It seems near impossible to talk about interior designer Chiara de Rege without talking about The Wing, the female-only co-working spaces in NY, DC, and now SF and LA, that deRege has outfitted in a crush of blush, masterful conversation zones, and fearlessly femme vibes. But there’s a lot more to the New York and LA-based designer, who opened her firm, Chiara de Rege Interiors in 2010. In addition to styling at Vogue for a time and executing projects for fashion notables like Erin Featherson, de Rege is co-founder of Maison C, a wallpaper line known for dreamy, hand-penned wallpapers laced with—what else?—plenty of feminine guile.
Being no stranger to vintage and bespoke (The Wing’s Flatiron location of is packed full of it), we asked deRege to curate a collection of her Chairish favorites. To go along with it, she’s sharing some of her top design tricks and tips. From the colors that make her swoon to her favorite way to mix high and low, deRege shares how she makes it all come together.
EXPLORE CHIARA de REGE'S Chairish FAVORITES
DESIGN:
Favorite way to work a bit of vintage into a room:
Either with a great vintage light or cool seating (whether it be a cool, curved Kagan sofa or random Mid-Century chair that I reupholster).
Favorite way to add drama to a room:
I rely mainly on fabrics, textiles, and my color stories. That said, wallpaper or paint is the most direct method to achieve drama in a room. A less direct, more subtle way would be with layers of lighting (table, ceiling, sconces, etc).
Favorite way to mix high and low:
An inexpensive lucite coffee table can be dropped into a room of collector pieces and hold its own. Alternatively, when the architectural bones of a room are great, I love simple track shelving from Rakks for books and objets.
EXPLORE CHIARA DE REGE'S Chairish FAVORITES
Favorite place to splurge and favorite place to dial it back?
I love splurging on window treatments. Beautiful fabric curtains or roman shades transform a room. Finding a great vintage sofa and recovering it instead of buying something new and super expensive is a great way to save money.
Favorite decorating trick?
Suzanne Rheinstein taught me the power of trim! Finish your window treatments, pillows, and upholstered skirts with trim to show thought and care went into every touch. I apply this detail to everything, even a lampshade. In fact, a custom lampshade can go a long way towards a defining moment in a room.
EXPLORE CHIARA DE REGE'S Chairish FAVORITES
Favorite design risk you’ve ever taken?
The private dining room at La Pecora Bianca, flatiron. It was a storage closet before I designed it. The risk was in not being afraid of the small size and original usage. I added Eskayel’s Surfaces Gold wallpaper to the ceiling, sconces, ceiling lights and moveable banquettes along the wall and created a workable and inviting dining space.
Favorite project in your portfolio?
One of my best friends who is also a client; her home in Mandeville Canyon. I love it because she and her husband differ in their tastes. She is more traditional, and he is more modern. Her family heirlooms are incredible, and he appreciates beautiful lines like BDDW. She loves pattern and texture and color, and he has a more minimal approach. But somehow, as I edit, weave, and curate their tastes, this house—that we built from the ground up—feels like it has been around forever. It is warm yet modern yet old. It is layered without feeling fussy or busy. I just love seeing them build a family in this home!
EXPLORE CHIARA deREGE'S Chairish FAVORITES
Favorite paint color:
Benjamin Moore’s “Palladian Blue HC-144.”
Favorite pattern (and how you love to use it):
Maison C’s “Coven”…. On walls in a powder room, hallway, or entry, as well as on fabric for curtains or pillows. And Maison C’s “Topanga” for something more subtle. It will work in any room or any space; the options with Topanga are limitless.
Favorite color combo:
Apricot/Rust, Sage and Navy.
EXPLORE CHIARA deREGE'S Chairish FAVORITES
Favorite furniture maker(s):
This question is hard because the answer is vast and goes through furniture history…So, off the bat, a few present day ones include BDDW, Dimore Studio, Katrien at Voila in Los Angeles, Soane, Dymtri & Co, Piet Hein Eek, Anna Karlin, Montauk, Sawkill, Ochre. I feel like this list will get out of hand, so I will stop and add some favorite vintage furniture makers like Arne Jacosen, Franco Albini, Charlotte Perriand, Jean Royere, Jean Michel Frank, Jacque Adnet, Carlo Mollino, Tobia Scarpa, Gio Ponti…and again, I could go on, but I will stop!
Favorite room in your house:
Living room
Favorite piece of art you own:
My daughter’s pottery.
EXPLORE CHIARA DE REGE'S Chairish FAVORITES
Most unusual piece you’ve ever sourced for a project?
A custom, in-the-style of Jean Michel Frank piano.
Tell us more about your experience with Chairish!
I love the easy access to vendors all over the world. I trust Chairish that their vendors will be reputable, so I shop with confidence for clients. If a client is hesitant about purchasing something sight unseen and from a far off place, I know that I can feel confidant in making the push for it if it’s on Chairish. I also think the local experience is seamless, and there is great customer service. And the bespoke section is wonderful, as there are designers all over that I would not have had on my radar, normally!
Favorite item on Chairish right now:
I just think this Jean Royere Coffee Table is so fun and beautiful.
EXPLORE CHIARA DE REGE'S Chairish FAVORITES
LIFESTYLE:
Favorite travel destination:
My family home in Italy.
Favorite hotel to check in to:
I am sure this is a funny response for a New Yorker, but The Bowery Hotel is a happy place for me.
Favorite way to treat yourself:
Massages.
Favorite entertaining essential:
Vintage hand-blown glassware.
Favorite artist:
Cy Twombly.
Favorite thing to collect:
Textiles and fabrics.
EXPLORE CHIARA deREGE'S Chairish FAVORITES
YOUR CITY: NEW YORK
Favorite restaurant:
La Pecora Bianca, Midtown.
Favorite hotel to recommend to visiting friends:
The Bowery
Favorite local flea market/vintage hunting ground:
I love exploring upstate.
