Celeste Cooper

World-famous designer Celeste Cooper shares her signature style and proves that the right combination of neutral colors and modern furniture can be exciting and even surprising. Visit a stylish and cozy guest bedroom in one of the country's most popular hotels plus a beautiful penthouse Cooper designed and see how to copy her look in your own home:

• Celeste Cooper is known as "The Queen of Taupe" because she creates lush interiors using warm browns and creamy earth tones. The beauty of her design style is that she creates drama using basic ideas including simple shapes and a restrained color palette.

Figure A

She has truly left her mark in Boston, Massachusetts where the jewel in her crown is the small boutique hotel, XV Beacon. Located in the heart of historic Beacon Hill, it combines the charm and history of old Boston with a new and modern sensibility. The result is guest rooms that look more like a home than a hotel room (figure A).

Cooper's work is clean, crisp and sumptuous without being ostentatious and the hotel is the perfect expression of her philosophy--that while things are new and cutting edge, clean lines and soft textures make them seem warm and lived in.

Figure B

Other areas of the hotel are not limited to the use of neutrals. Cooper loves design surprises and one of her favorite accent colors is red. At XV Beacon, she lined the hotel's original elevators with red leather floor tiles to avoid competing with the exit signs for a decidedly unconventional look (figure B).

Color is always an important consideration in her designs. To create a soothing and relaxing atmosphere, Cooper used her signature palette of taupe and earth tones, which is something she feels works in any space but especially the bedroom. At XV Beacon, red apples inside a tall vase add an unexpected burst of color. Do the same in your home by filling a large glass vase with apples, lemons or limes for a simple splash of color.

Figure C

Even more great design ideas show up in the hotel's restaurant, The Federalist. This spectacular space was designed to feel like a grand dining room but there is also something unexpected here. Mixed in with the soft taupe suede chairs is an occasional red one to add some punch (figure C).

Designing XV Beacon wasn't just a wonderful experience for Cooper. The hotel's owner was so pleased that he asked her to design his apartment in Boston. Her soothing palette of rich browns and warm taupe works beautifully in a private home. Dark mahogany walls and slate floors create a sense of drama while soft upholstered furniture offsets rich wood accents.

Figure D

She likes the idea of setting up complete seating areas in different spots around the apartment. In front of the fireplace, four chairs facing each other create a conversation area (figure D). In the dining room, chairs from the '50s surround a dark mahogany table, showing that you can mix eras as long as the colors work together.

Figure E

Her definition of modern certainly has to do with clean lines and a pared-down simplicity. That theme continues in the powder room, where a glass countertop and sink are one piece, creating a beautiful and streamlined look (figure E).

One of the most outstanding features throughout this private space is the art collection. Cooper believes that art is an absolutely crucial element to any project and says that while selecting items may seem intimidating, just choose what appeals to you.

Figure F

Since she's known for bringing a little bit of the unexpected to her interiors, it's no surprise that Cooper considered every last detail in this penthouse--right down to the taupe-colored pool table (figure F).

She likes a large upholstered bed because it really is the focal point of a bedroom and includes a seating area for relaxing if space allows. She believes the bedroom one of the most private spaces in a home so it should be the most comfortable and provide solace. Take a tip from Cooper and instead of lighting a fire, add interest to your fireplace by filling it with large pillar candles or birch logs.

Resources
XV Beacon Hotel
XV Beacon Hotel
15 Beacon St.
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-670-1500
Toll-Free Phone: 877-982-3226
Fax: 617-670-2525
Guests
Celeste Cooper, Interior Designer, ASID, Repertoire
114 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-426-3865
E-mail: info@repertoire.com
Website: www.repertoire.com
Also in this Episode

Public Places, Private Spaces : Episode PPS-104
•	Celeste Cooper
•	Master Bedroom Makeover