Category: Interior Design

Marquand: Refined Contemporary Design

This refined contemporary design private residence, located within the New York City landmark building Marquand on Manhattan’s prestigious Upper East Side, was completed by Miami-based interior designers Britto Charette. The Beaux-Arts Revival style building built in 1913 on Madison Avenue and 68th Street along Central Park was recently restored and now serves as a luxury condominium building offering gracious prewar space along with every amenity for contemporary living.

The 3,500 square foot apartment acts as a pied-a-terre for the owners, an energetic and entrepreneurial couple who have trusted Britto Charette with their multiple other homes as well. They wanted the design of this residence to be sensitive to its classic heritage but interpreted with a refined contemporary design to provide them with a peaceful refuge in the city. The designers took full advantage of the restored buildings wood paneled walls and architectural details, combining them with the couple’s favorite pieces, custom built-ins, and contemporary furnishings.

REFINED CONTEMPORARY DESIGN INSPIRATION

A monotone color palette accented with soft blue and copper achieved the owners desire for refined contemporary design. The expansive double volume living room arranges into two seating areas. Specially commissioned fabrics upholster the furnishings from Baker. The round coffee table is by Minotti from Domus Design Collection. The chandeliers above are from Ralph Lauren, while the rugs below are by Jan Kaph. The print is by Michael Dawkins. A sculptural bronze fireplace screen by John Lyle stands before the sculpted travertine marble fireplace surround.

In the library/study, Britto Charette custom created the wall of built-in shelves for the owners to display their photos and personal collectibles. The leather top desk is by Baker.

The look is crisp and clean in the dining room which is open to the sleek custom kitchen complete with Gaggenau appliances. The long, horizontal marble top table reflects the design of the LED chandelier by Jean Prezel suspended above it. A bench on one side and modern style chairs provide seating for the table, all from Domus Design Collection in New York. The mirror and art are from Michael Dawkins.

The home’s family room articulates the livable ease and serenity behind refined contemporary design. The room is visually calm and edited and still super functional making it the perfect escape from the busy city. A large leather sofa includes auto/electrical reclining functions. Britto Charette custom designed the sleek and sophisticated black credenza beneath the wall mounted television which elevates the room’s overall look. Britto Charette KINSA porcelain shines on the bar.

A central gallery hallway connects the public and private spaces. A series of contemporary Corbin Bronze Ballerinas gloriously punctuate the classic design of the white oak paneled walls, ornate ceilings, and Parquet de Versailles finished floors.

The master bedroom suite is a dream offering loads of neutral, understated elegance. The upholstered bed is by Giorgetti with nightstands by Baker. Framed photography by David Charette hangs above the bed. A chandelier by Visual Comfort hangs above, with a rug from John Kaph below. Marble and onyx complete the master bathroom.

The master suite also includes a gorgeous walk-in closet/dressing room custom finished with white and mirrored walls by Ornare. An island provides storage for jewelry and accessories while a high-top desk serves as an organizational area.

There is a total of four bedrooms, and four bathrooms, plus a powder room. The building includes white glove doormen and concierge services, as well as a fitness center among their amenities. Britto Charette’s refined contemporary design has made this pied-a-terre the peaceful escape the owners were seeking.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

To see more projects completed by Britto Charette be sure to check out:

Modern Classic Design: Golden Mile

Firethorn: Contemporary Mountain Retreat

Seaside Contemporary Residence: Regalia

BRITTO CHARETTE’S REFINED CONTEMPORARY DESIGN

Interior Design: Britto Charette

Photography: Alexia Fodere

All photos and info courtesy of Britto Charette.

***Exciting News From Britto Charette***

Take a look at these!

Miami designers Jay Britto and David Charette, of Britto Charette, have won Interior Design magazine’s 2016 Best of Year award for their revelation in glass called PUQUIOS. Britto Charette, along with more than 2000 entrants from 38 countries, vied for the coveted title awarded in 130 product and interior design project categories.

The designers captured shimmering light in PUQUIOS, their stunning new glass accessory inspired by Nasca wells—ancient rock-lined spirals that adorn Peru’s most mythic landscape. Scientists believe the funnel-shaped wells created pressure to move water. The designers chose glass as the perfect vehicle to evoke a feeling of “pressure” when viewing PUQUOIS. Pressure to move toward it, to touch, and to enjoy the piece from every angle. From a distance, mercury appears to float within the glass, but as your proximity to the vessel changes, so does the vessel’s exquisite coloration. The amorphous solid is available in ethereal hues of rose and phosphorescent yellow. 12”X5” Dimensions are approximate. Each handcrafted piece contains subtle differences.

We are so excited and happy for Britto Charette and congratulate them for their win of 2016 Best of Year award for PUQUOIS. They really are stunning. The designer’s artful and unique home accessories have garnered multiple awards through the years. Be sure to check out the website to see their other items as well.

We thank you so much for reading along with us and want you to know how very much we appreciate you all. Thank you!! Let me hear from you all in the comments! I want to know what you all think.

Have a great day!

December 9, 2016
Contemporary Lakeside Villa: Eric Kuster

This sophisticated contemporary lakeside villa is located within Domaine du Lac, on the banks of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. The high-style villa serves as a family residence created with sleek and comforting interiors by the Netherlands-based, international interior designer and luxury lifestyle purveyor Eric Kuster. The home is custom finished to the highest of standards, with over 10,000 square feet spread over three levels.

The owners of this villa are repeat clients of Eric Kuster, who designed another home for them nearby. The luxury lifestyle provided by the villa, with its five bedrooms, generous entertaining space, extensive leisure facilities and additional space for domestic help is superior even to a five-star hotel.

CONTEMPORARY LAKESIDE VILLA DESIGN

Large floor-to-ceiling windows and high ceilings merge the indoors with the outdoors, bathing the interiors with natural sunlight and providing unending views of the lake. The emphasis in the design of this contemporary lakeside villa was comfort combined with high energy. Every element considers the preferences of the owner with the finest details personalized to create an exact fit for the family. Kuster consistently exceeds the expectations of his clients. He succeeds by ensuring that individual elements are as impeccable as the whole. From every textile to each piece of furniture, and each artwork to every color combination, absolutely nothing is left to chance.

The designer’s signature laid-back luxurious design elements soften the architecture’s straight lines and acute angles.

“The best design is both serene and stimulating.” EK

To emphasize the villa’s beautiful location right on the waterfront, Eric Kuster used a lot of natural materials and a neutral palette throughout to help bring the outdoors in. The designer seamlessly combines and contrasts the earthy and glossy, raw, and refined, sober and sexy.

“Practical spaces can function effectively and look sensational- its not about style over substance, but style with substance.” EK

The lakeside villa features only the most elegant and sophisticated materials, highest quality fixtures and fittings, superior electronics, and intelligent technology. The ability to always find the perfect balance between classic and modern is a design cornerstone for Eric Kuster.

A ROOM WITH A VIEW WILL ALWAYS CALM THE SOUL

A palette of metallic grays and golds bring the luster of the lake indoors through the full height, slide away wall of windows.

Soft, luxurious textures applied to the walls, floors, and furniture enhance the comfort throughout the contemporary lakeside villa. Eric Kuster understands the importance of fabrics and materials. He layers various textiles that demand to be touched. Naturally, all are from his Metropolitan Luxury Collection which captures a contemporary style that expresses itself in glamor, luxury, and sensuality.

REFINED OPULENCE WHISPERS AND NEVER SHOUTS

The basement level holds the home’s entire leisure area. The spa, fitness center, pool, private cinema, and temperature controlled wine storage all share the space down here. Also, some of the biggest design statements are down on this level.

In the hammam, an onyx wall combines with rich gold and bronze mosaic tiles to create an exotic feel. The sauna combines an onyx wall with a mix of woods to create the sense of a Swiss mountain retreat.

Kuster’s guiding principles, as his work testifies, mean that he only works on that which he feels passionate.

“In the end, it’s all about quality and detail – and for my clients and me, only the superlative is acceptable.”

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

To see more fabulous homes completed by Eric Kuster, be sure to see my post:

Sexy Bachelor Pad Luxury Design

Contemporary Design: Eric Kuster

Eric Kuster Contemporary Lakeside Villa

For over a decade, Eric Kuster Interior Design Studio has proven to be highly successful. Eric Kuster develops and delivers luxurious turnkey interior design projects worldwide for high-profile clients. The studio has the skills, suppliers, and connections to execute these projects with speed and precision.

The designer’s extensive travels around the world inspire the Eric Kuster Metropolitan Luxury Collections. His craftsmanship, eye for beauty and creative vision combine to create dynamic pieces of furniture, luxury home accessories, and beautiful textiles. Each Metropolitan Luxury interior design collection conjures up the warm embrace of a high-end hotel room. They invite everyone who experiences them to indulge in the most pleasurable aspects of life.

Today’s Contemporary Lakeside Villa is featured in the designer’s book Eric Kuster Interior Design. In addition to exclusive residences from Curacao to London, his projects also include yachts and hotels, as well as commercial projects, ranging from legendary Amsterdam club Jimmy Woo to Barcelona’s Camp Nou Stadium. Indulge in this beautiful book to experience Kuster’s sumptuous environments for yourself and discover unique interior design inspiration.

Interior design: Eric Kuster

Photography: Paul Barbera

Thank you so much for reading along with me. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments. I hope enjoyed this inspiring Contemporary lakeside villa and its fabulous interiors.

Have a great day!

November 4, 2016
Georgian Modern Traditional Elegance

This gracious Georgian-style mansion, situated on 100 rolling acres in New Jersey’s horse country, features richly detailed modern traditional interiors. It is newly built but designed to feel like it has been around forever, yet perfectly equipped for modern life. Architect Allan Greenberg designed the 16,000 square-foot home with its twenty-five well-proportioned, generously scaled rooms with interiors by interior designer Elissa Cullman of Cullman and Kravis.

The owners desired a home with the precise composition of Georgian architecture, which led them to Greenberg. The architect has been creating stately classical residential and public buildings for over 40 years. He is considered one of the leading classical architects of the 21st century.

To give their new home the warmth and comforts of modern traditional design, they knew they could count on Cullman and her senior designer Jenny Fischbach, who had completed two other residences for them. The design firm has been doing interiors for 30 years and is one of the leading proponents of modern traditional design. Their fresh and clarified take on traditionally designed spaces, which is ideally suited for contemporary life, was what this home needed.

MODERN TRADITIONAL DESIGN INSPIRATION

A grand scale house needs an equally grand entrance. Greenberg created a sequence of three rooms for the greatest statement-making entrance. Sharp geometry is a fundamental element in the home’s design. Each of the three rooms has a different shape. A square foyer at the front door gives way to a larger elliptical reception hall and then on to a long stair hall. The flow is perfect when entertaining larger groups of guests.

In keeping with the Georgian ideas, the architect used a variety of geometric shapes and volumes to create a natural circulation that flows from room to room throughout the home. The elliptical room sets a very classic, formal tone with its domed ceiling and Ionic columns.

Porto Beige and Lagos Azul limestone make up the floor’s intricate designs. The twisting shapes in the bronze sculpture by Tony Cragg echo those of the elegant winding staircase above it.

Frank Stella’s Opposites Attract painting from the 1960s hangs over a George III settee upholstered in ribbed silk.

An oversize console is appropriate for the grand scale of the spaces. Above it, an antique gilded mirror reflects a modern painting by Kenneth Noland hung across the way.

The main living room access is on the entrance pathway. Antique leaded-glass over-door windows give the interiors a sense of age. A 1965 painting by Joan Mitchell hangs over the sofa upholstered in Lee Jofa fabric inside the room.

The gracious living room is a comforting space divided into two full seating areas, with a Regency center table placed between them. A 19th-century red-ground Sultana rug sets the palette for the entire residence. The toasty beige Venetian plaster finished walls provide a neutral base for the contemporary art.

A contemporary blue painting by Robert Motherwell hangs over an antique bookcase.

A pair of antique gilded Chippendale mirrors flanks the fireplace, which has a contemporary work above it.

The Octagonal sitting room is a less formal living area, though still quite elegant and designed in the modern traditional style. The beautiful Cinnabar walls give the room an exotic energy. A comfy custom sofa upholstered in a Gray Watkins fabric anchors the room before the window. A pair of converted Japanese Meiji period bronze trumpet vases form the lamps. The coffee table is composed of a specimen marble top on a carved mahogany base. The silk striped draperies pull together all of the colors in the room and had the tassels worked in beautifully too. The works on either side of the windows are by Stuart Davis.

The wood-paneled library, located across the way from the living room, offers a soothing palette of blues. The traditional rug establishes the color which repeats around the room; silk draperies, pillows, art, accents, and in the blue-and-white Chinese porcelain on the shelves.

A rare 18th-century hand-painted wallcovering from Gracie covers the walls in the elegant formal dining room. It is among the best examples of its kind, with every bird and leaf painted differently. A pair of consoles gilded in white and yellow gold flank the opening from the hall. A pair of gilt-framed mirrors with both plate and convex glass hangs above them. The five-foot-tall ormolu-and-cut-glass Empire chandelier from 1815 is the centerpiece of the room. The beautiful light sparkles above the table from the fluted ceiling medallion, whose form echoes the shape of the drapery heading.

The home includes a china hall. The design team finished the wood floors with a stenciled design instead of a rug.

A second, smaller modern traditional dining room created for more intimate gatherings features a double-height gilded dome ceiling. The embossed leather chairs shimmer with gold designs. Beautiful iridescent striped silk drapes frame the windows. Contemporary art adorns the walls.

The kitchen’s modern traditional architectural features include intricate cabinetry design paired with layered plaster ceiling moldings. It’s a very modern rendering of a traditional style kitchen. Simple, understated Roman shades dress the windows. The kitchen is rather large, and this photo only shows the semi-circle end, which looks out over the cutting garden.

A third dining room looks out over the back lawns. The restrained décor allows the view to take center stage. Simple full-length draperies styled to match those in the kitchen flank the large French doors that open onto the lawn. The unadorned design of the silvered-bronze chandelier perfectly reflects that of the room, while its subtle curves mimic the embroidered details on the draperies.

The richly layered master bedroom is a sumptuous delight. The custom wool carpet’s delicate designs balance the elaborate plasterwork detailing on the ceiling. Antiques reside side-by-side with contemporary pieces in perfect modern traditional harmony. Saturated yellow Venetian plaster walls subdue the formality of the refined millwork. The beauty is in the mix. The colors are fresh and alive, yet still subtle to render this bedroom calm and serene.

This pic only hints at the many beautiful details that make up the master bathroom. The sublime space features a gilded barrel vaulted ceiling, slab onyx floors, and gilt bronze chandeliers and hardware. The spacious layout includes all of the necessities for a luxurious contemporary bathroom in the modern traditional style.

The dressing room located beyond the master bathroom is almost poetic in its effect. A gilded dome ceiling crowns the light-filled space, and the custom cabinetry includes Verre églomisé panels. A peaceful haven to both begin and end the day.

“We like to say inspired rooms are more than just pretty—they have an underlying logic and layering of information. Whether it’s the inclusion of a motif that relates to geographical location, a connection we make between a client’s beloved collection and a fabric scheme, or simply an emotion that the room itself evokes, the details create a more wholly integrated environment—rich with meaning, full of sparkle and life.” – Cullman & Kravis

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend!

To see more wonderful interiors completed by Cullman & Kravis, be sure to see:

Venetian Waterfront Residence: Cullman & Kravis

Fifth Avenue Classical Design.

Contemporary Traditional Design: Southern Mansion

Transitional Design Update: Park Avenue

MODERN TRADITIONAL ELEGANCE

This residence is one of the beautiful projects featured in designer Elissa Cullman’s book The Detailed Interior: Decorating Up Close with Cullman & Kravis, which is fabulous and you should check it out. I have enjoyed my signed copy very much I must say!

Architecture: Allan Greenberg

Interior Design: Cullman & Kravis

Photography: Eric Piasecki

All photos and info courtesy of Cullman & Kravis!! Thank you so much!

Thank you so much for reading along with me, my friend. I hope you enjoyed the modern traditional designs created within this lovely Georgian Mansion. Be sure to let me hear from you all in the comments!!

Have a great day!

October 8, 2016
Venetian Waterfront Residence: Cullman & Kravis

This classic 1930s Mediterranean-style waterfront residence near Palm Beach, Florida has undergone an extensive renovation and expansion from a summer vacation retreat to a comforting full-time family home. The transformation was completed by leading interior design firm, New York-based Cullman & Kravis.

To the designer’s delight, the existing vacation house already held an impressive collection of the owner’s Italianate furniture and fine art. These treasured pieces would serve as the heart of the home’s newly designed modern traditional interiors.

Italian interior architectural details and materials combine with a careful mix of the existing Italianate furniture, art, antiques, and new custom pieces the designers brought in to create a warm Venetian ambiance. Newly designed floor-to-ceiling windows open up the principal rooms. Nearly every room now provides access to the outdoors. Gorgeous shades of sunflower yellow, vermilion red, grass green and ocean blue bring in the beauty of the outdoors.

PALM BEACH WATERFRONT RESIDENCE

In the living room, the designer raised the to give the slightly narrow space a more open feel. A pair of custom giltwood chandeliers define the two separate seating areas. A custom hand-woven carpet in a Polonaise design with large scroll pattern and tonal color palette gives the space a wider effect. Delightful Christopher Norman plaid silk taffeta draperies frame the expansive windows and beautiful ocean views. Custom sofas and Jansen armchairs were bespoke created and upholstered by Cullman & Kravis. A large Venetian mirror hangs over the fireplace while a pair of antique wrought-iron sconces flanks an 18th-century painting of Venice’s Grand Canal. An heirloom Italian pietra dura coffee table given a new lighter base groups with a pair of 1940s French side tables with Verde marble tops.

The owners early 19th-century French tric-trac table – a game table made of fruitwood with a light finish that reverses to a leather surface – shines beautifully here in the center of the living room. Gold bullion trims the skirts of the sofas to create a formal classic tailored touch.

The classic tones continue here in the dining room of the Venetian-style waterfront residence. The designer had the walls hand-painted with a multicolored damask stencil overlaid with gold and copper which creates shimmer and depth. Richly embroidered silk draperies formally dress the windows. The Coquina stone floors keep the room from becoming too formal.

In the library, vermilion Venetian stucco walls support the groin-vaulted, stenciled ceiling. A vintage tole-painted light fixture punctuates the room. Tailored gold silk draperies with blue cuffs and inset red flange hang before the blue Roman shades on the windows. A bright paisley sofa with custom coordinating pillows group with a powder blue velvet chair and ottoman to perfectly complete the room in harmonious unity.

A less formal, coastal inspired family and breakfast area share a light-filled space that gives way to the kitchen. The ocean view, the room’s greatest asset, reflects in the décor. A custom plaid wool rug in aquamarine and apple green covers the floors and mirrors the color palette outside. Comfortable traditional furnishings reflecting the same hues create the sitting area. A whitewashed oak dining table surrounded by custom rattan chairs with sunburst back designs stand beneath a customized chandelier.

This Veneto-style garden well made of Vicenza stone serves as the focal point of view from the pool loggia.

The master bedroom suite evokes the sky and sea with its watery blue tones. Embroidered silk draperies convey a light and airy feeling of transparency. Venetian stucco walls, Murano glass, and a gilt-wood chandelier are in keeping with the Italianate feel. The style in all the bedrooms reflects the ocean and tropical greenery outside while creating a calm and welcoming mood inside this transformed waterfront residence.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more of the perfectly harmonious interiors created by Cullman & Kravis, be sure to see:

Fifth Avenue Classical Design

Georgian Modern Traditional Elegance

Transitional Design Update: Park Avenue

Contemporary Traditional Design: Southern Mansion

CULLMAN & KRAVIS WATERFRONT RESIDENCE

Cullman & Kravis provides the highest quality of design excellence and personal service. The award-winning firm, headed up by Ellie Cullman, collaborates closely with their clients to realize their ideas and needs. Ellie Cullman collaborated with architect Jeffery Smith, of Smith Architectural Group in Palm Beach to complete this residence, her third for these owners.

Ellie Cullman is a distinguished interior designer and founding partner at Cullman & Kravis. The designer has been honored with many of the industry’s highest accolades. She has been on the Architectural Digest AD100 list since 2000. This year she was bestowed with the Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award.

Today’s waterfront residence is featured in the designer’s beautiful book The Detailed Interior-Decorating Up Close with Cullman & Kravis. This book showcases a wide range of projects, from classic New York City pied-à-terres and penthouses to vast Connecticut estates, from airy Floridian mansions to luxurious ski retreats. Each project is illustrated with lavish full-color images, illuminating the effect of the room as a whole as well as providing close-up shots of precisely detailed spaces. The photography is coupled with informative text explaining how each of the room’s elements complement each other, breaking down how Ellie Cullman achieves these distinct interiors step by step. It is a must read!!

Interior Design: Cullman & Kravis

photography: Eric Piasecki

Thank you so much for reading along with me today. I hope you enjoyed this beautiful Florida waterfront residence. What do you think of the wonderful layering of details, with every room so effortlessly graceful and balanced? I look forward to hearing from you in the comments.

Have a great day!

August 16, 2016
Pacific Heights Metropolitan Design

Today’s design inspiration comes from a pied-a-terre apartment located in San Francisco’s exclusive Pacific Heights neighborhood overlooking the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. This residence has been created to serve as a glamorous stage for entertaining with interiors completed in a metropolitan design by San Francisco-based interior designer Nicole Hollis.

The two-bedroom apartment spans an entire floor of a classic prewar building dating back to the 1920s. The original millwork and trim have been maintained and restored to honor the history of the structure. The designer prefers to layer texture and shapes in lieu of color and pattern which she has done here achieving a scene of high contrast with a neutral color palette to form an excellent backdrop for the homeowner’s enviable art collection.

Designed to serve as a glamorous stage for entertaining

Creamy white paint covers the walls throughout most of the apartment, while the wood floors are stained a rich, deep brown. In the living room, the designer gathered the main seating area around fireplace. A shimmery velvet-upholstered sofa and leather armchairs, all by Christian Liaigre, gather on a plush Moroccan rug from Tony Kitz gallery. The side table is by Troscan Design, and the floor lamp is from Blackman Cruz. The designer had the ottoman upholstered with a hair-on-hide which perfectly balances the space opposite the fireplace and adds to the worldly appeal. Linen curtains dress the windows.

The dramatic fireplace surround is bespoke designed by Hollis, created with Nero Marquina black marble with white veining. The artwork above it is by Antony Gormley, which is flanked by a pair of hand-blown glass sconces from John Pomp Studios. More of the sconces are placed about the room to impart a warm glow. A collection of books and decorative objects, including a wooden bowl by Philip Moulthrop, gather on the central coffee table creating a personal and inviting feel.

To create a counterpoint for the metropolitan design, the designer painted the study, located just beyond the living room, Pitch Black. The main focal art in the space is the Secretive Three Graces, 2008 by Debbie Han. The table in the center of the room is an Eero Saarinen-design from Knoll. Above it, a Gino Sarfatti lighting fixture from Flos suspends. The large metallic sculpture right outside the space is Artificial Rock #146, 2011 by Zhan Wang.

In the foyer, a Louis Poulsen PH Artichoke pendant hangs above a table from Atelier Gary Lee. A poem by Robert Frost, Square Word Calligraphy: After Apple Picking 2003, drawn by Xu Bing to look like Chinese characters, displays on the wall.

For the formal dining room, Hollis bespoke designed the large oak-and-bronze dining table. A large modern-style bronze Lumiere Chandelier by Jean de Merry suspends above it. Christian Liaigre linen dresses the windows. Robert Rauschenberg’s Japanese Sky I hangs between the windows along with several pieces of art around the room.

For the casual breakfast area, Hollis designed a comfy corner banquette upholstered in leather by Garrett. She paired it with a custom wood table and Dzine side chairs. The arrangement is complete with a honeycomb lighting pendant from Tim Clarke Interior Design.

The kitchen and master bath were the only spaces that needed a full structural renovation. Hollis designed new cabinetry and created a minimalist design aesthetic. Here in the kitchen, the designer painted the cabinets pitch black. She selected Waterworks subway tile for the back-splash and Calacatta Gold marble for the counter-tops.

A lighter, more relaxed mood defines the master bedroom. White bed linens dress the bed while cream-colored Romo draperies frame the windows. Artist Liu Wei’s oil-on-wood paintings, which intentionally crack and change color over time, decorate the walls.

Calacatta Gold marble covers the master bathroom floors. Hollis also used the marble to customize the vanity from Restoration Hardware. The geometric lighting chandelier is by Tom Dixon. The flowing architecture combined with the windows and glass doors demonstrate a nuanced play of light and shadow throughout the day.

Here we see the classic design details in the entrance of the apartment’s residential building.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more metropolitan, art-filled residences, be sure to see:

Sao Paulo Artist’s Apartment Renovation

Brazilian Fashion Stylist Apartment: Diego Revollo

Nicole Hollis’ Metropolitan Design

Nicole Hollis imbues spaces with beauty and emotion through her multidisciplinary design practice grounded in artisanship, conceptual rigor and materials exploration. A lush textural canvas, nuanced study of contrasts and emphasis on the Fine Arts characterize the firm’s strategic approach.

NICOLE HOLLIS conceives timeless interiors that elevate the human spirit. This award-winning collective of interior designers, interior architects, and furniture designers is led by creative director and principal Nicole Hollis in partnership with her husband, CEO Lewis Heathcote. The group offers a holistic approach to the art of living through residential, hospitality, and product design. The studio’s portfolio of clients includes global leaders and notable innovators who appreciate the ability to create a home that supports and enhances their family’s chosen lifestyle.

Interior Design: Nicole Hollis

Photography: Laure Joliet

Thank you so much for reading along with me. I hope you enjoyed today’s metropolitan design inspiration. Let me hear from you in the comments.

Have a great day!!

April 29, 2016
Chelsea Mercantile Residence: Jenny Wolf

Today’s design inspiration comes from a charming Chelsea mercantile residence in Manhattan. The pre-war condo is within the much-sought-after, prestigious Chelsea Mercantile Building. New York-based interior designer Jenny Wolf completed the simple yet elegant home for a newly retired couple moving back to the city. She meticulously renovated the interiors of the 2,000 square-foot residence with no detail spared.

The condo features tall ceilings and oversized windows providing an abundance of natural light throughout. Wolf modernized the floorplan with a more functional flow. The living room and dining room now form one open, continual space that flows into the kitchen. A soft, primarily neutral color palette and a multitude of textures accentuate the light and airy design. The designer created a calm urban oasis for the couple. The refined mixes easily with the casual for a home that is both beautiful and comfortable.

Wolf emphasized the high ceilings with the addition of crown moldings throughout the apartment. Here in the main living room, a coffered ceiling with light blue inset panels draws the eye up where a wood-and-wrought iron Rouleau chandelier suspends. A deep sofa from Lee Industries and a wing chair with nailhead trim from Hickory Chair group with a wrought-iron coffee table by Lillian August for Hickory White.

A pair of custom swivel chairs by Lee Industries upholstered in a Quadrille fabric flank a reclaimed-wood coffee table from Noir. A damask applique from Cowtan & Tout forms the pair of custom pillows. The lamp is by Ro Sham Beaux.

Wolf used an antique farm table that belonged to the couple and designed the dining area around it. She had the wooden top stained but had the lower portion distressed and painted with a blue-green milk wash to tie it in with the colors from the kitchen. A custom dining banquet by Lee Industries anchors the table on one side. Custom dining and side chairs upholstered in fabrics by Cowtan and Tout complete the seating. The furnishings gather on a sisal rug below with a spare wrought-iron chandelier above. A collection of decorative plates by Astier de Villatte hang on the wall.

The couple is passionate about cooking and entertaining. They had a good idea of how they wanted the kitchen to lay out. The design team was able to take their lead and ultimately created for them exactly what they wanted. Wolf redesigned the cabinetry and extended it all the way up to the ceiling to provide for extra storage. Honed Carrara marble forms the countertops with white milk-glass for the backsplash. The appliances are top-of-the-line stainless steel except for the fantastic final touch. A beautiful La Cornue oven pairs with a custom stainless-steel hood with antique brass rivets designed by Wolf. The brick wall behind looks distressed with shelves made with reclaimed wood and antique brackets creating an aged look. The center island includes a breakfast bar with custom barstools by TK Collections. The lights suspended above it are by Currey & Company.

The design team transformed the apartment’s long entry hallway from dark and dull to dramatic and inviting. A high gloss, lacquered Venetian plaster on the ceiling reflects light into the windowless space, in addition to adding unexpected color. Framed mirrors, along with antiqued mirrored panels on the doors keep the light moving and sparkling through as well. Schumacher’s Imperial Trellis wallpaper covers the walls. The series of black-lacquered lanterns are by Oomph.

The delightful powder room features hand-painted Chinese scene wall-coverings from Gracie. A vanity with bamboo detailing by J. Tribble continues the theme, as does the mirror frame. The fixtures are from Waterworks and the contemporary sconces are from Currey & Company.

The master bedroom features custom bedding from Leontine Linens in New Orleans. Three layers of Kravet fabric make up the custom draperies. The charcoal velvet bench at the foot of the bed is by Hickory Chair. The side tables are by Vanguard Furniture and hold gourd ceramic lamps by Festoni.

The master bathroom features a clean contemporary design in gray and white. Carrara marble forms the counter-tops with full height frameless mirrors above them. The floors display a mosaic design. The fixtures are from Waterworks.

That completes our tour of this renovated residence within the 100-year-old, limestone-clad luxury conversion Chelsea Mercantile Building.

For another residence completed by this designer, be sure to see:

Urban Loft Bachelor Pad

CHELSEA MERCANTILE RESIDENCE DESIGN INSPIRATION

Jenny Wolf is a New York-based interior designer focused on all aspects of residential interiors. The talented designer offers a lively fresh take on traditional design ideas. Jenny creates homes for her clients that feel stylish, comfortable, and full of life. She works to weave personalities with possessions, creating individualized interiors that suit her client’s personal style and desires.

Jenny is also the owner of a retail store in Pound Ridge, The Huntress New York.

Interior Design: Jenny Wolf Interiors.

Photography: Emily Gilbert

Dakota Willimon is a designer and project manager at Jenny Wolf Interiors. Dakota collaborated with Jenny on the design of this Chelsea Mercantile residence. Be sure to check out her website for more information on this talented designer.

So, what do you think of Chelsea Mercantile Residence: Jenny Wolf? Let me hear from you in the comments! I hope you enjoyed today’s design inspiration.

Thank you so much for reading along with me today, my friend!

Have a great day!

April 21, 2016
Theatrical Design: Manhattan Loft Residence

This 2,800 square-foot residence has been created from a full-floor loft space within a landmark 1898 Beaux Arts building in downtown Manhattan. The spacious interiors, designed by the New York based Architect and Interior Designer Garrow Kedigian, feature a look of layered luxe. The structure reflects the designers signature streamlined classic design principles, while bold colors, rich textures, and contrasting elements create a lively and theatrical design.

The art-filled home was created for cozy living and entertaining with great style. The inspiring interior design includes an eclectic mixing of mid-century Modern furnishings, an array of sumptuous fabrics and upholstery, and an assortment of both antique and new custom contemporary pieces. There is also a bit of Eastern influence and a touch of Bohemian flair. The effect is very inviting, very intriguing, and makes you wish you were on the invitation list for the owners next fabulous gathering. That is what makes it our design inspiration for today. Let’s take a look around!

CREATED FOR COZY LIVING AND ENTERTAINING WITH GREAT STYLE

THEATRICAL DESIGN INSPIRATION

The grand foyer sets the tone for the rest of the apartment’s theatrical design. The dramatic space has been composed as a library/sitting area inspired by the late Brooke Astor’s famous library in her New York duplex. A custom created, high-gloss deep eggplant color covers the paneled walls and bookcases. Gilded accents highlighting the edges of the bookcases allow the room to sparkle.

Ebanista velvet with contrasting welt and banding cover the custom sofa tucked between two bookcases, with pillows in fabrics by Schumacher and Donghia. The chair is a custom Art Deco-style, tall barrel-back design with a gilded wooden frame by Charlene Asdourian, covered in a Donghia velvet with contrasting trim. A wool and bamboo silk carpet by Tufenkian covers the floor. A Scheherazade Pendent by Odegard made with Fortuny silk suspends above a contemporary free-form center hall table by DesignLush. Interesting books, curious objects, and personal mementos fill the shelves making the room all the more intriguing. The painting and sculpture are the homeowner’s own artworks.

EASTERN INFLUENCE AND BOHEMIAN FLAIR

The foyer provides entry into the long, double volume L-shaped living space gathered into two seating areas. The first being an intimate and more formal grouping composed of two customized Donghia Toulouse sofas upholstered in a classic diamond-velvet by Nancy Corzine, and a Nancy Corzine Rateau Bergere armchair upholstered in Chartreuse Chamois by Quadrille. The cocktail table in the center was the homeowners dining table before, now cut down for this new use. A custom Sun Pendant lighting fixture by Paul Ferrante hangs above.

“The architecture is what sets the tone and tells you what you need to do with a space.”GK

The homeowner has an expansive and ever-revolving collection of artworks. The apartment has expansive windows and few large wall areas on which to hang the art. So, the brilliant design solution was to suspend the artwork from adjustable brass chains before walls of silk drapes. The lustrous silk panels with contrasting Bergamo banding along the bottoms drape most of the living area’s outer walls. They were left by the residence’s former owner, interior designer Jamie Drake.

The second seating area situates in the building’s front corner with excellent views in both directions. A large richly colored velvet Gustavian-style sectional sofa casually groups with a couple of upholstered armchairs. A custom-created coffee table centers the space. I love the pair of tall cathedral candle-sticks.

The dining area is positioned in the alcove off the far end of the living area. Here Kedigian presents a contemporary design in contrast to the more formal and traditional seating settings of the living spaces. The custom dining table features a bespoke cubist inspired base, conceived as a series of interlocking grid forms of bronze iron finished with gold leaf, completed with a glass top. Clarence House silk covers the Mid-century Modern dining chairs. The Profiles Marseilles sideboard cabinet features doors in polished unlacquered brass, each with nine circular openings. Bleached goatskin parchment with an off-white lacquer finish covers the main body, which sits on splayed legs with brass sabots. The painting above it is by Elliot Osgood, with the other art being the homeowner’s own. The designer finished the maple floors throughout the apartment with a dark stain.

Rich reds give the master bedroom a sophisticated worldly appeal. An assortment of linens with custom bed pillows dress the tufted upholstered and ebonized wood framed bed. The intricately embroidered drapes draw the eye up and emphasize the ceilings height.

In the guest bedroom, Venetian plaster designed to mimic leather hide covers the walls. The bed comprises a custom headboard by Albert Vitiello, linens by Schweitzer Linens, a coverlet by Bunny Williams Home, and an assortment of pillows. The silk curtains include contrast banding by Cowtan & Tout. The mirror is from the previous owner. A bespoke carpet from Mark Nelson Designs covers the floor.

Here in the statement making powder room, Kedigian lined the walls with custom wall drapes for the most theatrical design effect yet. He added crown molding and placed the drapery poles discretely behind it. The client’s art hangs with brass chains. A 19th-century Swedish Mirror hangs above the custom pedestal sink from Urban Archaeology. This feels very New Orleans French Quarter to me, very decadent. Love it!

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more dramatic Manhattan residences, be sure to see:

Park Avenue Streamlined Classic

Jamie Drake’s Apartment: West Chelsea

GARROW KEDIGIAN’S THEATRICAL DESIGN

Garrow Kedigian was born and raised in Montreal, Canada where he attended the prestigious McGill University’s Architecture program. After completing his formal education, Garrow moved to Boston, MA where he gained six years of experience at the renowned offices of interior designer William Hodgins—before deciding to take a bite out of the “Big Apple.” Garrow has been in New York since relocating in 2000. After working for several design powerhouses in New York City, Garrow established his own design firm in 2001. The designers classically trained architectural background is the foundation for most of his interior design work. He presides over multiple interior design endeavors around the world. His distinctive style is rooted in tradition but characterized by a contemporary flair.

Architecture & Interior Design: Garrow Kedigian

Photography provided by Garrow Kedigian

Special thanks again to Garrow Kedigian and James who provided the photos and descriptions and last minute details. Thanks so much you guys!!

Thank you for reading along with me today. I hope you enjoyed the wonderful theatrical interiors of this Manhattan residence. I really loved the collected and layered effect achieved. What do you think? Let me hear from you in the comments!

Have a great day!!

April 4, 2016
Noho Modern Design: Elena Frampton

Our design inspiration today comes from a warm and inviting downtown Manhattan apartment created for a bachelor and his teenage son. The residence features clean lines, Mid-Century Modern design furnishings, and vibrant Contemporary art. New York based interior designer Elena Frampton of Frampton Co completed the home with a comprehensive renovation and reconfiguration of two separate apartments into one. The owner and his son relocated from the Upper East Side to Bond Street in the decidedly edgier NoHo district. The designer created for them interiors fitting for their new location. Let’s take a look!

CLEAN LINES, MODERN FURNISHINGS, AND VIBRANT ART

A central hall opens to the public living/entertaining spaces on one end and the private bedrooms on the other. The building’s existing interior architecture creates loft-like conditions with its tall ceilings and windows. The designer captured and reflected this in the design of the public living areas. The family room, a living area, the kitchen and dining area, and other spaces are all within one large open space with each area defined by its use and furnishings.

MODERN DESIGN INSPIRATION

The living area furnishings gather before the fireplace on a wool Lepere rug. A tufted leather sofa pairs with two Louis Paolozzi modern design chairs upholstered in light blue linen centered by a John Vesey X-base glass-top cocktail table from Lobel Modern. A cobalt-blue Vistosi Murano glass chandelier suspends above.

Frampton created the sophisticated modern design kitchen with custom walnut cabinetry and dark gray soapstone for the back-splash. The homeowner did not want a formal dining table at all. So, instead the designer created the 13-foot island finished with a copper top. The owner saw the design at a local restaurant and asked the designer to replicate the look which really adds a lot of style to the space. The ovens are by Wolf and the barstools are from Roche Bobois.

A small study space is created just beyond the sitting area with a desk by Trau with a steel base and rosewood top. The polished-nickle lamp is by Karl Springer. All of the artwork throughout is from the owner’s previous home, Frampton had re-framed to integrate into the design of this new residence.

An area rug defines the family room on which it arranges. A custom walnut-and-brass wall with exposed media equipment continues the look created in the kitchen. The sofa is a Harvey Probber upholstered in a wool by Holland & Sherry. A pair of tufted chairs are upholstered in lavender flannel wool by Holland & Sherry. A lizard embossed cocktail table by Karl Springer centers the room. Violet wool covers a footstool by Angela Brown Ltd. Hand-dipped alpaca ombre drapes by Rosemary Hallgarten from ALT for Living frame the floor-to-ceiling, north-facing windows across this entire back wall.

Adjacent the family room, a leather upholstered wall completes the public living layout. The space acts as a games area and includes a classic billiard table.

To create more richness in the spacious master bedroom, the designer had the wall behind the bed finished with hand-applied blue-green plaster and dressed the windows in a similar hue. The leather-and-linen headboard, as well as the side table are both from Poltrona Frau. Periwinkle lamb’s wool covers a Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin chair and a stainless steel ottoman by the Bright Group in the corner. The fireplace is of bespoke design by Frampton. A chandelier by Kalmar composed of razor-cut textured glass sparkles above with a limited-edition wool carpet by Lepere below.

A little peek into the custom-finished master bedroom’s closet and the master bathroom where stone slabs mix with teak and mosaic tile. There is also a soaking tub, though not in view here.

For the son’s bedroom, he was very involved in the design process. The draperies are a linen with metallic shimmer by Pierre Frey. The large Lepere chair in the corner is upholstered in a blue wool from Osbourne & Little. An Italian Futurist chandelier from Kerson 20th Century hangs above it all. He has an en suite bathroom as well. There is also a third guest bedroom and bath, as well as a guest powder room.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more modern design inspiration be sure to see:

Beverly Hills Modern

California Modern Design: Sunset Plaza

ELANA FRAMPTON’S MODERN DESIGN

Frampton Co designs and creates interior experiences. Commitment to design’s relevance to daily life and our human connection to the spaces we inhabit characterizes their approach. The studio maintains a diverse portfolio, from carefully orchestrated residences with signature details to contextually sensitive and lifestyle-branded commercial projects. Combining a distinct aesthetic sensibility with methodical implementation, their attentive client collaborations bring a unique voice to each project. Engaging balanced atmospheres, sculptural compositions, meticulous craftsmanship, dimensional palettes, and confident unexpected choices mark Frampton’s work. The client serves as inspiration as they turn aesthetic visions into joyous functional realities.

Interior Design: Elena Frampton of Frampton Co

Photography: Joshua McHugh

Thank you so much for reading along with me. I hope you enjoyed this downtown Manhattan apartment with its Mid-Century Modern pieces mixed flawlessly with more contemporary design and custom works. Hopefully you picked up some design tips. Let me hear from you in the comments. What do you all think of this Modern Design?

Have a wonderful day!

March 28, 2016
Contemporary Penthouse Design: Studio Munge

This sleek and very refined penthouse is located within an exclusive residential condominium building in the heart of Toronto’s historic St. Lawrence neighborhood. The 4,500 square-foot, two-level residence has been given an edited and sophisticated new contemporary penthouse design by the Toronto based interior design firm Studio Munge. Every detail in this luxury home has been masterfully appointed by the design firm who has imparted a clean, modern aesthetic without sacrificing any of the comforts of a traditional single family home. The penthouse illustrates very well how an urban condo can have all the comforts of a traditional home.

The light-filled, open-flow and airy interiors feature floor-to-ceiling windows, along with an additional 2,000 square-feet of sprawling outdoor terrace which wraps around the entire first level, providing plenty of space both indoors and out, as well as expansive views across the city. The inspiring interior design within this penthouse ultimately created the ideal home for the owners.

The clients initially were concerned that moving to a condominium would prohibit them from enjoying the lifestyle they had become accustomed to in their family home while raising their children, who are all grown and out of the house now. They desired the benefits of living in a luxury residential building in such a prime location, as well as the chance to have a serene, contemporary design created for adults within it, but just weren’t perfectly sure. They put their faith in Studio Munge, whose work they much admired and they are so glad they did. The design firm made it a point to integrate the same comforts found in their traditional family home, complete with abundant storage, outdoor space and ample room for entertaining friends and family.

COBTEMPORARY PENTHOUSE DESIGN INSPIRATION

Studio Munge used a soft, neutral color palette, and natural but luxurious finishes to accentuate the sculptural quality of each element within.  The main living room is spare as in the entire home, and minimalist in its effect. The space is furnished with contemporary pieces from Italian furnishings company Minotti, including two generously proportioned Dubuffet sofas, paired with the Cortina armchair and round Bressen coffee table. All gather on a custom cream-colored, hairy-hide rug from Kyle Bunting. The art used in the residence was carefully selected according to its scale and function within each area that it occupies. Its deliberate placement punctuates the living areas and creates a fascinating interplay with the surrounding palette.

The sculptural spiral staircase separates the living and dining areas on the main floor and provides access to the upper level.

“I built a studio where disciplines are free to think for themselves, driven by curiosity and passion. “AM

The home lays out as a series of distinct but open spaces to create an uncluttered atmosphere that promotes effortless transition between rooms.

An open-concept kitchen flows from the dining room. Custom furnishings with clean lines, free of any distracting ornamentation allow the pieces to shine for their design alone. The sophisticated kitchen features stone surfaces, custom Studio Munge designed cabinetry, and of course, Miele appliances. A spectacular two-way Costa Azure marble-clad digital fireplace in the dining room creates the focal point. The dark marble offers a delicious contrast to the soft color palette displayed so far while remaining neutral and dignified. The contemporary lighting piece above the table offers some visual drama.

The den lies just beyond the dining area. These rooms share the two-way digital fireplace with marble faced wall surround. The contemporary penthouse design continues in warm, earthy shades with the same minimalist approach. This room gives a greater nod to more relaxed comfort. Its design provides casual family living space with its plush upholstered seating and television above the fireplace.

The powder room is the epitome of chic!  This is so good. Any room featuring walls of mirrors, especially one lit from behind wins with me. The very contemporary design sinks, lit from within, with their wall mounted faucets make for a very smart look.

On the second floor, a lounge area directly off the spiral staircase provides a place to unwind. It also gives access to the master bedroom, guest bedroom, and the home library/study.

Custom shelving and the main staircase structure partially hide the library. This gives it a sense of privacy while maintaining the open concept feel. This level includes wood flooring laid in a classic herringbone design. The two-way digital fireplace up here sports a smoother surround. A perfect balance of edited contemporary penthouse design with luxe natural finishes.

In the master bedroom, the bed’s headboard design integrates with the upholstered walls which conceal storage areas. Bespoke designed furnishings and luxurious Italian linens on the bed complete this room with style.

Stone envelopes the master bathroom, completed with sleek, custom cabinetry. The space includes separate standing showers and a free-floating soaking tub. Perfectly sublime right? Hidden storage provides a place for things, so the owners never have to feel cramped or cluttered. A correct place for everything and everything in its place. My kind of styling indeed!

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

Driven by a passionate curiosity in the human experience and believing that a sense of wonder and discovery are key to the creation of meaningful environments, Studio Munge creates luxurious design experiences that are warm and timeless—but also surprising and dramatic.

For more clean, contemporary design, be sure to see:

Marquand: Refined Contemporary Design

Seaside Contemporary Residence: Regalia

STUDIO MUNGE’S CONTEMPORARY PENTHOUSE DESIGN

Passion for great design drives Studio Munge. Excellence and exceptional service guide the design firm. Creative leadership informs and inspires their multidisciplinary team to produce distinctive, transformative design. For more than 20 years Principal Alessandro Munge’s global perspective, inquisitive nature, and quest for the perfect solution propelled Studio Munge onto the international stage.

Interior Design: Studio Munge

Photography: Evan Dion

Thanks so much for reading along with me! We appreciate you so very much!

Have a great day!!

March 2, 2016
Firethorn: Contemporary Mountain Retreat

This mountain retreat, tucked into North Carolina’s “Crown of the Blue Ridge Mountains” town of Blowing Rock has been given a fresh new contemporary design by the Miami-based interior design firm, Britto Charette. The residence is located in prestigious Firethorn, an exclusive gated community set within the dense forest that offers owners the beauty of the natural surroundings in a private setting; mountain living at its finest. The homes within the community are designed to exist in harmony with the surroundings. The architecture and building materials used to create the homes reflect the heritage of the region and provide for visual continuity. The area’s high elevation results in cooler summer temperatures than the surrounding lowlands to the south and east, which is what made Blowing Rock a summer destination many years ago. Cooler summers, winter skiing, and ample opportunity for outdoor adventure make this an ideal location.

In Miami, a city where many from the Northern parts of the country migrate every winter for its warmer climate, the summers get a little hot. The weather that draws the crowds in the winter, sends even the local residents looking for a milder reprieve, which was the case with this home. A busy Miami couple, who were already clients of Britto Charette, asked them to weigh in on the final selection of prospective second homes in North Carolina, which was to serve as a mountain retreat from their hectic schedules and Miami’s humid summers.

SUMMER MOUNTAIN RETREAT

Cooler summers, winter skiing, and ample opportunity for outdoor adventure make this an ideal location.

The couple decided on this four bedroom, four-bathroom home spread over three floors, where yellowed knotty pine wood predominated. They asked the designers to completely renovate the home, beginning with the heavy wood beams and myriad wrought iron brackets that contributed to an outdated and masculine feel that lacked the coziness desired. The couple agreed with the designers that they wanted to maintain the relevant architecture of the region by preserving many aspects of the home. They also wanted to bring in some of the light and bright interiors created within their Miami home.

First on the designers’ list was the wood flooring. The pitted pine surface had acquired a mustard patina with age which took weeks of painstaking work to grind down and smooth out. Once the contractors finished, the floors were given a darker, more contemporary finish that instantly updated the rooms.

The next task was to remove the original stone fireplace and replace it with something that would serve as the defining focal point of the home. A monumental, contemporary-style, slate-fronted fireplace with side firewood storage running nearly the full height on either side does just that. The vertical lines highlight the room’s soaring ceiling height of 22’ with a 25’ peak. The designers removed an overhanging ledge that wrapped around the upper loft area to create a clean volume of space. They covered the rustic exposed wood ceilings leaving only the structural beams. Wrought iron flat brackets replaced the decorative finials and traditional brackets to provide a sophisticated design update. A large incandescent light fixture suspends above the room washing it with soft light.

Downstairs, the foyer provides a perfect welcome with shades of blue green in the slate floors and in the contemporary art suspended above the credenza. The pieces displayed on top of the credenza are from Britto Charette’s own WASI porcelains collection.

The downstairs family room also features a contemporary fireplace, fronted with slate and with floor-to-ceiling firewood storage spaces along each side. Soft monochromatic upholstered furnishings with clean lines highlighted with touches of luxe fur throws and pillows keep the rooms light, modern and inviting. Graphic modern art pieces create a perfect contrast to the wood beams for a contemporary balance. A Britto Charette bespoke designed large ottoman centers the room.

In the kitchen with dining area, the designers concentrated their efforts on editing the space. Working around the preexisting island, they removed moldings and cleaned/polished the range/oven hood. The couple wished to keep the cabinetry, so the designers stained it and removed the backsplash tile, replacing it with stone. The Britto Charette bespoke designed dining table groups with chairs from Club Collection.

The powder room, located on the first floor, features raffia wall coverings to create texture. A vessel sink with industrial-style faucets enhances the modern rustic vibe, as does the leather framed mirror reflecting the contemporary wall art.

In the mountain retreat master bedroom suite, the designers dressed up the generous space. To create a cleaner look, drywall covers the dark paneling leaving only the support beams exposed. Custom wall panels by Britto Charette soften the room and form the headboard. The custom nightstands are by Britto Charette. A snakeskin bench at the foot of the bed adds a touch of drama. A bookshelf and upholstered chair create a cozy corner reading nook.

In the master bathroom, the designers left the wood beams and exposed wood ceilings intact. Wall coverings and a fabric shade soften the effect. New faucets and fixtures make the space more contemporary.

The home includes a lovely guest bedroom suite down on the lower level away from the other rooms. Softly upholstered walls and modern touches articulate the contemporary side of this mountain retreat.

The remaining guest bedrooms situate on the upper floor and have a more rustic feel to them. The ceilings maintain their original exposed wood. The neutral colors do not take away from the view of the outdoors. Chevron wall coverings create feature walls behind the upholstered headboards in both rooms.

The porch and deck, created with the raw materials surrounding the property, provide a gathering area for summer evenings. An outdoor fireplace completes this contemporary take on rustic mountain design.

The homes within the community are designed to exist in harmony with the surroundings.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my dear friend.

For more beautiful residences completed by these designers, be sure to see:

Marquand: Refined Contemporary Design

Seaside Contemporary Residence: Regalia

Modern Classic Design: Golden Mile

MOUNTAIN RETREAT DESIGN INSPIRATION

Also, be sure to check out their website. It has a wonderfully insightful blog.

Interior Design: Britto Charette

Photography: Dustin Peck Photography

Thanks so much for reading along with me, my friend! Let me hear from you all in the comments. I look forward to reading your thoughts on this contemporary mountain retreat!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!!

February 26, 2016
Beverly Park Chateau

Today’s design inspiration comes from a grand French chateau-inspired residence located within the exclusive guard-gated community of Beverly Park in the lush hills overlooking Los Angeles. The architectural design captures the essence of the fine country estates once owned by the ancient nobility in France. The newly built 40,000 square-foot mansion, designed by architect Richard Landry, interprets the classic European style for contemporary living appropriate to Southern California. The modern layout observes human proportions, with interior design by Joan Behnke, and offers up a restrained sense of luxury. This Beverly Park Chateau was not created to be a show house, but is show-worthy. Let’s take a look!

The home sits back on its lot and spreads out across the width almost entirely. Custom entry gates located on one end of the property open to reveal the residence hidden beyond them. A cobblestone driveway winds across the lawn to the centrally located motor court created before the main entrance. The drive then proceeds, running along the front of the property and either around to the garages situated along the side, or else out to the exit gates located on the opposite end. The estate appears as though it has existed here for centuries.

Great efforts went into creating the time-worn variation and texture for a genuinely old-world finish. Salvaged rubble stone covers the exterior facade with distressed limestone forming the door and window surrounds. Blue slate covers the massive Mansard roof, punctuated with dormer windows and roof spires. Weathered pavers form the path from the motor court, through the formal parterre garden, up to the front entrance creating a scenic procession.

GRAND BEVERLY PARK CHATEAU

The grand double-height entrance foyer, crowned with a glass dome above, ensures a definite sense of arrival and makes a lasting first impression. The vast light-filled, open space gives way in all directions. Visitors pass through a pair of massive wrought-iron doors backed with glass Behnke found in a French antique shop. A 19th-century hanging lantern suspends beneath the dome. Two glass-topped tables with 18th-century French bases arranged on a contemporary silk rug display a pair of vases by Hervé van der Straeten and a Bernar Venet sculpture. Classic and Contemporary designs combine effortlessly for a timeless appeal.

To make the large home more inviting, the architect divided the floor plan into clusters of rooms arranged around their function. The first group off the foyer are rooms for entertaining including the living room, the formal dining room, and the library.

The gracious formal living room features loads of charm and character. The design evokes the style and spirit of an elegant Parisian apartment. A custom created antiqued-furniture finish gives the wood-paneled walls their French gray-green color. The reclaimed antique limestone fireplace came from an old European estate. A notable contemporary painting hangs over the mantle for balance. Antique furnishings and decorative objects spanning centuries gather with new custom pieces bespoke designed by Behnke creating the impression of being accumulated over time. Rich colors and a variety of textured fabrics further enrich the senses. The room arranges on a custom contemporary silk rug. There is a worldly sophistication without being overly formal or stiff as one often finds in large homes. Along the back of the room, multiple sets of French doors flood the room with natural light and open onto a garden terrace.

The formal dining room features layers of rich wood trim and hand-laid herringbone floors composed of reclaimed antique French oak. The rich, saturated colors and contemporary interpretation of traditional design elements remind me of the French Quarter in New Orleans. The wrought-iron doors provide passage to a spiral staircase leading down to the wine cellar. The home includes a specific professional grade catering kitchen to allow the owners to serve any number of guests with ease. The design of this Beverly Park Chateau gives itself to entertaining with style on a large scale.

The library embraces a “gentlemen’s club” version of traditional design with its polished wood-paneled walls, intricate Oriental rug, and navy blue with gold accents. An artist custom created the ceiling designs by applying hand-painted canvases between the coffers. French antiques alongside new bespoke furnishings maintain the warm and intimate atmosphere while remaining completely functional. You are sure to be offered a Brandy, perhaps a Louis XIII Remy Cognac. A contemporary painting by Guy Diehl hangs above the Belgian marble fireplace.

No French country estate would be complete without a loggia with a fireplace. This one has glass walls that slide away to open two of its outer walls to the outdoors. The loggia embraces the best of Southern California’s indoor-outdoor living and gives way to the outer entertaining areas. The multi-purpose family gathering place located off the living room and library has comfortable all-weather wicker furniture. This arrangement of the rooms provides an excellent flow for guests when entertaining.

On the opposite end of the first floor, another cluster of rooms exists for the family and private living. These rooms have a far more casual French Country style. Here we have the family room with rough reclaimed wood beamed ceilings and a warmer color palette. Less formal traditional furnishings give the room the feel of a relaxed country home. It’s a luxe take on rustic!

The formal dining room we saw above and the catering kitchen mentioned are really used for formal entertaining purposes mainly. The home also includes this less formal, open flow family living-dining-kitchen area. This kitchen is where the family prepares their regular meals. The comfortable living area includes a large screen TV where the family really kicks back, and this more intimate, relaxed dining area is the one the family uses normally. The warm French Country vibe created in the adjacent family room carries into this area as well. The kitchen features a large center island topped with striking white-and-gray marble and is complete with a breakfast bar. The appliances are arranged around the island for easy access. The dining table is actually placed in a space that arches out and is lined with large windows which look out onto the back lawn.

The wine storage room on the basement level can be accessed directly from the dining room or from the home’s lower-level entertaining area. The room holds approximately 2,600 bottles of wine perfectly displayed in custom cases. The space includes an inner sitting area separated from the actual wine-storage by glass walls which allow for dual climate zones. This design team leaves no detail untouched. The rough-hewn timber and brick barrel vaulted ceilings paired with the weathered and aged floors give the space the look of an authentic forever old wine cellar whose wines have aged for years.

The home includes a basement level cluster of rooms designed for informal entertaining. The lower subterranean level entertaining area includes a circular sitting lounge with a big-screen television, along with a series of billiards/casino-style spaces complete with a pool table, card playing tables, and other games tables, as well as a full bar. The entire lower level expresses an Art Deco theme which unifies the spaces and gives it an air of refinement.

Also located down on this level is the home’s superb custom theater. The room includes custom mohair upholstered furnishings, silk draperies, and luxe finishes to complement the latest visual and sound equipment. The custom mill-work is all mahogany.

The second floor of the home holds a fully equipped private gym, a home office, and most of the bedrooms suites including (shown here) the expansive master bedroom suite. The master suite includes a sitting room, a generously scaled bedroom with another sitting area, and his-and-her bathrooms and closets. The walls are fabric upholstered and the floors are covered with custom silk carpet. The focal point in the room is the canopy bed with hand embroidery on the headboard and canopy drapes composed of four layers of sheer panels. A cabinet behind the sofa holds a pop-up television to watch from bed.

His bathroom impresses with dark walnut paneled walls and polished golden marble. Her spacious marble and paneled bathroom calms with pale shades of creams and pink. Both feature classic design detailing and both are quite grand and perfect in this home.

Here we see the homeowner’s private terrace overlooking the back lawn. It can only be accessed from the master bathroom making it the perfect place to escape.

These meandering cobblestone paths running between the stone structures of the main residence, guest house, and other outlying buildings appear as though they are part of an old European village and are very charming. Can you imagine? Don’t you agree? The entire Beverly Park Chateau is a wonderful work of art and craftsmanship. Most importantly, it evokes a light heart, cheer, and amusement. The whole point is to not take any of it too seriously. That is the most brilliant point in these details!

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more projects from these great talents, be sure to see:

Beverly Hills Deco Villa: Joan Behnke

Villa del Lago: Tuscan Inspired Estate

BEVERLY PARK CHATEAU DESIGN INSPIRATION

Designing projects all over the globe, Landry Design Group strives to raise the international standards in custom residential architecture. The award-winning design studio was founded in 1987 by Richard Landry. Recognized for designs in a wide range of architectural styles, the team of service-oriented experts collaborate to create residences spanning from classical estates to rural villas and cutting-edge contemporary structures.

Richard Landry has multiple beautiful Architectural Design Books that showcase many of the extraordinary homes created by his firm. If you love exceptional architecture, you must be sure to see these.

***

Founded in 1999, Joan Behnke & Associates, Inc. is rooted in the deep belief of interior design as both a fine art and a profound opportunity for self-expression. The firm, now grown to an internationally acclaimed design practice, thrives on working intimately with their clients to transform the spaces they inhabit and infuse them with a deeper kind of beauty that transcends the imagination and continues to flourish and inspire for a lifetime.

Architecture: Landry Design Group

Interior Design: Joan Behnke

Photography: Erhard Pfeiffer

This home was named Robb Report Ultimate Home

Thank you so much for reading along with me. I hope you enjoyed this lovely estate. Let me hear from you in the comments! What do you think of Beverly Park Chateau?

Have a great day!!

February 19, 2016
Park Avenue Streamlined Classic

New York-based architect and interior designer Garrow Kedigian spent five years searching for the right apartment. The moment he saw this one, he knew it was the one. A classic seven on Park Avenue on the fashionable Upper East Side. It wasn’t immediate. It needed much work, but its potential was clear. For our design inspiration today, we’re taking a look at the home the architect and designer created after six months of renovations and just in time to host 125 guests for a black-tie affair to celebrate his 40th birthday. This is the designer’s personal residence showcasing his streamlined Classic style.

Kedigian was born and grew up in Montreal, Canada. After completing his formal education at the McGill School of Architecture, he moved to Boston, MA where he worked for the renowned interior designer William Hodgins for six years. In 2000, he relocated to New York City and started his firm soon after that. His classically trained architectural background and time spent working with Hodgins, one of the Deans of American Interior Design, shaped his personal style which he describes as “Streamlined Classic.”

The apartment is located within one of the oldest remaining luxury residential buildings on Park Avenue, built in 1908. The Neoclassical building with Beaux-Arts detailing is full of prewar charm and includes gracious windows and high ceilings. It is a well maintained, full-service co-op with a total of twelve floors, his being the ninth. An additional detail of note, his L-shaped corner unit was occupied by Fred Astaire for twelve years during the late 1940s and early 1950s. What he liked most about the apartment were its balance and proper proportions. What he liked least was the fact that the place hadn’t been renovated since the 1950s and was in poor condition. He decided that was OK, though. He could envision what he wanted to do with the place, so he bought it and began the process of executing his vision.

STREAMLINED CLASSIC DESIGN INSPIRATION

Kedigian reconfigured some of the rooms a bit to create an entertaining enfilade along the south side of the apartment. The living room, dining/music room, and a library each open one to another for an open flow. A fireplace in the living room and the fireplace in the library punctuates each end. The designer paneled the walls here in the living room and added deep cove crown molding to accentuate the ceilings heights. Moldings also frame the ceiling beams. The walls finish with a high-gloss and each panel highlighted with a single gilded line around its perimeter. The fireplace mantle is French antique marble. Kedigian decided to use a Persian rug up-side-down to mute the tones.

Lee Jofa’s Spectrum Velvet with bullion trim covers the exceptional custom, tufted, upholstered banquet that anchors one corner.

Custom pillows made with a collection of fabrics from Holland and Sherry and Clarence House rest on the banquet. A digital blow-up of an Old Masters Renaissance fresco painting hangs behind it. Kedigian took a picture to a print shop and had them print it on canvas for him. A small set of side tables serve as a coffee table. At the end of the banquet, an 18th-century Dutch table holds a collection of mementos. A lantern purchased at Marche’ aux Puces suspends above.

An antique chair upholstered with a Hinson and Company Suede, along with one of the 19th-century dining chairs from the group that surrounds the table in the dining room gather with an English 19th-century pedestal table topped with an ebonized column lamp and other collectibles. An additional black frame added to the original frame enlarges the antique mirror above the mantle. A clever idea!

A bespoke designed sofa made by Albert Vitiello Decorators and upholstered in Chelsea Edition’s Diamonds anchors the room opposite the fireplace. Clarence House’s Neisha Crosland Fleuret Chevron upholsters the club chair. Both the living and adjoining music/dining room include multiple sets of French doors that open onto the buildings one and only Juliet Balcony.

A framed art project painted by Kedigian himself while in architecture school hangs above a vintage Tommy Parzinger campaign chair.

Fabric from Chelsea Editions with large-scale nail head trimming cover the walls in the dining/music room. The molding and wood trim is finished in ebony with a bit of brown. The display cabinets are original to the apartment. A velvet banquet trimmed with bullion fringe anchors one side of the dining area. The Mecox dining table with its gold finished wooden base gathers with 19th-century chairs upholstered in Schumacher’s Shock Wave.

The grand piano, a gift from Kedigian’s parents when he was young, stands on the opposite side of the room to leave a clear passage through. Its central location allows the music to filter through the entire enfilade of entertaining rooms. The passage way into the library was made a foot smaller than the passage from the living room. The difference creates a perspective and tricks the eye making the dining/music room appear deeper and the library appear further away.

Kedigian always wanted a library. To create one here, he converted a bedroom to complete the entertaining enfilade. He wanted to make sure it felt of contemporary and vibrant. After days of analyzing samples in the sunlight at various times of day, a custom palette of blue for the walls and a caramel/orange shade for the ceiling were created in a Fine Paints of Europe Brilliant finish. Embroidered fabric from Etro forms the curtains. A bergere covered in Pierre Frey’s Dune sits before the Mid-Century Modern desk. The lovely Louis XV fauteuil is dressed in its original blue velvet. The rug is custom from Stark. The painting above the fireplace is by Kedigian of an ocean scene in Maine.

Scalamandre’s Variegation Herringbone covers the sofa. Glant’s Liquid Leather gives the Neoclassical side chair a fresh look. Collections of old books and collectibles fill the library shelves except for one area where faux books mask a cabinet holding a television.

New crown and foot moldings line the main gallery hall along with custom storage, all painted in high-gloss black. Antelope-pattered carpet from Stark covers the floor.

In the master bedroom, a canopy bed holds center stage. To create a greater sense of height, the bed draperies, in Schumacher’s Malandros Stripe, attach directly to the bedroom ceiling above the French 19th-century antique bed.

The bedroom feels very much like New Orleans to me. This entire apartment feels familiar to me in that sense, being from the great Southern city originally myself. It’s very much like an apartment one would find in the French Quarter. Kedigian is of French descent in fact, and he sites his grandmother’s home in Paris as inspiration when putting together his apartment. So, of course they are similar and seem familiar.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more residences completed with streamlined Classic style, be sure to see:

Theatrical Design: Manhattan Loft Residence

Contemporary Classic Design: Sophie Paterson

GARROW KEDIGIAN’S STREAMLINED CLASSIC APARTMENT

This Park Avenue residence was featured in House Beautiful Magazine. Garrow has honed the classic elegance of this prewar apartment, while restoring it to a former glory era, and was able to simultaneously infuse a contemporary undertone. The designer established his own design firm in 2001. He presides over multiple interior design endeavors around the world. His distinctive style is rooted in tradition but characterized by a contemporary flair.

Architect and Interior Design: Garrow Kedigian

Photography provided by Garrow Kedigian: an assortment of photos by Fred Hatt, Christopher Sturman, and others.

House Beautiful Magazine

Thank you so much for reading along with me. I hope you enjoyed this tour of Garrow Kedigian’s personal Park Avenue residence with his signature streamlined classic design.

Have a great day!

January 22, 2016
Biscayne Bay Waterfront Mansion Redesign

A classic waterfront mansion located on Miami’s Biscayne Bay gets a spectacular redesign and expansion that maintains its architectural integrity while completing it with a clean, contemporary finish for modern luxury living. The stately picturesque look of this traditional 1940’s brick exterior set back formally beyond the property’s canopy of twelve grand oak trees, is the only thing that isn’t new with this home. It was this look and feel that the new owner most wanted when he first knocked on the door to make an offer to buy the home.

He was successful in obtaining the waterfront mansion and its picturesque setting, but the home’s state of disrepair delayed his moving in. Miami-based property developer Todd Michael Glaser came in to assess the damage and determined that a renovation of the existing structure was impossible. It would have to be rebuilt. The front facade remains but the project otherwise required the removal of the entire back two-thirds of the house and the gutting of the rest. The developer brought in architect Ralph Choeff and interior designer Charlotte Dunagan to collaborate on the home’s new design. The necessary rebuild also provided an opportunity to expand the dwelling, and so it was. The home expanded over 10,000 square-feet with new side wings added perfectly maintaining the homes symmetry and architectural harmony and ultimately creating the 18,000 square-foot mansion it now is.

WATERFRONT MANSION REDESIGN

The centrally located double-height entrance rotunda remains, though enhanced with the addition of a new coffered dome ceiling above. The elegant foyer features a gently winding staircase. Dunagan covered the steps in dark walnut and added a delicate wrought-iron balustrade.

The foyer opens to a spacious double-height, classic-contemporary living room. Plastered walls and detailed millwork combine perfectly with the clean lines of the contemporary furnishings. The room is bright and awash with natural light pouring in from the wall of windows and French doors along the back providing beautiful views of the water. The designer kept the colors subdued and monochromatic to allow the homeowners vibrant art to shine. This is a waterfront mansion after-all and the owner had requested spaces with relaxed elegance where the family could feel comfortable.

A pair of Belgian linen upholstered sofas and a pair of wing bergères define the sitting area gathered around a pair of slate-topped, black cocktail tables by Lars Bolander beneath a black wrought iron chandelier by Dessin Fournir.

In the dining room, a pair of bespoke walnut tables with sunbursts marquetry tops by Dessin Fournir group gather with a rare find of sixteen antique leather chairs from Randall Tysinger. A superb Napoleonic ebonized Bibliotheque, circa 1865, anchors the room, flanked with colorful works by the Colombian artist Fernando Botero featuring his over-sized, bloated figures. White linen drapes and shaded chandeliers by Carotto give the room a simple feel of understated elegance.

In the new family room, Dunagan created a coffered ceiling to mask the structural elements joining the new and existing parts of the house along with a pillared support at the pass-through into the kitchen. She gathered custom contemporary furnishings, upholstered with fabrics from Monica James, on a textured NIBA rug.

The light-filled transitional kitchen blends old and new. Traditional white painted, glass-fronted cabinetry gives the room an expansive feel. A custom milk glass and pewter hood above the stove adds visual interest. An oak island with marble countertop includes a breakfast bar. A banquette and table form additional eat-in areas. The designer upholstered the chairs and bar stools with fabric from Monica James.

“He was open to so much. His only specifications were traditional comfort and a two-story library where men could gather to play pool, watch a movie or have a cigar.” Dunagan said of the owner

A two-story library stands opposite a space for playing pool along with a full bar. There is also an automated theater screen. The hand-laid herringbone floors are quite handsome and compliment the wood paneling in the library well.

In addition to the full bar, another space was created to relax and enjoy a drink. A designated wine room holds 200 bottles of vintage wine in temperature controlled storage units in custom milled cabinetry. This rooms antique leather furnishings and warmer colors create a gentlemen’s club effect. At the back of the room, hidden doors provide access to a bay-windowed games room.

The master bedroom suite is a supremely comfortable space. Grasscloth wall-coverings by Phillip Jeffries covers the walls. The owner enjoys the spectacular view of the Miami cityscape from his bed with its custom tufted wool-flannel headboard. A pair of 1820’s burled walnut Biedermeier chests by Louis Philippe stand on either side of the bed. An armless settee and a pair of charcoal gray armchairs form a sitting area. They gather on the NIBA wool area rug. The master bedroom suite includes spacious separate bathrooms and dressing areas for each spouse. A luxury that cannot be overstated.

The project took eight months to complete from tear down to the creation of the owners dream luxury home. What does he think of his finished mansion? He is ecstatic with the timelessness of his charming sea-side home. It is easy to see why.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more iconic, restored mansions, be sure to see:

Modern Luxury Design: Greenwich Estate

Southern Classic Mansion: Historic Charleston

Biscayne Bay Waterfront Mansion

Since 2002, Charlotte Dunagan Design Group, one of the top interior design firms in South Florida, has specialized in high-end luxury residential projects. In 2016, the firm evolved into Dunagan Diverio Design Group, a team of discreet professionals with their focus on interiors and exteriors with a deeper, richer, more intuitive understanding of the client’s needs; to uncover the true objective driving the design of the home. Dunagan Diverio Design Group, believes in building meaningful relationships with their clients and approaching each project with a distinctive and personal process, with special attention to detail. Their mission is for every space to embody ‘timeless understated elegance.’

Development: Todd Michael Glaser

Architecture: Ralph Choeff Architect

Interior Design: Charlotte Dunagan- Dunagan Diverio Design Group

photography: Mark Surloff

Thank you so much for reading along with me. What do you think of this Biscayne Bay Waterfront Mansion Redesign? Let me hear from you in the comments.

Have a great day!

January 8, 2016
Fifth Avenue Classical Design

For our design inspiration today, we are taking a look at an elegant Fifth Avenue apartment located within a handsome prewar residential co-op building on New York’s Upper East Side. This residence serves as a pied-a-terre for a couple who wished to create for themselves a very special luxury home in the city. Their appreciation for classical design elements allowed for the creation of a home rich with architectural ornamentation and exquisite detail. These classical-inspired features include highly articulated ceilings and decorative wall treatments forming rooms with ordered and balanced compositions rendered in a subdued but sophisticated color palette. Bespoke designed custom furnishings and an array of period antiques combine with the owner’s significant collection of modern art in a seamless fusion of refined luxury.

New York-based architect John Murray, a noted master of the classical design tradition, created the three-bedroom residence by combining two original one-bedroom units. The relatively small 2,500 square-foot pied-a-terre doesn’t have the requirements of a year-round home, so space gave itself to design. The public rooms arrange as a series of enfilades with each room opening to one another creating a formal sense of progression. Ornate crown moldings designed as part of the paneled walls make the ceilings appear higher. Tall baseboards and chair rails placed low on the walls make the rooms seem proportionally taller. These and other such principles carry throughout the apartment expanding the volumes to their best proportions.

INSPIRING CLASSICAL DESIGN

New York-based interior design firm Cullman & Kravis brought together the homes furnishings and decorating details. In all their projects, the firm embraces a modern traditional design aesthetic.

By artfully mixing antiques of all periods and origins alongside contemporary works and bespoke designs, the results are always timeless and comfortable, just as they are here.

The living room’s paneling includes curved corners and other effects to create a graceful line around the room, as well as for the practical purpose of concealing various structural components. The design includes a highly stylized custom acanthus leaf molding that lines the room beneath the plaster cornice.

The fireplace features custom bronze work cast by P. E. Guerin. Its design has been integrated into the paneling of the south wall to create the rooms focal point. Note the gator leather with tack trim on the Klismos chairs. Hand painted and beaded silk forms the window draperies. Art by noted contemporary masters displays on the walls.

For the grand entrance into the apartment, a rotunda-shaped entry vestibule was created. The dome ceiling, highlighted with a stylized Greek key in gold, creates the perception of greater height. This space gives way to a rectangular gallery to one side and to a vaulted gallery down the center of the apartment leading to bedrooms.

A group of graphite drawings by Alan McCollum, 1989-1990 hang in a modern grid as per the artist’s instructions. To prevent any early notions that the place is period or overly formal, the design team installed simple art lighting in the vaulted ceiling.

Painted wood with leather panel insets ornamented with bronze stud work dress the library’s walls. The articulated ceiling incorporates a layering of banding that serves as a decorative organizer for the lighting. Corner details enhance the form of the cove ceiling.

How exquisite is this powder room? These are really quite glamorous interiors!

Here in the master bedroom, the custom plaster cornice features a repeated geometric design. Various geometric designs incorporate around the room; in the carpet, the glass panels of the very fabulous closet doors, and as trim along the bedding and draperies. The overall impression of the apartment is that it has always been here, and yet it is still very current. It is timeless. It is just as the couple wanted for their pied-a-terre.

That concludes our classical design inspiration for today, my friend. I hope you enjoyed Fifth Avenue Classical Design.

To see other homes complete by Cullman & Kravis be sure to see:

Venetian Waterfront Residence: Cullman & Kravis

Georgian Modern Traditional Elegance

Contemporary Traditional Design: Southern Mansion

Transitional Design Update: Park Avenue

Classical Design Inspiration

This residence is one of the beautiful projects featured in designer Elissa Cullman’s book The Detailed Interior: Decorating Up Close with Cullman & Kravis. Cullman & Kravis has a remarkable ability to see the whole picture and, at the same time, appreciate the smallest of its pieces and intricacies. Each of their rooms is a magnificent and elaborate tapestry—step back, and a stunning image emerges; look up close, and every stitch is perfectly aligned with its neighbor, every thread a mirror of a larger pattern. This focus on detail subtly influences every component of the residences they design, so that every room harmonizes with the architecture, the setting, the furniture, and the artwork. Hand-carved moldings subtly reflect the embroidery of a throw pillow. The form of an antique chandelier echoes the drape of the silk curtains. Complementary colors emerge in the needlework of a rug, the brushstroke of an abstract painting, the fresh flowers on a table. Each room appears as the quintessence of effortless grace and balance, while only the designers know the meticulous research and extraordinary passion that went into creating such a perfectly harmonious space. The Detailed Interior: Decorating Up Close with Cullman & Kravis reveals how the firm achieves this effect, and how readers can employ these details to endow their rooms with the same sense of elegance and poise.

Architecture: John B. Murray Architect

Interior Design: Cullman & Kravis

Photography: Durston Saylor

Thank you so much for reading along! Let me hear from you in the comments! What did you think of Classical Design in this Fifth Avenue pied-a-terre?

Have a great day!

December 30, 2015
Contemporary Mountain Retreat

For our design inspiration today, we are taking a look at a contemporary mountain retreat located in the ski resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho. This 12,000 square-foot vacation home is a modern day interpretation of Craftsman style by Idaho architect Michael Blash. The architecture design mixes traditional Craftsman elements, such as low pitched roofs and rafters, with modern horizontal roof lines and floor-to-ceiling windows for a contemporary effect. The residence lays out as three separate buildings over three floors, connected by glass-walled transitioning spaces with its exteriors composed of local stone, cedar, and steel built into the hillside. It’s positioning provides clear views both up and down the Valley and offers dramatic views of Bald Mountain, the areas prime ski destination.

To be clear, the owners of this new mountain home did not want it to be at all like what one typically thinks of a mountain home, nor did they want a western theme. There would be no antlers or Navajo rugs. Nor would there be anything rustic or even country or shabby chic. They had no interest in distressed woods or anything barn style either. Their new vacation home would be smart, chic, and of contemporary design. They called in the Chicago based interior designers James Dolenc and Thomas Riker of JamesThomas with a clear directive on the matter.

The designers kept the interiors quiet and neutral to allow the views outside the windows to shine, and not to distract from them. They brought the surroundings in by including lots of natural elements in the interior design, but in a most contemporary way. Their natural materials would be refined, not rustic or rugged. The mahogany and walnut used throughout to the create the wall paneling and the bespoke designed cabinetry is smooth and polished. Sleek!

CONTEMPORARY MOUNTAIN RETREAT DESIGN

James and Thomas ultimately negotiated with the owners for some balance to ground the home with its surroundings. The owners agreed to allow a few references to the West. The designers felt that it was important when one initially enters the home, that they be presented with a mix of contemporary design with a bit of Western reference as well. In the foyer, a large Equestrian painting by artist Ashley Collins hangs front and center. Below it, stands a handcrafted console composed of an elm tree trunk mounted upon a steel base by John Houshmand. The architect designed the lattice light fixture above the space to create the effect of walking through natural light.

In the living room, a wall of windows across the back provides stunning views of the mountainside. The polished stone fireplace wall, designed by the architect, separates the living and family rooms with its design repeated on both sides. In front of the windows, a pair of Holly Hunt chairs upholstered in pale blue wool create an intimate conversation area. The rest of the room’s furnishings gather on a rug from Tufenkian including the Donghia sofa, and a Troscan Leigh chaise and bench. A pair of onyx-topped coffee tables from Bradley Hughes and a pair of African cup stools from Christa create a bit of visual interest within the room. The designers balanced the modern lines and polished finishes with warmly upholstered furnishings and interesting pieces.

The family room is a more intimate, cozy space where everyone just hangs and watches television. The beams across the top are patented steel instead of the traditional rustic wood. Wide wool corduroy covers the bespoke designed upholstered sofas by JamesThomas. The Ellipse Chair by Modernica serves as a statement piece.

Timeless, polished design that charms with a nuanced mix of beauty, character, and innovation.

The dining room accommodates a few or as many as twelve. The bespoke designed dining table by JamesThomas consist of two square tables which, when apart, seats four each. The two combined with an additional leaf seats twelve. The dining chairs are by Holly Hunt. Above the table, a contemporary custom lighting fixture by Pagani Studio suspends. The Atelier Credenza by Morlen Sinoway, with candlesticks from Baker, sit beneath contemporary artworks from the home owner’s collection.

The open kitchen continues the style created in the adjoining public rooms. An L-shaped bar with a raised counter-top clad with White Beauty granite defines the outer perimeters. The bar stools surrounding it are from Berman Rosetti. The designers used a more subtle mocha granite for the center island and backsplash. To maintain continuity, the same mahogany used throughout the home forms the cabinets. The stainless-steel hood was custom created for the oversize Wolf cooktop.

The powder room in this home includes a custom-made concrete sink surrounded by a floating walnut vanity with a protective glass top and a marble back-splash. The sconces mounted on the mirror are from Fuse Electric and consist of a metal frame with black crystals surrounding the lights.

An elevator serves the home’s three floors. There is also a stunning steel and mahogany spiral staircase in the home’s north wing. A 20-foot chandelier designed by Charles Loomis suspends from the top down through the center of the spiral to dramatic effect.

The master bedroom includes a bespoke designed suede headboard that reaches the ceiling. On either side of the bed, the designers placed bespoke metal tables and storage cubes. Lamps by Baker center the side tables beneath a pair of swing-arm reading lamps. The owners prefer bare floors, so the designers simply placed runners on either side of the bed. At the foot of the bed, they placed a Nankin Bench by Christian Liaigre. The club chair and ottoman are by John Hutton for Holly Hunt. The look and feel of the room promote calm, which is most appropriate for a contemporary retreat.

The master bathroom makes the extra effort to earn the description “spa like” while remaining completely simple and almost minimalist in its design. The architect used the latticework for the ceiling design in here as he did in the foyer. Travertine covers the floors and portions of the walls. A custom concrete sink mounts on a floating vanity designed as a large single trough. In addition to the glass enclosed shower, a free-standing soaking tub by Waterworks stands in a corner boasting views of the nearby nature reserve. The bathroom opens to its own patio. The light above the tub is jGoodDesign.

The master bedroom’s 200 square-foot closet/dressing room organizes like a dream. The walnut used throughout the rest of the home forms the cabinetry, including the closets, drawers, and plenty of concealed storage areas. The designers bespoke designed the large suede upholstered ottomans. The drum light is from Stonegate Designs.

In addition to the kid’s bedrooms, the home includes a comfortable guest bedroom with en suite bathroom designed to feel like an all-inclusive hotel room.

The hallway leading from the parent’s room in one wing, across to the kid’s room in the opposite wing includes built-in benches and niches for displaying the owner’s art collection.

An inside patio room opens to a furnished lanai via glass walls that slide away to fully merge the indoors with the outdoor entertaining areas. One of the many outdoor features includes this giant chess board.

You can have your contemporary mountain retreat designed as a luxury home with all the familiar comforts you enjoy. You can have these things without any of the dated trappings of the old, rugged wild west, if you prefer that. Of course, if you want and enjoy rustic elements, that’s great too. Design and technology make it possible for you to have a choice. This contemporary mountain retreat redefines the western traditional design aesthetic. By incorporating contemporary elements, the design team created an ideal vacation home for this modern-day family.

“The most important thing in this house is what’s out the windows. We definitely didn’t want to distract from that.” Thomas Riker

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more contemporary retreats, be sure to see:

Firethorn: Contemporary Mountain Retreat

Contemporary Desert Retreat

Idaho Contemporary Mountain Retreat

James Thomas was founded in 2003. The Chicago-based interior design studio runs because of the vision, passion, and energy of ten very talented designers, a dedicated business manager, and their darling rescue pup, Teddy. To date, they have completed 400 design projects. A sense of effortless elegance has long been a James Thomas signature. They are known for colorful, textured spaces that are innately welcoming and always, in their own way, communicate timeless design elements such as warmth, generosity, and affection.

Interior Design: jamesthomaschicago.com

architecture: michaelblashandassociates.com

photography: Tim Brown

Thanks so much for reading along with me. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments!

Have a great day!

December 26, 2015
Boston Transitional Classic: Terrat Elms

Our design inspiration for today comes from a mid-nineteenth-century Bostonian Transitional Classic residence. The gracious 7,900 square-foot period home features classic architectural details with newly updated transitional interiors completed by Boston based interior design firm Terrat Elms.

Initially, the residence was rather grand and a bit cold. It had been well maintained. The home had undergone several additions and renovations through its many years, though much of its period details remained intact and in excellent condition. The interior architecture and the classic design details were mostly fine.

The new owners resided in a sleek, contemporary penthouse apartment in The Residences at the Ritz Carlton Towers in mid-town Boston with their infant. They became pregnant again and decided they needed a better suited child-friendly family home. That’s when they found this beautiful classic home and purchased it fully furnished. They now had two households of furniture and this stately home with formal interiors. All needed to be edited and merged in the best possible way to create a comfortable family home.

To work this out for them, they called on Terrat Elms, who designed their current Penthouse. The owners requested that they creatively reuse the furnishings they already had to complete the new home. The designers honored the classic architecture and enhanced many of the existing traditional features. A softer, more inviting effect was achieved by cleverly integrating contemporary styling elements. Interesting textiles and fresh colors merge with the expertly edited and updated furnishings and loads of intriguing new artwork. The interiors are now modernized in style, scale, and suitability for the family. Take a look!

In the spacious foyer, custom de Gournay wall-covering, hand-painted on charcoal paper, balances the formality of the marble floors. The designers centered the room with an Alessio Table by Formations beneath a Esterel chandelier from Pagani Studio. The fireplace is reworked into a more contemporary design. A Damien Hirst butterfly work hangs above it. A James Nares brushstroke painting maximizes the room’s visual effect.

In the living room, Phillip Jeffries grass-cloth wall-covering creates texture and depth. Shades of gray and ivory cover most of the upholstered furniture for a smart, chic look. Zimmer & Rohde satin with a contemporary design forms the window coverings. An abstract canvas by Jon Imber hangs over the sofa. Two works by John Baldessari also hang in here. A plum velvet bench by Christian Liaigre stands beneath a window. Rugs with luxe textured patterns cover the floors here and throughout the home.

In the dining room, the designers used a darker Phillip Jeffries tailored linen on the walls with a slight metallic finish which highlights the traditional molding and trim. The deep color allows the other colors in the room to really shine. A Warren Isensee painting hangs above the sleek, new Chesney fireplace mantle. The rug, table, and chairs came with the house and integrated well in the new design. The designers updated the chairs with Donghia’s Squiggly Hollywood on the backs, and Pollack’s Dottie on the fronts. A contemporary chandelier by Alison Berger suspends over the table. The room also includes a grouping of four A.R. Penck paintings.

A custom, laser-cut graphic stone back-splash gives the all-white kitchen a contemporary edge. The designers painted the center island a darker shade to create visual depth.

The glossy black butler’s pantry impresses as well as the kitchen. I really like the look created with this modern classic design.

Multiple pieces from the Ritz Penthouse fill the family gathering room including the dining table with orange mohair chairs from the Bright Group. They stand beneath a Flos chandelier by Gino Sarfatti. The Calvin sectional and ottoman also came from the apartment.

The only part of the house that wasn’t well maintained was its steel-and-glass conservatory, which they rebuilt. In the newly rebuilt conservatory, the designers created a great casual space with tumbled stone flooring and edited simplicity. B&B Italia lounge furniture and a Sutherland table surrounded with Holly Hunt chairs furnish the space.

Crown molding installed in the home’s oval office emphasizes the existing pale blue Venetian plaster ceiling and the Murano glass chandelier. The furnishings selected reflect the rooms oval shape.

Terrat Elms gave the powder room a moody glamorous effect. They painted the existing vanity black to tone down its traditional feel. A rock crystal framed mirror hangs over the vanity flanked by a pair of 1940’s sconces from Paris.

In the master bedroom, the designers covered the walls in a silver threaded grass-cloth from Phillip Jeffries. A bronze metallic striped fabric forms the window shades. A custom upholstered bed from the Ritz pairs with Thomas Pheasant for Baker’s Mondrian nightstands. A framed Heidi Whitman paper construction hangs above it. A B&B Italia swivel sofa anchors a corner.

The home includes a really comfortably guest suite.

The designers ultimately created a luxury home that is transitional classic in its design. They created an updated classic with a balanced blend of traditional architectural elements and contemporary detailing for a warm, welcoming home that is both elegant and suited for modern family life.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more fabulous transitional design, be sure to see:

Elms Transitional Style: Intercontinental Boston

Transitional Interior Design: Gramercy Park

TRANSITIONAL CLASSIC DESIGN INSPIRATION

At Elms Interior design, (name updated since original posting) passion drives their interior design. If you can imagine it, they make it happen.

Elms Interior Design is a full-service interior design firm with a focus on creating distinctive homes that reflect their owners’ values and personality. The firm’s multi-disciplinary practice combines design, architecture, and craftsmanship to manage transformations of any complexity and scale. They have a network of talented partners includes leading architects, engineers, and craftspeople who share their dedication to exceptional, highly finished work.

Interior Design: Terrat Elms- Elms Interior Design

Photography: Michael J. Lee

Thank you so much for reading along with me. I hope you enjoyed this Bostonian Transitional Classic home! I look forward to hearing from you in the comments.

Have a great day!

December 14, 2015