When her Manhattan clients came to her looking to revamp their Upper West Side apartment to feel happy, bright and colorful, Hillary Cohen, principal and founder of New Jersey-based HCO Interiors, tapped into the trend in curved décor to make each room more approachable without sacrificing style.
“The architecture of the apartment had really strong, linear proportions—lots of rectangles and right angles—so introducing curves helped soften things,” says Cohen whose clients have two children under age 6. “It also made sense for the family since they have small kids; rounded pieces are both safe and comfortable. The curves became a natural way to connect everything throughout the home.”
Softening lines, colors and textures has been a trend across the home décor industry this year, as homeowners lean toward more organic and natural textures and shapes. Cohen intentionally gravitated toward these types of pieces, which are both sophisticated and practical for the couple who wanted their home to feel formal enough to entertain but comfortable enough for their young family. “I’m most proud of how we created a layered, balanced design that brought their vision to life in a way that feels both refined and lived-in,” says Cohen.
She used contrast in color and shape to keep the energy of the space high. The custom-made sofas from Interlude were key in the living room design. “We adjusted the back height and proportion to make sure they were both beautiful and incredibly comfortable,” she adds. Cohen paired them with a wing chair from Lawson Fenning, upholstered in a rich woven peacock blue fabric by Dedar. “I love how it wraps around you,” she says. “It adds both comfort and a little drama.” In the dining room, chairs from Sunpan are curved, wipeable and family friendly but also super stylish.
When weaving in curves, says Cohen, every piece and accent doesn’t have to be rounded. Some can incorporate curves and circular shapes in the fabric or art, like the piece from A.J. Oishi sourced from Mason Lane Art Advisory that she chose for the entryway. “The piece itself is square, but the circular lines within it immediately draw your eye in and make you feel welcomed as soon as you walk in the door,” says Cohen. To add contrast, she chose a few linear pieces, like the desk in the primary bedroom paired with the rounded chair.
Cohen says while it’s fun to pick up a trend you love, be intentional when you do. Be sure to choose trends that work for your space and provide timeless beauty rather than being an of-the-moment fad. “Every room needs some tension, whether that’s shape, texture or color,” says Cohen. “That contrast is what keeps a space interesting.” But the reason she chose curved details was because it worked beautifully to soften the linear space of this New York City apartment. To further accentuate the home’s location, she used lots of blues, greens and yellows which echo the colors of the river views outside. She completed the look with drapery that has a subtle ombré well-suited for an apartment on a high floor. “That almost gives you the feeling of floating on the clouds,” she adds.
While Cohen says she wants to give each design she creates a feeling of being fresh and modern, she focuses most on her clients’ personal needs and the vibe each design creates. “This project really captures what we love to do—create homes that feel elevated but still comfortable and personal,” says Cohen. “At the end of the day, it’s all about how a space makes you feel when you walk in.”
