She is one influencer who deserves to own that title. A style icon, not just fashion and beauty, but her well-curated home mixes texture, colour, paint and wallpaper, textiles and furnishings to show bold looks with hints of luxury and affordable buys. She is an avid collector of all things beautiful, and at 102, she has had plenty of time to fill every room in her two homes with collectables. She describes her New York apartment (see below) as much more serious, more old European. While the Palm Beach holiday home is playful but full of antiques." I've always believed that one of the most important elements of home design is letting yourself shine," Apfel said. "That means experimenting with unapologetic colours, eye-catching patterns, and being totally original." For Apfel, styling her home brings her constant joy. “My entire home makes me happy because it feels like I'm being greeted by a lot of old friends."
Style director Louise Hilsz shares how to get her decor look and some of her life lessons.
Don't obsess over your age
"I never think about my age. Maybe that's the ticket. I never think about it — it's a passing thought. It's just a number. I've found that work is very healthy for me. I love what I do, and I put my heart and soul into it," she says.It's true, "Gettin' old ain't for sissies," Apfel admits. But so what? "You start falling apart, but you just have to buck up and paste yourself together. You may not like getting older, but what's the alternative? You're here. Embrace it. I say put your experience to work, to give something back to other people."
Get the look
Resene Salsa Wallpaper Collection 477214 available from Resene Color Shops. Mirella Motore Blazer, $252. Early Settler Floral Burst Embroidered Armchair Olive Green, $1399. Gucci Blondie boot, $1860.
To stay young, you have to think young
"When you get older, as I often paraphrase an old family friend, if you have two of anything, chances are one of them is going to hurt when you get up in the morning. But you have to get up and move beyond the pain. If you want to stay young, you have to think young. Having a sense of wonder, a sense of humour, and a sense of curiosity — these are my tonic," she says. "They keep you young, childlike, open to new people and things, ready for another adventure. I never want to be an old fuddy-duddy; I hold the self-proclaimed record for being the World's Oldest Living Teenager, and I intend to keep it that way."
Get The Look
Resene Salsa Wallpaper Collection 833133 available from Resene ColorShops. Weekend by Max Mara Rivetto coat, $2009. Gucci Rouge À Lèvres Voile - Lip Colour, $84. Dinosaur Designs Large Resin Rock bangle, $105.
Care about your own opinion above anyone else's
"I never tried to fit in. It's not that I went out of my way to be a rebel or do things that were not socially acceptable — unfortunately, I did have to learn how to play bridge when I was younger — but I learned early on that I have to be my own person to be content," she says. "If you have to be all things to all people, you end up being 'nothin' to nobody.′ The way I dress may be 'different' or 'eccentric' to some who feel the need to label, but that's of no concern to me. I don't dress to be stared at; I dress for myself. When you don't dress like everyone else, you don't have to think like everyone else."
Get The look
Resene Pelorous paint available from Resene Colorshops. The Inside Animal print rug, $690. Cathy Pope Turquoise Classic Silver Chunky Choker, $249. Anna Quan Lana shirt, $296.
Style is not about spending money
"Style is not about wearing expensive clothes. You can have all kinds of money and have no style at all. You can be dressed in the latest couture, shod in ten-thousand-dollar shoes and be baubled to the nines, and look like a Christmas tree," she writes. "It's not what you wear but how you wear it. "I'm just as happy to wear bangles that cost me three dollars as I am to wear valuable pieces — and I like to mix high and low, putting things together to wear as the spirit moves me. When you try too hard to have style, you look uncomfortable, like you're wearing a costume, like the clothes are entering the room before you do. If you're uptight, you won't be able to carry off even a seemingly perfect outfit. If that's happening, I say abandon the whole thing. It's better to be happy than well dressed."
Get the look
Resene Clay Creek paint available from Resene ColorShops. Diane Von Furstenberg Scott Dress in Summer Bouquets, $1095. House of Hackney Zennor Velvet Narcissus Lampshade with Ametrine Dodo Lampstand, US$1664. Linda Farrow The Dunaway Optical, US$475.
Don't pretend you are younger than you are.
"There's nothing wrong with wrinkles. When you're older, trying to look years younger is foolish, and you're not fooling anyone. When you're seventy-five, and you get a face-lift, nobody is going to think you are thirty."
How to layer texture and colour to create a sleeping haven.