Traditional Joy, Modern Ways – Restraint and Repetition this Season with Lorraine Liste!
Happy holidays, all! What a treat to see so many of you at our Client Appreciation Thanksgiving Pie Giveaway. So lovely to see friends and share our recent home renovation courtesy of our dear friend and brilliant interior designer, the Queens-born-and-raised and all-around-the-world fabulous Lorraine Liste.
Darden and Lorraine have been tight for over two decades since she guided him through the original renovation of his Sussex St. Brownstone. With her expert eye, sound ears for collaboration and overall impeccable taste, Lorraine managed the restoration of demolished original work while carefully monitoring the creation of modern living areas (kitchen and bathrooms, most of all). Tight friends and mutual lovers of design and history ever since, it was only natural that when Darden decided it was time for a refresh, he turned to Lorraine.
Purposeful. Transformative. Restrained. “These are the go words Darden and I use repeatedly,” explains Lorraine. “Our process is relaxed and collaborative. How do you live in the space? How do you want to enhance that? It is unforced. Our meetings and vision translated to a lighter space overall that actually had more depth as a home and gathering space. We achieved that by losing dark colors and adding lightness to the walls, more texture and layers to the lighting and some gorgeous reupholstery to existing furniture.”
Fans of Lorraine (like us) love to follow/stalk her serene aesthetic on her IG (@lorrainelisteinteriors) and during the holidays by passing her fabulous home at 302 Barrow St. Here is how Lorraine does the holidays.
Restrain and Repeat, the Lorraine Way
1. Outdoors: When it comes to the holidays, I believe in tradition. I believe in doing one thing and doing it really well. This is my way of making an impact. So, for me, I have 10 windows and a double door. So, each year, my tradition is to buy 12 wreaths from Bouquet and Baskets (548 Jersey Ave). What changes each year is the color of the ribbon I use to decorate each wreath. This year, I am going for a gorgeous sage green. I buy the ribbons online at ribbonbazaar.com. I always buy a 1.5-inch ribbon of double-faced satin, which works great outdoors.
2. Indoors: I decorate my tree with strings of LED lights and an ever-growing collection of wooden ornaments from Germany. I top the tree with a simple burlap bow that flows down over the tree branches. Speaking of branches, I love using magnolia branches and eucalyptus throughout the house for impact. You can buy them both at P&K Market (170 Newark Ave).
Happy decorating and nesting and resting to all!