Eight Must Haves to Help Refresh Your Living Room with Phaedra Brown

Meet Phaedra Brown, a self-professed lover of color and pattern. While she has no formal training, she has a passion for interior and garden design.

Phaedra’s home is her design laboratory where she incorporates her love of flowers, as well as warm and inviting interiors into her aesthetic. She embraces a layered, collected English country cottage-inspired style which allows her to use her favorite things. Her style intrigued others and has consulted on several design projects as a result.

Followers of Phaedra’s IG account, @houseandgardendog will enjoy seeing her little Westie terrier, Wellie, in snippets of her colorful home. She also uses instagram to celebrate her design philosophy: “A house is not a home without a dog and flowers.”

Phaedra loves the thrill of the hunt and unearthing treasures that help create a nuanced home story. A few things she loves to shop for include lamps, vintage art, vintage needlepoint and cabbageware.

Phaedra has been featured by the design blog, The Glam Pad, and Wellie was named Pet of the Month by Southern Living magazine, where he appeared in the January 2022 issue.

The Living Room Refresh

In this week’s edition of Complementary. Guest Curations, we challenged Phaedra to select current online auction’s items to inspire you to achieve a living room refresh in 2023.

Let’s discover her selections and why Phaedra chose them.

1. Lovely Yellow and Blue Floral Chaise Lounge (item #228268): “Reminds me of Mario Buatta. I’d change the fabric and ruffle the skirt.”

2. Pair of Chinese Blue and White Double Happiness Ginger Jars (item #: 237742): “Just the right size for mixing between books in a bookcase or glass-fronted cabinet.”

3. Antique Figured Mahogany Secretary Bookcase (item #: 238373): “I’d want to see this full of books. The straight top is so much harder to find, so it caught my eye right away.”

4. Nine Vol. Set Leather Bound Books, Memoires De M. Bourienne, & Two Vols. Vernet, History of Napoleon (item #: 238411): “I love the green spines and the marbleized covers of these antique books. I love homes full of books and these would add some character.”

5. Chinese Tea Chest with Serpent Decoration (item #: 238434): “Beautiful statement piece. I could see it on a huge coffee table or on a console table behind the sofa.”

6. Pair of Large Handsome Hurricanes (item #: 238436): “Perfect pair! Reminds me of the ones at John Rosselli, which are on my wish list.”

7. Hermes Fabulous Multi Colored “Ciels Byzantins” Silk Scarf, with Box (item #: 235399): “I would frame it as a piece of art!”

8. Stylish Hermes Wool & Cashmere Throw Blanket (item #: 210600): “Another wish list item for me. Fold it casually over your overstuffed, chintz covered sofa!”

Q&A with Phaedra

What got you interested in estate sales and online auctions?

I love to shop and I love the hunt. I love the idea of curating a collection of all the pieces I wish I had inherited.

How do you describe your design style/aesthetics?

I would call it a layered and colorful traditional style with an English influence. I love the vibe of English country homes and their bold and sometimes unexpected blending of colors and patterns. There is an appealing looseness to English interiors that doesn’t feel as intentional as American design often is. I love a wonderfully collected look that is full of pattern play.

What are the one or two things that you always bid on in online auctions?

Vintage paintings and needlepoint. Plus all types of lighting — lamps, lanterns, chandeliers and sconces. These are items that add a lot of personality to a space.

What's your absolute favorite purchase from an estate sale or online auction?

A custom-designed one-of-a-kind needlepoint Westie pillow that reads, “Life is merrier with a terrier, and it’s bestie with a Westie.”

Any tips or advice for online auction or estate sale newbies?

Be mindful of your budget and don’t forget to consider fees and shipping costs. Look for auctions closer to home where you can pick-up your item if possible.

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