A Pied- à -Teardown

I often write blog posts like the media is supposed to do, more factual than opinionated (unless I love something, then I always express that).  This time however, I am choosing to think of this as an opportunity to express my opinion, more like an op ed piece, because it aroused such strong feelings in me.  I was at the gym reading November's Elle Decor, when I got to page 149, the story about Emmy Rossum's New York apartment.  I was aware from social media that she bought a place and the talented Antonino Buzzetta designed it.  It constantly amazes me what one can learn on social media!  I admire his work and congratulate him on a job well done!  I think he is uber talented.  I admire Emmy's work as well.  She wowed me with her beautiful voice in Phantom of the Opera and I think she is brilliant as Fiona on Shameless.

I loved the way she described how she wanted her new apartment to look.  "Chic, European, the look of a modern girl who has inherited her grandmother's stuff."  That is a solid description and a good jumping off point for any designer.  Antonino got to work gut renovating the 800 sq. ft. apartment.  Walls came down, the ceiling was raised, the kitchen was opened up, a fireplace was imported from the Paris flea market.  Emmy brought in her grandmother's chandelier which helps give the space immediate authenticity.  The finished project is stunning!  It's the perfect balance of old world glamour, oozing with style, like an original but better!  She's one lucky girl!

Having said that ~ here's the rub, the article states Emily contacted Elle Decor for help with her new prewar, co-op on the East Side.  Elle presented her with a list of designers, that's how she met Antonino.  They then went a step further by getting "the best home furnishings manufacturers in the business to sponsor the transformation."  High end, heavy hitters like Kallista, Circa Lighting, Rocky Mountain Hardware, Ann Sacks tile, and Horchow donated products from "cabinetry and tile to chairs and hardware," as it was described.  REALLY?  It's like my pet peeve about swag bags during award season.  These actors and actresses can certainly afford to design their own places and pay for their own clothes and sunglasses and jewelry, vacations, plastic surgery and the like (you know those swag bags are worth a fortune, right?)  Those that can afford life's little luxuries are given so much. Sadly, because that is what our society values; entertainers, athletes, titans of business.  It felt like such an injustice!  I wish Elle Decor would have kept that piece of information to themselves or helped a needy family with the generous donations.  What did they think they would gain by telling us most of what was in this apartment was given to her?  This was all I could think about.  What do you think?

Elle Decor ~ I have been dreaming about, dying for, a pied- à- teardown for years!  Will you sponsor me?  I'll write about it ad nauseam!









Ph: Joshua McHugh for Elle Decor except bath Alison Gootee, Studio D

Dining By design 2016

Spring ushers in the fun fundraiser Dining by Design once again, the beautiful tabletop event that supports DIFFA.  Changes over the past few years have seen a move to Pier 92 from its former home adjacent to the AD Show and more sponsors working with designers, as opposed to the other way around.

 Gentler, Herman Miller and 3Form have teamed up before, and lighting is always used evocatively

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Baccarat and Modern Luxury Manhattan Magazine set a stunning table with one of the best views in the building.  The butterflies fluttering above and finding their way onto the table with light dancing off  the gorgeous cut crystal ~ pure Baccarat

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SA Baxter Architectural Hardware + INGRAO, a modern mix

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Sasha Bikoff with Luxe Interiors + Design call to mind a Garden of Eden featuring always stunning  De Gourney wallpaper and a drop dead Murano chandelier with furniture by Christian Liagire.

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Darrin Varden with The New York Times present What's Black and White and Read all over, a nod to the paper in this residential like space.  Lladro's porcelain lighting is striking yet delicate; the horses galloping across the table, strong yet agile.  Diagonal Tree, a painting by Clare Sherman, reflects the destruction of life, once strong now ravaged and dying.  Artistic Frame custom made the sculptural strié chairs

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I loved the porcelain sconces.  They are equal parts artistic and delicate.

Ralph Lauren, as only he can do

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Echo New York shows us we can change our stripes and remain true to who we are... during a Zebra dinner party

Julia Buckingham with Cosentino and Benjamin Moore ~ a study in the color Simply White. Candelabras by Dunes and Duchess with accents from Global Views

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Roche Bobois with The Rockwell Group revealed their vignette behind a cool mist curtain

Bronson Van Wyck for Architectural Digest gives us a colorful African celebration

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Kravet is a riot of fabrics for a fun fête.

 

Speaking of a fête,  The New York Design Center turns 90!  Antonino Buzzetta is staging an impressive celebration.  This is a street party I want to attend.

* photos via Erik Bardin, others CLI

Holiday House 2015 ~ part 2

Antonino  Buzzetta's Mother's Day room, awash in pink, is a reminder that CANCER SUCKS!  The XOXO neon art was a jumping off point, inspired by Antonino's love for his mom (that's beautiful.) Street artist Bradley Theodore's funky portraits of strong women adorned most of the walls, and the strength of pattern throughout was a perfect counterpoint in this feminine room.  Bradley USA custom made all the furniture for the room.  Anthony said, "Cancer is ugly!"  One way he feels he can help is by making a pretty room in an effort to raise money to hopefully eradicate it in our lifetime.

The Home for the Holidays bedroom by international designer Paris Forino is a restful artist's respite.  Like a delicious intermezzo between two very bold rooms, it had an ethereal, rich flavor.  Art from Neuhaus Gallery and fabrics by one of my favorites, Jim Thompson, made this room feel like an homage to a world traveler reveling in treasures found from around the globe.

A happy accident in the way of the wrong wallpaper being delivered to Marks & Frantz's room totally made the space eclectic and visually exciting.  The duo known for fashion forward, whimsical spaces  noticed a trend recently.  Their clients have been requesting games be incorporated into their spaces; thus Game Night was born.  This beautiful, richly layered, multi tasking room was designed for fun and games.  The scotch tasting was a nice touch.

Julia Buckingham has been a busy girl!  She just rolled out a collection for Global Views (see story here) and she has been promoting it in lots of fun filled ways.  Her room at Holiday House,
Holi Festival of Colors, signifies the coming of Spring in India and Nepal.  Happy colors and pattern embody her spirit and achieve her main objective of bringing that spirit into the design of the room. Julia was working with a woman who was battling cancer during the project.  This woman said she wanted to keep going with the decorating because it brought her joy during a difficult time.  NEVER underestimate the power of a beautifully designed environment!

I loved the way Katie Scott merged her 2 passions, that of interiors and jewelry design.  This Houston designer made the most out of a few small spaces! The ladies lounge or private space, celebrating a Golden Anniversary was infused with dark colors, metallics, and jewel like accessories with sex appeal.  I just followed the fabulous lighting.  A percentage of her jewelry sales will be donated to BCRF.

Speaking of jewel like spaces ~ Rio Hamilton's graphic Charging Station yielded high drama in a small space!  The obvious focal point of the room was the oversized painting by artist Andrea Selby, depicting a woman who beat cancer, passed her 5 year mark, and is celebrating at her favorite cafe in Paris.  Not to be overshadowed is the (almost) priceless turn of the century frame where each side is made out of a single piece of elaborately carved wood by Lowy.

It became the unofficial hot spot for a photo op as demonstrated by Tamara, Rio and myself.

We're not done yet.  Stay tuned, there's more....