Youve made it a point to travel the world, experiencing life on your own terms. And when you return home to your small corner of the globe, you ache to surround yourself with life on a grand scale  with the collections that make up Continental Influence. The Ernest Hemingway Collection is one of the many in the lifestyle.

Design Elements:

• Arches that soften architectural lines of a room

• Walls with the patina of ancient interiors

• Gilded accent pieces in gold or silver leaf • A blending of gracefully hand forged iron, stone, and marble • Exotic textiles to rich damasks, bullion, fringe, and tassels

• Rounded corners of tables, chairs and other overstuffed, upholstered pieces

• Woven rugs influenced by nature or geometric designs

How to get "the look"

1. Blend an eclectic mix of materials.

The Continental look is one that readily combines wood chests and tables, stone table bases, gilded accents, and metal grillwork. Mix your fabric patterns including florals and animal prints. Vary textures as well. Include nubby wools, soft cottons, elegant damasks, rich tapestries, chenille, and velvets.

2. European panache is all in the details.

Think elegant silks and luxurious cut velvets for accent pillows, plus chenille or mohair for throws. Overstuff the upholstery for a soft, welcoming appeal. Trim embellishments can take the commonplace and dress it up with grace and elegance. Include fringe, cording, buttons, special stitching or tassels to enhance upholstery, bedding, pillows, window coverings, and lampshades.

3. Look for continental details.

Hallmarks of this style include deep carvings on table legs and aprons; shapely serpentine fronts on dressers and chests; impressive, large-scale bed posts; gilded or silver leaf accents; classical architectural details such as dentil molding, acanthus leaf carving, shell motifs; elegant upholstery trimmings such as bullion and other decorative fringes.

4. Layer in accent pieces

Family treasures, framed photographs, candles, bits of statuary or exotic memorabilia, are just a few examples of objects perhaps collected over time. Casually but artfully display them on occasional pieces in every room. Gilded mirrors, hand forged wall sconces and topiaries enhance the look of Continental Influence.

	Bellasera Inspired by the timeless passion, romance and beauty of the Mediterranean regions of Europe
	Cardova For a bedroom that celebrates sunny Mediterranean in today's lighter, brighter interiors
	Elyse Elegance without airs, Elysee is an opulent blend of 19th century European, Empire and French designs
	Lisbon Throw out the rules and bring in these handcrafted accent tables - as formal or casual as you like
	Rennaissance Mediterranean beauty for cultured living rooms
	River Roads A gracious and distinguished collection inspired by the eclectic 19th century cultural influences along major rivers.
	Santiago Pay tribute to Spanish-influenced, European traditional styling with contradicting oversized features