When spring decoration-fever strikes, there’s nothing like a trip to the stores of downtown Greenwich to gather ideas and inspiration, and to spot the season’s hottest trends. Here’s what I found on my latest excursion:
Though it may come as no surprise that spring brights ruled home accents, style makers shake it up by layering bold patterns with nubby textures.
Privet House’s muted display of vintage finds was infused with colorful textiles, like Hammam classic Turkish cotton towels in an array of shades, and punchy-hued Kanthas quilts. Jonathan Adler’s shop was stocked with youthful accents—throw blankets and pillows in popping Ikat, Greek key and Caribbean-inspired patterns—all in an array of juicy hues. Fun extras, like colorful Pop Rocks glasses, lined the shelves.
At Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, a raspberry Ikat pattern caught my eye. The Eve room divider, Rebecca Sofette, as well as accent pillows were dressed in the raspberry, pink and cream design. And as a sales associate at the HB Home design studio helped a young couple hone their decoration vision, dreams of room makeovers danced in my head. An infusion of yellow accents and rings of colorful fabric samples decked the showroom. A bright pink velvet chair piqued my interest as I entered Mis en Scene.
If you’re hesitating to dive head first into rainbow-colored waters, dip in a toe with Kate Spade’s bright accessories. Famed for bold use of color, the store’s back section was chockfull of iPad sleeves, phone cases and Macbook cases in vibrant patterns and pithy phrases like “Play Hooky” and “Wild Card.”
Counter to the plethora of flashy hues, many storefronts were dressed in a more calming palette of blue.
At Rinfret, Ltd., interior designer Cindy Rinfret displayed a collection of delicate blue China pieces, as well as nautical-themed accents such as a taupe throw pillow wearing a bold blue anchor. At Ralph Lauren, a blue living and bedroom display took my breath away. Blue floral wallpaper was the backdrop for layers of textured blue and white linens, classic blue china, a pinstripe blue and cream sofa, and periwinkle lampshades. Accents like patinated white-framed mirrors, a windowed dresser displaying seashore finds, and decanters full of seashells further evoked the image of a Victorian-era seashore.
Moving from ocean-inspired to evening elegant, Baccarat’s latest color offering is a chic Midnight Blue. The midnight chandelier—an interpretation of the maker’s classic Zenith model—is one of the shop’s most stunning pieces. Another exciting introduction? The Chateau Baccarat collection of wine-tasting glasses is said to deliver the complexity and richness of wine better than any other glass yet created.
If you’re going to the Avenue, stopping in the area’s exquisite jewelry stores is a must. I was dazzled by colorful rarities and sea-inspired pieces.
At Steven Fox, unique, multi-dimensional pieces abound. I admired a breathtaking Mexican Fire Opal ring that shifted from orange to green to red as it moved. Jeweler Steven Fox slipped it on my finger, saying, “You have to see it on.” As I turned my hand, the stone was almost galactic. And many summer pieces played the nautical theme, like the Love Knot bracelet, inspired by a 1920’s book, Nautical Knots.
Sea-life pieces ruled in R Simantov, like sea-urchin studs, dotted with a diamond in the center. Colorful vermeil bangles were textured like coral reefs. Plus, the store has a brand new line of wedding jewelry. And in Lux Bond & Green, colorful gems such as sapphire, quartz and garnet adorned everything from pendants to bangles.
