Elegant Ensemble
By alecia stevens
Photo by Alex Steinberg
In this “He Said, She Said” bedroom, interior designer Marie Meko had to please both a husband and a wife. The wife imagined a romantic, classic French suite at the Ritz in Paris with delicious fabrics. His request? Not too fluffy and flowery, please. Meko, a designer with Durr Ltd. in Hopkins, worked with his preferred palette of cream, taupe, and brown. As for matching her vision, see how close this comes by going to www.ritzparis.com. Her response? “I love it!”
1 Palette
The neutral color palette balances masculine and feminine in this decidedly French room. The dark headboard grounds the space and, even though it is curvy, has a strong yang presence. Meko deftly adds a bit of quiet pattern on the walls, soft color in the screen, and small bench to relieve the otherwise neutral room.2 Walls
Classic French architecture treats walls, ceilings and floors as if they matter. Here, elaborate moldings, which are mirrored in the sitting room, create a graceful frame around the room. Meko loves the effect of upholstered walls in a bedroom and uses them here, adding interest and subtle pattern.
3 Floor
One of the more successful places to use wall-to-wall carpeting is in a formal bedroom. This low pile in creamy wool brings warmth to the room where bare feet touch the floor. The key here is the quality and a restrained pattern. Carpeting should be a backdrop for the furniture and fabrics, not compete with them.4 Antiques
The patina and form of vintage pieces, rare in reproductions, can be irresistible. “Marie has taught us so much about what to look for in antiques,” this homeowner acknowledges. Meko recovered this antique settee in creamy silk velvet and brought a gilt Empire bench, found in New York, back to life with blue silk brocade. The lamp bases are French antiques with custom shades. The homeowner’s advice? Use someone like Meko so that you don’t waste your money on unworthy pieces.5 Eye Candy
Every room benefits from a bit of sparkle. The mirrored drawers and crystal knobs of the bedside chests help reflect light. Venetian mirrored picture frames, the touch of gilt on the screen and bench, and the crystal and gilt chandelier serve as the jewelry for this elegantly dressed ensemble.Alecia Stevens is an interior designer and stylist.
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6 ISSUES (1 YEAR)
