In many ways, our homes are the sum of our lives. They contain the items we've collected throughout the years, and reflect how our tastes have changed over time. In Whoopi Goldberg's New Jersey kitchen, this connection is more explicit.
A 2011 photoshoot captured the comedian in her home, surrounded by glass shelves stacked high with her ceramics collection. Kitchen shelving has always been an avenue for adding color and warmth to the home, but Whoopi's stacked-high shelving takes the technique to the next level. Her pieces are full of personality, ranging from Lalique glass to Roseville pottery, and whimsical, artistic pieces. It includes high-end decorative works by designers like Ferdinand Parpan and Charles Catteau, and a Lucia Friedericy Cheshire cat. They add brilliance to her white and glass kitchen idea.
It's a masterclass in turning kitchen cabinets into self-expression. Alongside a peek inside Whoopi's home, I curated an edit of playful ceramics to help you get the look, in case you're not able to shop the auction of her items at Julien's. I also spoke with an interiors expert to understand the benefits and methods behind making the home an ode to one's personality.
Whoopi's collection reflects her experiences in the film and TV industry, and has a star studded beginning. In 2019, the actress told The New York Times Style Magazine: 'When I first got famous, Elizabeth Taylor told me, “You need to get something every time you work so that you can look back and say, ‘I did this, and I did this, and I did this.’” When you look around my house, it’s all things I can point to to having had a career. She also said, “There will be ups and downs, and I want you to have things that you can look at in the down times that make you lift yourself back up to keep going.” I loved that woman.'
Recreate Whoopi's Look at Home With Characterful Ceramics
Whoopi’s style is a masterclass in 'Eclectic Maximalism,' mixing high-end Art Deco with whimsical, folk-art touches. I've curated an edit of my favorite ceramics for recreating her look, but you can also check out Williams Sonoma for classic stoneware pottery and eBay for vintage McCoy cookie jars to create your own spin on the style. West Elm and CB2 are excellent for sculptural, frosted glass alternatives to Whoopi's R. Lalique pieces.
Pick out an accent shade from your artwork and add accents in that hue around your kitchen to bring a synergy to the scheme. This turquoise vase, beautifully with marble or white cabinets like Whoopi's.
With or without flowers, a vase like this works as a ornamental objet d'art. You could even fill it with rustic wooden spoons and spatulas in a kitchen to make it multi-functional.
This stoneware fig vase is a vibrant statement that will uplift any surface, whether filled with colorful stems or left empty. Place on a coffee table, dresser or mantel for a hit of color and fun.
Unique in shape and material, this handcrafted marble vase is effortlessly elegant. Pair an antique blue and white pot beside it for a beautiful transitional arrangement.
Whoopie's shelves are full of figurines, and these bunnies are a subtle option for recreating the look. They're handcrafted with intricate details, perfect for a cute addition to your glass cabinets.
The green hue would perfectly complement a white kitchen, adding some dimension to the color palette. Less-functional shaped pieces like this lend an intentional and elevated feel to any space.
Whoopi's home is especially relevant right now as interior design trends shift to reflect the personality.
Furniturebox’s Interior Stylist, Laura Rich, explains the move, telling Homes & Gardens: 'There are elements of us throughout our homes, and it’s a beautiful thing when our spaces can reflect our favourite things: memories, interests, hobbies, aesthetics, lifestyle, and ultimately become a place of self-expression. Making your home reflect your personality is often subconscious; we often make interior design choices based on our emotions and lifestyle, and we’ve seen a shift towards characterful interiors prioritising how our spaces make us feel first and foremost.'
Whether you collect ceramics, vintage clothing, or coins, Whoopi's home is a testament to the design power of putting that collection on display. When your home reflects 'you', it always feels effortlessly polished.
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