House Beautiful December 2013-January 2014

Bud Vases In a spectrum of milky hues, these shapely glass vases make an elegant statement on a mantel, shelf, or table. Frosted Rose Vase Collection, from 3½" to 6½" H, $38 each. shopterrain.com. 1. Fireplace Stabilized by sturdy legs, this portable steel basket elevates an outdoor fire, creating a cozy spot in the backyard or at the beach. 24" H × 12" DIA, $200. menudesignshop.com. 2. Napkins A pretty splash of watercolor-like florals, hand-printed in India. Petal Napkins in Coral, each 22" SQ, $36 for four. elsoncompany.com. 3. Porcelain Mugs Glazed inside and hand-polished outside, the blue-and-white swirls are simply dreamy. Cloudware Tapered Mugs, 4" H × 3½" DIA, $39 each. haand.us. 4. Napkin Rings They add a fashionable glow to the table. Enamel Wave Napkin Rings in Crimson,…

"I did a black, white, and gray kitchen in Palm Beach, but it was leaving us a bit chilly. So we painted the ceiling hot pink, and the insides of the cabinets a lighter version of the same shade. The color is a surprise and a delight. It made the ceiling soar and gave the space a whole new energy." PATRICK KILLIAN BENJAMIN MOORE WATERBORNE CEILING PAINT GYPSY ROSE 1327 "For an unexpected dash of personality and warmth, add a shock of color to the back of your cabinets. I know this is bright, but when it's behind glass doors and acting as a backdrop to all your dishes, it livens things up nicely. And it's easy to change in a few years, if turquoise starts calling to you." DOUGLAS…

ABOVE: In the living room of his Long Island home, originally a 19th-century schoolhouse, O'Brien deftly mixes contemporary elements with vintage details. "I love that for all the symmetry in the room, the middle panel on the mantelpiece is not exactly centered," he says. "It reminds me of the handicraft in this old house, the small irregularities that make it charming and real." I'VE COLLECTED DISHES FOR YEARS. I use traditional hand-painted Italian ceramics from the Peccetti workshop as my daily dishes. I CREATE MY OWN STATIONERY, BUT I also like to buy well-designed plain notepads and books, like the beautifully simple Japanese paper items from Muji. YEARS AGO, I found a 1940s star chart during an antiquing trip. I've always kept it near my bed, like a piece of…

"Scale is truly important. When you're looking at items online, it can be difficult to determine, but scale needs to be thought out for everything from furniture to window treatments to light fixtures." WHAT'S YOUR… 1. FAVORITE ACCESSORY Rock-crystal obelisks from Creel and Gow. They look great in pairs and groups. 2. BEST FIND FOR LESS THAN $100 A chic, multifunctional acrylic tray, like this one I found for $44 at Dovecote in Westport. 3. GO-TO PIECE West Elm's Parsons Desk is a great foundation piece in a room. 4. FAVE SOFA George Smith's Laid Back Scroll Arm. 5. TRICK WITH PILLOWS Splurge on the front side and use something simpler on the back. [C&C Milano's Pienza Carciofino in Orange and Kravet's Temana Java] 6. LIGHTING TIP Sconces create a…

Hit Refresh! Interior designer Libby Langdon is the queen of the speedy makeover, giving clients a whole new decor in a single day—on camera, no less. House Beautiful dropped by the set of her new TV show, Daykeover with Libby Langdon, to see how she gave three rooms in a Rumson, New Jersey, home a family-friendly refresh via paint, wallpaper, window treatments, new furniture, and lighting, as well as some simple tricks—many achievable in just a few hours. "Not everybody can go in and overhaul a room with all new furnishings," says Langdon. "Sometimes you just need to add a few new pieces or rearrange existing ones—which can be just as fun and dramatic as a complete redo." Here, her top tips. >> The living room…

TEMPLE ST. CLAIR This well-traveled jewelry designer, known for gold pieces studded with colorful gems, starts her days at home surrounded by precious souvenirs. "I lived in Florence for 12 years—it's where I started my jewelry work—and I bought the chest there. It's a typical antique Florentine painted piece. I take it with me wherever I go. It's my oasis, the last place I stop when I'm getting myself ready for the day." ARTERIORS MOTTEGA ROSETTA LAMP IN BALTIC [$990]; KARTELL ONLY ME MIRROR [$310]; VAN DYKES LEGACY APOTHECARY CHEST [$120]; TEMPLE ST. CLAIR GRANULATED CESARE CUFF BRACELET [$11,000], CLASSIC OVAL ROCK CRYSTAL AMULET [$2,250] ON CLASSIC OVAL CHAIN [$11,000], ANIMA MUMMY RING [$5,500], ST. PAOLO CLASSIC RING [$6,250]. "I usually keep RODIN OLIO LUSSO FACE OIL [$150] by my…