Displaying posts labeled "Uncategorized"

Toronto interior designer Ali Budd is cranking out sassy and classy spaces that must completely win over the homeowners, because I sure am smitten! Soft, neutral colour palettes, timeless furnishings and some bold wallpaper and art to add some spice. Side note: I am dying over the chandelier in the first two photos.

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.

Sometimes decorating a rental property can be tough when there are guidelines that must be followed, but San Francisco interior designer Soledad Alzaga managed to create a warm, inviting and timeless vibe in this 1200 sq ft rental apartment. LOVE the cozy, fluffy rugs and talk about drama with the golden coloured bedroom! (For a previous feature of her work click here)

Alex of Kia Designs sent over photos of a property they designed that is soon going to be listed for sale. It is lofty with huge windows which are both bonuses in my book so I had to share. This particular property was once the ballroom of a grand townhouse on the Chelsea borders in London. The space had previously been converted into a pokey two bed, 1 bath flat with large mezzanine and windowless kitchen. It felt very much like a student let, with compromised ceiling heights and awkward room sizes and no storage. You were very aware that you were in a room which had been chopped up. We emptied it and started from scratch, highlighting the grander elements, like the stunning windows and balcony and the vast ceiling height. We then moved the kitchen into the living space, so that you actually got to enjoy the view. In it’s place we put a personal gym, as the flat is in an area which oddly lacks one, despite being full of prime clientele. We included lots of storage in the entrance hall and enlarged the downstairs bathroom. The original mezzanine space became a grand master bedroom, with a walk-thought wardrobe into a hidden ensuite. The Tom Dixon copper lights were bought a few years ago, so they were quite unusual at the time they went in…. Did I mention the windows?! GORG! If I bought this space I think I would want to highlight them a bit more – maybe paint the frames and shutters black. I would splurge on some massive art work and a tall ornate gold vintage mirror for over the fireplace. Such a great space to play around with. 

Over a year ago I featured a beautifully restored 19th century castle in Normandy, and came across it again the other day. Turns out it was designed by Elodie Sire of D.mesure and there were more photos on her website. A bit feminine and a touch of goth, featuring stained glass, herringbone hardwood, cement tiles, girly wallpaper and all sorts of vintage and mid-century furniture, it is eclectic at its best. The white dining room has me a bit perplexed, but that hardly matters as I am lost in the photo of the foyer above.