Interior designer, Shirley Horowitz, gives tips for incorporating exquisite accessories representing different cultures into your home decor:
- Queen Anne chairs from England have been popular for 300 years. Scrolled arms , legs and feet along with a fiddle back are characteristics of this style.
- Soften chairs and make a sofa more interesting with the use of pillows. Try a French-style needlepoint made in China or one with a centerpiece from an old tapestry .
- Early and late 18th century boxes from China can be used as tables. The bottom one makes a great cocktail table and is an antique chinoiserie (a French word for Chinese motifs on furniture). Layer a second box on top for an end table (figure A).
- The rooster is the national bird of France. This 19th century wire rendition makes an artistic statement (figure B).
- Room screens are great to soften corners, add height or use behind chairs as a backdrop (figure B).
- A large pot from Turkey can be put on a pedestal or stand alone (figure B). Use it as an umbrella/cane stand or to hold dried flowers on a hearth.
- Use an Indonesian cabinet as a television armoire, linen closet in a large bath or make a strong statement in an entrance hall (figure C). The accessories inside include carved marble lions from Italy used as bookends, Faugh dogs from China , a cork plate from Africa and vases from Italy.
- Put a large grape carrier from France in a corner as a sculptural piece.
- A Mim pottery bowl--a pre-Columbian piece (before 1492)--is an Indian burial piece that can be displayed on the center of a table. A hole in the middle is for the spirit to come through.
- Tuck a Chinese garden seat and basket in a room for a reading nook.
- Turn a drum table from Tibet into a cocktail table (figure D).
Guests Shirley Horowitz, ASID
Interior Designer, Davishire Interiors
2106 21st Ave. S.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-298-2670
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