Sumptuous Maximalism with James Kivior
Meet James Kivior, the individual responsible for the popular Instagram page, The Pretentious Home. With a touch of humor, he refers to himself as a "maximalist, orchid killer, drunk duster, and Rae Dunn hater," but his inherent talent for aesthetics becomes evident as soon as you step foot into his residence. Kivior's unmatched ability to curate a harmonious blend of exquisite objet, incorporating layers of texture, pattern, and color, showcases his unwavering dedication to a well-lived life.
His home resembles a captivating cabinet of curiosity, akin to a living museum. As a devoted collector and a national educational manager for esteemed French cosmetics brands Avène and Klorane, Kivior graciously invited me to explore his abode on an extraordinary tour.
What initially inspired you to share the evolution of your home with the world?
Funny story, about seven years ago I was chatting with a good friend and had mentioned that I recently purchased some Gucci ice cube trays and that they were terrible. She laughed, and said that I should consider creating an Instagram account based on my home and all of the ridiculous things I buy for it and call it The Pretentious Home.
So, shortly after I posted my very first post to Instagram. It was of my living room and boy has it changed over the years. I was fortunate to be welcomed into the IG community by fellow lovers of interior design and actual designers.
Describe your design philosophy.
I feel like most people when answering this question typically say the same thing, it’s a process, take your time and curate. For me, my philosophy is to have no regrets and to go as bold as possible. Most of the things I buy for my home are either from auctions, estate sales, EBay, Chairish, 1st Dibs, things that you can’t think about buying, you have to move fast or it will be sold. When I want something I buy it, even if I have to eat ramen noodles for the rest of the week because I’m now broke. It’s worth it, no regrets!
Tell me about your childhood bedroom.
My childhood bedroom was nothing special. My father was very strict and really did not leave any opportunity for me to be creative. However, when I moved back to New York to live with my mother at the start of high school things changed. I had total freedom, and my bedroom was actually a basement apartment in the house.
It was a fully functioning one bedroom apartment that was all mine to decorate. I remember buying chairs and tables from The Salvation Army. Recovering chairs in red velvet, creating a canopy over my bed. My style has evolved as I’ve matured, but, to this day I still love red velvet and a black and white combo (the theme of my teenage bedroom).
A fictional character you return to for inspiration?
I know that Dita Von Teese is an actual person, but, since its her stage name I will consider her a fictional character and one of my biggest inspirations. She is the reason why I collect taxidermy. I remember seeing one of her old homes on MTV years ago and I loved how she used taxidermy as art and how she blended it throughout her home.
Recently, I’ve become friends with her friend and designer who designed her home, a talented designer named Stacia. We had a whole conversation about Dita’s malachite kitchen and how she hired a muralist to hand paint the malachite onto the walls. It turns out that same muralist was hired by another designer I know to paint a malachite print onto a wall for a showhouse room in the Hamptons a few years ago.
Most unusual object in your collection?
I do collect a lot of taxidermy and dabble in oddities. I wish I could say I have something really unusual, but everything I have is pretty normal. I do have a taxidermy coral snake which tends to scare people that hate snakes. And (just remembered) I do have a taxidermy caiman. That’s pretty unusual, right?
What has been the largest obstacle in transforming your home into the paradise it is today?
For me the largest obstacle would be budget limitations (I can only eat so much ramen noodles). I like custom furniture and Fortuny pillows…these are not cheap and if you’re not in the industry you’re not always getting the best prices.
Fortunately, I have some good interior designer friends that have added me to their pro-accounts so now I can buy a lot of fabric and wallpaper at a trade discount. Other challenges would be furniture not fitting through my front door or not even being able to make it up to the 3rd floor of my building. I have to measure everything first.
If you could have a home anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Currently, I’m looking at buying a condo in New Orleans. I love the architecture there and the quirkiness of the homes.
What three items would you put in a time capsule?
Honestly, nothing. Other than my cats, I don’t care about anything in my home. They’re all material things, they’re fun to look at and that’s it.
If you could collaborate with any artist, living or deceased, who would it be and what would you create together?
I’m going to take myself out of the equation and have (living) Jacques Garcia collaborate with (deceased) Tony Duquette. I would throw a lot of money at them and have them decorate my make believe two bedroom condo I recently bought in the French Quarter of New Orleans. They would have to merge their designs together, not one designs one room and the other designs a different room.
What is next for James Kivior?
I really want to get some micro-needling done, just to rejuvenate my skin a bit. Now that you and I are besties lets go and get some spa treatments done together. Also, maybe you’ll see my home in an upcoming home tour on Youtube, you never know…
Thank you, James!
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x Natalie
Images: Courtesy of Alena Kostromina.
