Ask The Expert: Maison 24 Offers Stylish Home Decor
Bridgehampton’s Maison 24 is the go-to for the latest in high-style contemporary home décor in the Hamptons. We spoke with co-owner Allison Julius to get her insight on decorating on a budget, investment pieces and everything in between.
Can you tell us about some of the new designers that you’ve introduced this season?
We launched Rory Dobner in the Hamptons this season. He is a UK artist and designer whose designs blend Victorian era motifs with edgy, sexy, rock n’ roll references. We carry his intricate ink drawings, tiles, pillows, mugs and candles, as well as his large-scale paintings on steel. We’re thrilled to have been the first to show his work in New York and now in the Hamptons.
What items do you currently have in your East End store that you’re most excited about?
Jimmie Martin is a design duo we represent, also from the UK, who has a new collection of cushions including, a flamingo motif that is very Miami Vice-esque but in a good way! I was a huge fan of the show and every time I look at the pillows I remember the opening with all those fluttering pink
flamingos!
How does your Hamptons store differ from the one in the city?
We carry Parke & Ronen menswear and swimwear, Dubbel Duffel bags, lots of melamine and acrylic dinnerware and barware. All the things you really want and need for summer are in our Bridgehampton store. In our city location, we are the New York partner for Bell Invito, a couture custom stationery company from Texas. We offer endless styles of wedding, event and personal stationery, and we do that only in New York because we feel during summer weekends, everyone is focused on relaxing and entertaining. Ordering invitations and stationery is done in the city when people aren’t in vacation mode.
How do you go about sourcing the pieces you carry?
We travel to trade shows and vendors in Europe and the U.S., and we’re always focused on looking for great design—if we’re in a restaurant and the person at the next table has a fabulous bag or great bracelet we’ve never seen we’ll, politely, ask where it’s from and then go after getting it for Maison 24.
What are some easy ways people can revamp their Hamptons home when on a budget?
Painting is a great way to freshen and brighten your home. To keep it easy and inexpensive, you can choose a single wall, maybe behind your bed or behind the sofa in your den, and just paint it a bright color to add pop or a rich grey or chestnut to add warmth. Accent pillows are another great, inexpensive way to bring new life to a bed, sofa or chair.
How do you suggest going about shopping for an investment piece?
Take your time and focus on what you love. If you love Fornasetti or Lucite, then save, search and wait until you can buy a special piece of furniture that you know you will never grow tired of owning.
You stock accessories as well. Can you tell us about some standout hostess gifts?
The runaway hit of the summer is our Birkin bag inspired multi-use board. It can be a used as a cutting board, trivet or serving tray but it’s so cute, people are buying it for the design first and the functionality second.
What do you think are some of the most common mistakes people make when decorating their homes?
Over-thinking whether something will ‘go’ or ‘match’ with what they already own. If you love it and it makes you happy, buy it and you’ll find a spot in your home to make it work.
Where do you go for design inspiration?
We love visiting hotels, even when we’re not traveling. They are places where you will always find a cross-section of people from all over the world, so the people watching is great from a fashion perspective and we find a lot of inspiration in hotel design. Our Maison 24 furniture collection is actually named after our favorite hotels.