R5 Mara Solow

 

 

BEST PLACE OR WAY TO SAVE MONEY ON HOME DÉCOR: Shop at estate sales, or buy floor samples and closeouts.

 

FAVORITE HOME STORE: Kent Home in Chappaqua

 

DESIGN ELEMENT I WOULD NEVER USE: Small, cute prints—very “Grandma.”

 

BIGGEST DESIGN INFLUENCE: At the moment, there are several: Kelly Wearstler for drama, Jennifer Post for minimalism, and Christopher Coleman for whimsy and color.

 

FAVORITE COFFEE TABLE BOOK: Jennifer Post: Pure Space: Elegant Minimalism by Anna Kasabian

 

FAVORITE FABRIC: Romo and Holland & Sherry

 

FAVORITE WALLPAPER: Anything by Maya Romanoff

 

THE NEW NEUTRAL: Pale, muted, dusty lilac.

 

MOST UNUSUAL REQUEST: To create two freestanding closets in a large entry surrounded by a garden.

 

COOLEST DESIGN ELEMENT IN A CLIENT’S HOUSE: Porcelain wall tile that looks like pony fur.

 

HOT TRENDS FOR 2013: Colors like lilac, eggplant, and black; bringing glam and glitz back in small doses; mixing traditional furniture with modern.

 

SURPRISING DESIGN ELEMENT AT HOME: I still have the original 1950s yellow and gray guest bathroom.

 

EVERY HOME SHOULD HAVE: A chaise or comfy chair for reading.