My husband has given up trying to coral my sense of decor. I’ve gone form floral accents to all out decadence. I am fast on my way giving my home the look of a bordello. I love decor that is lush, opulent, bejeweled, baroque and even a tad garish. Domino’s May issue (p.50) featured a designer who had developed a bedroom theme that, with a few flourishes of my own, would be my little spot of Eden. It will full of gilt, Faux gems, roses, nude cherubs and the like. If you like the sensual pleasures in your decor then this is the guide for you. The style is referred to as Rococo and is reminiscent of the hedonistic boudoirs where Louis the XV fondled with his many courtesans. Rococo runs a bit to the outdoor Turkish garden bedroom also.
Of course Domino features accessories that run in the $100s for accent pillows and $1000’s for end tables. Most of us can do nothing more than feel annoyed that we will never be able to afford that. But don’t despair; my decor guide feature accessories and accents that you can purchase from Wal-Mart, Dollar outlets, Joanne Fabrics, TJ Maxx or Pier One Imports. You can also easily design some of the accents for next to nothing. Here are some of the elements that you will want to include in a rococo decor.
Colors: rose, cream, antique gold and silver, ivory, sage, periwinkle, flesh tones
Fabrics: linen, tulle, satins, chiffon, gauze, sateen, laces, embroidery, needlepoint
Artists: Titian, de Goya, Raphael
Accessories:
gilt mirrors,
statuettes: cherubs, nudes from the baroque art and high renaissance, Grecian and Roman gods and goddesses
wall sconces for candles
floral bowers –bowls and vases of roses, ivy and chrysanthemums and carnations
plant stands with trailing vine plants
fountains –indoors and out
grotto- including religious icons in niches with with candles
delicate scroll work wrought iron furniture: small tables, stools, shelves
divans, chaise loungers and cushions on the floor
bowls of fruit or vines of artificial fruits
hangings, tapestries, curtains and sashes
footstools
Simple tips:
Instead of bedroom curtains, hang large pieces of sheer fabric over decorative hooks on each side of window. Bend silk flowers to drape over the middle part of the swag.
Scatter assorted pillows on furniture
Create floral borders with silk flowers over wall hangings. ($1 each for a spray of flowers at Menard’s, Wal-Mart and Dollar stores).
Instead of fabric swags, purchase an artificial grape vine from Wal-Mart ($5 in housewares-floral). Suspend the vine across the window from two hooks or metal loop towel holders.
Create a grotto on your mantel. Place candles on either side of a religious object (a cross, image or even a family picture). Place a spray of flowers along the edge.
Bring a large trailing vine plant into the house. Place it on a pedestal plant stand ($6 Wal-mart). At the foot, place a two foot statuette. You can find resin gardens statues from Menard’s or TJ Maxx for under $25. I really like the Greek water-bearer image seen in gardens.
Use plant stands and wrought iron garden furniture in the house as end tables.
