A vice president at The Trump Organization, Ivanka's no stranger to posh digs: "My mother and father both have a distinctive style," she says, understating it, "and the homes I grew up in definitely played a large role in determining my taste." With help from a stylist, Ivanka pulled together antiques, flea-market finds and lots of patterns. "I knew my place was a mess--I'd just gotten used to it," says Darcy. "Now every time I come home, I can't believe I actually get to live here!" Dealing with a decor disaster? Here, details on the ideas Ivanka went with, doable on any budget.
Eric Cahan
BEFORE
The living room fireplace is beautiful, but Darcy had covered it up with an ex-roommate's bed (buh-bye).
Create a focal point
Shifting the remaining furniture around it gave the room a more organized feel. And it didn't cost a thing.
Eric Cahan
AFTER
Mix it up
A medley of patterns, animal prints, pink, silver and gold gives Darcy's place energy and personality. There's a reason they all work together: planning! Get a big corkboard and tack on your favorite fabric swatches, rug samples and furniture photos (ripped from catalogs). It's what pro decorators do for clients so they can see how everything will coexist.
Repeat a Theme
Your home will look more put together with touches of one color or a pattern running through it. The leopard-y chair in Darcy's bedroom echoes the living room's animal-print extravaganza, the kitchen's silver appliances (spray-painted!) connect with the metallic walls, and splashes of pink are everywhere.
On the Walls
She did silver wallpaper in Darcy's living area (Silver Pony Skin, $100 a roll, at Flavor Paper, 504-944-0447) and apple green walls in her bedroom (a paint store custom-mixed colors to match the curtains). The result: gutsy, unexpected and gorgeous.
Eric Cahan
BEFORE
Keep clicking for the after!
Eric Cahan
Have fun with your walls
"The place to experiment with color is on your walls," says Ivanka. "Think about it: They're a lot easier to change than upholstery fabric!"
Get a "statement" piece
As in, an object that's totally whimsical and conversation-worthy. If gigantic ceramic cheetahs aren't your thing, try a major vase with a flower arrangement or a large, framed exotic print. In Darcy's bedroom the eye-catching linens do the trick, while the crystal chandelier in the dining area gives a "wow!" hit of glamour (only $99, at greatchandeliers.com).
Repeat a theme
Eric Cahan
Prepare for clutter!
No place can always look like an "after" photo. A bed dust ruffle is nice camouflage for storage boxes, and the polka-dot curtain can sequester the kitchen as needed (say, should a certain Trump come over for dinner). "Ivanka taught me to decorate every last corner," says Darcy. "Leaving things bare isn't minimal - it's sad." The blown up photo, splashy fabric and statuesque peacock all add life to her living room.
Eric Cahan
