Decorating Guides
Oscars: From Home Decor to the Red Carpet
Were the couturiers tracking home design before they started beading?
I enjoy the red carpet reviews of the Oscars so much more than listening to winners drone on as the orchestra tries to play them off the stage! Dresses come straight off the couture runways and onto the stars long before they are available for anyone else. However, many of the looks we saw last night put together elements and trends we've been tracking in home decor for awhile.
Amy Adams, Mandy Moore, and Anne Hathaway (in one of eight costume changes that were all absolutely bananas) opted for deep blue with a lot of shine.
Anne Hathaway's retro gold fringe dress had movement and reflection, much like these wavy and glamorous metallic tiles.
Reese Witherspoon rocked a very simple black and white gown paired with emerald earrings. This minimalist black and white kitchen is accessorized with green apples in the same way. The ornate chandelier keeps it from being too stark.
My favorite dress of the evening was Mila Kunis's intricate Elie Saab lavender gown. This room already had the hue and the draping going on before Mila ever hit the red carpet.
Gwyneth's minimalist nude Calvin Klein red carpet dress immediately reminded me of this room, where each piece is clean and simple and stands out on its own.
Best Actress winner Natalie Portman was darling in a deep burgundy dress by Rodarte (they also designed the amazing costumes in The Black Swan), accessorized by classic Tiffany jewels. It reminded me of this room with its luxurious velvet furniture paired with the shiny mirrored coffee table. The urn artwork can represent the classic earrings!
Natalie's gown also reminded me of was this romantic dining room, with its upholstered seating and bejeweled chandelier.
When she belted out "And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going," Jennifer Hudson was not kidding. She rocked a shiny paprika Versace dress on Oscar night, and I would not be surprised if it made the Weight Watchers website crash. This bathroom is not going anywhere either!
Oh Sandy. We're so glad you lost those bangs, rocked bright red, and let your personality shine through (to Jeff Bridges: "Dude! Could you let someone else have a chance?"). Between the fire engine red counter and unique light, this bathroom lets its vibrant personality shine through as well.
Her majesty Oprah Winfrey went for an almost-black charcoal and silver Zac Posen. It's a classic and elegant palette trend that has been gaining popularity at home for awhile, particularly in dining rooms.
Best Supporting Actress winner Melissa Leo went for an intricately curved design on a cream dress with a high collar by Marc Bouwer. This artful high mirror could have inspired the entire look. By the way, I love Melissa Leo as an actress, but she seemed like she lost her mind for a minute or two – from her speech to walking off with Kirk Douglas's cane.
Here's another way this look works at home with fewer curves.
Hilary Swank's Gucci gown incorporated ombre, sequins and feathers in a light palette, which reminded me of this dining room. It adds the right amount of sparkle and shine through the glass, crystal candelabra and mirror frame.
So many of the dresses were white or cream with metallic accents. One way to achieve this at home is with silver, gold or champagne accessories.
Speaking of white and metallic, Nicole Kidman kept up her fashion icon status in a white Dior dress that was bedecked in intricate metallic patterns. Light fixtures and mirrors have been doing that for home decor for quite awhile.
Here's a more minimalist way to interpret Nicole's Dior dress.
Oh, and if you caught a glimpse of her feet, Nicole paired the dress a bright red shoe. I think she took a cue from Dorothy. These tables remind me of Dorothy and Nicole's pop of red footwear.
ScarJo went for romantic magenta lace from Dolce and Gabbana. This bold yet romantic tufted headboard is more contemporary than all of that fussy lace, but is still romantic.
Halle Berry wowed in a champagne Marchesa tfull of sparkles and flow, much like this show-stopping light fixture.
Ah, and Cate Blanchett, in your polarizing Givenchy Couture creation. Personally, I find Cate to be one of the most successful risk-takers in fashion and I adore her for it. Her Art Deco embellished lavender and yellow gown landed somewhere in between this softer room's accents and accessories...
...and this eye-popping wine cellar poolhouse that emphasizes circles.
The baubles embellishing Cate's dress reminded me a bit of a Katherine Dube ceramic installation as well. Simply brilliant!
So let's dish! What did you think of Oscar fashion this year? Are there any fashion trends that made you say, "Hey, that looks like my bedscape/my dining room/my living room throw pillows"?
Next:
Design Eye on the Oscars: True Grit style
Design Eye on the Oscars: The King's Speech
Design Eye on the Oscars: The Kids Are All Right
Next:
Design Eye on the Oscars: True Grit style
Design Eye on the Oscars: The King's Speech
Design Eye on the Oscars: The Kids Are All Right