it!
Use what you already have. Even celebrities reuse what they already have. When Kathryn Ireland designed a French country home for David Mamet, she added features like arts-and-crafts style cabinets and new dark gray and white floors in the kitchen, but she also used the Mamet’s own furniture.
You don’t always have to buy new things in order to achieve a new look. Sometimes, adding touches like a set of bar stools or a new paint job, can really bring a room to life without costing a fortune.
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