One Clever Item, Three Fresh Looks

Summer living calls for easy, versatile pieces, offering the chance to break from tradition and loosen up your decor. To inspire your vacation-time style, At Home asked three top designers to create fresh combos for a summery setting, all based on one piece of furniture.

The item? The new, modern classic Ghost Buster commode, designed by Philippe Starck for Kartell. While the simple lines evoke a French chest, the transparent or opaque plastic construction keeps the look light.

The results? Colorful, eye-catching and sheer summer fun.

A traditional with a twist living room

Chris Goddard, Goddard Design Group, Fayetteville 

“I love working with a piece of furniture like this commode, because it creates an architectural framework for your collections without being distracting. We mixed modern with antique, and the combination of interesting shapes keeps it balanced. Another benefit of working with a transparent item is that it doesn’t take up much visual space, but you can still fill it with your favorite things.”

Antique French chair, covered in a blue Nancy Corzine silk velvet fabric. Jeweled pillow from Allan Knight. Silk chiffon and mink throw from Adrienne Landau. Oil painting by artist Ashley Collins. Antique Chinese rug, Fortuny floor lamp and one-of-a-kind Venetian chair from a gondola. Vases, figurine and tortoise shell boxes on shelves. All through Goddard Design Group, Fayetteville. Vintage Murano glass accessories from V. S. Mobley’s General Store, Fayetteville. Transparent Ghost Buster commode from SR Hughes, Tulsa.

A kid’s room that ups the color quotient

Laurie McFarland, Tuck & Cover, Little Rock

“This color  and style is so whimsical that I played it up with fun, bright, kid-friendly elements. A piece like this is perfect for a second home or vacation setting because the rules loosen up and people feel more comfortable with being creative. This size works well as an accent piece between two beds or alongside a chair, and the light weight makes it extra versatile.” 

Fusion armchair covered in Joker fabric in Ebony. Designers Guild pillow and custom floral embellished pillow. The Rug Market rug, Jonathan Adler for Robert Abbey floor lamp. Shelly Kennedy Collection art. All from Tuck & Cover, Little Rock. Transparent yellow Ghost Buster commode from SR Hughes, Tulsa.

An easy, breezy master bedroom

Meridith Hamilton, MLH Designs, Inc., Little Rock

“With the light feeling of the commode, I wanted to keep the look  airy, especially with the accessories. Then I anchored the piece with stronger items around it, including a headboard with shades of brown, wallpaper with shades of gray, and a rug that ties the colors together. The style is clean and uncluttered, with a mix of patterns to keep things interesting.” 

Aubrey patterned and beaded wallpaper from York Wallcoverings; rug from New River Artisans, both through MLH Designs, Inc., Little Rock. Headboard from Cynthia East Fabrics, Little Rock. Pillow, accessories from Bear-Hill Interiors, Little Rock. Lamp from Mertinsdyke Home, Little Rock. Matte white Ghost Buster commode from SR Hughes, Tulsa.