7 Ways to 'Happy Chic' Your House and Life
Jonathan Adler dishes on how to create a joyful, meaningful home with plenty of room for humor and style
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Jonathan Adler's approach to life reflects his approach to home decorating: He always tries to be chic, bold and memorable. For Adler, a dwelling is a reflection of an emotional state, and making a home is as much about finding happiness as it is about finding the perfect sofa or dining table.
In 100 Ways to Happy Chic Your Life (Sterling, November 2012), the third installment in his Happy Chic series, Adler shares design ideas as freely as he doles out self-help advice — and that's the point. "I want this book to be as much a lifestyle bible as a decorating bible," he says, adding, "You only live once. As Auntie Mame said, 'Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death." Here are seven ways to add some of that Adler zest into your own space.
In 100 Ways to Happy Chic Your Life (Sterling, November 2012), the third installment in his Happy Chic series, Adler shares design ideas as freely as he doles out self-help advice — and that's the point. "I want this book to be as much a lifestyle bible as a decorating bible," he says, adding, "You only live once. As Auntie Mame said, 'Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death." Here are seven ways to add some of that Adler zest into your own space.
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1. Marry art and wall. Adler points out that although most people would leave this ebony tile wall bare, he favors the opposite: hanging a piece of art here. Art against tile instead of a plain wall works like a beautiful marriage, he says; they complement and elevate each other.
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2. Do your doorknobs right. The entry is your opening statement to guests; an unsightly doorknob prevents the space from soaring. As Adler says, the doorknob is the first thing people touch, so make every single knob in the house count.
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3. Embrace irreverence. Adler's husband, Simon Doonan, defaced this vintage George Washington print by adding personal touches (eyepatch, moustache, red lips and — wait for it — a Prince symbol pendant). "You tire easily when you're serious all the time. You can put a twist on pretty much everything. Nothing's too sacred," says Adler.
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4. Listen to the tingling of wood chimes. The yin to Adler's usually spirited yang, wind chimes signal a kind of winding down to the mind and, according to the designer, are best admired at dusk. In addition to encouraging listening to chimes colliding, Adler also advocates napping in odd corners and nooks, having afternoon tea like the Brits and spoiling yourself outside of a special occasion.
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5. Go for all black. There's nothing more fabulous than heading out of the house dressed in head-to-toe black than a room — or an entire house — painted in ebony. Adler says that the less fabulous something seems it would look painted black, the more glamorous it will actually be in black.
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6. Show a little wear and tear. These citrine French industrial lamps display what Adler calls "war wounds," showing the scratches and dings of its past life. Preloved and well-worn decor elevates a space and bares its soul. As in home decor, Adler recommends choosing friends with a few dings, too.
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7. Turn the bookshelf into a composition. "Don't think of the bookshelf as a repository. Keep your shelves vital and integrated," says Adler. He enlivened the bookshelf in this home, using it as a large-scale focal point and mixing art, lighting, textures and other "un-bookish things," as he calls them, with reading material.
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"You don't always have to spend money to 'happy chic' your life. You can start by rearranging your furniture — there's never one right placement," says Adler, shown here.
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Adler says that although his lifestyle and design tome is all about bringing joy into the home, his work as a designer is anything but constant cheer.
"I work really hard as a designer, and I'm borderline tortured, à la Vincent van Gogh," he says. "I work hard to make things that look effortlessly put together and also happen to bring joy into people's lives."
"I work really hard as a designer, and I'm borderline tortured, à la Vincent van Gogh," he says. "I work hard to make things that look effortlessly put together and also happen to bring joy into people's lives."
Comments
Paintings by Kirsten Elizabeth Gilmore Would it be fair to classify "happy chic" as similar to the "eclectic" style, but with a focus on humor and juxtaposition of textures?
5 months ago · Like
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olldbobbi "Show a Little Wear and Tear" is no problem in my house! Everything shows a little wear and tear. We must qualify for the Jonathan Adler style of decor!
5 months ago · Like
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Casart Coverings Not too shabby-5 out of 7 I've put into practice. The 2nd suggestion about the doorknobs was something I've never thought about before. I've always loved dressing in black (so slimming) but have never dressed a room in black, yet. I change furniture arrangements seasonally. Perhaps I'm just easily bored or have a short attention span, or both.
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Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel I'm sick of wearing black, but I love it on walls. Gorgeous.
5 months ago · Like
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ARTnBED "Chic, bold and memorable" a guide to the good life!
5 months ago · Like
catamia Where did you find the red hood fireplace?? - my father & colleague designed this n the 50-60's! Originally called the Firehood fireplace.
5 months ago · Like
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patscats2 Love the dog with the hats.
5 months ago · Like
davisbj What fun place!! I'd like to add a little of the "happy chic" style to my house.
5 months ago · Like
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Tile-Stones Really love the book shelf idea... Although it only works if you don't have very many actual books that need to be kept there!
5 months ago · Like
CAROLE MEYER This post is full of wonderful ideas and images......thanks.
5 months ago · Like
Karla Walter This has been my favorite post!! Love~~~~~~~ Love
5 months ago · Like
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mmsalg A little custom patchwork can make you happy. http://custm.co/hz/121 
5 months ago · Like
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silverscreenstar We have a rosewood dining table and chairs. The room is, wait for it, BLACK. I chose it because it brings out the near-black grain of the beautiful rosewood. It is scandinavian and ultra modern, in stark contrast the the rest of our home, which is very traditional. I enjoy the contrast.
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MH Canada I think Another way to add a happy feel to your home is replace the dining chairs and table with bar stools. Their contemporary style adds elegance to the dining room. And somehow they remind you of bars and happy times in a way. 
5 months ago · Like
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rower27 lost all credibility on the wind chime recommendations...nothing more irritating in the world
4 months ago · Like
A. Peltier Interiors You have really touched on some points that should never be overlooked no mater what style you are going for. Design is all in the details!
4 months ago · Like
peggyywilcox "Happy Chic" is a wonderful collection of ideas. An interior designer once told me that evey room needs a bit of humor! This certianly lives up to that statement!
4 months ago · Like
spitzerkr So glad that there is humor in decorating!
4 months ago · Like
urthcreature love the chairs in the last picture. And that neat doorknob :) and the dog
4 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Dec. 15, 2012.
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