Give me all the old-world, centuries-old, weathered interiors. Sandstone and limewashed walls, fireplaces with wood-fired stoves, reclaimed wood, antique furniture…all in pretty earthy neutral shades of calm. I could not love these spaces more, designed by Notting Hill based studio Aldridge & Supple. Photos: Martin Morrell.

While touring readers through four of his own homes, Alfredo Paredes shares the key elements in his creative process, giving us access to the same tools he uses in every home to decorate rooms that feel modern even as they glamorize the past, to show us how an environment has real power to transform our very state of mind. Paredes is renowned for being a master of extrapolating an entire theme from one unique item, say transforming the stripe of a crisp Oxford shirt into a unique upholstery perfect for the seaside, or finding inspiration for a couch’s decorative fringe in a well-worn piece of leather ranch gear. He is said to have “perfect visual pitch,” creating vignettes and rooms with an energy that feels undeniably masculine and sophisticated thanks to dark wood, iron railings, rustic fabrics, an overall patina, and soft furnishings in soothing earth tones.
Alfredo is a favourite designer of mine and I’m soooo excited to have a copy of his first book: Alfredo Paredes at Home (Rizzoli). This is a definite must-have if neutral but dramatic spaces are up your alley. (I’ve gone through this book three times already and I’ve only had it a week or so!)

I was not familiar with the work of designer Marcus Mohon before receiving this book The Romance of Home: Houses by Mohon Interiors (Rizzoli), and now I’m wondering how that could have happened?!
The chic, soulful, livable spaces of Texas-based interior designer Marcus Mohon exert a universal appeal with their air of timeless serenity. This debut volume presents several extraordinary homes, ranging from a stone-clad villa in Austin to a casual seaside retreat to an art-filled family compound, each of which gracefully balances high style with easygoing comfort. Mohon draws on the heritage of the Mediterranean world to fashion living environments that transport their occupants to an enchanted realm far removed from day-to-day concerns. Sophisticated and full of patina, these interiors are sure to delight and inspire.
The elegance and romance of the projects featured in this book are so worthy of being in a book and sitting on my coffee table. I am now a new fan and look forward to following along with his work.

Last but certainly not least is Relaxed Elegance: Rooms for Living Well by Brittany Bromley (Rizzoli). I have featured her work on the blog a few times and always find it such a fun and fresh take on the traditional style I have grown to love.
The first book from interior designer Bromley, whose rooms brim with a welcoming sensibility that reveal her fresh, colorful, pattern-filled take on traditional design. Known for a pretty and polished Palm Beach meets Park Avenue aesthetic, Bromley’s interiors are beloved. Often described as “classic with a kick,” her work is steeped in history but infused with a modernity that reflects how her clients want to live today. Bromley’s first book showcases her interiors from New York, St. Louis, and Palm Beach with the Hamptons and Connecticut between. Whether in a historic house in the country or a townhouse in the city, Bromley’s flair for pattern and color defines her interiors, which nevertheless remain true to their surroundings. She makes casual look chic and infuses each home she designs with a cheerfulness and tranquility that is rare. Walls lacquered in bright colors highlight a home’s architecture, while comfortable upholstered furnishings in bold, patterned fabric make it feel livable and fun.

A beautifully renovated 4 bedroom historical manor house, full of charm and character with a separate one bedroom apartment, set in 1 3/4 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens with plunge pool, while enjoying far reaching countryside views from its location near Le Mans. The manor house dates back to the 16th century and a square lodge called a “Pavillon” which we understand was a former keep dating back prior to the Hundred Years War. The keep offers roughly 90m2 of living space over two floors. In addition, there is a 30m2 garage with mezzanine area (10m2) and a wooden store in front of the former kennels. The total area of the plot is over 1.5acres with a courtyard providing ample parking, part walled formal gardens and established mature trees, a large water basin (used as a plunge pool), vegetable garden with vine and greenhouse, troglodyte caves and a small woodland with chestnut trees.
I am mostly sharing this because of the fabulous exterior and that really cool pool. The interior is just plain bad but some original architecture that makes it worthy. I’d buy this. For sale via Prestige Property for €958,000.

The renovation and extension of this decades-old ski chalet required full interior architectural design and detailing, space planning, and interior decoration. The needs of a young family and their guests, combined with the functionality essential to a ski chalet, underpin the design concept – celebrating nature through the choice of materials and honouring culture through bespoke craftsmanship.
This chalet is so very Swiss Alps but with some unique touches by the defying-all-trends designer Hubert Zandberg. I love that every one of his projects is so full of pattern and texture and is as inviting as can be. And not a single trend to be found! Photos: Giulio Ghirardi.

Designer Joris Van Apers calls this 17th century villa in a castle in Lucca, Italy, “Tuscany at its best”. Oh yes honey this ABSOLUTELY IS. I could stare at these photos for hours. The colours, the textures and the views outdoors are spectacular. Photos: Michael Paul.