A Fashion Professor and Art Consultant Rate Five Home Accessories

Robin Verhage-Abrams and Faith Berger chime in on their favorite (and not-so-favorite) items.

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Robin Verhage-Abrams: Whose life wouldn’t these plates enhance?  Oceana alone is worth my current savings.

Faith Berger: These plates are perfect for a salmon appetizer, ice cream, or caviar. Pair them with your own dishes, or on their own with a demitasse cup. 

Verhage-Abrams: Oscar, we love your dresses. They’re worth every penny. This tray, though fresh and well crafted, costs $395? I swear I saw the same one in Dznik, Turkey, for roughly 20 percent of this price.

Berger: The epitome of style, Oscar de la Renta offers a classic tray of magnificent cane design with handles that are perfect for serving sangria or breakfast in bed.

Verhage-Abrams: This bench is like the little black dress: elegant, refined, versatile. It could serve in an understated but confident way in the foyer, bedroom, bath, or library.

Berger: Sometimes there are things worth spending money on. This bench is one of them. The 1940s-inspired piece is reminiscent of all that is good in design. 

Verhage-Abrams: Even if your tastes aren’t of the garden variety, Lilly’s high-quality florals can be mashed up with animal prints for ironic pleasure.

Berger: The denseness of the floral shapes is what’s so appealing to me. Draperies delineate the best use of this fabric; however, pillow accents would be a nice touch.

Verhage-Abrams: The Rodarte sisters weave ancient Tibetan motifs into a 21st-century carpet with a pattern mix both raw and delicate. The rug can be ordered to fit any dwelling—a worthy investment for life’s adventures.

Berger: This rug is reminiscent of California and the ocean. I’d place this in my great room for power, along with neutral furniture and punch in the artwork (of course)!

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