We often talk about different interior design styles like transitional, traditional, modern and so on or sometimes we even pop questions such as What makes a home chic?… But there is a distinct design aesthetic that stands alone on its own where every piece of furniture and object from different styles and times fits in harmoniously to create the perfect comfortable and elegant home. That is called a Collected-Home. When I think of this ideal approach, the first designer who comes to mind is Jacques Grange. He is a master at designing homes that appear to have been decorated throughout a lifetime of sophisticated good living. A Collected-home suggests its owner has had a life well lived, is an avid traveler and collector, has a independent mind with a personality of her own. These homes never look intentionally decorated, rather they look as a result of an accumulation of cherished objects, inherited valuable furniture and invested artwork chosen out of pure love by the family members… This is a style for those whose eyes have traveled enough to appreciate the beauty of a distinctly aesthetic which speaks for the story of its owner. Below are 17 collected rooms that shows us what makes a home collected.
Mix and Match Upholstery In this beautiful and elegant living room designed by Jacques Grange there is mixed and matched furniture juxtaposing with sculptural tables, brass floor lamp and dear objects throughout. There is however one common thread, literally, between the mix match furniture selection. Green and red quietly unifies the upholstery. Clever. via AD
In the library of the same home designed by Jacques Grange, currently featured in Architectural Digest, we see how a careful selection of collected furniture upholstered in different colors and patterns blend harmoniously together.
Carolina Irving’s home is a perfect example of what a collected-home is all about.
Stay on one side of the color spectrum. Keeping the contrasting colors in soothing tones creates a soothing atmosphere. Contemporary and Neoclassical style come to life anchored by a Aubusson rug, modern art by Damian Hirst, traditional side tables and modern Maria Pergay stainless-steel stools in Inga Rubenstein’s sitting room. A more restrained style but still a very collected home.
Modern and Light Nate Berkus and Associates design collected homes that look modern and up to date. As in these two examples, above and below, the upholstered furniture are all of different colors and patterns, from striped chairs, leopard stools, black leather sofa, lilac pillow and that stunning L-shaped tufted velvet sofa below.
Mix Scale Nate Berkus mixes objects and art of different sizes and style in this room. Blue curtains, black and white striped rug and yellow chair mingle with bamboo sleek chairs, distressed sideboard and antique mirror.
Keep it Elegantly Casual This space, which can easily be improvised as a dining room, foyer or entertaining space is not only fabulous but it hints at its owner’s great sense of style. Rooms don’t have to be limited to be one specific space. In modern days multi functional rooms are a norm.
Keep it All In One Era How beautiful is this very Neoclassical room. In my opinion the different upholstery is what makes this room interesting and alive. Also the Chinoiserie cocktail tables.
Keep Comfort in Mind Steven Gambrel design is as comfortable as a space can be. Two main colors, blue and beige were used in this room but different patterns make the room look less formal.
Oversize The Mix Again in this space the fabric on the oversized furniture are all different. Clever how big furniture can make a small room look bigger.
David Kleinberg
Steven Gambrel
Steven Gambrel
Isabel Lopez Quesada created a very collected beach home in Greece.
Add Some Global Chic In Carolina Herrera Baez’s home the walls are upholstered in a striped fabric with studded nail head trim. The suzani on the settee was a wedding gift.
