Photograph by Matthew Hughes
The space was a simple, oddly shaped little nook off the foyer near the main staircase—which presented a problem for interior designer Amie Corley. “It needed to flow and not seem too much like a separate room,” she says. “Also, I wanted the area to be a combination of antique glamour and laid-back luxe.” Seeking the feel of her hometown, New Orleans, she recalls discovering the Louis XVI settee on eBay as an “Aha, perfect!” moment. The settee’s gilt finish adds the desired dash of glitz, and colorful pillows contrast vibrantly with its light-blue linen.
The bamboo-framed alligator print pays homage to her Cajun heritage, and it’s sized for added impact. The Lucite coffee table, she explains, would be too small for most living rooms, but it’s a perfect fit here. Coziness arrives underfoot in the form of a flokati rug. Mrs. Corley’s quirky combination successfully achieved the look she wanted for the nook.
“Casual linen, sleek Lucite, fuzzy flokati, and sparkly gilt—the mix of textures in this teeny space is what makes it all work,” Mrs. Corley concludes.
