Amitha Verma Interior Design

The counter set the tone for the rest of the décor. I designed a palette of rich golds and pale creamy tones to complement the red, and had a custom Louis XV-inspired cabinet made especially for the room. The hardware was so much fun to select – we were like kids in a candy store! Eventually we settled on this beautiful mismatched antique brass hardware with a natural patina.

Amitha Verma Interior Design

We decided to wainscot the wall to get in a little more stonework and used this amazing border from Walker Zanger with our vulcan red onyx tones and deep gray coloring. It was so decadent, it really fit in with our overall look. On the walls we worked with Segreto Finishes to apply venetian plaster, and this ever-so-slight motif was sprinkled on top of the plaster. Finally, I picked a really subtle Rose Tarlow print for the small window covering, something that would blend in rather than detract from the dramatic red. And here’s the finished effect!

Amitha Verma Interior Design

Perhaps one of the most famous examples of Empire style today is the much-photographed Red Room at the White House, with its bold color palette, elaborate gilt chandelier and medallion embossed silk sofa.

(Source: East Wing Rules)

It’s definitely not a style for the faint-hearted! The colors and motifs of Empire-style décor were inspired by Egyptian tombs – deep red, cool azure, rich green and acid yellow, with sphinxes, lions, lotus blossoms, eagles, rosettes and animal-paw feet. Draperies were always heavy and luxurious, wood was typically expensive (rosewood, mahogany and ebony) and gilt and brass ornamentation was everywhere. I found some great examples of this kind of décor in these pictures of Vizcaya, the former estate of businessman James Deering in Miami. Don’t miss the highly decorated walls, the use of gold, and the fabulous tented ceiling in the bathroom – such luxury!

(Source: Architect Design)

I love the opulence of old-style Empire décor, but it doesn’t always sit well with my preference for calming, cool interiors. I prefer rooms that combine the grandeur of this style with a softer color palette for a look that is elegant but not overpowering. But if you really want to make a statement deep, rich saturated colors with Empire style pieces will definitely make a bold design statement!

(Source: Decorati)

I love to  incorporate these highly stylized elements of a particular style or era into a space like a foyer, where they can stand independently and still make an impact. I’m really liking the effect of this Empire-style marble-topped console against a rich gold patterned wallpaper. With the pale wood floors and classic chairs, upholstered in an elegant gold and ivory stripe, the overall look is reminiscent of the Empire style but perfect for a contemporary home.

(Source: Elle Decor)

What do you think? Is the Empire style something you could incorporate into your own home, or is a style like this better left to the palaces and stately homes where it originated?

Bold and luxurious and almost indecently decadent, gold has a real wow factor to it when used in interiors. We’re not talking tacky glittery gold here, but gorgeous textured gold surfaces, dull gold finishes, and soft gold prints. It’s just a little bit showy but still oh-so-elegant…

(Source: Eclectic Revisited)

The foyer above is an extreme example of the use of gold, but I still love how the textured gold walls look, especially with the mirrored console. Such richness and depth! For my Houston interior design clients though, I tend to create more subtle gold tones, like in this kitchen I worked on last year. The stone in the kitchen backsplash had a lovely gold hue. See how the overall look is very ‘gold’ though the surfaces are mostly a warm cream color, and the extra glow is created with clever lighting?

Amitha Verma Designs

The wonderful thing about gold is how luxurious it looks. I adore using gold in the bedroom, for a truly ‘Parisian boudoir’ feel. Wouldn’t this bed heaped with gold cushions just make any girl feel like a queen?

(Source: French Interiors)

I often find that a subtly decorated space is instantly glamorized by the addition of touches of gold. This powder room I designed for a client was mostly decorated in shades of gray and blue, but the addition of a gold carved antique mirror really added a touch of style, I felt. I really love how the gold is echoed in the sheeny scrollwork of the faux finish on the walls too, and in the accents of the moldings on the vanity!

Amitha Verma Designs

In fact, gold mirrors and gold chandeliers are perfect accessories for just about any space – brightening up a foyer, finishing off a formal drawing room, even adding a touch of decadence to a bathroom. What do you think?

(Source: Veranda)

Louis XV was a very lavish king – he loved the good life: fine food, fine wine, and fine women. He was notorious for his excesses and his numerous affairs, despite having a loving and faithful wife who bore him 11 children!

His most famous mistress was Madame Pompadour, originally a ‘commoner’ but a lady with great style and a good eye for design. Together they partied in her apartments at Versailles, surrounding themselves with interesting people and activities, all in the pursuit of pleasure!

A young Mozart being presented to Madame Pompadour (Source: Kunst Fur Alle)

There are reports that Madame Pompadour used all her wiles to keep the womanizing King by her side, including organizing orgies and other, lesser mistresses to keep him happy when she was too ill or too frail.

But aside from their passionate relationship, the pair helped to bring about a sort of revolution in interior design, moving away from straight lines and angular shapes, that would again reappear with neoclassicism, and more towards the Rococo style. Furniture became lighter, more carefree, less formal, smaller in scale, more organic and curvy. Floral motifs were very dominant. This is when we got all those amazing little French side tables. Asymmetry, C and S scrolls were the classic hallmarks of this period.

A front parlor with Rococo elements (Source: House Beautiful)

This style is still popular today and we can see many elements of the Rococo tradition in modern rooms. The contemporary parlor above features an elaborate Rococo chandelier and Louis XV chairs. These chairs are often seen covered in toile, which was also popular during this period. It’s said that the King’s love for the simple country life inspired his appreciation for the idyllic rustic imagery on traditional toile.

Sketch by Amitha Verma, carvings on a custom Louis XV sofa table.

I love when I get a chance to include Rococo inspired furnishings in my projects. Above, is a sketch of Louis XV inspired carvings for a custom sofa table for one of our interior design clients in Houston.

(Source: Anthropologie)

I adore this new take on Rococo style – organic embroidered fabric on a Louis XV inspired chair frame. And that mirror! It embodies all the sensuous curves and embellishments of the Rococo style without being old-fashioned – I love it!

Another less tragic, yet great purveyor of mirrors would come centuries later when Louis XIV built the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles in 1678. I had the chance to visit this glorious site and really was charmed by the combination of the mirrors and lighting. During this time, due to the difficulty in manufacturing, mirrors were the highest priced luxury item one could possess. Fortunately for King Louis, the Venetian Republic monopolized the manufacturing of mirrors. He amassed a collection of 357 mirrors in his lifetime! View the Hall of Mirrors in 360 degree format, it is truly amazing.

Floor mirrors can be a gorgeous, accessory that takes advantage of the concept of scale. The majority of the large leaning mirrors found today are too massive to be attached attached to the wall.

Avant Garde Design (via)

This gorgeous French gold gilt leaning mirror looks perfect set amongst the harp and campaign tables with a tall ceiling towering above.

Capitivist (via)

Philippe Starck’s CAADRE mirror makes an incredible spectacle in its modern form when placed in an Italian ballroom with an equally as modern table, white leather sofa and floor lamp.

Décor Allure (via)

This is the thing a French antique mirror! Gorgeous. All it needs is a little TLC and it will be as good as new.

Elle Décor (via)

The massive gold framed mirror reflects the beauty of the room before it. Love the double hang chandeliers.

Of course, you probably won’t need as much space as the royal family in the illustration below! This is the grand Gatchinsky Palace, of Emporer Pavel, at the height of Russian classicism period. Having a space all your own, no matter how big, in just your style and taste is one of the high points of having a glamorous dressing room.

Gatchinsky Palace Dressing Room (via)

Can you imagine getting ready in such a dreamy room?? The carved paneling, the most gorgeous shades of blue, (one of my favorite colors), the antiquing, and those chairs! All dressing rooms should have plenty of seating for to allow for an inviting, plush experience. I always incorporate the use of wood panelling which adds that gracefulness and wonderful richness that regular closets just lack. Of course, our interpretations are a little more modernized and not so richly carved! This is a great place to add antique finishes and to use colors that inspire you.

Veranda (via)

When furnished with a beautiful chair and desk or table, you can also find quiet time away from the rest of the household to do your correspondence by email or by hand and go over your schedule. Add a bright lamp to illuminate your activities.

Oliveaux (via)

A large floor mirror is a must in any dressing room. The wider the better for getting a complete view of your look such as the one pictured here. This is a great opportunity to add a must have piece that you will love.

Dreamy Dressing Room (via)

If you are fortunate enough to have the space, creating separate areas for different styles and types of clothing is perfect for optimal organization. If your current dressing area isn’t sufficient, think about converting an extra room into a dream dressing room all your own.

Reckless Bliss (via)

As beautiful as a dressing room can be, the most important function should be organization! Take inventory of your items and space plan accordingly. Most people don’t need nearly as much long hanging as short hanging. Lots of adjustable shelves are great for shoe storage. Vary drawer heights for shorter items that don’t need deep drawers. Cubbies are also great ways to store handbags and belts. Each closet is always as unique as the owner! Consider a built in like the lovely one above.

“I believe in manicures. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing alot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” -Audrey Hepburn

I love to make the powder room in the homes I design a focal point where the personal style of the homeowner shines through along with the use of one of a kind treasures. The idea for the pretty powder room shown here evolved over the many months of the project, as I got to know the client. Starting out with only a shell, and a box built out for the vanity, we collectively gave the powder bath time to evolve into what it would eventually become, a focal point of concentrated beauty. Every detail was considered to give this room a unique design.

Not wanting plain straight panel doors, I started out by designing the powder doors with the lovely curves and moldings you see here. They are French-inspired from around the Louis XV period, when designs were very curvy and organic, slightly reminiscent of the Rococo style.

The tile in the backslash is hand painted with a blue and green motif in the design, which I added for a little bit of decoration behind the sink and to add an additional layer of color with the countertops and wall finish.

The antique mirror was my favorite find! I always look, hunt and dig for the right pieces to put in my powder bath designs, and found this incredible antique French frame. It was so tattered; I wasn’t sure the frame could even hold the mirror, but full of hope, I took it my local frame shop and they fixed it all up, secured the frame and put the mirror in for me. The patina of the mirror’s frame is reminiscent of the green in the walls and once hung is absolutely gorgeous.

Last, but not least, we considered the floors and the ceilings. We added a small border of mosaic stone around the bathroom, and included small 2” x 2” inserts with the same painted tile. In the ceiling, we used a little chandelier. At one point, we were considering changing the red crystals to another color, but once it was all done it was the perfect bit of contrast. There’s that old design adage that every project should have a touch of red! We also did a beautiful hand painted design on the walls, exaggerated the pattern and it made the powder, which initially felt small, feel really open and airy.

Decorative faux finish available through interior designers. In Houston, contact Amitha Verma Interior Designs.