Rock and Roll Interior Design

Bling is back, and this time it comes with the brash confidence of rock and roll.

Think gold, animal print, mirrors and lacquer paired with opulent textures and bold graphic prints. Glam rock’s edgy audacity is a refreshing dose of cheeky naughtiness that will revive any room languishing in the safety zone of tone-on-tone neutrals.

While it may seem like a one-way ticket to Tacky Town on a seat next to Lady Gaga, glam rock is as much about luxury as it is about making an over-the-top statement.

To indulge in the ultra-sophisticated decadence of glam rock, our panel of design experts agree on one thing: you have to be bold, but don’t replace your neutral sofa just yet.

Do

• Start small if you are afraid. Test the look in a hallway with a black lacquered console table and a gold lamp.

• Go non-traditional with colour. While black and white dominates glam rock, its edge comes from taking traditional items and giving them a twist with bold colours. Think leathers in cobalt or crimson.

• Learn to love shine. From mirrored side tables and metallic wallpaper and lacquered chairs, reflective items are a signature of glam rock.

Don’t

• Expect to find a one-stop shop. This is an eclectic look. Shop around and consider custom upholstery or paint finishes.

• Buy the fuschia leather sofa. Your love for it will be fleeting. Invest in neutral large items and splurge on accessories.

• Don’t be afraid to make a statement. That’s the point. Bold, brash items like black chandeliers and gold armoires are conversation-starters.

More tips on a Glam Rock look from Calgary Style Experts:

Paul Lavoie, interior designer, Paul Lavoie Interior Design
“The look is always a bit tongue-in-cheek. It’s meant to be slightly whimsical and not that serious. It’s rooted in Southern California where the ’70s influence is big. In Calgary, people are taking the minimalist and contemporary homes that were fostered in the early and mid-2000s and adding a chunk of glamour, which changes the look in a really exciting way. The balance comes from taking something that is clean and modern and adding embellishments in places that are easily removed. I wouldn’t go with a crazy rock star glam sectional with tufted velvet, but I would invest in something simple and add pillows in a vibrant pattern. Use mirrors that are black, grey or smoky. Or, switch carpet to a dense shag. The look is defined most by glamorizing simple materials.”

Frank Turco
Senior manager of trend and design, the Home Depot Canada
“There are lots of new materials coming onto the marketplace that are easy to use, but add an element of glam rock. Coloured acrylic panels that are reflective with a mirrored quality can be used on a feature wall. Or, if your kitchen cabinets are old and tired, remove the doors and put the panels at the back of the cabinet behind the dishes. Choose gold panels for the most glam rock look. High-gloss laminate floors in a piano finish also add shine, but avoid installing this floor in high-traffic areas because it can show wear easily. There’s also unexpected applications of common materials, like a stainless steel toe kick in a kitchen or metallic wallpaper on a feature wall. Gold spray paint is also an easy way to make items you already have more rock and roll.”

Jennifer Berendt, interior designer, BoConcept
“The trick to glam rock is finding the right mix of edgy and dark with the more positive high-energy funk. You can start by creating a feature wall and, instead of using traditional coverings like paint or wallpaper, cover it with large-scale ceramic tile in a high-gloss finish. Go for a punchy colour like red. Play with lighting to create a dark, moody ambience that counters the gloss of the red feature wall. Metal is also important, so include aluminium on door handles and other hardware to create an industrial feel. Play with texture on soft coverings by incorporating elements like black velvet pillows. Overall, combining black with metallics and a shot of colour is important.”

Julian Riley, co-owner, Maria Tomás
“Glam rock is about tension. In fashion, it’s the little black dress with a string of pearls. To make it rock and roll, you add kick-ass knee-high boots that have killer heels and change the pearls for chunky glass beads. It’s the same idea with decor. Take a traditional bergère chair and give it a high-gloss black finish and metallic faux leather cushion and, suddenly, it’s like a handbag come to life. For glam rock not to become tacky, you have to edit. If everything had wild colours and animal print, nothing would be special. Instead, take classic drapery panels and add metallic finials with crystals. Or use wallpaper in patterns like shagreen, ostrich or crocodile that now come metallicized, pearlized and in bold colours. You don’t have to do the whole wall. A queen-sized bed is the width of three strips of wallpaper. Install wallpaper floor-to-ceiling, push your bed against it and you have a rock and roll headboard. Be purposeful and it becomes a focal point.”

Jacqueline Corea, principal designer, Corea Sotropa Interior Design
“The full-on glam rock look might not work well in most people’s living rooms, however it is easy to incorporate small pieces to get that rocker edge that is a conversation piece without feeling like it is too over-the-top. Look for a square ottoman in black vinyl with brass upholstery tack detail on the edge, or cushions with animal prints and a glittery chandelier in an unusual colour. Go for mostly black and white and add a shot of cobalt, rich turquoise, yellow or fuschia. The colour options are wide open, but lean toward the more-saturated jewel tones.”

Dawn Bollinger, owner, Peridot
“Adding a touch of rock and roll to your home without going overboard can be done by going back to basics. Metallics have always been a basic in design. What has changed is how it is used. Metal nail-heads highlighting the curves of a headboard, chair or bench [are] common. For more edge, go completely over-the-top and stud a piece of furniture or door-front for strong impact. Mirrors inset into wood or lacquer furniture add a reflective and glamorous look. Fabrics come in full metallic finishes. PVCs are available in gold, silver, copper and bronze. Whether your style is over-the-top or secret vixen or somewhere in-between, a little rock and roll edge
is easy to incorporate.”