The New Americana

Last week, I was even more inspired than I expected to be watching our new President, Mr. Barack Obama, be sworn in on the Capitol steps while 2 million people on the mall and countless viewers at home across the world watched, cried and looked toward a future, filled with inspiration and hope. "Inspiration", in case you haven't noticed, is my absolute favorite word in the english language, seconded by "style". And despite the latter's unfair history of being connoted with materialism, snobbery and fashion, when you consider the literal meaning of the word, "style", I think it goes hand-in-hand with not only "inspiration", but everything intrinsically American: personality, individualism, pride, diversity, ambition, bravery. It's a way of being, and it's worth celebrating.

This week I'd like to indulge the patriot in all of us and showcase my favorite in classic Americana. Talking about a bunch of stuff in a house at a historic time like this might seem silly at first, but I am of the belief that what you surround yourself with helps to contribute to who you are and how you feel. Decor can serve as a reminder in our daily lives of who we are, what we stand for, where we have been, and where we want to go. So, in hopes that I will continue to be inspired in the coming weeks, months and years as much if not more than I am today, I plan to inject a bit of good old fashioned Americana into my own home this week. I hope you will, too.

Here's how to do it without sacrificing the chic (never!):

Show literal or classic statements in unexpected ways. I love the idea of framing this postcard of Jasper Johns's famous painting (right) in a large, elaborate frame with a thick white matte (6" or more). Playing with scale and decoration keeps it fresh and funky.

Kick it like the Kennedys. I have always been drawn to American-style-as-done-by-the-Kennedys. Look for traditional silhouettes coupled with natural, textural materials like nubby linen or striated silk dupioni. Be sure to keep it fresh and always personalized with modern monograms, collections of books or seashells and items you love in muted, rich tones. And you know Jackie would never let a home go without art--choose art that speaks to you and inspires you, and I don't just mean the art on the walls--Jackie saw all of the arts as a part of one's environment, including music, sculpture, etc. In my own home, I have these coffee table books out to set the tone of classic American imagery.

Know your History: Family photos are classic Americana to me. I don't like to stress too much about matching frames or creating a tableau of all black and white or all color. I like the good ole' authentic, lived-in look of a collection of framed photographs from different periods of the family's history all grouped together in one location. Hang them on a wall painted an accent color to really feature them, and show some respect to your ancestors' images and the childhood photos your mother took the time to capture by framing them in high-quality materials such as silver, wood, crystal, glass, and leather. In other words, skip the plastic souvenir frame you picked up at Disneyland and frame that memorable photo (Mickey Mouse ears and all) in an elegant, simple white wood frame.

I also love to frame an inspiring quote and throw it into the compilation. My suggestion? These words of encouragement from President Obama, which I predict will go down in history with the best of them: "...there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task." That, my friends, is not about politics, not about left or right. It's pure America at its best. For the full transcript, see the link below.

Utilize a classic American theme (in a subtle way, or course): Nautical, Equestrian, Country-Western, Prairie, Californian. Patriotism in design is a form of nostalgia which can be incredibly comforting. Select a few items from one of these themes which carry meaning for you (such as these oh-so-Californian photos of palm trees in the bedroom of my first college apartment, right [don't judge my budding design sense too harshly--I was just 18!]). Keep everything else simple and use complimentary tones and textures. For further instructions, see Mr. Ralph Lauren.

Colors: Americana, like America, is not just red white and blue. It's turquoise like the ocean, golden like the hills (amber waves of grain, anyone?), and green like crisp lawns and our famous evergreens. If you love red white and blue, keep it crisp and clean against light-toned neutrals like white and tan. If not, use items and colors that say "America" to you.

Have a great, inspired week!

Jasper Johns Flag Art Postcard: http://www.sensual-world.com/us48stunstfl.html

President Obama's Inauguration Speech Transcript: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/us/politics/20text-obama.html

Ralph Lauren Home: http://www.ralphlaurenhome.com/rlhome/default.asp