From a giant grey couch in crushed velvet to the carpet in a matching shade of nothingness, there’s a certain look beloved by mid-tier celebrities who love to show off their homes on Instagram.
The likes of Molly Mae Hague and Michelle Keegan reside in monotone palaces where everything is 50 shades of beige – or grey – but some of their counterparts have added a few key fixtures to show off their superior taste.
Take Stacey Solomon who proudly boasts that stalwart of a posh kitchen, the Aga, at her Pickle Cottage home.
However, no matter how much money you’ve spent on the deep-pile neutral carpets or high-end tech and appliances, there’s no denying that money can’t always buy an enviable interior.
Even within the worlds of the super rich, there are rules about what counts as ‘tacky’ and ‘classy’ – and even the wealthiest of A-listers can fall victim to ‘gaudy’ decor.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, interiors expert Jordana Ashkenazi gave her verdict on the telltale signs that your house signals ‘new money’ which the elite may raise an eyebrow at…
Huge TVs
Michelle and Mark always decorate their house up to the nines for special occassions – but at the centrepiece of all their interiors is a huge TV
Michelle Keegan and her husband Mark have become known for their impressively decorated house – and have before featured a festive look into their decorated living room, which featured a huge TV front and centre.
Jordana: A massive TV slapped on the wall is peak nouveau riche. If you’re going big, integrate it into joinery or cabinetry so it disappears when it’s not in use. No one needs a screen on display all day.
All white or beige furniture
Neutral tones seem to be the go-to colour scheme for the rich and famous, layered in tones of white, beige and brown. Famous for her love of such a ‘clean girl’ aesthetic is Molly-Mae Hague
Charlotte Dawson’s monochrome cinema room proved that it’s not just light neutrals that celebs reach for
Neutral tones seem to be the go-to colour scheme for the rich and famous, layered in tones of white, beige and brown. Famous for her love of such a ‘clean girl’ aesthetic is Molly-Mae Hague.
Jordana: All-beige interiors photograph beautifully but often feel flat in real life. True luxury has confidence, depth and contrast, not a fear of colour or personality.
Silver carpets and crushed velvet
They were all the rage in 2020, but despite falling out of favour crushed velvet and silver carpets are still popular furnishing choices for British A-listers
It includes the likes of Lauren Goodger, who has opted for the neutral yet bright furnishing for her floors and presenter Billie Shepherd (pictured)
They were all the rage in 2020, but despite falling out of favour crushed velvet and silver carpets are still popular furnishing choices for British A-listers.
It includes the likes of Lauren Goodger, who has opted for the neutral yet bright furnishing for her floors and presenter Billie Shepherd.
Jordana: Silver and grey carpets are dated and scream ‘I wanted it to look expensive quickly’. They’re high-impact, low-style and never age well. Crushed velvet is just tacky. Please, someone, make it stop. It never should have existed in the first place, and I still don’t understand how it ever became a thing.
Marble everywhere
Marble is a go-to material for many who want to furnish a beautiful home – and Molly-Mae Hague is no different, enjoying several designs on her counter and the floor
Emma McVey’s marble bathroom is among the examples of celebrities’ fondness for the stone
Marble is a go-to material for many who want to furnish a beautiful home – and Molly-Mae Hague is no different, enjoying two kinds of designs on the counter and floor.
Jordana: Marble is beautiful, but when it’s used excessively it starts to feel more hotel lobby than home. Quiet luxury is selective. You don’t use marble just to say, ‘look at me, I can afford marble, so I’m putting it everywhere’. One or two standout pieces as a focal point will always look far more expensive.
Mirrored decorative objects
While sometimes it’s multiple scattered little mirrors, othertimes – like in Chloe’s case – it’s a huge accented wall
Chloe Sims’ mirror wall is one of the many examples of celebrities’ penchant for reflective surfaces. While sometimes it’s multiple scattered little mirrors, othertimes – like in Chloe’s case – it’s a huge accented wall.
Jordana: This look is very ‘look at me’ glamour. Lots of mirrored accessories, chrome finishes and shiny objects stacked together tend to feel more nightclub dressing room than timeless home. A single mirrored piece can work beautifully, but when everything is reflective it quickly tips into flashy and a bit try-hard.
An Aga that no one knows how to use
While Stacey Solomon likely does know how to use her Aga, Jordana explained that it’s less about the device itself and more about the aspirational qualities that come with it
While Stacey Solomon likely does know how to use her Aga, Jordana explained that it’s less about the device itself and more about the aspirational qualities that come with it
While Stacey Solomon likely does know how to use her Aga, Jordana explained that it’s less about the device itself and more about the aspirational qualities that come with it. To take it one step further, company Rural Ranges upgraded her to a ‘Go Gold’ package with a glitzy bespoke appliance featuring a glamorous touch.
Jordana: An Aga that’s never switched on is a classic status purchase. It’s less about cooking and more about saying ‘we’ve arrived’, even if no one has a clue how it works.
Bouclé soft furnishings
Lucy Mecklenburgh is among the dozens of celebrities who have become absolutely taken with bouclé. The material features in many A-listers’ homes – usually in the form of a cosy sofa or a comfortable ‘nook’
Lucy Mecklenburgh is among the dozens of celebrities who have become absolutely taken with bouclé. The material features in many A-listers’ homes – usually in the form of a cosy sofa or a comfortable ‘nook’.
Jordana: Bouclé is fine in moderation, but too much of it feels trend-led and predictable. When it’s everywhere, it starts to look more showroom than sophisticated home.
Statement light fixtures
Chloe Ferry recently showed off her new home – which in particular made a statement with its huge light fixture in the middle of the living room
Charlotte Dawson too seems to be fond of a huge statement chandelier – including one in her closet
Chloe Ferry recently showed off her new home – which in particular made a statement with its huge light fixture in the middle of the living room.
Jordana: Statement lighting can be fantastic, but if everything is fighting for attention the room loses its balance. And please, no more fake chandeliers. They don’t say wealth, they say tacky. The most expensive interiors know when to whisper.
Loads of pillows on the bed
Molly-Mae Hague showed off one of the bedrooms in her sprawling house – which featured a whopping four stacks of pillows just for one side.
Molly-Mae Hague showed off one of the bedrooms in her sprawling house – which featured a whopping four stacks of pillows just for one side.
Jordana: Luxury doesn’t require a nightly pillow workout. A few beautiful, high-quality cushions look far more elegant, and four to five is absolutely plenty.
Geometric glass decor
Gemma Collins is known for her eclectic taste, but among them is a ‘new money’ staple – geometric glass decor
Gemma Collins is known for her eclectic taste, but among them is a ‘new money’ staple – geometric glass decor.
Jordana: Geometric glass accessories can look nice in small doses, but too many feel decorative rather than meaningful. Minimal use is chic. Overuse is very new money.
