Ralph Lauren’s Coastal Blue & White Room

By M&M, on October 6th, 2010

Navy Decorating Ideas ~ Le Grand Hotel From Ralph Lauren Spring 2010

Ralph Lauren's Le Grand Hotel Collection is an inspirational response to the coastal elegance of a Riviera. Coastal decorating has become one of the most popular decorating styles, as it evokes a calming refreshment from the hectic and stressful lifestyles we all find ourselves stuck in. Although marine decorating is most commonly seen in conjunction with distressed paint finishes, natural textiles and shabby finishes, RL shows us that we can have the city lifestyle in a serene setting. The Grand Hotel collection sweeps the beauty of the maritime with beautiful rich palettes of navy, cream and white with touches of gold. When we think of the coast lines of Italy and the frontier of France, we get the spender of a rich lifestyle that encompasses the best of food and romance. Today many coast lines are lined with marble skyscrapers and tremendously beautiful views that it has become an attractive escape for many people. Ralph Lauren shows us the luxury side of nautical decorating, and how to richly incorporate transferware pottery along side other accessories for a classic blue and white home.

What is the secret to Lauren's luxurious shoreline look?

Featured in the home collection are bedrooms joined together by a drawing room, all unified by a maritime palette; navy-and-white and cream-and-gold.

In the first room, an impecably dressed tufted pinstripe bed shows us that the executive feel doesn't need to leave the office. The French walnut Louis XV bed accents the navy nicely as the ornamental brass accents and paw feet give way to the established grandeur of the room. Classic nautical elements such as brass, are paired with floral porcelain lamps, as we see with the neoclassical polished brass side tables.

The lavish details of formal Louis furniture go hand in hand with the upscale look of transferware china. Transferware has been tremendously popular in country cottage estates, but in this instance Ralph Lauren shows us that it unites with nautical decorating simultaneously.

Blue and white ginger jars sit atop a Italian walnut chest. The combination offers a different texture all the while complementing each other. The antiqued brass pulls again give way to classic nautical style.

Lauren's second room evokes the timeless beauty of french decorating. The room is situated around the fresh feeling that only white can bring, mixed with the grandiose of gold and slight hints of navy. Where the other room held the masculine richness, this room is softened by florals and silk details. The white framed gilded bed is decked with silk-lined linen pillows,a natural coverlet and finished off with an upholstered french gilded bench. A glass-topped white Louis XV desk is paired with a clear glass lamp and accompanies a gilded white Louis bergere chair which gives way to the soft finishes of this room.

The drawing room features many elements which pulls both rooms together. Croc-embossed picture frames with many leather accents provide a masculine touch to this nautical home. Informal marine striped throw pillows provide a comfortable setting amongst the white walls. One cannot help but notice the Louis XVI-style chair upholstered in masculine suit stripe. Along side that is a distressed leather Louis chair with a striking gold frame which is undeniably the show piece of the room. Woven dining chairs wouldn't be the common choice in such a luxurious home, but work perfectly in a nautical setting.

A table furnished with tableware in blue, white and gold set the tone for dining in this nautical home. With layers of white and chevron-striped chargers, indigo floral porcelain and navy gold-banded china give way to extravagent dining. It wouldn't be complete without the brass napkin rings and gold plated flatware.

Some things we cannot live without: The rich oil blue paintings on the wall. The over sized ornate blue and white Chinese vase and large planters. The gilt ornate french leather chairs, and the unique pin striped accents which take the cake! We love it!