Give your house an air of worldly sophistication — with items found at local stores.
by LEE CUTRONE
You don’t have to speak a country’s mother tongue in order to be able to express yourself in a way that any of its natives would understand. Every country has a decorative language uniquely its own —and whether you’re a purist or a polyglot, brushing up on your vocabulary is as easy as a day of shopping.
French Accents
Clockwise from left: Glass cloche, Objets Trouvés; Avignon Provencal pottery vase, artificial sunflowers, lavender and Paris street clock, French Fountains; Toile lavender-filled drawer liner and toile eye bag, Arabella; Honey guest soaps and enamel signs, Aux Belles Choses; Ceramic sunflower cheese grater and bistro table, French Fountains. Background: Guest and kitchen towels, Aux Belles Choses.
Asian Argot
Clockwise from left: “Nabokou” lamp, Arabella; Bamboo placemat, Latitudes; Inside-painted crystal vase, Arabella; Antique gilt ancestor figure, Orient Expressed; Embroidered silk pillow cover, Silk Road Collection; Asiaphile “inny” table and red “Kimono” vase, Hazelnut; Silk note pad, Arabella; Red ceramic “bean” vase, Hazelnut; Black conical bowls, Orient Expressed; Red rice bowl (inside large black bowl), Latitudes; Buddha candle, Hazelnut; Bamboo cutting board, Latitudes; Antique aqua enameled ginger jar, Orient Expressed.
English-ease
Clockwise from left: Burberry umbrella, travel tray and case, Saks Fifth Avenue; John Derian decoupage dog platter, Oliveaux; Needlepoint spaniel pillow, Nancy Robbins; Cath Kidston floral napkins, Pied Nu; Antique silver toast caddy, antique (circa 1860) Cauldon cup and saucer, Chinese export tea pot and small Staffordshire dog, all British Antiques; Antique botanical print, Objets Trouvés; John Derian cake plate with roses, Pied Nu; Large Staffordshire dog, British Antiques and Nancy Robbins; Cath Kidston floral tray, Pied Nu; Burberry key chain, Saks Fifth Avenue; John Derian paperweight with English bull dog and Union Jack, Oliveaux. ˆ
