Fifi O’Neill’s THE ROMANTIC HOME: Celebrating Past and Present Design (Ryland Peters Small, 2024) finds me meditatively considering the ingredients for charming romantic interiors. While it is easy to recognize a room’s romance, demystifying it is another matter. Easy-to-apply formulas to capture it? Not on this blog, kittycats. I’m not even confident we have adequate language to describe the mood. AND ISN’T THAT THE WHOLE POINT? There is all this rich beauty beyond words and ideas. Romance involves entanglements of the HEART. If you’re pursuing it purely, your best chance is likely a tender pursuit with vulnerability, wholeheartedness, humility, and authenticity.
What Makes a Space Feel Romantic & Fifi’s New Book
Ingredients for a More Romantic Interior
Since we must exit our minds to fully occupy our hearts for romantic interior talk, do bear with my mystic nature. I’ll try to speak as plainly as I can since not everyone translates what flows rather freely up in here. (It’s understandable, but have you noticed how many folks simply dismiss what is curious or complex? As the sagest among us remind: haters gon’ hate.)
A romantic mood for a room typically involves an intuitive and uncontrived collection of design details. They appeal to the senses, tug at heartstrings, and evoke warmth. But which design details?
There’s a point of view shared within the interiors of Fifi O’Neill’s new book THE ROMANTIC HOME (Ryland Peters Small, 2024), and we will peek at a few images today.
The Romantic Home by Fifi O’Neill
First things first. Make sure to add this title to your design library. Lovely photography from Mark Lohman along with unique styling and timeless perspectives from Fifi await.
While images of her Florida cottage’s exterior are not in this book, you can see instantly the author’s connection with nature and romance, oui?
I am ready to step over the heart-shaped stone threshold and move right in.
I hope the following ideas shared from my heart and experience begin a conversation and inspire more discussion as you add your own design wisdom.
Soft Mood Lighting
Can we say enough about the sensual payoff of thoughtful lighting to set a romantic tone? No. No, we cannot. You already know the tricks. Warm diffused light (not cool LEDs), vintage candle-style chandeliers on dimmers, sparkly fairy lights, candles for dayyyyys, and charming wee table lamps with character and feminine shades. You know these things, but amnesia and chaotic life chapters are real. It takes a bit of intention, a new lens, and a willingness to upgrade from harsh fluorescents, regrettable ceiling boob lights and ceiling fan monstrosities.
Gentle Color Stories
Muted, gentle, understated, not overly-saturated colors such as soft pastels, blush pinks, and warm neutrals (beige, cream, greige, and taupe) often feel romantic. Why? They are not brand new. The sunlight has had its way. Objects are well used and faded. Gentle colors aren’t vying for attention and seem willing to recede. Since they help a space feel atmospheric, the mood remains more ethereal than energized.
Patina & Lived-in Texture
Finishes and furnishings that appeal to our sense of touch simply add a layer of romance to everyday living. Whether it is soft and luxurious or nubby and rustic, textures for upholstery, window treatments, bedding, and pillows should beckon your touch. Velvets, silks, and natural materials seem to contribute a sense of luxury, rest, and comfort especially well.
Olfaction Attraction
The scent of a room can be powerful. This can be a highly subjective matter. I love fragrant fresh roses in a space, but rose scented candles…not so much. In fact, few scented candles capture romance for me.
When I spent time at Diptyque’s flagship store in Paris learning about scents from a pro, I received an education in mixing fragrances for a complex sensory experience. The French are mix masters! When the balance is uniquely right, a complexity difficult to explain emerges. Smells deeply affect how our brains store memories. Maybe that is why the most romantic scents for me in a home are delicious aromas from the kitchen.
Layered Fabrics & Softness
Why does a room feel far more inviting, cozy and romantic when there are soft things everywhere? Pillows, cushions, and throws, oh my! Our nervous systems instantly begin to regulate.
But not too many ruffles, s’il vous plait.
Too many layers can feel stuffy, cloying, imbalanced or fussy. Looking for a strategy to strike a pleasing balance? Snap a photo of your room to study. You’ll view it with new eyes and may decide to edit.
Reverence for the Past
Romantics are in touch with the past and are sensitive to energies emanating from antiques and historical objects. When you’re after a very bespoke look, antiques, vintage, and handmade are your best friends because they are rare. They have been around so they know things. It’s why there isn’t a singular romantic look, and we can bring an individualized point of view to the romance.
Incorporating hand-painted, handmade, natural, and vintage pieces will enrich the character of a room. Somehow details come together and invite you to settle within the romance rather than remain an observer. The lighting is gently diffused, colors don’t overwhelm, and there’s an elevated luxe hard to name. Time seems to slow.
Celebration of the Small
What’s wonderful about romantic interiors is how they don’t rely on square footage. Creating cozy seating to encourage close contact and conversation may actually be easier to achieve in a smallish room with lower ceiling.
Think cozy armchairs, built-in banquettes, settees, loveseats, window seats and conversation nooks. If your gathering space is large, think about how hotels create intimate corners and romantic moments with multiple seating areas.
Candles & Crackling Fires
Is there anything as universally romantic as fire and glowing candles?
Romantic Interiors, Music & Old Pianos
Jazz that instantly sets a romantic mood at home for you could make a visitor feel jittery. It’s a good thing and the spice of life. You do you with your musical taste. I require a lot of quiet at home so I tend to use music more often for energizing. But there’s always romance emanating from our music room where I write music at a piano from my childhood. Will an old piano add instant romance to a space? I’m going to boldly proclaim…YES. Those keys were touched by children and probably pets and musicians and earnest students and tipsy party goers.
Now that’s a lot of ROMANCE.
Let’s continue this discussion of romantic interiors in part two RIGHT HERE!
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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