Defining the Elegant Eye

by Bill Musso

Some of my most gratifying moments come from clients who tell me that, prior to buying an accessory for their home, they muse, “Would Bill like this? How would he style it into my décor?” Some have asked me point blank, “How do you develop an elegant eye?” That’s why I’m headlining our Holiday 2009 Newsletter with a few pointers on the subject.

Tips for Getting Started
Developing an elegant eye takes time and practice. Honing your instincts means being not afraid of making missteps. Also, taking time to re-arrange and play with different ideas until “Ah ha!” moments capture the essence of what you’d like to achieve.

I have been in design close to three decades. While creating upscale boutique vignettes in New York, my eye caught on in how fashion, furniture and home interiors weave a harmonious aesthetic in making us feel good about ourselves. What we wear and what we bring into our homes reflect our sensibilities in living with beauty and functionality.

Yet, beauty is rarely recognized as a subtle and powerful energy that revives our spirit.

I would define elegance this way, too—simple beauty, clean lines, and functional, without losing warmth and an instinctively cozy appeal.

In developing an "elegant eye," I hone four main filters, quality workmanship, simplicity, cost and form.

Quality Workmanship
My grandfather loved quality clothing. He would turn a coat inside out and take a close look at the seams in a search for quality. Now, I eyeball fine glassware and filter out pieces with seams. (Pictured: Decanter from Takashimaya New York)

There’s a distinctive vibe to handmade items that’s quite different from those mass-produced. The labor of love that’s gone into a work of art crafted by artisans is palpable, compared to run-of-the mill items.

Simplicity
True, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and people are free to choose. My signature touch to any room is an understated simplicity with a fresh and effortless look.

It’s similar to Coco Chanel’s advice. After you’re done dressing, look in the mirror and take something away. Don’t over-embellish. Less is more.

Cost is Immaterial
Cost should be considered, but items costing more are not necessarily better or ‘more elegant.’ The most meaningful thing to me can be an exquisite seashell—and a freebie from Mother Nature. Follow your heart in collecting and surrounding yourself with items you’re intuitively drawn to.

Form Follows Function
Above all, beauty must play functional roles in your life. That’s when upon returning home from work, an abstract painting in your study refreshes your spirit. Or, you find quiet serenity in the silk-screened bedroom wallpaper or the simple lines of a Cristophe Pillet chair.

Ultimately, you want to surround yourself with things that mean most to you. A travel memento, beautiful raw silk drapery or custom upholstery with piping around the edges, all reflect your care in selecting elegant items showcasing your finer sensibilities.

Things finer are a joy to behold, touch and share—whatever they are, and evoke, for you.