Written by Julia Millay Walsh and originally posted here.
If there is one category of people who know how to achieve luxury at home, it’s the Hollywood elite. Not only do they have plenty of disposable income, they also have access to top-notch designers and the most worldly finds. Some have a more tasteful interpretation of luxury than others, of course, which is why we’re looking to these celebrities for some décor takeaways. The best part? You don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve that high-end look. Read on below for a few fancy tips.
PHOTO: Marko Macpherson for Vogue
French royalty like Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were the ultimate displayers of luxurious taste. So take a note from fashion designer Erin Fetherston who, after relocating from Paris to New York, used French-inspired pieces to achieve a sense of regality in her home.
Wisteria Natural Linen European Chair ($799)
Splurge in Small Doses
An over-the-top mirrored canopy bed may not be within your budget, or even in line with your tastes. So follow Jessica Alba’s lead by sprinkling luxurious accessories like this brass gemstone box around your home to introduce an undercurrent of luxury.
When it comes to fancy finishes, gold is the cream of the crop. As you see here, touches of gold bring a formal feeling to Lauren Conrad’s home. Try spray-painting or gold-leafing a mirror, a chandelier, or any metal accessories you own to recreate the look.
Introduce Scale
The private Paris residence of rockstar Lenny Kravitz, who has his own design firm, is as sumptuous as they come. Of course, the massive crystal chandelier and Ligne Roset have something to do with the opulence of this space, but the overarching theme here is scale. Using large-scale pieces truly takes everything up a notch, so go big or go home.
Use Luxe, Tactile Materials
Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen’s home, designed by Kishana Perera, has an artsy, rustic, California vibe, and isn’t what we traditionally think of as “luxury.” But there’s one element in this room that gives it a rich aesthetic: the blue velvet sofa. Fabrics like velvets, silks, jacquards, damasks, and ikats do a fabulous job of introducing an element of splendor into a space. If you can’t afford a whole sectional, try it in smaller doses such as curtains or throw pillows.
Rely on Symmetry
Symmetry is essential to classical design, and using it can give your home a polished traditional look. The planters and lanterns framing Molly Sims’ front door instantly give the space a feeling of grandeur. Shop in twos, and you’ll be on your way to an upscale home.
Make Luxury Functional
PHOTO: Roger Davies for Architectural Digest
The best kind of luxury is the kind that isn’t just for show. We’re talking about a beautiful balcony you can escape to, a wood-fired pizza oven where you can make top-notch meals, or a freestanding tub, like Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne’s, which you can unwind in. Maybe for you luxury is as simple as creating a private space where you can get some peace of mind.
Layer on the Pattern
Valentino is known for his fastidious adherence to elegance in all forms,” writes Vogue, and his homes, which have appeared many times in the magazine over the last 40 years, are no exception. One of our favorite takeaways from his Roman penthouse is his lavish use of pattern. Piles and piles of fabric—a tented ceiling, even—are decided proof that more is more. The trick is to use a mix of broad and small scales, as well as complementary colors, so the patterns don’t clash.
Use Unusual Shapes
PHOTO: William Abranowicz for Architectural Digest
Luxury is all about having what most people don’t have, and using unusual shapes in your home is one of the most intriguing ways to set your space apart. The Good Wife star Julianna Margulies’ living room is anchored by a boomerang-shaped sofa, and it’s nothing like we’ve ever seen.
Bring in Reflective Surfaces
Tables covered in Swarovski crystals are not our kind of luxury design—let’s leave those for the oil barons. But what we do love is a more subtle introduction of shimmer: reflective surfaces. Kelly Wearstler created a gorgeous interpretation of this in Cameron Diaz’s Manhattan apartment, which she decorated with a wall of tinted mirrored tiles. The look is not overly flashy, but just glamorous enough.
Integrate Statement Art
