Designers' Best Details

Laura Kirar’s Secret to Updating Classic Style

“Infusing a very heavy traditional period with a contemporary touch as in the Tudors living room demands a thoughtful approach to color, pattern and furnishings,” says Laura Kirar. “I used the color red as a unifying accent and to inspire a royal flavor. Red velvet upholstery, pillows and silk drapery are very strong visual elements, and by placing them around the room, the eye moves from piece to piece so there’s always something interesting to pull the eye toward. By enlarging a lacy Tudor ceiling pattern and using it on walls instead, it’s more graphic and modern. Mix antiques with modern pieces that complement. Think about balancing a patterned fabric with leather or a heavily carved antique with a smooth modern lamp and you’ll find a combination that feels right.”