The one thing every house needs (and no, it’s not “a pop of color”)

Credit: Katie Charlotte for Chairish

A. I’ve really begun to hate that phrase. It’s overused, and what you really need are colors that balance well together and are interesting. A “pop of color” to me feels a bit lazy—like a couple of red pillows thrown into a beige room.

B. But what does every house need? According to Charleston-based designer Cortney Bishop, it’s leather. In an interview I did with her for a story in Charleston magazine, I pointed to a black leather chair in the study of the home I was writing about and asked her what it was doing there. I wasn’t being judgy—it was just a surprise. And just so we’re all on the same page: don’t think fat, lumpy recliner from 1983; think thin, shapely swivel that you might find in a rock star’s recording studio. Anyway, she smiled and said, “You know, I believe every house could use a hit of leather. It just gives it an edge.”

That’s her own Sullivan’s Island living room (above) and those are leather-upholstered cantilever chairs. Case closed. Bonus: this is also how to own a color scheme—no “pop of color” in sight. Bravo.

Want to get the look? Check out this brilliant shopping story by Chairish. See more of Cortney’s work at cortneybishop.com or follow on Instagram at @cortneybishopdesign.