Stories

Exceptional, timeless design has always been at the core of everything we do at Stearns & Foster, and we constantly search for new places, ideas, and people that inspire us. We feel honored to partner with these highly sought-after interior design experts to bring you the latest in design trends and tips to help you create your dream bedroom.

When it comes to design, facing a blank canvas can often feel intimidating. While many of today's design trends feature minimalism and neutral tones, this design council member aims to push those boundaries — reassuring us that color is key.

Corey Damen Jenkins excels in this area, known for mixing vivid colors with bold, layered patterns resulting in inspired, inventive, and unexpected spaces. Pulling inspiration from haute runway couture, Corey opts for timeless, luxurious, fashion-forward materials to maintain classic spaces with no expiration date.

Corey, a Detroit native, is an inducted member of Architectural Digest's AD100 list and ELLE Décor's A-List. He describes his design philosophy as “new maximalist”: a bold, Continental mix of elegance and modernity.[1] Whether creating seamless combinations of traditional architectural spaces or incorporating heirloom elements with vibrant colors, intriguing textures, or layers of bold patterns – he's not afraid to put a thought-provoking spin on any room.

According to Corey, the key to developing crisp, elegant spaces is simple; “I look at designing a room like casting a movie,” he says. “I always cast a lead actor and lead actress first. In other words, commit to one or two key choices.”[2] Once you establish the statement piece, he encourages us to curate the remaining space around those items — being careful to complement but never overpower. Understanding the principles of design and how textures, colors, and pieces interact is the most important aspect of creating an aesthetic, cohesive space. Throughout his designs, don’t be surprised to find a jewel-tone loveseat paired with romantic, powerful wallpaper with gold accents. Or a sapphire velvet scalloped bed frame next to traditional moldings.

Because of his bold choices, we were thrilled for Corey to tell us more about his bedroom preferences.

S&F: What is the top bedroom accessory to consider?

Corey: An important bedroom accessory everyone should consider is having a nice drinking glass or goblet on the nightstand next to the bed. There are limitless options out there to make a statement here, and vintage or antique options always add a nice flare!

What are certain bedroom items that you should always splurge on?

I feel that it’s really important to splurge on anything that regularly comes into contact with your skin—food, fashion, lotions, and soaps, etc. In a bedroom, always spend well on luxurious bed linens because you’re going to spend many hours eloped in them on a daily basis.

Corey lives in New York City, heading his design firm Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates LLC. His book, Design Remix: A New Spin on Traditional Rooms, presents his take on classic interiors beautifully reimagined through a bold, urban lens. You can continue to watch Corey remix traditional spaces on Instagram or his website.

_{[1] Architectural Digest}

_{[2] Sotheby’s}