Classically Contemporary

I came across this Atico Madrileno (usually the top floor apartment with a roof terrace) yesterday while browsing Nuevo Estilo. This apartment surrounded by an indoor patio was renovated by Interior Decorator Pedro Rubio, unfortunately he doesn't have a website to get lost in. The home owners who are frequent travelers asked for a dynamic home where they could enjoy different seating areas, bring in family pieces and display their travel collection. The result was a mixture of different styles and characters using classic and modern furniture with exotic African elements and central Asian textile (suzani). One of my favorite elements on Spanian Interiors is how they enhance or improve the architecture of rooms by incorporating such elements as modern panelings, lacquered walls, geometric painted floors and graphic sliding doors making rooms look more dynamic and interesting.

The cozy yet sophisticated library and family room. Those bookcases and those Amalfi Coast chairs really make the room.

The mirrored fireplace-wall contrasts with the adjacent modern paneling. Love how the use of the round cocktail table facilitates the flow.

The Wiggle Stool by Frank Gehry seems to blend in effortlessly with the tones of browns and grays in the living room.

The kitchen table used to be an ironing table and its now, together with the head fixture the focal point of the room.

The graphic sliding doors contrast the modern wood paneling. A modern architectural enhancing element that's easy to replicate.

I love seeing examples of small bathrooms that are both functional and beautiful.

Images via Nuevo Estilo.

Francesco and Gael Boglione at Home

I'm an advocate for strong architecture, big dominating art and sculptural shaped furniture. Francesco and Gael Boglione's house in Richmond, England has lime-washed walls that get enhanced even further with the couple's incredible art collection that include works by Gary Hume, Lucien Freud and Damien Hirst among others. The most interesting part of this house is how the couple were able to keep it elegantly simple while having that impressive collection of art.

Images credit: Vogue Living Australia

Jacques Grange, Paris abode

Jacques Grange's Paris flat is nothing short of perfection. The classic details of the 18th century architecture sings in perfect harmony with a mixed of Art Deco and contemporary furniture with 18th and 20th century pieces and Objects D'Art. "Harmony is a question of eye and personal feeling; there is no recipe" says Grange. And he sure knows how to accomplish that to perfection.

Love the view of the Palais Royal garden through Grange's bedroom where the walls are covered in woven horsehair.

Some of these images are found in Jacques Grange: Interiors.

Unique

Good Morning, it's Monday and I hope it's the beginning of a productive week for you.

Sometimes beauty is in what's different.

Images credit: 1 & 2

Juxtaposition

This is perfect juxtaposition. The simple lines of the Arne Jacobsen egg chair and the disco ball add a modern, yet classic touch to this beautiful ornate room.

Image via here.

Rose Anne de Pampelonne

Going through my files I came across Rose Anne de Pampelonne Parisian limestone mansion built in 1900's and redesigned by the designer who is also a baroness. The multi floor mansion that she shares with her bank-president and baron husband Bruno, was featured in Elle Decor a little while ago and has since been in my files because of its eclecticism and use of different hues. Asian antiques and porcelain, indigenous fabrics, sculptural antique fishing baskets hung as art, African mask, velvet and brocade fabric are gracefully combined in harmony layering this sumptuous home.

Above and below images of the gorgeous stunning dinning room

Rose Anne de Pampelonne placed an elegant 1940s relic bed with leafy silvered legs and a neo-Baroque headboard upholstered in silk velvet and brocade in her living room. I love it when designers think completely outside the box.

A table in the courtyard is dressed with an antique saris.

Rose Ann de Pompelonne photographed by Roger Davies.

Enjoy your weekend.

All images from Elle Decor.

Have you seen...Ruthie

Once in a while I find myself going into Ruthie Sommers website hoping to see it up and running to lose myself in the beautiful interiors and start to enjoy all the new stunning inspirations I'm sure she's been working on lately. While we also await for her upcoming book I wait in anticipation of a magazine hoping to find her unique creations that will keep me in awe for a long long time.

Have a great weekend!!!

Adam D. Tihany, Designer Extraordinaire

I became familiar with designer Adam D. Tihany on a recent visit to Daniel in New York City which was renovated in late summer 2008. The stunning sleek and elegant furniture juxtaposed with neoclassical features at its soaring 18 foot coffered ceilings, balusters, arches and delicately carved pilasters sent me in an urge to know more about this designer. I must have been living under a rock because I didn't know about Mr.Tihany who is widely recognized as one of the top hospitality designers in the world. Tihany has conceived interiors for 300 luxury restaurants and boutique hotels- many of the restaurants are 3 star Michelin rated. In New York City alone, Tihany has been the creative mind behind Per Se for chef Thomas Keller, Jean Georges for Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and the legendary Le Cirque 2000 for Sirio Macchioni to name a few. Acclaimed for his impeccable multifaceted design and immaculate taste, Tihany has brought to live innovative restaurant concepts in many of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities and exclusive resorts and has been a major force in Las Vegas’ development as an international gourmet capital with restaurants in his curriculum as the likes of Aureole at the Mandalay Bay. His more significant projects include the signature C restaurant for chef Charlie Trotter at the One&Only Palmilla resort in Cabo San Lucas, the restaurant and bar at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London and many others that if I continue mentioning would take the front page of my blog. I mean, seriously, I should be embarrassed that I didn't know about this magnificent legend in the design world.

Daniel restaurant in NYC.

per se in NYC

Le Cirque in NYC

Definitely Adam D. Tihany is a designer to follow and to look up to.

A house full of personality

My favorite rooms in this house are the bathroom and breakfast area, although I wouldn't mind living in all of the others as well.

images from Nuevo Estilo.

Gracious Entrance-partie deux

"Luck is the residue of design". Branch Rickey

Some entrances can tell a lot of their occupants. For instance; their age, their likes and their hobbies. Have a wonderful, lucky weekend!!

Beautiful Eclectic Interiors

images Reed Krakoff, Blackman Cruz, Jonathan Adler and Cynthia Rowley.