Decorating & Design
March 9, 2018
Inside The Bold Blue Den Of Society Columnist Amoryn Engel
Society columnist Amoryn Engel tells us why this is her favorite room.
“I could cry I love this room so much. I’ve spent so many wonderful hours by the fire with my husband, Kevin, and our two boys, Harrison and William; there’s something so cozy and magical about it. This is the tiniest room in the house, but it’s where everybody ends up after a dinner or party. People drape themselves on the sofas and chairs, and on the floor — this room is so warm and inviting, it’s just a magnet… a little jewel box.”
“My style is eclectic, whimsical and not too serious. I like a little bit of playfulness. I love color and I wanted to invite that into our living space. The custom lacquered blue walls hearken back to a trip I took to Morocco with girlfriends.”
“My designer and friend, J Gibson, and I wanted something deeper and moodier than that Majorelle blue, and it took several attempts to get it right. J designed the sofa and chairs to create a tone-on-tone look for the room.”
“I saw the Picasso above the mantel at a gallery in Palm Beach and immediately fell in love with it: it’s so playful, I love the pops of color and thought it would be perfect for this room. I do cherish my art — each piece has a special meaning and represents a moment in time with great memories.”
“The Clarence House grasscloth wallpaper on the ceiling was J’s idea. He likes to layer tone on tone, and he wanted a lot of texture. The armchairs he designed have a brass bottom and they swivel; they’re super comfortable.”
“The bar is an antique. It folds down to reveal the mirrored interior — it’s quite pretty when you’re serving oysters from it. Growing up, the rug was in our living room and it was my mother’s first Persian. I put all her stuff in storage after she passed away, but J remembered it and thought it would suit this room. I told him, ‘I don’t know how it’ll work in an all-blue room.’ He had the fringe taken off, got it cleaned and this incredible color came to life. Everyone who walks in is just blown away by the carpet.”
Virginia Macdonald
House & Home February 2018
J Gibson