Mix it up. That seems to be the unofficial motto of Roderick Coles, the owner of local antiques shop The Curious Orange Store. He told us The Royal Tenenbaums has certainly influenced his taste when it comes to interior design. And it’s true—you can find anything from faux fox fur-covered benches to an 18th century armoire at his Ivy Road store, both of which we could picture on the set of Wes Anderson’s iconic film. Read on for more about his vices, his design icon and what he can’t stop munching on.
Antique or modern? I’m a mixologist: 18th century Italian chest meets mid-century designer lighting with a lacquered mirror as a cherry on top.
City or country? Country chic.
Which colors do you gravitate toward? Handsome yet earthy browns and grays. Best example: “Downpipe” by Farrow & Ball. Makes any room sexier.
Which materials or textures do you frequently use in your own home? Linen. Velvet. Pushing for some leather Deco club chairs at the moment. Timeless.
What is your favorite interior design-related word? Scale.
Does your home look like the one you grew up in? Not by a long shot. My artist girlfriend, Abby Kasonik, has been in the house for 16 years or so and has a stunning yet livable home aesthetic. I have learned so many things from her, and together we mix it all up pretty good.
What’s one thing that can really transform a room? The perfect mirror. Every room needs one…or five!
Favorite designer? Celerie Kemble. She gets timeless interiors but always inserts a bit of modernity within the space. Habitable and homey yet not predictable.
Which design blog, website, TV show, or magazine do you peruse religiously? World of Interiors.
Décor-wise, what should a homeowner never scrimp on? Besides high quality paint? Dining chairs. Invest in something special and they’ll last for generations.
Design rule you like to break? Scale.
What is your favorite room in the house? Den. Small secondary living room. Nothing fancy, it’s where real, everyday life happens.
What is your most treasured possession? My Abby Kasonik painting.
What do you wish you could do without? Ruffles cheddar & sour cream chips. I’ve been eating way too many of these.
What are you afraid to DIY? Between the two of us, in our household we can DIY lots of issues but one that stays hands off is electrical. I have an innate fear of being shocked. We call a professional.
Have you ever had a change of heart about an object or a style? Gosh, every hour, every day. I have untreated/untamed ADD…my mind is in constant flux.
If you could live in one historical figure’s house, whose would it be? Not exactly my thing but as a nod to a true pioneer and style icon, I’m going with Elsie de Wolfe’s Paris apartment.
On what movie set would you like to live? Gotta be a tie between Harold & Maude (1971) and The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). Both are highly influential to my aesthetic.
If you were reborn as a piece of furniture or an object, what would it be? 1955 Mercedes Gullwing Coupe. Design perfection.
What is your first design memory? A collection of Blenko glass decanters on my grandparents Steinway. I would sit for long stretches of time tinkering on the piano, looking up through the sun-streaked colored glass. Magical.
Want to know more? Visit thecuriousorangestore.com or call 984-1042 to get in touch.
