I was so excited to attend Steve Cordony’s session at Coco Republic Design School last week and he didn’t disappoint.
Steve is interior design editor at belle magazine and responsible for the styling behind those incredible, dramatic, often fantastical photos we devour on its pages each issue. He’s also in great demand as an event stylist, working with glamorous fashion brands, on private parties and more. It’s hard to believe someone so young (28) has such a stunning portfolio of work already. He’s also an incredibly nice guy (don’t you hate it when someone you admire turns out to be well, less than nice?!)
I learned a few interesting things about Steve last week. First, when he was a kid, he used to play a game (on his own!) which he called Renovation Rescue. He’d empty a room, taking all his parents’ furniture outside, then put it all back again and rearrange it. Cue often confused parents when they got home. One two three—Naaaaaw! These days the more sophisticated grown-up Steve is very influenced by fashion and I think it’s fair to say a little bit obsessed with Tom Ford. And candles!
His session was great because not only did he share tips, tricks and shopping destinations, he also gave hands-on demos, like bringing everything from his coffee table at home and arranging it in front of us to show us how it’s done. If you’re interested the contents of a super stylist’s coffee table include a Tom Ford candle, Becker Minty bowl, framed butterfly, Tom Ford (I did warn you!) book and, interestingly, a bonsai! I reckon he’s one of the only people who could make bonsais cool, but there we go. What I liked most was how down to earth Steve was. He gave realistic, affordable suggestions of things to buy and do in our own homes.
We were also let loose (ever heard the expression kid in a candy store?) in the Coco Republic showroom where he showed us a few different ways to make a bed. I do love that practical stuff!
He also told us something about bringing out our inner stylists, starting with the stylist’s toolkit:
- Staple gun
- Tape
- Pins
- Sharpies
- Camera
- Sketchbook
- Laptop.
Then he advises building up your database. Where to start?
- Break it up into categories (linen, floral, events, surfaces etc)
- Go through the address books/stockists pages of homes magazines and start Googling
- Jump online and search websites and design blogs
- Visit shops, pick the product up and really get to know it.
Some of Steve’s favourite stores are:
- Coco Republic
- Becker Minty
- The Country Trader
- Seasonal concepts
- Drawing Room Theory
- Your Display Gallery
- Mitchell Road Auction House
- Les Interieurs
- Rust
- MCM House
- Ici et La
- Orson & Blake
- PAD Interiors
- Quintessential DuckeggBLUE
- Nicholas and Alistair
- Scout House
- Izzi and Popo
That’s enough to whet your styling appetite for one day. I’ll be back with more tomorrow…
Find out more about Coco Republic Design School and its courses here.
