The Barbara Barry for Baker furniture collection
 
  Restoration Hardware’s Lorraine bed

While it might not quite yield the proverbial blank canvas that serves as a starting point for a new interior scheme, a complete clean-out will allow you to better see the strengths and weaknesses of your current design. “Start by removing all the clutter,” says Morabito. “Go through the exploding closets, the garage, and the attic and edit your belongings. Buy organizational baskets and containers and make your home neater. I guarantee you’ll feel better.”

Although the informal shabby-chic trend has been popular in recent years for beach homes, it is being eased out by a number of more sophisticated looks. “An interesting residential design trend I have seen lately is pairing a traditional exterior with very sleek, modern, and crisp interior design,” says Susan Breitenbach, senior vice president of The Corcoran Group. Mix in some iconic contemporary furnishings, like the transparent acrylic Ghost Chair by Philippe Starck or anything from the Memphis design movement, then add a few industrially influenced antiques to give your home an atelier-like feel.

For those of a more conservative bent, the updated classic style exemplified by the designs of Barbara Barry, an inductee into the Interior Design Hall of Fame and a former Elle Decor Designer of the Year winner, is versatile enough for both everyday living and upscale entertaining. Polished but not stiff, it’s a tailored look that puts a twist on timeless models for seating, tables, and cabinets by using out-ofthe- ordinary, hand-finished fabrics and unusual woods. Another quality that sets this furniture apart from the crowd is its finely tuned proportions. Like a work of architecture, every detail has been considered and resolved.

DIRECTORY

BDDW
A boutique company known for creating heirloom-quality solid hardwood furniture, BDDW uses traditional joinery methods and hand-rubbed finishes of natural oils and lacquers to craft exquisite pieces sure to define any space. 5 Crosby St., NYC, 212-625-1230

Classic Galleries
Renowned designer Barbara Berry’s trademark tailoring is evident in her new furniture collection for Baker. Casual yet smart, the line is upscale without being ostentatious. 243 Main St., Huntington, 427-1045; classicgalleriesfurniture.com

Nova Studio
From bedrooms to kitchens, storage to lighting and home accents, Nova Studio’s spacious showroom has been bringing the best of European design to discerning clients for more than 30 years. 1085 Northern Blvd., Roslyn, 516-869-6600

Restoration Hardware
Evoking an aura of history, the wares at Restoration Hardware—be it living room furniture, bedroom suites, even decorative knickknacks and lighting—have been imaginatively curated. 69 Main St., East Hampton, 907-1300

Roche Bobois
Jean Paul Gaultier, Hans Hopfer, José Lévy—these are a few of the boldface designers whose work is on display at Roche Bobois’s 10,000-square-foot showroom filled with modern furniture items and colorful home accents. 1180 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, 516-365- 9755