As I mentioned in last week’s post, I recently attended NY NOW – The Market for Home + Lifestyle Show in NYC. Walking around the show put me in a mood to redecorate my home. The best part about redecorating as an empty nester is that I’m finally at the age and the stage in my life where I can select furnishings and accessories to complement my very own personal style.
Stylist Robert Verdi's clients include Eva Longoria and Christine Wiig.
In my previous post, I told you all about trends in home decor. In this post, I’m going to highlight tips from another NY NOW seminar I attended called “Designing Lifestyle.” Panelists included internationally acclaimed interior designer Jamie Drake, American TV personality and fashion and interior design stylist Robert Verdi (Kristin Wiig and Eva Longoria are two of his clients as are other stars), and Andrew Mandell, from luxury retailer Bergdorf Goodman.
The panelists answered a variety of questions and had some helpful answers for the audience.
Q: How do you decorate a space to flatter you?
A: Jamie said that “color should express who you are and the colors in your home should make you comfortable.” He looks at his client’s clothing the minute they walk in the door to determine their style.
Robert gives clients an assortment of magazines and asks them to mark up the pages they like. Then he creates a mood board. “It’s like going to India,” said Robert, “you need a tour guide.”
Q: How do you keep home design fresh?
A: Robert advised keeping your backdrop consistent and using accessories to make your style more dramatic. “Accessories can change the look,” said Robert. When redecorating he said to think about “investments” versus “expenses.” “Invest in a good sofa because it will last longer,” said Robert. “Don’t spend as much on accessories because you will change them more often.” (Works for fashion too.)
Use accessories to add color and texture to home decor.
“The 30 year lifespan is out when it comes to redecorating,” said Jamie. “Today 10 years is the lifespan and out it goes.” To clear out the clutter, Jamie suggested that clients put everything on the kitchen counter and throw out a percentage of their accessories. (I just decluttered my living room. Yesterday I threw out a few baskets of old magazines. Why was I keeping these mags when I already read them? Out they went in the recycle bin. Some of my old blankets need to go next.)
Q: Any advice for decorating on a budget? (Loved this Q! Me, me, moi!)
A: Jamie advised purchasing a neutral sofa and using accessories to make changes with vibrant pillows and a colorful throw.
Use colorful pillows as accents on neutral sofas.
“Buy art that you love,” said Robert. “Art is intimidating, it’s about passion and instinct.” He provided a list of some popular websites where you can buy art:
♦ Exhibition A
♦ Curious
♦ youshouldbuyart.com
(I always buy a poster or piece of art when I travel and then I frame it when I return. It’s a great way to remember my trips throughout the years. I have artwork from Australia, France, Italy, and Spain. Sometimes I also frame postcards in groupings and greeting cards too.)
Q: What do you think of accent walls?
A: Robert doesn’t like accent walls. “The lighting impacts the colors,” he said. Jamie doesn’t like accent walls. “I’d rather paint a square of color on the walls,” he said. (Uh oh! Oh no! “I love accent walls,” I wanted to shout out from the back of the room. “I have a blue accent wall in my bedroom and I really adore it. I do. I do. I do.” Sorry guys, you are really smart designers, but I’m keeping my accent wall. Next time I go bold I promise to paint the entire room a bright color.)
I’m going to enjoy the journey as I delve into decorating my living room this year. Can’t wait to dress up my empty nest to reflect my new lifestyle – casual, comfortable, contemporary with a touch of boldness and risk-taking.
What about you? How are you dressing up your home to reflect changes during your life after 50?
Judi
I’m at the same place as you on a new decorating place in my life. First up, oldest son’s room is now a Laura Ashley guest room, just finishing up the wall deco with pictures and a beautiful cherry blossom decal over the white iron bed. Next is carpet, banisters, exterior paint, new kitchen and bath. All in good time, but having fun getting going. Enjoy your journey!
Thanks Denise. Glad you are enjoying redecorating your empty nest. Sounds like it is really pretty – love Laura Ashley prints.
10 years and out it goes??? I think not! I own lots of antiques, and I’m an art collector. I buy for the long haul. My house just turned 13, and I’ve only redone one room, my dining room, because I made a mistake with the wallpaper I chose initially. I still love my house as is (although I wish I could afford to have the floors refinished in the kitchen and front hall, a challenge in an open concept house). The rooms are painted (and a couple of rooms have wallpaper) in colors that look good on redheads (meaning me)…and I’ve never regretted it! It sounds like you’re having lots of fun redecorating your empty next! Enjoy
Allison, right you are! Antiques are meant to be kept forever.