Letting in the light
I prefer everything on dimmers so one can read when one wants but
then lower the lights for parties. Avoid overhead lights or anything
that shines in one's eyes. Lighting stores are tricky because whether
they are high-end or low-end they all are filled with horrible designs.
In lighting, as with many things, the simple choices are what will
often do the trick. In general, the more decorative, the more I run
screaming in the other direction.
Covering flaws
Every apartment has an architectural faux pas or two, mostly caused
by items we need: pipes, radiators, poorly placed windows and doors.
Sometimes a well-placed folding screen can do wonders to help mask
those offending elements. In this case, the air conditioner-radiator
under the window was a hideous but highlighted feature in the room.
The tin-can screen turns it into a work of art.
Playing with color
New York requires color because the light in the city is so gray.
My favorite paint is Benjamin Moore. I always, always buy quarts
of the colors I think I want to use. Then I slap samples on the
walls before making the final choice. I'm often surprised by how
I respond to my selections.
Rugs
Nothing pulls together a room like the right rug. In oddly proportioned
rooms, this often means something custom — a simple bound carpet
or sisal matting can be a great affordable choice; any good carpeting
store can do that for you. I also love needlepoint and Tibetan-style
rugs, depending on the application. The mistake I see so often is
that the rug is too small — little patches of rugs often make
small spaces seem smaller. In general I prefer sixteen-to-eighteen
inches of the floor to show around the room. This lets you know
it's not wall-to-wall, but still pulls the room together.
Antiques stores
For classic small pieces, I like Hoffman Gampetro Antiques (1050
Second Avenue; 212-758-1252). I also do a lot of shopping at Christie's
— getting the catalogs is my great luxury. I love shopping
without leaving home.
Chain stores
Crate & Barrel, Pier
1, Ikea — they all
do a great job, but I buy one or two items and get out. I don't
want to buy someone else's overall aesthetic. We went to Fishs
Eddy on Broadway and 77th one day and bought dishes and glassware
and cheap silverware and stuff. Jorge came to New York with literally
two suitcases.
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