Personal touches trump ‘rules’ of taste

In the questions readers and clients ask, I can often detect a reluctance to introduce pieces they like but feel “don’t belong” in a setting done in a certain style. I always say in response that personal preference should trump “the rules” — as long as the purpose of a rule is understood. Then it can be successfully broken.

Q: We have a house full of personal memorabilia — mainly beautifully bound books and decoratively framed photographs. And now we’re running out of space to store and display these treasured mementos. The living room hasn’t yet been used for this purpose because we’re not sure it’s appropriate to add wooden cabinetry to a space furnished in a mix of 19th century European styles. Would it be OK to place such a display unit on a wall with a black fireplace surround and a cream-colored wood mantel?

A: Of course it would be OK, especially if the items are housed in beautifully detailed cabinetry. After all, the living room is the part of the home best suited to the display of cherished objects — which collectors generally want to share with their guests.

The accompanying photo shows part of a room that may be similar to yours. In this case, we paneled an entire wall that also has a fireplace opening of black slate. We also ran a cherry wood crown molding around the entire room to act as a kind of frame and to integrate the paneling and cabinetry, also made of cherry wood, with an adjoining wood wall.

The literal centerpiece is a combination of closed cabinetry and open shelving flanked by a pair of half columns painted black to provide a strong visual definition and to accent the fireplace surround. We replaced a painted mantel with one made of burled wood to complement the door fronts and some of the decorative inserts on the paneling. Our clients for this project said the objects became even more precious to them after being displayed in such a striking setting.

Depending on your budget and design preferences, this sort of solution might be just right for your situation. In any case, never be afraid to add a personal touch to even the most formal parlor.

Rita St. Clair is a syndicated columnist with Tribune Media Services Inc. E-mail general interior design questions to her at rsca@ritastclair.com.