Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Adding Playful Kitsch to Your Space Without Going Overboard

Adding Playful Kitsch to Your Space Without Going Overboard

Everyone needs more reasons to smile these days, and some tongue-in-cheek conversation pieces can do the job

Each week, Mansion Global tackles a topic with an elite group of designers from around the world who work on luxury properties. This week, we look at how to add just the right amount of kitsch to liven up your home.

A lip-shaped sofa or a corn on the cob chair—whatever whimsical décor you’re drawn to, it’s bound to stir up conversation. The idea, however, is to create a good kind of chatter rather than snarky commentary.

“An unexpected item adds character and charm to a space by creating a moment,” said Los Angeles-based designer Peti Lau. “Besides adding that fun factor, it tells a story.”

Incorporating a conversation piece into your décor is the tricky part. Follow these tips from the design pros for creating a wow moment rather than an eye sore.

Complement Rather Than Compete


“I personally like to incorporate these fun pieces in small quantities, using just one or two so that they can speak for themselves and become a point of interest. For clients who are not too adventurous but want to dip their toes into kitsch, I always suggest they start by incorporating bold colors or a fun piece of art.

“The ideal situation is to plan the room with that one piece in mind, so that the rest of the color palette and the pieces work with it—and they aren’t competing with each other.

“The best way to make it work for any space is to either keep it simple with a few pieces, or for more adventurous people, commit and go full overboard to make a real statement.

“Try to avoid using pieces that are overused or trendy. I am personally over the lips-shaped sofas. If you’re really into them, try and find pieces that convey a similar aesthetic but that you’ll still love a few years after.”

Designed by Rozit Arditi, an overstuffed ottoman takes center stage thanks to its vibrant color.



Strike a Balance


“I love using nature elements such as taxidermy to bring in that wow factor. I have a peacock in my living room. They are such beautiful creatures and I love what they represent.

“Incorporate one item if it’s a large statement piece like a sofa or a table, but you can also create a juxtaposition of multiple items—small objects in a cabinet or a bookcase display, for example.

“The key to making them vibe with the rest of your decor is balance. There needs to be some element of neutrality to allow the statement pieces to be the star; the decor should support it.

“If you already have a vibe you are creating, I suggest bringing a smaller item into the space to create that ’aristofreak’ vibe—that unexpected item or object to throw it off, yet somehow just works. It’s about creating that perfect tension and balance. Stick with three colors that go well together. Typically, I find a bold color and then add two supporting colors that go well to balance the rest of the design.

“If you are not doing color, go for texture or a sculptural element. Texture is a great way to create a vibe. Textures that are soft or natural such as wood, rope or jute, and textures that are unique, like sculptural ceramics in tonal colors, really give that punch you are looking for.”

A peacock perched atop shelving furthers the eclectic vibe of a living room designed by Peti Lau.



Think of It as an Accessory


“Using unique items is the new modern statement piece. This look has to be done with intention. The unapologetic approach has given me a creative edge and set my personal style apart from other extremely talented contemporaries.

“The way I have incorporated these objects is simple yet takes some self-control on my part. For my clients, I think of an elegant woman in a monochromatic outfit as the furniture and the outstanding object the accessory—just as a fabulous handbag is used to complement the look. It’s the ‘red lipstick’ approach.

“Placing the object in the center of the room is not my style. I always try to make it an extra surprise in the room. Japanese toys by KAWS or Murakami pillows can do the trick in a snap—depending on the clients’ pocket depth of course.”

Designer Carrie Livingston dressed up a tabletop with an oversized strand of beads for an elegant-meets-eclectic touch.



Have Restraint


“Whimsy is in the eye of the beholder. We all go for what we are attracted to, for whatever reason, from our personal histories. You might fall in love with giant labware containers and put them with the Adam Face Pot from Group Partner because it makes you smile.

“A statement piece doesn’t need to be fancy. You could place a ceramic German Shepherd on the coffee table next to a bunch of pink sweet peas. If you mix it up in a way that pleases you, it tells a personal story and that becomes the consistent element.

“For myself and my clients, I use ‘Pee-wee’s Playhouse’ as a mental ‘no man’s land.’ You want it charming, quirky and cheerful but never to cross the silly line. Have restraint by cutting yourself off and then revisiting. Have a high bar for what you let in the scene.”

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Intel Reports Revenue Beats but Sees 81% Rise in Losses
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
President Trump Diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency After Leg Swelling
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
Tulsi Gabbard Unveils Evidence Alleging Political Manipulation of Intelligence During Trump Administration
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Trump Announces Coca-Cola to Shift to Cane Sugar in U.S. Production
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
Zelensky Reshuffles Cabinet to Win Support at Home and in Washington
"Can You Hit Moscow?" Trump Asked Zelensky To Make Putin "Feel The Pain"
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
Moonshot AI Unveils Kimi K2: A New Open-Source AI Model
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
Western Europe Records Hottest June on Record
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
France Requests Airlines to Cut Flights at Paris Airports Amid Planned Air Traffic Controller Strike
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
×