A year after moving into my first studio apartment, I finally felt ready to shoot it for Domino this spring (keep an eye out for the story in a few weeks!). Now that I’ve documented its first iteration, though, I’m getting the itch to play around again, break some rules, and, naturally, do some more shopping. First order of business? Add even more chrome-finish decor—a design crush sparked by, what else, a trip to Italy—than I already have.

Chrome, the finish or the real deal, has been my metal of choice ever since I first stepped into a Dimore show at 2022’s Salone del Mobile design fair. The furniture gallery is no stranger to a shimmery surface—even the exterior of its Milan location is covered in silver paint. These days, shiny stuff is truly everywhere, from my Instagram feed to my apartment (we’re talking my reading lamp and the bedside table it’s on). I firmly believe there’s no such thing as too much. Like mirrors, shiny objects reflect off of each other, making my tiny space feel glowy and bright no matter the weather.

Photography by Pablo Zamora; Design by Casa Josephine Studio (2021)

My favorite high-shine finds right now:

01. Long before I finally visited Frama’s concept store in Copenhagen, I had a major crush on the brand. I’m currently coveting the aluminum Rivet cart; those utilitarian orange wheels are so unexpected. Fun fact: You can leave it outside and it won’t rust.

02. Can’t believe this light is Zara Home? Neither could I. I’m obsessed with everything from its old-school switch to its braided cable and miniature scale (it’s just under 7 inches tall).

03. A friend of mine just got this stainless steel lamp, and its polished finish means it lights up her living room in more ways than one.

04. You heard it here first: The next shiny object I buy will be a mercury glass ball inspired by the ones architect Luis Barragán scattered around his homes in Mexico. I’m picturing it on top of my kitchen cabinets, reflecting my entire studio.

05. I’ve saved pretty much everything on Casa Josephine’s Instagram feed. While some might say that too much shine makes a space feel cold, the design studio’s Madrid project softens it all with a warm Creamsicle palette; the stainless steel appliances and mirrored cabinets are balanced with a butter yellow brick wall.

06. I wasn’t aware that tabletop waste bins were a thing until I laid eyes on this charming metal one. Shaped like a little house, you don’t put this cutie in a corner.

07. I want my next dinner party to involve these Elsa Peretti–esque bean-shaped candleholders. They’re made from sterling silver–plated copper, giving them a nice weight that justifies the splurge.

08. This may look like Marcel Breuer’s pricey Laccio table, but it’s just $79 from IKEA’s newish Nytillverkad collection. The design originally appeared in the 1971 catalog, so it’s basically vintage.

Marcel Breuer’s chrome-framed chairs blew up in the Bauhaus movement, and they’ve only become cooler over time. (If I had a dollar for every Cesca I saw on Instagram.) You can snag his iconic Wassily chair at DWR, but if you’re not looking to totally ball out, there’s plenty more groovy seating out there that won’t break the bank.

PROS

• Greenguard Gold certified, so it won’t pollute your air

• Extra-durable contract grade

• 48 fabric options

• White-glove delivery available

• Optional 3-year protection plan

CONS

• Won’t arrive until at least July

• Cushions filled with not-so-eco polyester fiber

PROS

• Currently $350 off

• Sustainably sourced, FSC-certified pine veneer & engineered wood 

• White-glove delivery available

CONS

• Polyester upholstery isn’t great for Mother Earth 

• No warranty or protection plans available

PROS

• Stamped with designer’s signature

• Made in Italy 

• 9 fabric options

• 5-year warranty included

• Fun backstory—frame is inspired by bicycle handlebars

CONS

• No cushions = less comfortable

• Won’t ship for six weeks

It probably doesn’t come as a shock that my saved folder is mostly full of spaces starring shiny finds I may never be able to afford but will definitely be dreaming about. Here are the ones I keep returning to:

• This chrome-filled home tour may not be in English, but it includes one of the best kitchens I’ve ever seen. Google Translate revealed that the matte cabinets are brushed stainless steel.

• Spotted at Paris’s new design salon Matter and Shape: this shiny tray holding shiny Alessi vessels. Is there anything more satisfying? 

• I had the pleasure of checking out the Max Lamb show at Salon 94 in March, and among rows and rows of his Economy chairs, made from Styrofoam and rubber polymer, were a select few covered in silver nitrate. 

• I’m still thinking about this EJR Barnes show I saw at Emma Scully Gallery last fall. The London-based designer seamlessly mixes stainless steel with warm wood and cast glass, but the piece that is imprinted in my brain forever is the Emergency Best Friend cocktail pedestal. It’s fit with impossibly delicate stemware that reminds me of calla lilies.

• Can we have a moment of appreciation for this Art Deco silver-plated tea set? The scallops! The wood handles! The patina! No grandma vibes here.

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