James Merrell
Think you have to sacrifice comfort for sophistication? Think again. Plush, inviting furniture paired with eclectic accents lets you stretch out in style.
Play With Color
Color connects a riot of items: Deep magenta travels from the rug to the basket to the pillow pile. Ankara Soumak jute rug, $590 (five by eight feet), burkedecor.com. Polywood side tables (similar to shown), $149 each, serenityhealth.com. Terrarium, $85, adorenyc.com for info. Large lidded basket, $175, calypsostbarth.com. Orange mohair pillow (left), $139, roomandboard.com. Striped pillow (front), $225, johnderian.com for info. Sumba antique pillow (behind striped pillow), $285, andriannashamarisinc.com for info. Large ivory cotton pillows, $128 each, ochrestore.com. Gray linen pillows (stacked at right), $74 each, canvashomestore.com.
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Mix and Match Materials
Soft materials—rich velvet upholstery and a luxe alpaca throw—clustered with hard, shiny surfaces create intriguing tactile interplay (sort of makes you want to pet the furniture). Don’t be afraid to tuck a big, generous chair into a snug nook for an intimate reading spot. Bellington chair, $2,195, jaysonhomeandgarden.com for info. Baby-alpaca throw, $385, mgbwhome.com for stores. Enzo Articulated lamp by Roost, $465, asraigarden.com for info. Lacquered document chest, $900, jcarcan.com for info.
Invite Nature Inside
A terrarium, like a bowl of fish, adds life to a room. It also reflects light, so it’s nice for brightening dark walls. Delicate greenery feels calming and homey—and sophisticated when contrasted in a sleek, modern orb. Volcanic terrarium, $285, adorenyc.com for info. (For tips on making your own terrarium, go to thevintagemodern.blogspot.com.) Grass-flocked bunny bank, $16, karmakiss.com. Luca stone-topped dresser, $2,299, arhaus.com for info.
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Create Your Own Work of Art
A composed display feels friendly and charming against a casual (and marked-up) chalkboard wall. The recipe? Something high and curvy, something low and wide, and a natural element that offers a burst of color. Italian ceramic vase from the 1950s, $295, The End of History, 212-647-7598. Large oval serving bowl (similar to shown), $45, lecreuset.com. Studio Finishes chalkboard paint, $18 a quart, benjaminmoore.com for stores.
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Embrace Spontaneity
Quirky vignettes are perfect for drawing visitors away from the main seating area toward intimate corners. Unexpected juxtapositions, like a low-riding chandelier above a tufted ottoman, spark curiosity and add delight. Mariestad six-light chandelier, $199, ballarddesigns.com. Antique handwoven indigo pillows, $265 to $290 each, andriannashamarisinc.com for info. Turkish rug, $2,200 (five feet by eight feet, four inches), tamaramagel.com.
