Gilt by Association

"Gilt by association" was a phrase my mentor, the late, famous Ray Staples repeated often, swore by, and used in most if not all of her Interior Designs.  This was long before the term "mash-up" came into common usage, and, as a concept, makes a lot more sense.   It is also much more readily understood.

The idea is simply this: one or two or more, if you are very lucky, items of high quality in your room will elevate the rest of your more ordinary pieces.

In this simple dining-living plan, two Mid-Century Modern, black vinyl chairs, true gems, elevate the status of this whole dining area.  The trestle table is actual vintage Ikea, discovered in a second-hand furniture store and no longer available!  Who knew?

To supplement this table for dinner guests, mass-produced (dare we say Ikea twice?), stackable, inexpensive but colourful chairs may be used.  This surface can also function as an appetizer or buffet table for larger parties, or alternatively, as a work surface when needed.  Its glass surface takes up little visible space in the area.

Here are another two Mid-Century Modern finds, solid-maple bar stools, which, refinished, again upscale the look of the breakfast bar in the same open-plan room.   

The living room furniture itself is nothing to write home about.  The slightly out-of-date, grey corduroy sofa was sourced on Kijiji, and the vintage chair and plain coffee table (again, refinished) were actual found objects.  Some colourful Indian pillows dress the sofa and chair up.  The neutral area rug defines this space.

Finally, the very small balcony which faces a brick wall - therefore no need for privacy curtains - is dressed up significantly by some charming French-bistro-style wrought-iron chairs and a small matching table. 

As my Interior Design clearly shows here, some of the most mundane pieces of furniture may be used, and your room will be elevated to star status when you use Ray Staples' principle, appropriated with great appreciation by me, of "gilt by association."