Alison Blumenfeld

Living Room

Editors' Notes

"I love a Polaroid or personal memento littered in lots of flattering, layered lighting." -Alison Blumenfeld

Dining Room

Editors' Notes

"There is no substitute for art. As single pieces of in clusters, it is transforming." -Alison Blumenfeld

Breakfast Room
Photo Credit: Tristan Davison Photography

Editors' Notes

"The shade fabric is Manuel Canovas Misia Metis. The table and chairs were custom made in the 60's for a yacht in Monte Carlo, and we had the chairs reupholstered in sorbet-colored Ultraleather (it's the most amazing vinyl that looks like leather). The print on the wall is by Jonathan Borofsky and the flooring is cork." -Alison Blumenfeld

Mary McDonald
PHOTO CREDIT: NINELLE EFREMOVA

Photo Credit: Johansen Krause

Editors' Notes

"I am known to have an affinity for color and pattern without fear. I am also a fearless accessorizer when it comes to a curated collection of something." -Mary McDonald

Mary McDonald's Office

Editors' Notes

"I think of lamps as earrings and see them as an opportunity to add a bit of visual spice in small increments. Just like in fashion you must choose what is your stand out “wow” accessory." -Mary McDonald

Photo Credit: 150 -151 [Simon Upton] © Simon Upton

Editors' Notes

"In all design, I think a sense of balance and context are paramount regardless of fashion or interiors. My advice is to pull back a bit if you're translating color and pattern to an interior." -Mary McDonald

Photo Credit: 87 [Robert Trachtenburg] © Robert Trachtenburg

Editors' Notes

"Every time I'm bored which is probably twice a year, I change out pillows and slipper chairs which gives the room a different vibe." -Mary McDonald

Tamara Kaye-Honey
Photo Credit: PEDEN + MUNK

Photo Credit: Eron Rauch

Editors' Notes

"I’m not a big fan of interiors that feel like they have been put together at once. Coming from a background in fashion, it's like walking out of a shop with an outfit all by the same designer. I like mixing both my clothing and interiors with new and old." -Tamara Kaye-Honey

Editors' Notes

"I try to create environments and pieces that feel modern and current, yet retain a classic look. Mixing old pieces with new ones helps make a space feel like it has a personality and originality." -Tamara Kaye-Honey

Photo Credit: Eron Rauch

Editors' Notes

"Layer the room. The more patterns and texture, the richer the feel. Just stay within the parameters of a color palette and mix up scale. Books and art are super important." -Tamara Kaye-Honey

Three Golden State interior designers rely on their former fashion careers to develop awe-inducing room decor. Here, they share some of their favorite home accessories and quick tricks for spicing up a stale space.

Alison Blumenfeld

Before beginning her own design firm Blumenfeld Interiors, the L.A.-based, San Francisco-bred Blumenfeld started a namesake line of silk jersey knits.

Favorite home accents?

There is no substitute for art. As single pieces or in clusters, it is transforming. I love a polaroid or personal memento littered in and lots of flattering, layered lighting.

Mary McDonald

Formerly a milliner trained at Parsons in New York City, McDonald is now known as the star of Bravo’s “Million Dollar Decorator.” With a new trimmings line for Schumacher, a rug collection with Patterson, Flynn & Martin and her fourth book Mary McDonald Interiors: The Allure of Style (Rizzoli) all coming out this year, there’s no doubt she’s found her calling.

Best way to refresh a room?

Try tailored slipcovers in bold colors, like red. Or paint your floor and leave it bare like a loft—it looks totally different with the same pieces.

Tamara Kaye-Honey

Once a clothing buyer for Bergdorf Goodman, Kaye-Honey now channels her creative talents into her South Pasadena home decor shop and design studio, House of Honey. She has coined the style “the new vintage,” a term she uses to describe a blend of things old and new.

Fastest way to spruce up a room?

Layer. The more patterns and texture, he richer the feel. Stay within the parameters of a palette and mix up scale.