What went into choosing this apartments interior design style?

When I think about Beverly Hills, I think of “Glamour”, palm-lined Rodeo Drive, unique boutiques, lavish hotels, and unparalleled luxury. So, when I was asked to install a Rodeo Drive apartment site unseen, in one week, and, oh – “you decide what the interior design style will be” my mind went on overdrive! What? Wait? Who does this? PINCH me!

For a designer, the sky’s the limit when it comes to decorating, but believe it or not, it’s harder than you’d think. It helps to have some direction.

Keep in mind, home base for me is Tampa. I couldn’t just jump in the car and drive over and take a look at the place. The only input I was given was that it must me comfortable, have all the essentials and amenities for short stays, and a few photos of the small one bedroom apartment’s empty spaces. I had to Google the photo above to get a sense of what I was dealing with. It turned out that a glimpse of the exterior was all I needed. Instantly, I thought of old Hollywood glamour!

Thankfully, the spaces were painted one neutral wall color throughout and the floors where beautifully polished!

Getting Started

Glamorous interiors are all about making a big statement, and there’s no better way to do that than with bold colors and loud patterns. Start by picking a color or pattern that speaks to you and build the rest of your design around it. I started with a Greek Key Rug and a Purple Velvet “sleeper” Sofa. Small spaces need furniture that can do double duty. The sleeper sofa is for those guests you know are going to want to visit you in Beverly Hills – Wink! Metals are incredibly on trend right now. Be sure to opt for a polished finish which will give you maximum shine like the glamours coffee table above, paired with simple, elegant accent chairs.

What’s Next

When introducing glamour into a space, shine is an absolutely essential component for catching eyes and demanding attention.

A good way to do this is through your lighting and accessories. A mix of traditional glamour and modern touches never fails to look fabulously chic!

Metals and crystals, or both, create visual impact! Consider hanging a bold light fixture above your dining table like I did with this polished nickel Sputnik chandelier. Placing a gold object on the table below keeps things interesting by mixing the gold and silver finishes. I chose to keep the color palette neutral for the dining area; letting the over-sized map make the bold statement instead of a bold color. While eye-catching pieces are a must, including too many of them will have an opposite effect and cause the room to feel overwhelming. It’s hard to focus when so many elements are vying for attention. Striking the perfect balance is essential for making your glamorous spaces a success.

The Details

Glamorous décor items aren’t hard to find, but bringing them together in a way that makes sense requires a little more effort. On the one hand, you’ll want to include enough glitz to allow your personality to shine through. But, on the other hand, it’s important to keep your design from becoming too over-the-top. I always opt for books, flowers, and candles. They’re useful, colorful, and can be changed out if you get bored with them.

Adding Drama

I think every space should have a little drama to keep things interesting. Over-sized art, like this large original by Daniel Maltzman paired with a smaller piece by the same artist over the sofa. Finding both on a stroll back to my hotel one afternoon did the trick.

Mixing Drama with Luxury

Like I said in the beginning, when I think of Beverly Hills I think of unparalleled luxury. After all, the homeowner asked for very little except for the essentials and amenities for comfortable short stays.

Another great find on a walk back to my hotel after another day of Tweaking this awesome apartment was the most luxurious bedding shop where I bought most of the bedding. This combination of luxurious comfort and eye-catching drama, dare I say, competes with the best boutique hotel Rodeo Drive has to offer.

Glamour Inspired Rodeo Drive Apartment