Style Fusion: Mixing Classic + Whimsical Design with Jocelyn Polce


Complementary. Guest Curations | PUBLISHED 07.26.23 | Tam Tran
A well-designed living room with neutral tone and pastel color | BRG

Jocelyn Polce, founder and principal interior designer of A|O Interiors, strongly believes that space shouldn't just stand the test of time. It should embrace all the joyful chaos life throws your way: kids, pets, and everything in between!

And she should know! She is the mom of five very, very active young boys.

With every project, Jocelyn and her team are on a mission to create classic spaces that can handle the crazy ride of life – no dull moments allowed! So wave goodbye to fussy furniture sets!

Jocelyn's all about crafting spaces that feel like a thrilling treasure hunt. She's a pro at blending high-quality neutrals, textures, classic patterns, and just the right pops of color. Still her projects nod towards timeless design with a flair for adding whimsical decor.

For Jocelyn, a room isn't truly alive without a mix of the past and the present. It's like adding a sprinkle of magic! Vintage treasures and patterns in home design combined with beloved family favorites are her secret ingredients. These elements infuse every home decor and interior style project with warmth and whimsy.

Jocelyn Polce's Curation

Get ready to experience Jocelyn's playful magic as she joins our Complementary. Guest Curations with her favorite online auction pieces and selections. Put on your adventure hats and let's dive into a world where whimsy and classic style fuse together. It's going to be a design extravaganza you won't want to miss!

Classic Style Meets Whimsical Flair

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1. This striking 19th-century Italian bust of Apollo (item #: 254154) is a classic centerpiece exuding grandeur and inspiration for your decor.

2. I can't resist vintage barware so this set of eight (8) lavishly gilt vintage double old-fashioned glasses (item #: 254053) is great! It just makes every drink feel like a special event.

3. You can't go wrong with a perfect neutral pair of chairs for any space. It's easy to add a fresh pop of color with pillows to finish off these soft gray club chairs with pleated skirts (item #: 260120).

4. Who doesn't love a gallery wall in a hallway. The etchings contained in this predominantly nautical themed collection of 15 etchings by Phillip Kappel (item #: 254094) would create such a special moment.

5. This gorgeous burled plinth (item #: 257469) is the perfect perch in any corner or hallway with a plant on top. The burled wood is a bonus!

6. I've just started to really enjoy vintage and antique rugs. I love the color of this silk carpet (item #: 254176)!

7. This 19th century (c. 1825-1835) French Empire wall barometer with lyre thermometer crest, gesso and gilt (item #: 254205) just feels unique and special. It's definitely a conversation starter!

8. This trio of vintage Delill trunk box purses (Item #: 255878) would be perfect to style a bookcase. Think outside of the box when you are decorating.

9. I love an aged leather ottoman. This handsome substantial tufted leather ottoman (Item #: 260127) is the perfect balance to newly upholstered furniture and you won't flinch if someone puts their feet up.

Q&A with Jocelyn

How did you become interested in estate sales and online auctions?

It’s something I’ve been doing since I was tiny! My parents are both lovers of design and antique pieces. On Sundays we’d frequent local estate sales and markets.

I remember learning from an early age that there is a story behind every antique piece. And the story of a piece is what makes it a beautiful addition to your home.

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Photo courtesy of Abby Cole Photography

How do you describe your design style or aesthetic?

Classic, collected with a touch of whimsy. Design should be fun and reflect the person who lives in the home and how they want it to make them feel when they are there.

We design for our clients so each project is a bit different. We find a classic base is our go to so we can add in all the layers that make a space a unique home.

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Photo courtesy of Abby Cole Photography

What are some things you always find yourself bidding upon in online auctions?

Chairs! I love an old single chair. One that maybe has lost its match along the way. They are useful in every room or space for an extra perch or a place to set a stack of books.

I'm also always hunting for oversized books of interesting topics.

And if there is a little brass box or planter or cache pot, the chances are high that I'll buy it! No room is complete without a touch of brass!

What's your absolute favorite estate sale or online auction purchase(s)?

For me it's a set of chairs! I have found these beautiful mid century dining chairs that were just a shell. The curves and brass tips were what sold me.

I've stored them for years and years waiting for the perfect space for them. They are now reupholstered and live in my design studio!

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Photo courtesy of Abby Cole Photography

For a project piece, it was a vintage rattan hanging chair. We incorporated it into a stairway nook. It’s the perfect addition to draw you into a space that was bland and boring and otherwise unused except to pass through.

One of my fondest purchase memories with my mother was attending my first in-person auction. I was so excited and in love with this lamp that I had to have it. I waited hours for my item to come up and when it did I played to win! I even started bidding against myself in all the excitement.

There is no greater feeling than WINNING an item you are in love with. The excitement and stress is totally addicting.

What are your home decor and interior style tips?

I'm not one to rip everything out in a space and want to replace it with all new items. I value the workmanship of old homes and old furniture and love to see something restored or reworked before replacing it with something brand new.

You can bring in so much personality into a space by shopping at online auctions for unique decor finds, as well as at estate sales. Perfection is never the goal. In fact, it makes space boring!

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

Regret is a terrible thing! If you love it, bid on it! Don't miss out. I'm a firm believer that if you find something you love you'll always have a place in your home for it and it will always be in style.

Go in with an open mind! Sometimes you didn't know you needed something! I like to leave a bit of wiggle room with our designs so if a really interesting piece finds us we'll have a place for it.

Have all your measurements handy. For my projects and items for my own home, I have my short list of needs as well as the maximum and minimum measurements they should be. Everything is in my Google drive or Asana. This allows me to always be prepared for those larger investment items.

Jocelyn Polce’s exceptional expertise in interior design shows us what we can achieve through the fusion of classic elegance and whimsical flair. By skillfully incorporating textures and patterns in home design, she creates spaces that are visually appealing and reflective of a joyful chaos that embraces the beauty of everyday life.

Her open-minded design approach allows for unique and personalized spaces that resonate with each client.

For those seeking to infuse their homes with character and charm, Jocelyn’s decorating tips for classic and whimsical fusion are invaluable. Plus, estate sales, for home decor enthusiasts on the hunt for one-of-a-kind pieces, hold the key to unearthing vintage treasures that add soulful charm to interiors.

So, let your imagination take flight. Embark on a journey of style fusion inspired by Jocelyn’s creative vision and decorating wisdom. You’ll transform your home into a masterpiece of timeless allure and whimsy.


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Style Fusion: Mixing Classic + Whimsical Design with Jocelyn Polce. Black Rock Galleries provides high end estate liquidation services through online estate auctions and a 50,000 sq ft designer showroom. estate liquidator, estate sale, online auction, antiques, fine art, liquidation, clean outs, auction, consignment, interior design, fine jewelry, collectibles, appraisals, estate appraisals, estate services, decor, furniture, furniture consignment, antique center, consignment shop. We offer appraisal services and specialize in fine art, jewelry, antiques and decorative arts. Sell with us. Black Rock Galleries is the tri-state's largest estate liquidator serving New England and the greater New York City area. We are the trusted source for expert appraisals, auction services, estate sales, and consignments. Black Rock Galleries is the east coast's largest and most trusted estate liquidator, with locations in Connecticut, greater Boston, MA and Raleigh, NC, Fairfield, Southport, Apex, TX. We are the best source for expert appraisals, auction services, estate sales and consignments. We have served thousands of families and estates with compassion, professionalism and expertise. BRG works with attorneys, executors, realtors and families to bring the greatest return on personal and estate property in the current market. Our unique combination of services make us the easy choice to get the job done in a timely and stress-free manner. We are with you from the initial consultation to the final clean out. Our house-built online auction software platform offers clients a dynamic approach to liquidating their personal property. This venue is most successful in bringing the best return with the least amount of disruption for our clients. See our services page for a complete description of this offering. Style Fusion: Mixing Classic + Whimsical Design with Jocelyn Polce
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