Stacie Flinner is no stranger to the world. The New York City-based interior decorator recently visited 70 countries across six continents over the course of a 14-month trip. But some of her favorite travels have been in India, where she fell in love with the country’s rich textile heritage, which perfectly complements her laid-back yet elegant personal style.
Throughout her career, Stacie has worked with many top travel, fashion and lifestyle brands, including Relais & Châteaux, Belmond, J.McLaughlin, L.L.Bean, and Montage Hotels and Resorts. As the founder and creative director of stacieflinner.com, she’s dedicated to sharing her beautiful discoveries and providing design inspiration—a mission we can relate to!
For this very special style guide featuring Stacie’s tips for creating a glamorous, all-American Thanksgiving tablescape, we are thrilled by her choice of our Samara Hand Stitched Quilted tablecloth, paired with the exuberant Janvi design napkins and the classic Mughal Amaya motif pillow cover. We caught up with this jetsetter to find out how she creates spaces with intrigue and grandeur using exotic patterns echoing the principles of Sufism—while keeping it simple enough for us all to recreate. Read her tips below, and head over to Stacie’s blog for even more style inspiration with Indian textiles from Marigold Living.
Adding Worldly Touches to Glamorous All-American Decor
“I love creating rooms with a fresh, all-American glamor.… incorporating American, European and Asian furnishings.”
Q: How would you describe your personal design style?
A: I love creating rooms with a fresh, all-American glamor that pair traditional elements with a youthful twist. I’m always hunting down vintage treasures near and far and love incorporating American, European and Asian furnishing into my own space and the homes of my clients.
How to Create an Abundant-Looking Table for a Special Occasion Like Thanksgiving
“The rich pattern and detail of this tablecloth is a beautiful foundation… The quilted texture…. really ups the cozy factor.”
Q:Why did these pieces in particular appeal to you for a Thanksgiving or fall table?
A: Thanksgiving began as harvest festival so I love an “abundant”-looking table. The rich pattern and detail of this tablecloth is a beautiful foundation for a layered look since it contains so many colors to draw on. The quilted texture is unexpected for a tablecloth and really ups the cozy factor—and I love that it makes my blue and white china feel more earthy and autumnal! As a plus—the cloth’s dark hue will hide stains if guests splash a little of their wine while enjoying themselves!
Go-To Tips for Setting Up a Table for Special Events—and Daily Use
“Use the good stuff! …. Repetition and variation are important for uniting disparate items yet ensuring they all have a ‘relationship’ to each other.”
Q: What are some of your go-to tips when setting a table for a special event? And how do you keep your table interesting in daily use with quick fixes?
A: Use the good stuff! I love setting our table with our wedding china (Royal Copenhagen) on a random Tuesday, but will mix in less precious vintage pieces like a set of bread plates that were each purchased for ~$2 apiece.
Repetition and variation are important in uniting disparate items yet ensuring they all have a “relationship” to each other. For example: I echoed the blue and white in my china patterns through bright white milk glass candlesticks, white opaline wine glasses and blue-spotted water goblets. Using small vases like tulip cups to display little bouquets of flowers allows a low-cost way to reinvent the same tablescape by featuring different flowers each time. I also think the two sets of taper candles are a little unexpected and keep the table feeling fresh!
Beautiful Fabric Should Never Stay Stashed Away in Your Closet
“Layer it at the foot of a bed…. use it to recover a simple upholstered headboard… I’ve used a similar Indian quilt as a canopy hung over our bed… and I also love quilts draped over the back and seat of a sofa. …. [Or remake] them into throw pillows or even a pleated lampshade.”
Q:Since our Samara tablecloth is a hand-stitched, quilted piece, do you see using it in other ways?
A: A couple of yards of beautiful fabric will never stay stashed in my closet for long, and often experience multiple incarnations—from being used as a tablecloth to coverlet to canopy! This one is such a gorgeous, thick quilt I would layer it at the foot of a bed or even use it to recover a simple upholstered headboard to change up the look in a bedroom. (All you need is a staple gun.) I’ve used a similar Indian quilt as a canopy hung over our bed in a past apartment and I also love quilts draped over the back and seat of a sofa to protect the upholstery when entertaining guests or inviting pups up on the couch.
It would also make for an opulent picnic blanket, and when textiles get a tear or a stain, I like to give them a second life remaking them into throw pillows or even a pleated lampshade.
Surround Yourself with Things You Love Instinctually
“The first thing I’ll notice is how a fabric feels…. I am drawn to botanical patterns (especially block print and Jacobean designs) as well as stripes…. [and] bordered prints, which make any linen feel more elevated and intentional.”
Q: What inspires you and catches your eye when you’re choosing textiles for your home?
A: The first thing I’ll notice is how a fabric feels, but after that I am drawn to botanical patterns (especially block print and Jacobean designs) as well as stripes. I’m also a sucker for bordered prints, which make any linen feel more elevated and intentional. Most people have pretty instinctual responses to colors and patterns so I say surround yourself with things you love and the room will ultimately come together.
Layering Global Textiles for the Coziest and Most Livable Spaces
“When mixing patterns, make sure there’s at least one common color used throughout all the fabric and vary the scale of the prints.”
Q: Do you have any advice for someone looking to incorporate global textiles with other more classic American pieces?
A: Use the good stuff! I love setting our table with our wedding china (Royal Copenhagen) on a random Tuesday, but will mix in less previous vintage pieces like a set of bread plates that were each purchased for ~$2 apiece.
Repetition and variation are important in uniting disparate items yet ensuring they all have a “relationship” to each other. For example: I echoed the blue and white in my china patterns through bright white milk glass candlesticks, white opaline wine glasses and blue-spotted water goblets. Using small vases like tulip cups to display little bouquets of flowers allows a low-cost way to reinvent the same tablescape by featuring different flowers each time. I also think the two sets of taper candles are a little unexpected and keep the table feeling fresh!
Must-See Design Destinations in India: The Obvious Jaipur and Lesser-Known Pondicherry
“I have many treasures from rummaging through antique stores there… I strongly recommend staying at the palace-turned-hotels.”
Q: We love that you’ve lived in India! Any favorite destinations in India you can recommend for the design lovers out there?
A: Jaipur is the obvious design mecca, but I think that Pondicherry, just south of Chennai on the east coast, is a personal favorite and hidden gem for its French influences. I have many treasures from rummaging through antique stores there, including hand-carved spice boxes and a 3’ long wooden scone board that hangs in my kitchen—the board is carved into a braided pattern and was originally used to hold cooling pastries.
Wherever you land in India, I strongly recommend staying at the palace-turned-hotels sprinkled across the country. These old structures have a new take on life and invite guests to experience a piece of history every moment of your stay, from the luxurious Taj collection to Neemrana’s forts and palaces. Ah—writing this is making me want to hurry back.
How Aspects of Indian Design Influence Stylemakers Like Stacie
“India is a place where many cultures have met over time and I especially love the interaction of Indian textiles and British campaign furniture from the 1800s.”
Q: Did you find yourself gravitating toward any aspects of Indian design, and has that influenced your style?
A: India is a place where many cultures have met over time and I especially love the interaction of Indian textiles and British campaign furniture from the 1800s. My husband and I have moved house five times in six years, so that may be why I’m so drawn to campaign furniture, which was designed for easy transport and feels ready for adventure at any moment!
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