Colin Cowie Talks Decor, Party Planning for the JW Marriott Houston Dwtn and Ruthless Editing

Photo by Jay Marroquin

I was so fortunate to sit down with lifestyle guru, party planner to the stars [while being a star himself] television personality and writer, Colin Cowie.  You can imagine my bliss when I found out I was going to be talking parties and decor with Colin, who’s recent time in Houston has been spent planning the incredible JW Houston Downtown launch party that took took place last night [that everyone is talking about today]. Colin has has been profiled and quoted extensively in many periodicals, including The New York Times, People, Architectural Digest, In Style, Town & Country, Us Weekly, Reader’s Digest, USA Today, The LA Times, Modern Bride, is the author of eight books thus far, has many TV appearances under his belt plus hosting the TV series Everyday Elegance. His advice is timeless just like he is:

Chiara: What is your “go to” decor style for smaller spaces?

Colin: For small spaces I like to put one big piece of furniture in there because people usually take small pieces of furniture into small spaces and it looks small. But one, big, over scaled piece in there [a room] tends to break it up. For example a big sofa in a small room and then smaller pieces around it, or maybe a big piece of art work that just draws you in.

Chiara: Love it, since we’re on art work what are your suggestions for young couple looking to buy or make an investment in art work for their home? Are there auctions or up and coming artists.

Colin: It’s about educating yourself. I don’t think you should be buying for investment when your starting, you should learn what your own personal taste is. Start going to galleries on a Sunday afternoon. It’s fall now, it’s not beach weather, so it’s fun to go and spend an afternoon going to three or four galleries. That way you can start figuring out what speaks to you; is it black and white photography, is it still life, contemporary, traditional. Figure out where it starts and then you can start to collect. Look at things like One Kings Lane or online auctions, there so many great areas and arenas we can access art through that we never had before. But collecting starts with your heart and your connection. 

Chiara: What is your personal aesthetic for your home?

Colin: Extremely chic, incredibly edited and although I’m a collector of many, many things I’m an minimalist. So I have very few things but I’m constantly changing those things. I love the idea of being able to have spaces that morph. I always like to create an expansive frame work that gives the the ability to morph and to change. 

Chiara: How often you morph or change your pieces around? 

Colin: Like every six months I’ll move pieces around, I’ll move artwork around, but I would say clearly contemporary. But I like comfortable, chic elegant spaces and I love spaces that allow me to entertain. You can find a cocktail in every room in my home.

Chiara: Of course, very fitting. So where do you draw inspiration from when planning an event?

Colin: Usually my inspiration starts with the DNA of what it is. So in this instance the DNA of the event was the JW Marriott Houston Downtown and I think it’s pretty clear what the DNA is. For a couple for a wedding for instance it’s their joined statment  to start becomes the DNA. I’ve had this approach that I’ve used for everything for the last 20+ years and I add to that from the time you arrive to the time you leave. I take you through all the senses; smell, touch, taste, feel and hear. Continually manipulating, enhancing and changing so we take you on this very magical journey with a beginning, middle and end. And you will see that tonight. There’s a rhythm to how the party starts, how we get a critical mass going and how it will appeal to all the senses as you make your way from the front door, right through this hotel all the way until you depart.

Chiara: New decor trends for 2015???

Life is more about mixing and less to do with matching.  In all my travels I find beautiful things all over the place. Im also very much a monochromatic person. I don’t like for example the blue room, the green room followed by a yellow room, I kinda like to take the same approach to my work where there is a thread of style that starts from the front door and goes to the back door- it always looks like it’s the same hand that drew all the way though, so it’s very cohesive. That way I can tell a much better story rather than someone who has a great passion for something in one room and something else in another room. For me a great start comes from ruthless editing, invariably there is too much stuff around everywhere, the first thing I do when I go into spaces is I take things away.

“It’s like the Chanel quote” – Magen chimes in and I laugh. 

Colin: Yes, exactly before you walk out look in the mirror and the first thing that catches your eye- take it off.   

Photo by Jay Marroquin

Photo by Jay Marroquin

Photo by Jay Marroquin