A historical account of what sparkles
Could it be that "bling" has made it into today's design lexicon?
Bling is not just a word, but a way of life and style. It has the all the allure of theatrics, fantasy and ostentation of today's excesses and riches made popular by hip-hop culture.
The sparkling worlds of Snoop Dog, Jay Z and the Kardashians have filtered into mainstream design, where Swarovski-bedazzled anything is a prized possession. Just look back at Damon Hirst's 2007 "For the Love of God," a platinum skull sculpture encrusted with diamonds, as a case in point. Its appeal is grand, but not just limited to hip-hop performers, movie stars, Russian oligarchs and Saudi princesses. Everyone seemingly wants some Bling.
In the eyes of many, interiors with bling offer the signs of success.
We can find the first traces of bling in the over-the-top architecture and interior decorating of Baroque and Rococo style. Some of these decorating tendencies developed during the 17th century from excessive pastiche through to 21st century kitsch. Bling had its finest hour during the Italian Baroque period. One only has to look at any significant building of the era to notice the overwhelming decorations in stucco and stone, elaborately layered and gilded moldings, reflecting beveled mirrors, which made a statement as huge as any wannabe emperor could ever make.
In France, Louis XVI adored this ornate style as well. His Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles is a testament for opulence and it has been emulated, serving as a point of inspiration worldwide. The combination of gilded furniture, moldings and mirrors caught fire. The attention of the narcissistic side within everyone was captivated, and mirrored everythings became all the rage.
The Hollywood Regency style fed into this concept of bling with set-like and larger-than-life approach to decorating. This style was exemplified in the 1930s and '40s by interior designers such as Dorothy Draper, William Haines and Billy Baldwin, and was a mix of design styles that incorporated everything from chinoiserie, neoclassical, art deco and modern - all with a certain swagger and bling.
Today, the Hollywood Regency style been revived by designers such as Kelly Werstler, Mary MacDonald, Barclay Butera and Johnathan Adler, and is still in full swing. Sparkle and a sense of luxury are the key to this style of decorating, as are bold colors highlighted with white and geometric patterns such as the Greek key and interlocking fretwork. Designers who love lacquered furniture, brass and silver accessories and copious amounts of crystals in the form of chandeliers, lamps and faux furs swoon for this decorating approach.
The love of bling is nothing new. Every generation has coined a new word or phrase for what today is known as bling. Yesterday it was drama, glitz and glamour used to describe interiors of uber-luxury.
Undoubtedly, people are fond of this, otherwise we would not see it come back and around every decade or so with new nuances and styling - but always with a lot of bling!
• Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida.
© 2016, Creators Syndicate