Growing up in the Ukraine, “The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Anderson was one of my favorite fairy tales. For my daughter, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” depicted a different perspective of this classic: the fun filled spirit and adventurous attitude of the heroine Ariel. In the fairy tale, dreams are endless when it comes to mermaids and “the girl who has everything.” When I walked into the front bedroom of this picturesque Bridgehampton beach house, mermaids were the first thing that came to mind. I envisioned a classic décor with whimsical accents throughout, a true combination of both mermaid narratives.
The focal point of this room is the “Princess Bed” from the ZoyaB Collection, which was inspired by a bed that belonged to an 18th century Swedish Baroness. I wanted the little princess of the room to feel like she is swimming in a beautiful blue ocean, so I draped the bed in a custom-made large blue plaid. The monochromatic scheme is accented by a deep coral color throughout the room, accompanied by a petite coral print that dresses the settee and chairs, playfully topped with whimsical mermaid pillows. Lending a fresh-look to classic forms, I have incorporated a clear Murano Glass chandelier and mirror. While the “Princess” line of the ZoyaB Collection was designed in an elegant style, the pieces featured in this room have been complimented with mother of pearl shell knobs. In addition, the earthy and feminine needlepoint rug, a Stark Carpet exclusive, grounds the room while giving the illusion of walking on the beach in search of shells. The warm tones and saturated colors bring a sense of sophistication while keeping the space playful for our young occupant.
An appreciation of family is also present in this space through the Needlepoint Art. The series depicts Neptune protecting his daughters, each holding a special item representing their unique significance in their father’s life. Just like Ariel in “The Little Mermaid,” the young lady I designed this room for is the youngest in her family. As she fulfills her curiosity about the incredible ocean below, exploring all that it has to offer, she becomes a strong, independent young woman.
For the final touch, I wanted to inspire the young collector by adding limited edition Florence Manarnuk mermaid dolls. These beautiful porcelain dolls captivate the mystery and wonders of the sea. While the child I envisioned in this room gathers shells on the beach, may these mermaids trigger a life-long passion for collecting timeless works of art. By combining these two elements of the mermaid story and design, I aspired to put forth a whimsical space full of imagination and adventure, with an educational perspective.