dwellings and décor

So going off subject of Thanksgiving decorating I decided to show an amazing Hotel called Faena located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The genius behind the design of this stunning hotel is Philippe Starck and conceived by Alan Faena. The article from Architectural Record says “The designers conceived of the Faena Hotel + Universe as a temple that invites guests to participate in a world of passion, transformation, beauty, and adventure.” I think they nailed it but I might have to check it out myself to make sure. You can read more about this fabulous Hotel here.

Images from Architectural Record

I am really loving spaces that are mainly black and white with rich wood tones throughout. The decorator did a really nice job with the design of this house and I really like how they incorporated both modern and traditional elements in a nicely balanced way. For example they placed a mid century modern Wassily chair next to a traditional looking fireplace and built-in. In the bedroom they chose a vintage white iron bed with a Hollywood glamour mirrored console. How fabulous is that? They did a great job in the kitchen and I love that they painted the flooring white in there but kept it in its natural state for the rest of the house. I can really imagine myself living in a space like this because its realistic yet so well put together.

Images from Shoot Factory

For my thesis project in Interior Design school we had to put together what the industry calls case studies. We had to pick three types of places for example; hotels, retail, residential, etc. One of my options was a hotel and one of the case studies I used was the Hard Rock Hotel. We needed to pick spaces that had images and floor plans so we could study how spaces were layed out. I wanted to also have my design have a retail shop and restaurant on the ground floor so this floor plan was great because it gave me an idea of how it could be layed out in plan view. Another aspect if this building was that it had been renovated and I too was having to renovate an old building for my school project. What I liked most about the interior decor is that it brought in a little bit of the Rock and Roll style but the designer kept it more modern and not overdone like most Hard Rock Cafe’s you see. If I am ever in Chicago I would love to stay her and see it in real life. For more information please go to http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/bts/archives/hotels/04_hardrock/overview.asp

One of my favorite looks right now is black and white with rich woods. I think it is so stunning, clean, modern and chic. The black and white give the space a clean minimal look and the rich woods really help to make the space feel warmer. I love how the warm wood tones with the clean black and white give the space such a beautiful balance.

Note: I believe that this Apartment isn’t in the state Alaska, its in Alaska somewhere near London.

Images from Shoot Factory

The designers for All the Bells and Whistles who designed this spectacular space below have a distinct look and style to their interiors. I would describe it as very LA with a mid century feel and class. They make beautiful one of a kind custom furniture for their clients which I think is why I say their designs are so unique. I feel like if I ever go into one of their spaces with a similar feel I could say “Hey I wonder if this space is designed by All the Bells and Whistles”. I highly recommend checking their site out to see more of their designs like the cash wrap for the retail store Milo and the Bar for Aubergine Restaurant.

Images and Design from All the Bells and Whistles found via Design Sponge

Take it from Dolce & Gabbana to design a glam gold restaurant. Located in Milan is this opulent restaurant that is divided between a cafe and a bistro which has plenty of reflective surfaces including brass and gilded glass to give a feeling of luxury. You may need to wear sunglasses with all this shine. The Architects Ferruccio Laviani & Gianmaria Torno added warmth by incorporating pink and grey arabesque patterned marble and oak parquet.

Images from Design Book Mag

Below are some photos from the wonderful interior inspiration site Shoot Factory. This House in particular is one of my favorites and it is located in Kempe, England. These photos show the beautiful autumn light and I am in awe of the small details throughout the home. Some of my favorite elements of this home is the hand painted shoji screen, the clean and relaxed feel of the linens and upholstery, the hand sketched framed artwork above the sofa and the cute little shoes under the mirrored armoire. Another aspect of this home that I love is that there is such a fluid and smooth transition from one room to the next. Colors, style and the feel of the rooms are consistent throughout the home. Click here to see more images.

Images from Shoot Factory

“Fashionable ladies need to sleep too.” is what Jamie Drake said about this bedroom that he lavishly decorated. Jamie Drake is known for his bold looks and patterns and he definitely did not stop here. Although most would think that pink fits nicely in a little girls room Drake was able to make this exorbitant amount of pink in this bedroom look more sophisticated and fashionable. This large and open bedroom not only serves as a resting place for this sleeping beauty but also as a place for seating and writing. Drake also designed a closet that looks like it would be more suited in a retail store than in a home. I personally don’t think I could live in this much pink but its sure fun to look at.

Images from Traditional Home Magazine

There is so much talent that went into this amazingly gorgeous interior. The Gramercy Park Hotel located in New York City is filled with custom designed furniture, finishes and details and much of the art was done by well known artist Julian Schnabel. They used furniture from many different time periods and they describe the interior design as Bohemia reinvented for the 21st century. I love how there were able to keep it elegant and sophisticated with so many vivid and extraordinary colors. I hope you enjoy these stunning images and have a great weekend!

All images from Gramercy Park Hotel

The architecture of this building is a beautiful example of the old with the new. The La Purificadora Boutique Hotel is located in Pueblo, Mexico; a city founded by Spaniards in 1531. The project was part of an urban development plan known as Paseo San Francisco that includes shopping malls, a convention center and a sculpture park to name a few.  Apparently the new hotel design was frowned upon by archeologists because The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) had designated the building as part of the city’s historic patrimony. You can read more about the design of this building in the link below.

I personally am a huge fan of reusing old buildings and modernizing it with architectural extensions and furniture. I love when architects and designers can embrace the history behind the building and use it as a source of inspiration instead of tearing the building down. I lived in Portland, OR during the huge development of the Pearl District which was originally full of warehouses and now most of them are converted into expensive condominiums. One of my favorite buildings is where Henry’s Restaurant is now on Burnside and SW 12th. Its another great example of the old with the new.

Images from Arch Record

As summer is going to an end I wanted to post a fresh and sunny interior before we say farewell. One of my previous clients with Room in a Book had me buy Western Interiors earlier this year for inspiration on her bedroom design. You can see the finished design if you click here. She really liked the modern and minimal but homey and comfortable look of this home and she wanted to integrate that feeling in her home and especially the bedroom. The interior designer of this modern mandate home worked around the existing architecture and he says “I listened to the building, I really looked at its shape and its function. There were wonderful rooms and dynamic views to work with”. The designer paid careful attention to how the furniture was arranged and even added swivel chairs to maximize the views. He accentuated the curvilinear architecture by incorporating round furniture to make it flow beautifully throughout the space.

When I first came across images for this island retreat from Coastal Living Magazine I instantly fell in love. After reading about the owners inspiration for the home I fell more in love. The owners Michael Ward and Rebecca Sawyer actually hand-built the structure on 3 acres. Rebecca who is an artist, took inspiration from the outdoor environment when choosing her colors. The main wall color is the color of the inside of a ripe papaya, and the trim work is inspired by a bougainvillea and alamanda, which is Rebecca’s favorite tropical flowers. The floor represents the shiny blue sea and she says “The transition between indoors and out is almost transparent, allowing the cottage to feel open and airy while maintaining its coziness”. This rental is located on the Caribbean island of Carriacou. See links below for rental information.

Images from Coastal Living Magazine and Belair Garden Cottage

There is something so magical about these interiors with multiple hanging light fixtures. Lighting is too often an afterthought for people and it can be very difficult to create the right amount of light. You will notice in these interiors that the design has been carefully thought out. The first image has multiple chandeliers that sparkle when sunlight hits from the large glass skylight. The second image down is a retail store and the designer used the same light fixture in different sizes but hung them at different heights to give it a more scattered feel. I love that there are so many and it still feels subtle and it gives the space a nice glow. I think this idea of multiple hanging light fixtures may work best for events and special occasions. It can really give you that drama that your looking for.

From Top (left to right when there are two) 1. Shoot Factory 2. KWID 3. Martyn Lawrence Bullard 4. Little White Dress 5. D Wiseman 6. Event Design Group

When architects make a beautiful old building into a stunning new building you cant help but notice the character, warmth and class that it gives. Below are images from a villa in Positano, Italy. The villa was first built in the eighteenth century and was reconstructed in 2004 by Lazzarini Pickering Architteti. You will notice that the floors, walls, and ceiling are all neutral but there is still so much color and texture in the fabrics and furniture. What is most striking to me is the large ornate wood piece that extends from the living room into the dining room and into the kitchen. It can be rare to see such exquisite architecture and interior design in one place.

Images from Yatzer

I was shopping for new Interior Design Magazines and I wasn’t to thrilled on alot of the American issues but when I came across this french magazine Cote Sud I was ecstatic. This article on a french artists home caught my eye and it is the reason I bought it along with many other fabulous finds. I love how there is spats of vibrant color throughout like on the dining chairs and large canvases. It is almost as if her home is a clean white canvas and so when adding furniture she can go with traditional Louis chairs and crystal chandeliers plus modern Bertoia wireframed chairs and Saarinen tables. Love Love Love this space!