The Shiny Finish Taking Over Our Style Editor’s Apartment
It all started with a trip to Milan.
Published Apr 15, 2024 2:06 PM
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Home Front is a weekly newsletter deep dive into the rising—and returning—trends, decor, and teeniest of design details fresh on our radar. In last week’s send, Julia, Domino’s style editor, wondered if it’s possible to overdo her obsession with all things shiny (answer: never).
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A year after moving into my first studio apartment, I finally felt ready to shoot it for Domino this spring. Now that I’ve documented its first iteration, though, I’m getting the itch to play around again, break some rules, and, naturally, do some more shopping. First order of business? Add even more chrome-finish decor—a design crush sparked by, what else, a trip to Italy—than I already have.
On Board
Chrome, the finish or the real deal, has been my metal of choice ever since I first stepped into a Dimore show at 2022’s Salone del Mobile design fair. The furniture gallery is no stranger to a shimmery surface—even the exterior of its Milan location is covered in silver paint. These days, shiny stuff is truly everywhere, from my Instagram feed to my apartment (we’re talking my reading lamp and the bedside table it’s on). I firmly believe there’s no such thing as too much. Like mirrors, shiny objects reflect off of each other, making my tiny space feel glowy and bright no matter the weather.
My favorite high-shine finds right now:
- Long before I finally visited Frama’s concept store in Copenhagen, I had a major crush on the brand. I’m currently coveting the aluminum Rivet cart; those utilitarian orange wheels are so unexpected. Fun fact: You can leave it outside and it won’t rust.
- Can’t believe this light is Zara Home? Neither could I. I’m obsessed with everything from its old-school switch to its braided cable and miniature scale (it’s just under 7 inches tall).
- A friend of mine just got this stainless steel lamp, and its polished finish means it lights up her living room in more ways than one.
- You heard it here first: The next shiny object I buy will be a mercury glass ball inspired by the ones architect Luis Barragán scattered around his homes in Mexico. I’m picturing it on top of my kitchen cabinets, reflecting my entire studio.
- I’ve saved pretty much everything on Casa Josephine’s Instagram feed. While some might say that too much shine makes a space feel cold, the design studio’s Madrid project softens it all with a warm Creamsicle palette; the stainless steel appliances and mirrored cabinets are balanced with a butter yellow brick wall.
- I wasn’t aware that tabletop waste bins were a thing until I laid eyes on this charming metal one. Shaped like a little house, you don’t put this cutie in a corner.
- I want my next dinner party to involve these Elsa Peretti–esque bean-shaped candleholders. They’re made from sterling silver–plated copper, giving them a nice weight that justifies the splurge.
- This may look like Marcel Breuer’s pricey Laccio table, but it’s just $79 from IKEA’s newish Nytillverkad collection. The design originally appeared in the 1971 catalog, so it’s basically vintage.