Displaying posts labeled "Colour"

I can think of a number of words to describe this 240m2 apartment in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, colourful, eclectic, family friendly, stylish, but the word that sticks in my mind is joyous… or perhaps riot. A joyous riot of colour and pattern and style. Imagine the delight every morning when you awake to such a wonderful home. By Alexandre Goulet, Olivia Charpentier and Dev Gupta of Paris and Shanghai-based GCG Architectes.

Photography by Adélaïde Klarwein.

When you’re the king of glamour and pattern and graphic design, of course your apartment would be all of the above. Welcome to the Darlinghurst apartment of Greg Natale. Monochromatic in black and white with accents of pink, this space is hot, as all his designs are. 

When the folks of cityhomeCOLLECTIVE were asked by their quirky clients (whom they had sold this house to) for help with decorating their living room, dining room and patio, they went all out. I freaking love every bit of this transformation. GO BOLD OR GO HOME! The theme was sharp, but creative…nothing too precious. A game of indoor/outdoor basketball is as common as a glass of wine in the open air. We went to work in attempting to mirror this eclectic gang’s vibe with bold colors and textures: a hot pink and grey chair in silk and bouclé (think: Chanel suit), black walls with gold metallic niches, a teal over-dyed rug, and rich green, velvet floor-to-ceiling curtains. A thousand statement details that amalgamated flawlessly. Ever aware of the importance of juxtaposing pieces, we employed graphic black and white wallpaper and brass accents, and used green and pink neon rods to create a piece above the dining table. And–in what would eventually become a bit of an obsession for us as the project progressed–we got pillows. Pillows on pillows, and the crazier the better (ie. Bill Murray in a general’s coat). Outside it’s just as funky and totally awesome. 

Make sure you spot the dog before going further 🙂

OMG I love the rabbit art! 

Gratuitous awesome hairdo photo 🙂

Sometimes I feel I’m trying on other people’s homes like clothes in a shop. Does this look good on me? Is it a good fit? Often what looks good on the rack just doesn’t work when you try it on. Sometimes what looks great in the magazines, the trends, the hottest looks, the must haves for 2016 for your home are just like the cheap and cheerful fashion fads that we all rush to buy and then wonder why we ever did. Like my last post I think I would be very comfortable in this West Village apartment by New York-based Bachman Brown Design. It too is all about making the most of the architectural bones and a collection of furniture and favourite pieces gathered over time. A second “second skin” for today.

Taking an old structure and, restoring the beautiful original details while giving it an eccentric modern vibe in the decor is something I gravitate towards and I am doing with my own home. Rome based interior designer Ilaria Miani takes this to another level with her spaces. Miani’s passion for restoring abandoned farmhouses, palaces and villages is inspired first and foremost by the building itself. A bit of colored plaster still holding onto a crumbling wall; a stone niche carved by ancient hands; or the sagging massive wooden beams that once supported an existence that has long since faded are her starting points. Tiles are handcrafted of clay and baked in nearby kilns; tables and beds are forged with the same hammers that have been used for generations; and chairs carved by carpenters using ancient tools. The landscape too, informs and inspires. Whether it is the rolling hills of Tuscany, the gentle waters of a Venetian canal or the cobbled streets of Rome, Miani’s treatments speak the same language, evoking and reinterpreting a timeless language. While Miani’s creations are rooted in the past, they are very much a thing of the present. Her own designs – modern, sleek and colorful – encompass every detail of her projects. From the chairs and the lamps to the forks and the linens, the effortless casual sophistication that has become her trademark, creates a uniquely cohesive whole.