Introducing glamour to your home
Glamour is a cocktail of opulence and luxury in equal parts, plus a dash of drama. Hard to define but unmistakable when encountered, glamour thrives during periods of austerity, a defiant, sexy counterpoint to hard times: think of the inter-war outbreak of Art Deco extravagance. There are colours that exude glamour (a Moulin Rouge palette of boudoir reds and velvety black) and materials and finishes that conjure the look (leopardskin, exotic woods and mirrored furniture). And now, glamour is more popular than ever, a stagey riposte to the aesthetic poverty of white-box minimalism. So how do you go about achieving it? We asked five designers.

Living room
Sandra Drechsler, Creative Director of Taylor Howes Design, says:
“The key for glamour to work is having a little bit of courage. The 1990s were all about understatement but now people are willing to show where they've spent money; there's a lot of glitz around. In the living room, we use ebony, faux fur, polished chrome and bronze and Venetian glass mirrors. Glamour means not being afraid of colour: pink or lilac mohair upholstery and bold print silks. You have to be careful a living room doesn't look too 'boudoir' – it is a room you want to be comfortable in at any time of the day. Contain the extravagance by adding simple, modern shapes: sofas and coffee tables with clean lines.”
Taylor Howes Designs, 020 7349 9017, www.thdesigns.co.uk.

Kitchen
Orla Collins, MD of Purple Design, says:
“The kitchen isn't naturally the most glamorous room in the house, but the right touches can make it glamorous. I like striking colours such as brown and purple, or the whole kitchen can be black - that looks fantastic. It is important that it is functional: I hide all my practical stuff but it is all there, although sometimes you can only see the taps. The element of surprise and intrigue is crucial to create glamour. I like to use materials you wouldn't normally use in a kitchen, for instance, kitchen cabinets and island in high-gloss macassar ebony. On a practical note: no matter how fabulous a kitchen is, if you don't install underfloor heating, chilly feet can destroy the mood.”
Purple Design, 020 7376 5414, www.purple-design.co.uk.

Bedroom and bathroom
Joe Burns, MD of Oliver Burns Interiors, says:
“I usually design bedrooms and en suite bathrooms as a single scheme, and the theme is frequently 'glamour'. This means bedroom furniture in dark timbers with gold and silver leaf detail and headboards in faux ostrich skin. For the last six months, circular beds have been very popular. To get a fantastic sensation underfoot, I use woven leather floors or luxurious, extra-deep carpets (120mm) in 80 per cent silk, which have a shimmer to them. In the bathroom, panels of iridescent Bisazza mosaic tiles with floor lighting and a chandelier make the room glitter. My favourite new product to add glamour is the recessed LED light from Swarovski that you can put inside the shower.”
Oliver Burns Interiors, 01727 814170, www.oliverburnsinteriors.com.

Hall
Lulu Lytle, of Soane, says:
“The design of the entrance hall is crucial - the initial impact sets the tone for the whole building. For me, glamour isn't about fussy detail, it's about creating a bold decorative look. In the hall, one really gutsy sculpture or painting is more powerful than lots of smaller ones and, when appropriately lit, produces a heady hit on arrival. It is good to use large-scale and strongly designed furniture with atmospheric lighting. And bold mirrors, with the twinkle of old mercury glass, will impart atmosphere and drama with a little glitz.”
Soane, 020 7730 6400, www.soane.co.uk.

Dining room
Tessa Kennedy, MD of Tessa Kennedy Design, says:
“My style is about creating rich, exotic rooms that make people feel glamorous and sexy in them. Lighting and colour are hugely important in the dining room. Dining rooms need a combination of various different types of lighting, from the candles to the chandelier; and they need to look great when the lights are low. My own favourite wall colour for the dining room is bright red. For textiles: I love rich fabrics such as Indian hand-embroidered silks. Textures and finishes can be exotic: for the Rivoli Bar at the Ritz I made the room like a jewellery box, with gilded ceilings, Lalique glass panels, and camphor wood on the walls.”
Tessa Kennedy Design, 020 7221 4546, www.tessakennedydesign.com.

WORDS KATRINA BURROUGHS
JUNE 2007