Red Carpet debut
Who knew that when Nancy O’Dell was interviewing actresses on the red carpet for “Access Hollywood” she was thinking about how their beautiful looks and shapely legs could be interpreted as beautiful furniture and shapely legs on tables and chairs?
Though she may not have actually had those thoughts at that precise moment, her work certainly inspired her new line of outdoor furnishings, Red Carpet by Nancy O’Dell.
“It is a high-end, outdoor furniture line worthy of the red carpet. A-list furniture, so to speak,” she said recently.
The line debuted earlier this year during the winter show at World Market Center.
O’Dell, who collaborated with Gardena, Calif.-based Patio Heaven, launched the line with three collections: Premier, Couture and Classic.
The Premier collection has metal frames that sleekly wrap around plush cushions. It is the most contemporary group in the line and is highly tailored. Cushions are available in black or white.
Sensuous curves highlight the Couture collection, which is done in a synthetic wicker that is offered in white, black and silver. It bridges the style between the modern Premier collection and the more traditional Classic group.
Also offered in a woven wickerlike material, the Classic collection is the most adaptable to its environment. It offers a clean, straightforward approach and is available in a chocolate brown color.
O’Dell said all of the collections are extremely fashionable and that many of the features were inspired by clothing and accessories she saw on the red carpet.
She said she tried to envision what made specific actresses so appealing and infuse her designs with the same characteristics.
For example, Jennifer Aniston has a classic, timeless look. It’s not too traditional or too modern, which is exactly what the Classic collection embodies.
She thought about what makes Angelina Jolie so exotic looking when creating her Premier collection. “I wanted to bring that seductiveness to my design.”
Each collection offers a variety of seating options, including chaises, double chaises and chairs, as well as dining tables and side tables. The Classic collection also offers ottomans, serving trays and a swing, while the Couture collection features planters.
For O’Dell, designing the furniture line was a natural part of her obsession with home fashions.
“I’ve always loved to look at furniture. Instead of going into a clothes store, I shop for furniture.”
She also said furniture is important because of the memories certain pieces can impart. She has a chair that her grandfather always sat on and said she always thinks of him when she sits in it, the same way memories of her daughter, Ashby, flood in when she sits in the chair by her pool where they often read books.
“Furniture speaks so much about a person,” she said.
As a mother, O’Dell said she wanted to make sure the pieces in her line were practical and functional as well as beautiful. The materials used are waterproof and the cushion fabrics are all fade- and stain-resistant as well as kid friendly. In fact, she recommends using two different fabrics on cushions so one side can be devoted to family use and the other for guests.
“Or you can do a totally different color, a brighter color.”
O’Dell said she chose to work with Patio Heaven after purchasing outdoor furnishings for her own home. She said she was impressed with the quality.
For her line, they used hydraulic mechanisms for pieces that adjust to ensure users get the most comfortable positions possible and that they move smoothly and easily. They also were built with sturdy aluminum frames that offer enough weight to keep the furnishings from being blown about in a strong wind.
Additionally, several pieces are multifunctional. The ottoman in the Classic collection, for example, doubles as a side table and offers hidden storage space for cushions or towels.
For additional information, visit www.redcarpetfurniture.com
