How-Tos

Dramatic Décor: How to Design Like Juliette Thomas

An expert in creating interiors with a sense of opulence and sophistication, Juliette Thomas shares three design principles for anyone looking for luxury

For Juliette Thomas of Juliettes Interiors, luxury begins at home. Thomas started her business, which not only designs sumptuous interiors but also commissions the furniture to fill them, more than a decade ago, working first from her kitchen table before moving to offices in London’s Chelsea.

“As a child, I used to make miniature furniture out of yogurt pots, and I played with doll’s houses, rearranging rooms and making curtains. So I’ve always had a love of interiors,” she observes.

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A black and gold bench takes inspiration from Greek and Roman decorative design elements.
A black and gold bench takes inspiration from Greek and Roman decorative design elements.

With a successful career built on a talent for creating livable spaces with a sense of opulence and sophistication, Thomas caters to clientele looking to outfit their homes or yachts with depth and detail, and hoteliers seeking a new look. Here she shares her three quick tips for creating a luxurious space.

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1. Start with a focal point
Thomas often approaches a project by starting with a focal point: “A sofa in the living room, the paneling or a chandelier—I work outwards from there.”

A Louis Philippe mirror—in ivory with hand-painted gold detailing—captures the intention of a statement piece.
A Louis Philippe mirror—in ivory with hand-painted gold detailing—captures the intention of a statement piece.

Maybe it’s an embossed leather cabinet in a high-gloss black lacquer or a Murano glass chandelier. (Juliettes Interiors often sources difficult-to-find items from mainland Europe.) Or perhaps a red-velvet upholstered bed?

Mixing differing styles can create an eclectic yet cohesive look

From this central statement piece, Thomas and her designers will pull the whole look together. “We’ll identify a client’s overall style, then suggest items that complement the focal point and suit a particular part of the property. Almost anything can be customized, from rugs, curtains, blinds, and furniture, to accessories, lighting, and wallpaper.”

Thomas also suggests using mood boards to translate and visualize design ideas.

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This dining table features an ebony veneered top and an upholstered ivory leather pedestal base, with chrome details.
This dining table features an ebony veneered top and an upholstered ivory leather pedestal base, with chrome details.

2. Add touches of glamour
“It is no secret that I am drawn to a very luxurious and glamorous style,” Thomas says. “This shines through in my choice of designer furniture collections.” A quick look at her portfolio bears this out.

It is no secret that I am drawn to a very luxurious and glamorous style

Take an Italian-made sideboard: the diamond-patterned doors have a mother-of-pearl finish—also available in glittering gold—that reflects the light beautifully. Another opulent option for an accent piece is a golden dressing screen, whose gold-plated frame is complemented by textured gold velour fabric.

“I love unique, bespoke pieces myself—anything opulent, classy, and exclusive,” Thomas says.

In the Mayfair Collection, Art Deco style is complemented by timeless glamour.
In the Mayfair Collection, Art Deco style is complemented by timeless glamour.

3. Blend contemporary and classical motifs
New clients—including royalty, heads of state, and celebrities—often come to the business via word of mouth, drawn by the company’s ability to blend contemporary and classical motifs in livable spaces: “Rich opulent fabrics mixed with on-trend metallics, for example,” Thomas says.

Mixing differing styles can create an eclectic yet cohesive look, offering flexibility and a much richer finish than a matched set, she adds.

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For a home in Provence, for example, adding character and personality was key. Designers took inspiration from the lavender dotted throughout the property’s grounds, mirroring these tones in the home and around the pool area with super-soft towels, together with striped and contrasting cushions.

For its Italian Collection, Juliettes Interiors has curated a selection of furniture with soft lines and palatial designs.
For its Italian Collection, Juliettes Interiors has curated a selection of furniture with soft lines and palatial designs.

Juliettes Interiors is certainly contemporary when it comes to billing clients—it’s the first upscale retail business to accept the controversial Bitcoin. “Quite a few of our customers are Bitcoin success stories. In 18 months’ time, paying with Bitcoin will be mainstream; no one will think twice about it.” Until then, Thomas and her team are sure to stay busy with their new and ongoing projects.