Going Goth

Dining room by Joe Nye

I love a little touch of the unexpected, a beautiful room with a few pieces thrown in that are a bit... off. I think it gives a home character, displays the personality of the home-owner, and relaxes the interior by showing that beauty doesn't have to mean predictable!

So, with that said, I am a fan of items that are striking in some way, such as the intriguing Gothic-style pieces in these photos. For instance, Joe Nye uses that dark, Goth armchair to anchor the bright and glittering dining room above.


Dining room by Eleanor Cummings courtesy of House Beautiful

Miss Cummings amplifies the warmth of this room with heavy wood chairs and dining table (and that gorgeous terracota wall color).

Bedroom by the late Gaser Tabakoglu

Another option for your Goth pieces: paint them a bold and unexpected color! I like how the color of this bed blends with the striped walls, while the silhouette remains prominent.

Powder room by Joe Minton

Joe Minton mixes it up by combining the Gothic vanity with Italian linen walls, a French mirror, and a framed Chinese needlepoint.

Dining room by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

Here, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard gets playful by contrasting a visually heavy dining set against funky Majorelle curtains from his own fabric line.

Dining room in home of Keith Johnson and Glen Senk of Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters

And, last but not least, we can always rely on the keen eye and inventiveness of Anthropologie's Keith Johnson to create rich and engaging rooms, like the dining room above where a Gothic cabinet mingles with an Irish dog statue, French lantern, Chinese building blocks, and dreamy Cole & Son "Lily" wallpaper.

In today's world of cerused oak and white-washed, dainty settees, I love that some of these designers have stayed true to the warm and staid appeal of this mysterious and wonderfully ornamental style.

Bust a Move: Part II

Manolo Blahnik at his home in England

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Now let's get back to our sophisticated sculptural subject: busts!

I love the contrast of the red upholstery and the cool aqua walls in the room above. The bust, however, is in perfect sync with the grand mantelpiece and moldings.

Vignette by Eric Lysdahl



Living room by Thomas Britt

More red upholstery abounds in this sunny room by Thomas Britt. I love how the plants in the room are used as a type of sculpture, too, punctuating the doorways and large windows.

Design by Jay Jeffers

Another great contrast. Here you can see how the bust (along with that unique suit-of-armor mirror) ground the rather fanciful lavender walls and mirrored dresser.

Design by Garrow Kedigian

What a warm and masculine room. I love the combination of the wall color, painting, and dark, plush settee.

Vignette by Gary Spain

Gary Spain certainly knows how to go bold, but I love how, in this case, he tempers the graphic wallpaper with warm flooring, traditional furnishings (I love that dresser), and solid accessories.


Design by Gary Spain



Dining room by Richard Norris and Mark Leslie

I like how Norris declared that, since this dining room is not isolated, it has become a place to "linger over meals, plan trips, and discuss our problems".

Foyer by Timothy Whealon

Love, love, love this foyer! It seems more like a garden room than a foyer. What a cheerful room to come home to!

Living room by Matthew Patrick Smyth

I am ending today with one of my favorite designers: Matthew Patrick Smyth. I love his elegantly eclectic interiors, and this space is a perfect example. The pair of busts at the far end of the room have great scale, anchoring the space perfectly. My favorite pieces in the room are, by far, the delicate, gothic armchair and the fabulous, painted pedestal table. (Oh how I would love to have one for my own home!) This room is pretty but tidy, and grounded yet bright. Lovely!

Have a happy Tuesday!