| To give your living room a sumptuous image, | | | | Discreet self-colored jacquard and damask fabrics |
| indulge in a spot of glamour styling. The results | | | | and brocade shot through with gold thread are |
| are as relaxing as they are impressive and | | | | favored over conspicuous, colorful patterns. |
| luxurious but, despite appearances, don't have to | | | | The notable exception to the pale-only rule is the |
| cost a fortune. | | | | use of a little black or dark navy for dramatic |
| Classy and chic, but never vulgar, glamour styling | | | | contrast on woodwork, furniture, or upholstered |
| creates a sophisticated, comfortable living | | | | furnishings. |
| environment. To the envy of anyone with young | | | | A prolific use of gilt and gilding adds a rich gleam |
| children or boisterous pets, pale neutral and pastel | | | | to instill a vital feeling of luxury and extravagance |
| shades are used exclusively on walls, floors, and | | | | into the look. To replicate the effect, you can use |
| upholstery, with reckless disregard for | | | | inexpensive gold wax polishes or paint to accent |
| practicalities. There is a larger-than-life, film-set | | | | the detail on moldings, furniture, and picture |
| side to the look that favors accents of gilt and | | | | frames. |
| sparkling glass on furniture, soft furnishings and | | | | Walls: Creamy neutral or pale pastel shades |
| themed accessories, to accentuate a sense of | | | | dominate the look - peachy pink is a favorite |
| grandeur and luxury. | | | | color. Wallpaper is subtly colored, maybe with a |
| The impression of spaciousness on a broad scale | | | | faint self-colored stripe or a damask-style or |
| is another defining feature. Within reason, you can | | | | moire pattern. To capture some of the |
| create space by leaving out more than you put in, | | | | architectural extravagance of stately homes, you |
| and by maintaining symmetry and a strict | | | | can use trompe l'oeil wallpaper borders that mimic |
| orderliness. | | | | cornicing or balustrades between the wall and |
| In glamour styling, there is a healthy | | | | ceiling or around the wainscoting. |
| cross-fertilization between styles and periods. The | | | | Floors: Thick pile, wall-to-wall carpeting, again in |
| look borrows an overall feeling of elegance from | | | | pale colors, is a quintessential part of the luxurious |
| the town house idiom, and sets it in delicate, light | | | | impression the room is designed to create. It |
| color schemes and clean-cut furniture | | | | doesn't stop there because there's often a liberal |
| arrangements gleaned from the Scandinavian | | | | scattering of large, subtly colored rugs. |
| style. | | | | Fireplaces: An imposing fireplace, preferably in real |
| Once the scene is set, it is the detailing that truly | | | | or mock marble, provides a significant focal point |
| enriches the look. A seemingly incongruous mix of | | | | for the room. Embellishing your existing fireplace |
| highly ornate and ultraminimalist furniture and | | | | with corbels and moldings, then painting the whole |
| accessories distinguishes the image. You can | | | | assemblage white gives it an appropriate sense of |
| expect to see eighteenth century French-style | | | | grandeur. Alternatively, a simple arrangement of |
| giltwood chairs combined with Art Deco-style | | | | two large corbels supporting a glass mantelshelf |
| tables, all illuminated by modern light fittings. Far | | | | looks very effective. |
| from becoming a mishmash, a carefully rationed | | | | Lighting: In true theatrical fashion, atmospheric |
| selection and purposeful placement ensures | | | | lighting dispensed from stylish light fittings |
| glamorous exclusivity. | | | | enhances the glamorous setting in the evening. |
| Creating the Look | | | | Overhead chandeliers or Art Deco-style torcheres |
| Color and pattern scheming: The first | | | | are ideal for general lighting. Magnificent table |
| commandment of glamour styling stipulates that | | | | lamps and lampshades contribute localized |
| all surfaces and soft furnishings are pale or shiny. | | | | illumination at strategic points around the room. |