As someone who likes to define my own spaces with the word glamour, I feel ready for a redefinition of the term...
Which is why when I saw this simple but (yes!) glamorously inspired space by Bunny Williams in the latest Elle Decor, I was struck with the thought that perhaps this is what I'm leaning towards? It's a somewhat odd but cohesive mix of styles, with a completely practical sofa paired alongside statement chairs and a very noticeable lack of clutter. The coffee table definitely takes the prize for most glam piece in the room, and the high gloss finishes certainly help support it, but the overall feel is modern glamour... simplified. Even the pairing of pillows on the sofa with that unexpected leopard lend themselves to this more relaxed, effortless idea of glamorous style. There's no bold graphic rug, dripping chandelier or gilded mirror. It's soft, welcoming and livable.
So, what do you think? Is it boring and blah? Or refreshing? Are there elements missing that you would add to help define it as a glamorous space? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
I do believe you have hit the nail on the head...lovely but....wonder if it has something to do with all this immediate access we have?...
ReplyDeleteThank you for that post! I too like most of these things apart and lately I've been seeing too much of them all stuffed into one room!
ReplyDeleteConcerning the picture - I love it. I just wonder whether there would be something missing there wasn't the pop of red colour added through the flowers?
its perfectly simple with a hint of glamour <3
ReplyDeleteLovely room! I definitely know what you mean and find myself more and more drawn to rooms like in the photo you've shown.
ReplyDeleteVery chic
ReplyDeleteI too am getting tired of the zebra prints and zig-zag patterns (though I have both in my house). I have been trying to figure out what my new look is as well, I find myself veering between styles. Though I love Chinoiserie, I am worried that it is being overdone. I love my great English antiques, but feel that they are passe. I too am searching. Bunny's look above has great style, but, alas, it bores me a bit. I agree that without the red flowers, maybe the room would be dull. I do however, adore the shiny blue ceiling. Hmmm. I will keep reading your posts to see what is in store. I have a feeling you will let us know what is next....thanks.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could ever describe a Bunny design as boring or blah. I think she always finds a way to create fresh, interesting and elegant solutions!
ReplyDeleteI'm totally with you and I get what you're saying.
ReplyDeleteI think we get tired of the "same look" faster because we work with it, we see it a "zillion" times and we crave "new" and fresh design more often.
This is a really fresh and chic room. Great choice!
Talking about fresh, you gotta take a look at my post today! You know the Canadian interior designer Sarah Richardson, right? Come take a look and let me know what you think.
www.HomeBunch.com
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
I agree, and knowing that you are on the West Coast, I think you end up seeing a lot of that Regency, Hollywood, shiny shiny glamour look!
ReplyDeleteMoving interiors into a mix of tailored, refined pieces that are both functional and pretty should be the redefinition of glamour.
I agree...this room is very successful and fresh. I like the surprise shape and different upholstery of the armchairs...xv
ReplyDeleteI agree...this room is very successful and fresh. I like the surprise shape and different upholstery of the armchairs...xv
ReplyDeleteyou summed it up so well! i am in the process of decorating my new apt and though i love the chrome, gold, zebra, lucite look, as im putting it all together it just seems so "played". your post will be inspiration to think a little differently. Thanks!
ReplyDeletecouldn't agree more with you that glam style today is becoming too predictable...!!! Bravo for saying out loud!!!!
ReplyDeleteThere is something that totally captivates me about this room.. the white comfortable sofa pair it with the black leather chair,etc... but I keep having this feeling that is something and I don't know what....
Hope you are having a great week!
I like it! Some of the rooms I see online or in magazines seem a little unrealistics and over the top. This one seems more approachable and welcoming. Though I do agree that it might be a little boring without the flowers. Maybe the room needs a different rug or some other punchy colors from accessories.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! (though I will have a hard time parting with zebra and drippy chandeliers - I agree that this is the right direction to be headed in...)
ReplyDeleteYesyesyes. I saw Bunny's smart space in Elle Dec and was superbly impressed with her talent... If I see another zigzag rug I might die. And I love a good zebra rug but I'm sad to say it's been done and done and doneeee. So yes, I love the space posted here and think it's done really really approachably well.
ReplyDeleteHow refreshing. If I see another layered room of zebra rug brass Sputnik or deer, lucite table and painted faux Chippendale, I'll throw up!
ReplyDeleteI love how the flowers play off the coffee table book- they are the perfect pop of color without being too obvious
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't like it. Without the flowers, as someone pointed out, it's blah.
ReplyDeleteYou don't need a zebra rug to be glam but that doesn't mean this is.
I am trying to find an understated rug like the one pictured above. Any idea where to get a rug similar, but not as pricey? Online or locally in Seattle? Love the Rachel Ashwell bleached rugs but again, too pricey. I would die for vintage, but cant pay the $2k price point. HELP!
ReplyDeleteI smiled when I saw that you were thinking about redefining glamor. Over the weekend I was thinking about redefining luxury. I think it's another one of those problematic looks/trends that is in serious need a of re-evaluation. Times have changed and design needs to follow suit!
ReplyDeleteYesss, to all of the above. Spot on.
ReplyDeleteimagine not having those gorgeous red bouquets... then it may be a little blah. maybe its the slip-covered ish couch that withdraws from what i perceive as "glamour." the gloss console on the left is glamorous. i agree in expanding the definition of glamour, though i think i would leave glamour defined as it is, but sexiness of a room is much broader than we think- this room is sexy is a relaxed, lived-in kind of way.
ReplyDeleteI like very much your idea of redefining glamour. Although I like this room, I am not sure it rises to the category of "glamorous". The small table at the end of the sofa and the floor lamp did not meet my "glamour" expectations.I do like the room and see it as very chic, comfortable and somewhat quirky. Quite interesting-love those chairs.
ReplyDeleteHa ha! I agree, the very predictable girly room with mirrored furniture and glossy everything has grown old for me too. It's crazy how a once chic combination of feminine and eccentric has become so common and easy but it always happens, as designers we usually grow tired of trendy looks before the masses have even caught on (I apologize if this sounds arrogant, it's really a curse of indecisiveness for me). I think the most eclectic looks work only when they are genuinely put together with real items that belong to the client, otherwise they look contrived. So to answer your question, I like this space too, the "glamour" is definitely understated but not meek.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
say yes to less clutter! I get so tired of the over accessorized spaces everywhere! thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteI agree 100 percent with the general idea of glamour! This photo is a breath of fresh, glamorous air!
ReplyDeleteThis post was like fresh air!I was doing a project on interior design, and she asked me for glamour, but could just think in a chesterfield couch, a chandelier and lots of wood everywhere (and, yes, a persian rug), and golden stuff. TG I'm not in the project anymore. I felt so happy to see your definition of glamour, it's so simple and inviting. Thanks! and please, carry on. Wating for your next post.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more...zebra rugs, zig zag prints, and lucite (as much I love them) are becoming so predictable. The subtle elegance in this room gives it such a glamorous look. I especially love the ceiling and how well edited the overall look is. But does anyone else find that it looks a little unbalanced? It may be the low floor lamps next to the couch or maybe how set-back the black leather chair is (I can't put my finger on it), but something about the furniture placement seems a little off to me. I'm probably crazy but wanted to see if anyone else saw this too.
ReplyDeleteLindsey, it does look a little unbalanced. I think it's the lamps. The ceilings are high, but the lamps just make the room feel short in an unsettling way. Ceiling height curtains would also help.
ReplyDeleteAnd also, I agree with everyone in saying that this is glamorous, yes, but very livable. It's a teensy bit cold, but a different rug would solve that.
More interiors like this, please!
I am by no means an expert, but my favorite rooms usually have a variety of eclectic pieces collected over a period of time. Unfortunately, I'll have to wait till I'm one foot in the grave to have my "perfect" room!
ReplyDeleteHmmm... I wonder whose house has every single thing you mentioned all piled into one:)
ReplyDeleteI agree though... Something more laid back does look more glamorous at times.
Everything is the same height, which is unsettling. There just seems to be so much empty air between the sofa and the ceiling.
ReplyDeleteBut I can see how this is appealing in general after so much pattern and color.
I love this! I'm saving this for one day when I re-design my place. It's also amazing how much those flowers make a difference too - the color adds the right amount of "pop". I'm smitten! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteRegardless of what I think of that look, I think it's a little harsh to condemn it when you have so much power to influence others on your blog. I personally think home trends should last longer than fashion ones, because it's so costly and takes so much time to furnish a house.
ReplyDeleteIt's only predictable in a world of high style and what's next design. We have to remember that we 'live' in a world where 99% of the homes don't have one zigzag in their space- some may have only experienced in magazines, etc. Those of us who have passion for all things design are overexposed to a degree I agree. BRAVO for the breath of fresh air!! Let's just remember in the midst of it, that a beautiful space is what we crave. Personality, character, something that moves us, inspires us. But....though we may cringe if we see another ikat throw pillow, most wouldn't even pronounce it correctly ;) LOVE your blog, by the way!! (I'm just a laymen in the world of design, I just like pretty things)Shelli
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