Displaying posts labeled "Maximalism"

Imagine a collection of houses in the Victorian spa region, each as stylish and beautiful as the next. Imagine that you can rent them out for a fabulous getaway whether there are just two of you or 24. I’m in. Are you? Time for a virtual house party. Today I’m sharing two of my favourites from The Houses Daylesford, The Oxford a historic 12 bedroom, 5 and a half bathroom home in the Hepburn Springs area with a stunning family lounge and spacious dining room seating 24. Think eclectic design with fab paintings and a touch of quirkiness (you may be sleeping with Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and Ned Kelly). Large, luxurious and fun.

Is it a pop-up shop in a home or a home where you can stay and take home the sofa if you happen to love it? Why it’s both! Owner Tina Seidenfaden Busck reimagines The Apartment each year, presenting a carefully curated and continually changing collection of art and design objects from the 20th century as well as pieces by renowned contemporary designers. This year you can even book a stay. It’s my dream of living in a shop come to life. I love the evolution of The Apartment over the years and particularly this summer’s celebration of colour, pattern and different cultures.

Danish fashion designer Malene Birger should have really started her career as an interior designer. Her 1905 Italian stone house on a hillside with views of Lake Como is decorated with the most incredible maximalist, eclectic style that is blowing my mind. Black, white, brown and the most glorious ochre/mustard/spicey yellow I have ever seen, and a divinely random mix of vintage finds from flea markets and auctions around the world. Via Skönahem, photos by Birgitta Wolfgang.

Interior designer Lucinda Loya‘s Louisville, Kentucky home is the definition of eye candy. An explosion of colour and pattern in every room, it is about as dramatic as you can get and I love every bit of it. It’s one of those homes that has so many layers and so many incredible details that I could spend hours devouring these photos and find something new each time (like the spider light fixture in the photo below). Lucinda shows no restraint, and because she’s so talented it works sooooo well.

The vibe here in this colourful New York City townhouse is what gives me heart palpitations. When colours and patterns and lots of layering and really unique pieces come together and every square inch is a feast for the eyes. I spent a good half hour devouring every inch of these photos. This is what design should be about (IMHO). Where the viewer is drawn in and never wants to leave. Designed by Kati Curtis. We wanted to reflect the vintage era of the townhouse, and at the same time acknowledge the hip and modern nature of this couple; we decided on “vintage with a twist.” 

One way we expressed this was through the wallpaper, by Timorous Beasties, in the dining room; it captures the Victorian feel of the home but with the most modern pattern. 

Another wallpaper, this one in “the family room,” looks like a sweet Victorian pattern…from afar. Upon closer inspection something far less benign is revealed: a pattern of evil-looking moths. The kitchen’s original cabinetry, its leaded glass and old brick had all been restored; we wanted to be respectful, yet we also wanted to give a surprising twist, so along with that crazy moth wallpaper, and a banquette we designed—we layered avery modern, lucite table on top of an antique needlepoint rug.

The tin ceiling in the master bedroom, as well as the fireplace, were both original– we added everything else– again with idea of it “being of the era” and with elements (like the wallpaper) adding an edginess. Vibrant patterns are balanced with quiet and calm moments of white and cream on the king sized bed.

Because we had the wish for the clients to be engaged in their home even before they walked in, we added an antique lighting fixture inside over the original staircase and balustrade.