Every year, I go to Paris with clients to hunt for one-of-a-kind pieces. But you don’t need to shop the City of Lights to create a home filled with character and a certain je ne sais quoi. One of my secrets to achieving chic and chatter-worthy design is by using reclaimed architectural elements. Set against neutral backdrops, these amazing objects pop and become an instant focal point, not to mention a conversation-starter.

The two immense boisserie panels in my Napa Valley living room are a good example. They’re the first things your eyes are drawn to, and though I’m not certain of their provenance, I have a sneaking suspicion that they were part of a Belle Epoque brothel in Montmartre. And that’s the story I like to tell—because it’s a saucy one! (see above, image by Grey Crawford)

One of my best-kept secrets is in the library. I’ve hung gilded Corinthian capital fronts as art—fabulous against the rich, dark walls. And an antique pine fluted column serves as the base for an ornate urn that is actually made out of fiberglass (shhh!).

Having a sense of humor never hurts. Indeed, in my dining room, quirky art deco snails sit atop antique Greek limestone columns. Why? you might ask. Why not?