Designer Clive Lonstein is a connoisseur of tension. Not the edge-of-your-seat kind; what the Manhattan-based Lonstein appreciates, cultivates and curates is an exquisite balance of contrasts: antiques mixed with new works; Old World craftsmanship paired with contemporary colors; a feeling of intimacy created within a soaring space.
For a bedroom-with-sitting-area in a stylish New York City suburb, Lonstein achieved that balance with an inspired assembly of shapes, shades, and styles. His jumping-off point was the Coraggio assortment of Italian-made luxury fabrics, rugs, and wall coverings, complemented with a custom area rug from Thibaut and throws from Rosemary Hallgarten. Take a look at the principles and products he employed to achieve his vision.
Using texture in lieu of pattern
“I love texture,” Lonstein says. “It’s one of the trademarks of my work.” This made Coraggio’s sumptuous, to-the-trade offerings ideal for this project, where the client wanted a room that felt intimate, but without looking dark or fussy.
Coraggio’s Elevato Wallcovering presented the perfect backdrop to fulfill that request. The basket-weave raffia added coveted detail and warmth while preserving a sophisticated, minimalist palette. “You have two scales going on,” Lonstein points out. “The macro scale of the large squares, and then each one is made up of much finer strands. There’s a richness to the material, and yet it’s not busy.”