House plants breathe life into interiors, while cleaning the air as they grow. The trick is to recreate their natural environment
One of the most exciting parts about E-Design projects is when I receive those long awaited 'after' photos from clients. Handing a pr...
Explore Hollis/Petrescu's 8786 photos on Flickr!
The newest issue of my fav magazine “Antique Shops and Designers” is now out and online with gorgeous photographs of interior designer Carol Glasser’s new house! Whoa! Who misses Southern Accents when you can read this magazine????? To die for! I know you know how much I LOVE Glasser’s aesthetic – and have for the past 25 or so years. Her former house was shown multiple times – tweaked just a little bit for each photoshoot – and then she totally redid it, only to move right afterwards. I could have DIED! I loved that house. And it’s killed me to watch it come up for sale a few times since…each time just a little bit more expensive…and each time more out of my price range. Oh well. The one that got away. Carol’s been in her new house for quite a while now – and I’ve been patiently waiting for someone to photograph it – Veranda? House Beautiful? Come on guys! Leave it to our Antique Shops and Designers to get the scoop!!! Love them so much! Her new house is so different from the last one. First, it’s bigger. Much. There’s a proper dining room finally, something she really didn’t have in the last one. The living room is expansive, but warm and cozy and WELCOMING! There’s a large entry hall and a gorgeous study (which isn’t photographed here, but shows up on her web site) – and there’s a fabulous kitchen, even more fab than her last her one, if that is possible. What I love about the house is it isn’t the Houston Look. At all. It’s totes different. Colorful. There’s soothing aqua blues which run through the house – punched by persimmon and peachy yellow. There’s pattern everywhere – linens with large prints and overscaled wallpaper. The color combinations of the blue & orange are so refreshing. And there’s green. Her bedroom is bathed in it. Some rooms are painted but many are white – with a beautiful stucco finish. It’s scrumptious. It’s elegant without being hands-off. There’s no dressiness to it, but it’s refined. And edited. Not as cluttered as her last house, but not sparse either. It’s just the proper balance. The woman has taste. More taste than anyone should be allowed in one lifetime. It’s a house to study and drool over and learn from and get inspiration from and throw out all your old preconceived notions of what a house with French and Swedish and English antiques should look like. I love the fabric choices. Some are familiar, but others less so. Checks and prints and stripes – all from the best houses, nothing is low end here, I’m afraid to say. There’s no proud hi-low here, but who cares? Sometimes you just want to see the best fabrics somewhere else besides in the decorative centers. A huge thank you to the group from Antique Shops and Designers. We’ve been waiting!!! Photographed by Fran Brennan The entry – has a beautiful aqua and white overscaled wallpaper. With an antique mirror and French gilt settee. Now…the pictures on the web site are slightly different, so I want to show those… I think this might be how the entry actually looks. I kind of hope so because that console table is one of my favorites ever. It’s gorgeous. And in another photograph from her web site – you can see the console is here too – looking into the living room. Hold on – we’ll get there! The wallpapered entry leads to a larger stair hall with another antique Oushak rug that picks up the two color tones that run throughout the house – the aqua blues and the peachy oranges. An antique painted Swedish demilune is used as a library table. I love seeing what she is reading these days! The study is seen through the door on the left. Along one wall of the stair hall is a painted antique with a Santos. Here – you can see where the bench is usually along this wall. This is from Glasser’s web site. And a close up of her tablescapes – simple, not cluttered. That lamp!! Off the entry hall is the living room – warm and cozy in persimmon and aqua. I remember the first time I saw this on her web site, I gasped! I really thought she was going to go in the monochrome direction – all grays and whites – and this just made my eyes pop. It is so gorgeous. Flanking the window are two Swedish red cabinets symmetrically sited with herbiers and matching lamps. The walls are soft yellowish peach. Instead of the expected seagrass (after all Carol brought seagrass to Houston!) – is a more chunky textured rug. Another beautiful mirror. This house is loaded with mirrors – one prettier than the next. I love the aqua and white striped slipped chair next to the brighter oranges. Elegant candlesticks on the mantel – and nothing else. And that velvet sofa!!!!! LOVE. From her web site – a close up of the beautiful painted French antique chair in checks. OK – everything HERE is an antique! No need to keep saying it. And this – OMG! – a tufted settee in a linen stripe with beautiful pillows, sitting under more herbiers. Who needs oil paintings when you have mirrors and herbiers? Not shown in the magazine is the library with the same colors – aqua and persimmon. Wish we could see more – those chairs!!!!! That mirror!!! That rug!!! That desk!!! The dining room is all aqua – painted walls and checked fabric. Matching mirrors, demi lunes and candle lit chandeliers. In the mirror you can see a cabinet filled with blue and white pieces. Wish we could see more. Love those chairs. A close up of the mirrors and the linen print at the windows. Love the touch of green in the vases. The kitchen/sitting area is reminiscent of Carol’s former house, but I have to say – I like this better!! Never thought I would say that!! That mantel! The floors! This really does look so French. Love the table with the painted base. And I LOVE the chairs!!! Looking towards the sitting area with the fabulous cabinet and lamps. No upper cabinets – those were removed and a large window was installed instead. White marble countertops. I love that the kitchen isn’t too faux. Some of the kitchens today are just too much. This strikes a perfect balance. And she has the perfect confit pot for roses, of course. And looking towards the range and stucco hood. Through the door you can glimpse the dining room. Carol used an aqua Bennison print, Songbird, on all her pieces here. Love this fabric so much. Of course it’s Bennison – she was one of the first in Houston to use it! Antique doors lead to the pantry where she keeps her dishes – since the upper cabinets are missing. Great idea. I love how all the wood tones are in the same family in this room. And through the same door where the dining room is – you can glimpse the stair hall. The family room is casual in white slips and blues. Across from the sofa is a large console filled with a few more Santos. Outside is the large back yard. A ceiling fan???? This is for her husband, I’m positive. This is Houston. You can’t imagine how hot it gets here. Close up of her tablescapes – filled with books and small Santos. Notice how tailored these slips are. You wouldn’t know they were slips if they weren’t in white. Carol’s bedroom is a big change from her last one. That bedroom was all one Bennison fabric – Roses – but this time she went for a collection of different fabrics in greens and creams. I love the sofa fabric – mixed with a yellow and cream check. Close up of the mantel – so cute! Cute dog too! I recognize these chairs from the last house. I really don’t recognize a lot of furniture though. It’s a much larger house, so there are a lot of new pieces – many Swedish pieces mixed in with her English and French antiques. From her web site – you can see her bed, dressed in white. That chandelier is so pretty and I love the French bench in stripes. Also from her web site – the master bedroom with the Swedish? painted armoire. Might be French – not sure. And finally, her master bath with a beautiful day bed in linen. Marble tub and crystal chandelier. That might be first crystal chandy I’ve seen her do in her own house? More antique shutter doors add warmth, as does the seagrass rug. Looks more like a room than a bathroom. What can I say? I’m in love! I wish she would write a book showing all her work. The houses are rarely published and it would be such a treat if she would. Come on Carol! Please???? Of course there is much more to this issue than Carol Glasser’s house. There’s a wonderful story on the house where Downton Abbey is filmed – with luscious photographs of the rooms we all love. Can’t wait for Season Four!! But, poor Matthew. I’m going to miss him. And there’s a photoshoot of Jill Brown’s wonderful house. She’s the owner of BROWN in Houston, THE place to buy lighting fixtures and all kinds of antiques. HERE. And there’s this story about a palace in Venice – redone with a contemporary twist! Great stories and beautiful advertisements (my favorite part of the magazine!) To read the latest Antique Shops and Designers – go HERE. As always, a huge thank you to the staff at AS&D for letting me show your beautiful photographs.
Sideboards can add style and beauty to almost every room in your house. Here are some ideas!
One of the most exciting parts about E-Design projects is when I receive those long awaited 'after' photos from clients. Handing a pr...
When I think of romantic interiors, pretty rooms and gentle colors come to mind. Some people love subtle colors; others think of warmer colors such as a warm red and green. Interpretation of romance differs with each person, but each interpretation has one thing in common and that is the uniqueness and the feel that it gives, whether it’s through flowers, lace, candles, patterned fabrics, painted ceilings, or classic furniture. Scandinavians are well known for their soft painted furniture. Scandinavian cabinetmakers were influenced by French and English style, but they put their stamp on it by creating soft curved furniture made of soft woods such as pine, which led to lightly colored furniture. Aside from using mostly painted furniture, to combat their long dark hours of winter, they also used mirrored sconces to add reflection to their interiors. Romantic Swedish interiors Diane Burn design who's famous for her romantic rooms The grand style of Jacques Garcia The four poster bed, sheer fabrics, floral carpet,and antique furniture,all create a romantic bedroom Photo 1, 2 courtesy of House Beautiful, designers Kartin Cargill & Carol Glasser Photo 3 courtesy of Architectural Digest, designer Diane Burn Photo 4 designer Jacques Garcia, photography Andreas Von Einsiedel Photo 5, 8 Simply Romantic Decorating,photography by Rory Earnshaw Photo 6 courtesy of House Beautiful, designer Erin Martin, photography Dominique Volliron Photo 7, 9 Romantic Style
Mary Carol Garrity is a design favorite of mine. This post showcases her style as well the many wonderful books she has written.
Regular readers know that I attend the San Francisco Decorator's Showcase every May and I always look forward to seeing what marvelous, inventive interiors my fellow designers have come up with and to find new and exciting products and materials I can use in projects of my own. Showhouses are unique opportunities for designers since we can let our imaginations run free. But I must confess that the past few years of the SF Decorators' Showcase, while full of competent designers who did very nice jobs, were on the whole a bit, um, underwhelming. But with this, the SF Decorator's Showcase's 42nd year, we are back to the splendor of year's past. The house itself helps this along greatly. Located at 3800 Washington Street in the Presidio Heights area of The City, this grand, breathtaking mansion--at nearly 18,000 square feet with eight fireplaces and over twenty rooms--is named Le Petit Trianon. Started in 1902 and completed in 1904, the house was commissioned by Corinne Koshland (née Schweitzer), wife of millionaire Marcus Koshland and a millionaire heiress in her own right, after a family trip to France where she fell in love with the original Petit Trianon, completed in 1768 for Louis XV, on the grounds of Versailles. Architect Frank S. Van Trees, with guidance from Mrs. Koshland, created Le Petit Trianon San Francisco. Take a look at the photos below: the top one is Le Petit Trianon here in San Francisco, and the next one is the original in France. Aside from the curved staircases up to the entrance, the San Francisco version is a near-exact copy. The main entrance rotunda is flanked by two curved areas designer Elan Evans titled "Secret Gardens." She used a cloudy ombre paint finish to create a distant horizon seen behind foliage and painted, cut paper flowers and vines. Entering the home, one is presented with a very impressive open atrium. Looking up, the landings above are visible, allowing one to get a complete sense of the scale of the home. The first space on the tour is Heather Hilliard's "L'Appartement," an homage to iconic French designs both antique and modern. The room is mostly minimal--a lovely Vladimir Kagan-esque curved sofa and flower-petal cocktail table by India Mahdavi from Ralph Pucci are topped with the hefty Anneau light fixture by Studio Eric Schmitt in Paris--but the French tapestry and antique Chinoiserie commode offer a glimpse into the past. Of interest: the floors are original to the house and were simply given a sanding, and it works beautifully. A butler's pantry connects "L'Appartment" to the first floor "Petit Kitchen." In Kari McIntosh Dowdy's hands, the pantry and the connecting atrium (the side entrance to the home from the car port) became the "Fleur et Orangerie Butler's Pantry and Atrium," a flower arranging station with an adjacent hot house that is stuffed with antique McCoy pottery. The dark color scheme is wonderful (vivid floral colors show up so well against a charcoal background), as is the verre églomisé backsplash, but I particularly loved the apropos insect wallpaper! As I mentioned, the butler's pantry connects to the first, smaller kitchen designer Greg De Meza calls the "Petit Kitchen" (it's in the Petit Trianon after all!). He took a cue from an existing stained glass window showing wisteria vines and used plum appliances from Hestan (made right here in Northern California in Napa Valley!), a lilac-veined marble backsplash, and a lavender-colored floral wallcovering. The result is fresh and inviting. What follows is perhaps my favorite space in this year's Showcase. "The Haute Hideaway: A Tribute To Connoisseurship" is a gloriously layered and textured maximalist space that is hypnotizing. I wanted to study each object, each detail, each finish and color. Inspired by Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent and their passion for collecting and travel, The Wiseman Group transformed the former dining room of this home into a 21st century haute Bohemian hideaway. A connoisseur's enclave of treasured objects, the space showcases elements from various periods and styles with a unique collection hand-selected by Paul Vincent Wiseman. There is a clear Morrocan tone to this space, a nod to Villa Oasis, the home in Marrakech that Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent shared for decades. An antique Oushak rug and zebra hide (also antique and long dead) cover the floor. The original crystal chandelier was simply cleaned up but the fireplace received a facing of custom Moroccan star-patterned tiles. Upper windows are covered with colored film, adding to the Marrakech vibe. An Edwin Luytens octagonal dining table with fitted chairs, a folding screen based on the work of Klimt, silk panels in the coffered ceiling, and a Noguchi hanging light fixture add character. Finally, my eyes spotted references to another iconic French artist: a book of the work of Jean Cocteau, plates and ceramics featuring his designs, and an authentic autographed drawing by Cocteau were tucked away amongst the objets. Moving across a small hall at the rear of the atrium to the next room, I noticed some fascinating modern tapestries lining this transitional space. Made by Andy Diaz Hope, The Conflicts is a series of tapestries created collaboratively with Laurel Roth Hope and loosely based on the 3 major conflict themes in literature--human against nature, human against his/herself, human against human. They were completed over a period of 5 years. The third tapestry of the triptych, and one of the tapestries on display here, Allegory of the Prisoner's Dilemma was completed during a year long artist fellowship at the de Young Museum in SF. Allegory of the Prisoner's Dilemma by Andy Diaz Hope and Laurel Roth Hope Allegory of the Infinite Mortal by Andy Diaz Hope and Laurel Roth Hope From maximalism to a cool, soothing minimalism... Chris Weir and Susan Collins Weir painted a grand drawing room all white, installed mirrors by tall windows to double the light and views of greenery, and planted a monumental sofa, undulating marble cocktail table carved to look like rippling water made by the phenomenal sculptor Mathieu Lehanneur, and a startlingly oversized chandelier in the center of the space. Their statement says, "The balance of form and space, style and view, bring forth the spirit of a Parisian salon that may have hosted the likes of Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin." I spent a bit of time speaking with the delightful designer Deniece Duscheone who graced the downstairs rest rooms with some wonderful materials and pieces. A sexy, dark wallcovering by the Scottish company Timorous Beasties (previously here) wraps the sink area, a fascinating, organic chandelier drips overhead, and anthracite black toilets by Kohler are computer-programmable. Dutch designer Martin Kobus envisioned another of the home's first floor salons as a recital hall, paying homage to the original owners, the Koshlands, who were huge patrons of the arts. Corinne Koshland was founder of the San Francisco Symphony Association and one of the first directors of the San Francisco opera Company. Igor Stravinsky, Jascha Heifetz, and Leonard Bernstein all played in the central atrium of Le Petit Trianon, while Yehudi Meuhin and Isaac Stern both had their childhood musical debuts in this home. Kobus covered the ceiling in this Recital Room with a de Gournay wallcovering called, appropriately enough, Symphony. The central light fixture designed by Kobus to resemble written musical notes was custom-made in Marrakech (I'm sensing a theme). And once again, the original wood floor was simply given a light sanding Walking up the grand staircase was a wonder in itself. The first landing features three gorgeous Art Nouveau stained glass windows created in 1904 for the home by Bruce Porter, a native San Franciscan who was a great proponent of the Arts and Crafts movement. Contemporary paintings by the fabulous artist Julie Heffernan flank this space. The first room on the second floor tour is Jonathan's Rachman's staggering "Houghton Hall Reimagined." Inspired by the real life Houghton Hall, designer Rachman was invited last September 2018 by the Marchioness of Cholmondeley and Claud Cecil Gurney of de Gournay to a candle-lit dinner for 80 guests at the Hall, a country house in the parish of Houghton in Norfolk, England (a few miles from Sandringham where the Royal Family spend their Christmas) which was commissioned by the first British Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole in 1722. This marks yet another breath-takingly maximalist space at this year's Showcase, and Rachman's attention to detail in this room is tireless. Stuffed to the gills with objects, framed photos (some of Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley, some of the inspirational candle-lit dinner, one of Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart atop a marble-capped bar which belonged to the Hollywood pair!), taxidermied pheasants, an army of intaglios, busts, trophy cups, ceramics, and art work that all references--directly or indirectly--the idea of Britain, its monarchy, and titled families and descendants. The branch-like appendages of a very special glass chandelier in the center of this space symbolize a family tree of said titled families and descendants. The coffered ceiling is painted to resemble day and night--night is gathered close around the family tree light fixture with daylight and flying swallows spinning out toward the edges of the room. And the walls above the wainscoting feature an antique wallcovering the Marchioness discovered in the attic of Houghton Hall, recently recreated for this space by de Gournay. The little side room for resting or lounging was given the same love and attention to detail by Rachman. He painted the entire room a deep, somnolent blue-purple and furnished it with two antique sleigh beds. Wasp nests dipped in gold adorn the ceiling and a picture of Houghton Hall at night sits on a table between the beds. A tiny balcony off this room was dressed as well. In another nod to Versailles, Jane Richardson Mack and John Romaidis' "The Miniature Hall of Mirrors" featuring églomisé panels of Eastern and Western astrological symbols connects "Houghton Hall Reimagined"... ...to "The Exercise and Relaxation Room" by Annaliese Nicodemo and Kelly Cassidy. I loved the huge scribbled florals on the walls. The "Master Bathroom Spa" is a sprawling space by Alexis Humiston. Her statement says: "This spa is a romantic and nostalgic respite for Eloise,the granddaughter of Le Petit Trianon's original owner, Cora [Corinne] Koshland. While Cora hosted many parties at the historic home, a particularly sentimental occasion was the butterfly-themed debutante ball for her granddaughter...As a tribute to the gardens and lifestyle of Eloise's family, the spa is wrapped in a Spring 2019 custom de Gournay wallpaper entitled 'Paradise Lost'." Beautiful faceted glass sinks sit on a chunky counter top of marble but a detail I truly loved is the the paned enclosure for the double shower. And here comes Yves Saint Laurent and Morocco again in Jo Ann Hartley's "Luxe Bath: Tangier Mix." This time it is Saint Laurent's home in Tangier, Villa Mabrouka, that served as inspiration. The Modern Moroccan theme is seen in the mosaics, the glints of gold, and the wonderful Moorish cornice box framing the window. Dina Bandman is our returning champion, having appeared in the last four Showcases and this bedroom might be her best work yet. She calls this room "Marie's Magnolias", which is an ode to Marie-Antoinette, the queen who resided in the original Petit Trianon in France. A de Gournay wallpaper with white magnolias on a mauve ground seem to come alive with a 3D plaster treatment of branches and blossoms. Since I so rarely get to create dark, cocooning spaces for clients (most people are very afraid of dark colors), I revel in the dark rooms at every Showcase. "Le Salon d'Ecriture" is a writer's room featuring felted wool silk, sumptuous velvet, and an oxidized walnut and burnished brass desk by Kristen Peña. It took me a little bit for my eyes to spot the half-obscured paint detail on the walls: ghostly lines of script float here and there, at the periphery of the room! As I said earlier, this is one of the best Showcase houses in recent years. Absolutely every space is a success, and designer Lauren Berry exemplifies this brilliantly. Given a very small, closet-like space on the second floor tucked away amongst all the bedrooms, she created an "En Suite Espresso and Cocktail Bar" that is sweet and lively. Cabinetry in blackened charcoal and walnut finishes, European white oak floor and wall tiles made in the Netherlands, beautiful hand-painted terra cotta tiles, a sink inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl (!), luxe gold bronze fixtures,and exquisite lighting from Johnathan Browning make this otherwise forgettable space quite memorable! "The Garden of Eden" was the inspiration for Kathleen Navarra's sumptuous master bedroom and bathroom of the same name. I appreciated how she kept the color palette and visuals calm and soothing without sacrificing any sophistication or interest. A mix of soft, earthy tones and materials in bronze, wood, and velvet won't keep anyone up at night but they are glorious to see and experience during the day. The Garden of Eden wallpaper mural from Aux Abris is stunning. And I love the completely open shower and incised clay vessel sinks in the bath. Landscape designer Brandon Pruett said that his "Balcony Garden" on the third floor is meant to be seen from the atrium on the ground floor, but it is delicious up close too. I am so glad Willem Racké is back for this year's Showcase. His paint and finish work is always gorgeous but this year he unveiled a very special product for his "Rooftop Rendez-vous Retreat." Inspired by the French spirit of the house, Racké concocted a modern-day toile wallpaper featuring scenes of San Francisco which is so much fun! He and design partner Susan Lind Chastain did a marvelous job with a restrained color palette of black, white, and greens. And of course, I cannot resist a high gloss ceiling (it plays into the rooftop idea and bounces light)! Studio Heimat created a delightful, eye-popping bedroom for twin 13-year-old girls who, according to their imaginary brief, recently relocated from Singapore. The team say, "During the great life transition into their teen years, we wanted to give them comfort from their past home, while providing them a place to just be themselves...you'll find relics of colonial Singapore, vibrant energy, and elements of tropical flora and fauna from their homeland." The saturated pink is energizing and of course I just love the iridescent beetle wallpaper in the vestibule to this room. Most subtle element of all: the whispering cloud wallpaper on the ceiling by Fornasetti from Cole and Son. Envisioned as a French modernist salon, the "Artist-In-Residence Retreat" by Lindsay Anyon Brier is smooth and sophisticated. And of course the Artist-In-Residence who is being sponsored by the owner of Le Petit Trianon needs a beautiful spa bathroom for relaxing. "L'Espace Tranquille" by Julie Rootes was inspired by classic historical hotel bathrooms throughout Paris such as the Ritz-Carlton and the Hotel Le Meurice. "The Bizibots Bedroom" is some lucky little boy's ultimate dream. Architect Virginie Manichon hand crafted every wood element and wooden toy in this fun and engaging room. Manichon says, "From a rocket room divider , galaxy ceiling and Da Vinci murals to a 'Makerie' stocked with popular STEM workbooks and tools, the bedroom is a fun-filled laboratory for youthful discovery and exploration." And let's admire for a moment that galaxy ceiling: it features a special effect of shooting meteors using LED lights (see video below!). Here is another example of a space that could have been too small to do anything with, but Sindhu Peruri carved "The Oak Room" out of a little pass through area. This wine tasting room is a modern mix of natural elements and earthy textures which give it tremendous warmth. I was taken with the interlocking squares of the wonderful, custom-made open shelving over the counter area. But the centerpiece of the room is the nearly-impossibly crystal clear resin bar in which is embedded a piece of centuries-old fossilized wood sourced in the Italian Alps! Eche Martinez turned a bright, corner room at the top of the house into a lovely "Breakfast Room." Oversized palm trees reference the "Palm Court" tradition of Palace Hotels all over the world and enliven original wood paneling which has been magically transformed by Willem Racké to mimic the look of an old-world, limestone-clad veranda with coffered ceilings. I love the motif of leather strapping and buckles that appears on the chairs, at the table, and on the window coverings. "The Wabi Sabi Soak Room" with its wood slat-clad furo by Clara Bulfoni is your moment of Zen. What grand mansion in the 21st century would be complete without a basement nightclub? Applegate Tran transformed the former ballroom into a cavernous VIP lounge nightclub by painting it all black. Jaw dropping. A stage anchors one end of the ballroom (which currently features an art installation of a French court dress with panniers) while a bar and lounge seating below mirror panels that discreetly spell "W O W" await dancers at the other end. In between are pieces of charred wood suspended in the shape of columns, a Muppet-y version of a tiger rug which tickled me greatly, and various trompe l'oeil art works on glass. The "Petit Kitchen" on the ground floor is, presumably, for the casual cook to make small meals, but when the owners are in full-on party mode, the "Main Catering Kitchen and Butler's Pantry" in the basement is where the true action is. This enormous space by David Armour and Jamie Belew of Armour Architecture embraces the home's French spirit with all-natural limestone wall cladding with recessed panels and a marble-topped island with hand-carved pedestal legs that looks like it could have come from the original Petit Trianon. The Butler's Pantry features a dumb waiter to the upper floors, and a luxurious adjacent "Service Lounge" pampers a catering team so they never want to work anywhere else. The youngest designer to ever participate in a Showcase House is this year's 27-year old Scott McMahan, creator of the engaging "Classically Modern Hallway." Once again, a pass through space that could have been forgettable was made into a jewel box by McMahan who used modern and antique elements to create an intriguing tension. A chevron floor is laid in oak and patinated steel panels. Very slim lines of the same patinated steel were also used as a material to outline the wall panels. And a high gloss black ceiling adds drama. These photos are well lit, but in person, the room is softly glowing and quite sexy (see bottom photo by me)... Last but certainly not least is Kelly Hohla's "Wo-Man Cave," designed as a retreat for a busy executive. Hohla says, "As noted in Virginia Woolf's iconic essay, 'A Room of One's Own,' women need spaces (preferably perfectly appointed) of their own to think, relax, and gather inspiration. Bright and joyful abstracted wallpaper anchors the space. In contrast, the rest of the room revises traditional ideas of what a woman wants with pieces that are a little edgy and dark, with furniture that is lounge-y, comfortable, chunky and generally less precious." One of my favorite elements in the room is the gauzy floral of the wallcovering by Trove, previously here.The future is female! The backyard was given a gorgeous make-over by Jarrod Baumann of Zeterre Landscape Architecture. The parterre features a design that is a replica of a parterre in the Orangerie at Versailles. At the center is a monumental sculpture by artist Yoko Kubrick, while many of her smaller pieces flank the far sides of the garden. This year's 2019 San Francisco Decorator's Showcase House will be open through May 27. Visit the Decorator's Showcase site below for more info. Tickets can be purchased on-line or at the door. If you are in or near San Francisco, I strongly urge you to attend: it's such a treat to be exposed to so much good design, color, art, texture, and pattern all at once. https://decoratorshowcase.org/
After a long, hard day at work, for me, there is no better therapy than stepping into a steaming hot bath and letting the stress of life float away. Whether or not your bathroom is the place you go to relax and rejuvenate, make this all important space lovely and inviting. Here’s how. Make Practical […]
Carol Schalla Midwest Living
I met designer and California girl, Joan Tesauro when she started playing tennis where I do. I remember distinctly her long hair, flower tennis bag, and unique style and instantly knew she was a cool chick. We later found ourselves on a tennis team together, and became friends. I discovered this East Coast transplant is...
Is it strange to get excited about your bathroom? Maybe. But I sure love this little space in my cottage. I’ve long been a believer in making every room in your home equally lovely, even those out-of-sight private spaces like your bath. So when we were remodeling our little fixer-upper on the lake, I knew […]
Tumblr Blog
Read all about the Interior Design work we did at Hampshire Coastal Villa. Visit MaxRollitt.com
