Lisa Salzer’s jewelry line, Lulu Frost, is known for its genius mash-up of modern and vintage elements, and the same could be said about her and her husband’s stylishly lived-in, jewel-box-size Manhattan apartment. The newlyweds—Lisa and contemporary-ballet dancer Marlon Taylor-Wiles tied the knot last October in Montauk—frequently collaborate on projects (he’s the co-designer for George Frost, the unisex offshoot of her main line), so it’s no wonder they were on the same page when it came to decorating their apartment. The effortlessly cool couple invited us over to check out their artistic, well-appointed home and shared their advice for couples on merging belongings and creating a stylish, harmonious abode—together.
The painting hanging above the sofa in the living room is a prized find: The couple happened upon someone on the street who was throwing it out. “We took it home, and it’s the centerpiece of our apartment,” says Lisa.
Design for Company
“We love to entertain, so it’s very important to us that our guests feel comfortable in our home,” Lisa says. Gatherings are centered around the living room, which was designed with multiple seating nooks to create instant conversation areas. “We can easily have 10 friends over, and they can sit anywhere—on the floor, on the ottoman, on the sheepskin rug in front of the fireplace,” says Lisa. “We’ll play records, get a fire going, drink wine. It’s a very comfortable home, and that’s exactly what we wanted.”
Play Up Your Home’s Best Features
Despite its diminutive size (just 600 square feet!), the couple’s apartment boasts tall ceilings, which they emphasized as much as possible. Extra-long curtains were hung high above the living room windows to elongate the silhouette, and a graceful ficus tree was placed in a corner to emphasize the height of the room. The couple also painted one wall in the living room a rich navy blue. “This created a focal point and helps draw the eye upward,” Lisa says.
The records next to their Crosley player were a wedding gift from a friend. “He chose some of his favorite records and gave them to us, along with little handwritten notes describing what he loved about it or why he thought Marlon or I might like it,” Lisa says. “It was such a sweet and sentimental gift.”
“We love sitting by the fire, especially in the winter,” says Lisa. On the mantel is an Art Deco-inspired mirrored piece Lisa bought years ago from One Kings Lane.
Decorate and Learn About Each Other
Sure, you may think you know your spouse inside and out, but merging your belongings is a chance to learn even more. “Marlon has traveled the world as a dancer and has an incredible art collection,” Lisa says. “I learned so much about where he’s been and the amazing stories behind his favorite pieces.”
Tumbling out of the fireplace are rocks and driftwood from Lisa and Marlon’s wedding. Lisa’s mother collected them for the nuptials, and guests were invited to write messages and well wishes to the couple.
Also on the mantel is an incense chamber Lisa found at Neighborhood, a boutique in Tokyo. “When the incense is burning, smoke comes out of the eyes!” she says. The chamber is emblazoned with the Thomas Jefferson adage “Never put off for tomorrow, what you can do today.”
The framed piece behind the couple, by artists Francesco and Alba Clemente, depicts Marlon and his dance company performing for the Prince of Monaco. The mounted skateboard decks were designed by one of Lisa’s favorite artists, Marilyn Minter, for Supreme.
Collaborate on a Gallery Wall
Salon-style gallery walls are having a moment, and they’re the perfect way to unite your individual collections of art, mementos, and found objects into a single one that visually represents your new, combined life together. When it came to creating a gallery wall in their dining room, Lisa and Marlon approached it methodically, first laying all the potential pieces on the floor, mixing and matching to figure out the perfect layout. “Initially I thought everything should be in a black frame, but Marlon preferred a more eclectic look,” says Lisa. “Now I like it that way—gold, black, brown, white frames, some pieces without frames. It’s a cool way to do art, to not make everything uniform.”
Lisa’s enviable jewelry collection is displayed in plain view on an old wooden shelf with cubbies just the right size for her necklaces and porcelain dishes of rings and bracelets. The shelf is incorporated into the couple’s dining room gallery wall. “It’s my jewelry box,” says Lisa, “and I love having everything easily accessible.”
The entryway is decorated with pieces collected from their travels, including a papier-mâché deer head, African masks, and a Tibetan singing bowl.
The framed floral piece was a gift from Marlon to Lisa that he picked up in Palermo, Italy, while on a dance trip.
Start with a Clean Slate
After Marlon moved in to Lisa’s apartment, rather than having him work his belongings into the existing decor, the couple decided to start fresh. “Marlon definitely has his own sense of style, so I was thrilled to combine his belongings with my own,” says Lisa. “We redid the apartment when he moved in—bought a few new pieces of furniture and painted the walls so everything felt fresh. It was important that we both loved our space.” Starting with a blank canvas and then making a few big decor decisions together will make it easier for both of you to call your place home.
Their “happy bookshelf,” as Lisa likes to call it, is artfully arranged with color-coded tomes, favorite photos, old records, and pieces from their travels. “The colored markers I use to sketch and draw are on display too,” says Lisa. The framed piece on the top right shelf features several Native American portraits; Lisa got it in Montana when she was working there on a cattle ranch.
The items displayed above their bed have special meaning to the couple: Marlon found the piece of driftwood during his first trip to Montauk. The framed map of Morocco was one of Lisa’s flea market finds and foreshadowed where they would ultimately enjoy their honeymoon.
The textile piece on the bedroom wall was made by one of Lisa’s best friends from college. “She created that for us as a wedding gift, and it’s hanging from a piece of Utah pine,” Lisa says.
More necklaces are displayed on a pair of antique Indian wooden glove-making molds that Lisa picked up while traveling in Nepal. Behind them is a 1930s electric panel originally from the Con Edison building in New York City.
We’ll play records, get a fire going, drink wine. It’s a very comfortable home, and that’s exactly what we wanted.
Relaxation time for the newlyweds typically happens in the living room.
Marlon designed Lisa’s Art Deco-inspired engagement ring, which features hand-cut emeralds and onyx stones around an antique diamond.
The couple stop by one of their favorite local spots.
We redid the apartment when he moved in—bought a few new pieces of furniture and painted the walls so everything felt fresh. It was important that we both loved our space.
Cute couple! I hope it will be a very happy home.
What’s the name of the blue paint?