Roses are (Caliente) red, violet (is the color of the year), it’s Valentine’s Day and boy, have we got hues for you. Romantic interior style doesn’t always mean frilly and feminine; rather it’s a look that can charm all five senses using soft and bold color choices, lots of plush fabrics and personal touches.
Fall in love with ethereal interiors that romance the senses in all the best colorways. This year, GDG offers a dozen romantic interiors that will outlast even the finest bouquet of roses:
Guest Room Escape
“The reason why this room is so successful in feeling romantic is the mix of textures and objects. The washed wood furniture feels old-world and collected, the cashmere velvet pillows bring an aspect of coziness, and the overall tonality of the space makes it feel sophisticated.”
-Cindy Rinfret, Interior Designer
Interior designer, Cindy Rinfret, of Rinfret, LTD., creates a “true escape for guests,” that doesn’t feel like your traditional guest room. The serene, ethereal and organic space features a show-stopping four-posted bed, framed by a settee tufted with Osborne & Little velvet, in lavender hues that offer a striking and updated feel. ‘Baby Blocks,’ Waterworks tile and a hand-painted India tea paper in light lilac, by de Gournay, channel the romanticism right into the guest bath.
Master Romancer
“A woman feels more comfortable in these colors and this increases a feeling of romance. There’s actually an old decorator’s tip of lining lampshades in pink, because it creates a glow that’s very complimentary to the skin.”
-Sally Markham, Interior Designer
The black furniture grounds this pretty in pink living room adding an extra note of sophistication in this New York apartment designed by Jamie Drake. The walls are painted in Salmon Peach by Benjamin Moore, while the Trenton club chair is in Donghia’s Sabrina and the Bon Vivant chair is in Pierre Frey’s Moire Princesse II. The Patrick Naggar daybed is in Donghia’s Sand Art sitting atop of a speckled Stark rug.
As seen in House Beautiful February, 2015.
Valentine Blues (Left)
“When I pull out the cream, purple, lavender, blue and aqua embroidered silk, my clients catch their breath. It’s one of those rare, beautiful finds.”
-Hal Williamson, Interior Designer
The Master Suite in the English country home of Nadja Swarovski features a canopy bed with sumptuous swags of Robert Allen linen. The sconces by Vaughan Lighting frame the dreamy blue façade, highlighted by a soft pink bench.
As seen in AD July, 2016.
Blossoming Romance (Right)
“Want to make a variety of bright colors cohesive? Think about how you would arrange a flower bouquet. The same can apply to a space, but you need to find a connection.”
-Sasha Bikoff, Interior Designer
First, a round of applause for Style/Library’s “Standing Ovation” collection Harlequin wallpaper adorning the walls of this sultry space. Larger than life adaptations of historically romantic delicacies like figs, pomegranates and blooms, climb the lofty walls to create a floral arrangement like no other.
Rosé Rooms (Left)
“Pink is really faded red. It’s pink with a past.”
-Ellen O-Neill, Interior Designer
In this poppy New York Apartment designed by Count Manfredi della Gherardesca, the dining room is furnished with a 1950s Italian chandelier from De Parma and a Soane Britain table and chairs. The carpet by the Rug Company acts a foundation for the light-filled room assisted by Romo print window shades.
As seen in AD March, 2017.
Sugar Rush (Right)
“You can go intense on an entryway, where you don’t spend that much time. It’s a ‘Wow!’ moment that says, ‘We’re brave, we’re bold.’”
-Jonathan Berger, Interior Designer
The entry of a late-19th century house in Brooklyn designed by Jonathan Berger is a showstopper with Benjamin Moore’s Razzle Dazzle splashed on the walls. The table and side char are covered in vintage needlepoint, topped by an 18th century Italian mirror.
As seen in House Beautiful February, 2015.
Purple is the New Pink
“Orchid pink is wildly lush and not at all juvenile. A room feels almost aromatic, redolent of complex perfume.”
-Jamie Drake, Interior Designer
Amethyst, sapphire and opals set the mood for this New York Apartment by Drake | Anderson. Venetian-plastered walls are painted in a Benjamin Moore purple beneath a Wolf Kahn painting. Holly Hunt armchairs sit atop an abstract floral rug by Doris Leslie Blau.
As seen in AD July, 2016.
Red-Hot
“I predict a revival of sensuous, velvety 1930s-style glam. Upholstered furnishings will have curvy shapes because severe, super-modern minimalism is tired. People want to feel cozy and sexy.”
-Milly De Cabrol, Interior Designer
This bloodstone Houston House designed by Miles Redd holds glam, historic reminiscence and velvety smooth upholsteries. The George II drum table was found at Sotheby’s and the George III style chairs were purchased at Christie’s.
As seen in AD December, 2015.
Galentine’s Day
“Just like when you walk into a café in Paris, and you see all the details and the golds, silvers and light blush tones, all of these elements in a space really sing to me.”
-Jenny Cipoletti, founder of fashion, beauty and travel blog, Margo & Me
A modern Marie Antoinette would be proud to lounge in this 21st century salon by Robin Baron for Holiday House 2017. The ultra-femme design with a sense of playfulness uses Maya Romanoff wallpaper and a giant flowering statement floor lamp from Cosulich Interiors and Antiques. The statement artwork by Anahi DeCanio positioned above the mantel, commands the room like a powerful woman, available through Accetra Arts LTD.
Petal Pink
“Undertones of raspberry and rose make people look good, which gives everyone a good feeling.”
-Suzanne Kasler, Interior Designer
A New Orleans home library offers pastel-hued walls illuminated by a 1962 painting by artist George Dureau. The painting hovers above a custom-made sofa upholstered in a Bernard Thorp printed cotton from Stark.
As seen in AD July, 2016.
Live and Love (Left)
“Uptown polish gets a jolt of pizzazz thanks to a pop, or two, or purple.”
-Jonathan Adler, Interior Designer
Custom-colored Gracie wallpaper makes this Manhattan townhouse pop with life and delicate florals. The custom cast-metal bed’s branches are draped in a canopy of silk curtains by Dedar and lined with a fabric by Stark.
As seen in ELLE DECOR November, 2017.
Candy Kisses (Right)
“Wherever you see this color [pink], you instantly equate it with a passion for life.
-Windsor Smith, Interior Designer
Pierre Frey explores the world of contemporary art with the linen print backdrop, reproducing an abstract painting by the artist, Heather Chontos. Heather’s abstract shapes are interpretations of everyday life and landscapes under a changing light or expressions of emotion, highlighted by the cozy eclecticism shaping this vignette.