Delicious pork recipes

OMBRÉ THE ORDINARY

Basic Ikea bookshelves in an entryway or other open space look luxe when you push them together for a gradient display. “Put the lightest books up top for an airy look,” says Mauri. Group the rest by color, but resist the urge to go strictly lightest to darkest. “Mixing it up makes the effect more sophisticated,” she says. Fill out the spot with some greenery and pretty vessels.

P A T T E R N

Decoratingwith bold prints isn’t as hard as it seems. This Brooklyn couple,who own a home-furnishings boutique, bring some smart strategies to the table. Take a tour and steal their tricks foryour own space.

Written by Betsy Goldberg Photographs by William Abranowicz Styling by Rachael Weiner

MAURI WEAKLEY ANDHERHUSBAND, BEN HEEMSKERK, HAVE LIVEDIN THIS APARTMENTFOR A YEAR. SHEREUPHOLSTERED THECHAIRS(FOUND AT AFLEA MARKET) WITH AREDFLORAL FABRIC TO“MAKE ABIGIMPACT.”

POUF PERFECT

“Ottomans are my must-have,” says Mauri. “They’re such functional little pieces—you can move them around for extra seating, then tuck them away. I chose two different ones for this room because I already had a pair of matching chairs. I found thewall lamp at workstead.com.”

PALETTE PARTICULARS

It’s easy to pick out accent pieces if youmatch pops of color from apainting. Just don’t go overboard, warns Mauri: “Think little touches that shine, like a solo pink pillow, or the room can veer topsy-turvy.”

A(NOT SO) DELICATE BALANCE

No-fail living room formula: Keep the furniture subtle and let one bold painting steal the show, says Mauri. Neutrals give you freedom to get a little wild with patterns and textures. “We blended chic silks and velvets with comfier cotton and woven fabrics, and a large graphic rug with smallscale prints [on pillows and chairs],” she says. “Go all in—a big mix looks more deliberate.”

Mauri and Ben’s store (opposite and right), like their living room, brims with pretty patterns and poppy colors,yet it’s perfectly curated.As a shopper, how doyou notlose yourhead when surrounded by such choices? Mauri offers up some home decor strategies to help:

1

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE.

“Ifyou’re shopping for a lamp, don’t get too distracted by the rugs. Enjoy browsing, but don’t lose sight ofyour intention. It helps to write down the items ahead of time.”

2

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE EXPERTISE.

“Staffers know design, and their advice is gratis. Thequestion we’re always asked is how to pick pillows.A lot of approaches work,but the easiest is a tonal scheme—say, all pinks but in a mix of textures and withpatterns indifferentscales. Throw in one neutral so it doesn’t look too stiff anduniform.”

3

FALL IN LOVE.

“See something that speaks toyou that’s a little ‘out there’? Imagine what youhave at home that can be its companion: Itworks if you give it some contrast. You can have that fabulous vintagependant but make itwork by pairing itwith a sleek, modern dining table.”

PARTNERSINLIFE AND WORK

“We weren’t always in the home decor world,” says Mauri. “I used to be a visual merchandiser for a fashion boutique, and Ben is a restaurateur. His father is a carpenter, and the three of us built our original store [also in Brooklyn]—the shelving, windows, everything. We moved to this location two years ago. We both love vibrant colors and an eclectic, global aesthetic. We sell eco-friendly furniture and work with artisans, local and abroad, to offer one-of-a-kind pieces—things you’ll want to hold on to forever: original paintings, handwoven rugs, artful pendants. I’m forever bringing stuff from the store back home and changing things up.” (All items shown throughout, unless specified, are vintage or available at shopthemansion.com.)

ANYONE CAN HAVE AGALLERY

When you’re not sure what to do with a big, blank wall space, an art display is an easy fix. Start with one piece you love and build out from there, with a mix of colorful and black-andwhite prints in a variety of frames. “I like to space each about two to three inches apart, but I scoot some up so they’re not all in straight lines,” says Mauri. Add a table and chair in the corner so it doesn’t feel like the display is just floating there.

EASIER THAN SCONCES

Plug-in walllamps just need to be mounted to the wall—no rewiring required. Theyfree up precious nightstand space and look just as chic as sconces. (Find them at shop.one fortythree.com.)

INTERPRETSERENITY ANY WAY YOULIKE

Not every bedroom needs to be quiet and calm. “We wanted ours to be this cozy, luxurious, really happy spot, so we gave it a maximalist treatment with tons of layers,” says Mauri. “I had the rug first, then I pulled in the block-print bedding because of the blues. You can make a crazy combo like this work if there’s one color that unifies everything.”