Tuesday, July 24, 2012

a clear solution.

Living in New York City, you quickly get used to making the most of small spaces. Manhattanites are always looking for ways to downsize but there are some pieces you just can't skimp on.  So, when space is limited, you have to get creative. How does one do this? The answer is clear.
Acrylic and Lucite furniture.

Clear furniture adds a visual lightness and a chic modern element to any room!
Here are some swoon-worthy pieces:


Philippe Starck for Kartell:



Alexandra Von Furstenberg:



(Also, check out Furstenberg's unique, hot pink, laser etched acrylic tray from her collaboration with goop, here.)








Check out Plexi-Craft for hundreds of acrylic options (they do custom furniture too!).

Thursday, July 19, 2012

a home with history.

About 100 years after Villa Nocturne, a Mediterranean-style Monaco home was built, owner Mark Brockbank purchased it describing it as "an unhappy house crying to be saved".
Brockbank and his partner Marco Orsini first hired Marc Corbiau, a brussels based architect, for a schematic concept, then turned to architects Luca Bortolotto and Nikos Gallis to complete the job.
After stripping and reconstructing the interior, Brockbank turned to Timothy Whealon, who he had hired almost a decade earlier to decorate his London townhouse. While working together on his London home, they had accumulated an array of European antiques and midcentury pieces, as well as paintings, drawings, and photographs, which they edited to fit Villa Nocturne's smaller space.
Whealon devised a warm palette of sand, brown, and ivory for the furnishings, in tune with both his clients' tastes and the pristine local light.


This glass conservatory was added during the renovation and is my favorite aspect of this home.


A natural palette allows for vibrant colors and patterns to pop and definitely catches the eye.

I love a simple bedroom that is clutter- free and allows the mind to breathe and relax.

The master bath is the definition of clean, white serenity.

Love the printed dining room chairs. A whimsical twist to what would have otherwise been a very traditional, beige dining room.

The perfect wallpaper for adding depth to a smaller guest bathroom.

An observatory and view like this makes it hard to believe this exists in the most densely populated country in the world.


Tuesday, June 26, 2012

hotel living with Nicole Hanley Mellon.


Nicole Hanley Mellon's home in The Pierre New York is essentially the product of having no time for renovations (they only painted over wallpaper and installed new carpet) and having to pull furniture from here and there (i.e. her parents basement!). Needless to say, the outcome is refreshingly eclectic, yet elegant.
Mellon explains, "We both have a weakness for art at the expense of forgoing some necessities."This is a good point to be made, especially when designing on a budget. There should always be one component you allow yourself to splurge on, whether it be art or furniture.
If you couldn't tell already, I love the idea of using a white room as a blank canvas and building on top of it. It makes the room feel bigger, brighter, more personal, and there is always something new to discover!


While there are a vibrant mix of colors, the living room is pulled together by the black molding and yellow accents.

There is a clear and steady stream of yellow across the space which helps unify the space rather than identify a chaotic mix of colors, textures, and lines.

The colorful border around Peter Beard's piece incorporates the work into the space, while simultaneously allowing it to stand on its own.

The key to an interesting bookshelf is to layer with different frames, shapes, colors, and textures. The book covers should be beautiful but the content itself is just as important. Display books and treasures that feel personal to you.

Mellon keeps her bedroom simple, compared to the rest of her home. Using another one of Peter Beard's pieces as a backdrop in her bedroom was not a design choice, but is still unpredictably intriguing.


This suit hanger... is just... genius.

Mellon maintains a sense of unity with the blue and orange accents. The result? Sophisticated yet amusing and childlike. How amazing is the ladder and the splashes of orange on the crib?!

images via Vogue

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

first post.


For my first post I thought I would share some photos of Swedish interior designer Marie Olsson Nylander's home. I saw these a few years ago and it was one of the many things that inspired me to pursue a career in interior design. Although I'm sure these photos are featured on many design blogs, I thought it would be worth posting for the few of you who may not have seen it before!
Nylander purchased most of the furniture at trade fairs, antique stores, and on her travels. One of the many beauties of this home is that you will have a hard time figuring out what was bought or found, new or old, or even created by Nylander herself.
Without knowing Nylander personally, you can instinctively tell that she and her family do not take life too seriously and know how to have fun! It feels lived in, personal, and full of life- some of the many vital facets that transforms a house into a home!


You will see a common theme throughout this home: worn-out, vintage wood and metal against the stark white interior provides a unique contrast.



Large scale pieces of art such as this one by Tove Mauritzson work well in ample spaces. A quick way to add color to an otherwise neutral room.

This vintage blue dresser as a kitchen island is both ethereal and functional.

Not only do these amazing windows bring in an abundant amount of light, but they were also a bargain. Nylander found these at an old tobacco factory.
The dining room table is from Egypt.

This spiral staircase is a work of art in itself. (And a space saver too.)
Nylander snagged this off an old, retired pilot who she came across while driving through farms in Arild, Sweden.

Confession: I have an obsession with natural wood furniture.

If you love to travel, or just love to take photos, this is a great alternative to standing frames that can make a room feel cluttered.

The feathered lamp shade, chunky desk, and the rusty, wired chair all make for a fantastic mix of material.

The light installation is by Ingo Maurer but is easy to recreate using your own notes, postcards, and drawings. The sofa is Italian from the 1960's and the closets behind the sofa came from a French bath house.



Nylander's ability to juxtapose industrial and vintage pieces seems effortless and almost accidental. She creates a beautiful and inspirational work space for herself.

To the left are recycled lockers used as a wardrobe. The overhead lighting fixture is whimsical and perfectly fit for a child's room.

If you are so lucky to own so many beautiful things, it is a great idea to create a storage space right out in the open to showcase all your belongings.

images via Mixr