Showing posts with label Alessandra Branca. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alessandra Branca. Show all posts

Kips Bay Showhouse 2015 ~ Part 2



Midnight Manhattan by Charles Pavarini III is moody in blue with its striking cobalt walls, the base coat of lapis with top coats of aqua mixed with eye shadow, then striĆ©d: sublime.  The Jeff Zimmerman chandelier was a highlight amongst a room full of highlights.  The pewter leafed travertine mosaic tile helped diffuse light and bring more texture to the lounge.  Charles demonstrates his motto perfectly in this room; drama thru restraint.




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David Phoenix's bedroom has a refined masculine/feminine retreat.  With it's layers upon layers of fabric, tartan plaid Colefax and Fowler upholstered wall covering, sumptuous club chairs, a pop of Fortuny fabric, the monochromatic books filling the book shelf, the Robert Kuo lacquered table ~ I could have moved right in!





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Michael Herold made the most of a tiny space.  In what was formerly the upstairs laundry room, Las Palmas transports you to an art deco bygone era.  Modern glamour reigns with the bold print walls, lacquered checker board painted ceiling, and select pieces that give the space a lot of bang for the buck!






Alessandra Branca always brings it in her signature red (or pink in this case).  She strikes a perfect balance always between living amongst beautiful things in a comfortable way without anything being too precious.  I love that!  Her beautifully curated living room is layered and livable with multiple seating areas featuring a European aesthetic.  The Pierre Frey Tree of Life print fabric is featured throughout the room and the Harve van der Straeten chandelier drove me wild.  I love everything that man does as well!








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Tom Felicia created a multi tasking "Study in Style."  He is "blurring the lines between work and play." Most of the furniture is from Tom's collection with Vanguard, mingling with vintage pieces.  The lacquered panels were custom made for the space and Robert Greene's "Frenetic Composure" sculpture, or the time out guy, as we took to calling him, sulked in the corner.  The room is a study in sophistication, elegance, playfulness, and comfort.


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From the starburst painted ceiling to the leaf lined bookshelves, McMillian Inc. had us celebrating Rio, within their zen like modern tropics bedroom.  The bed cleverly converted from masculine to feminine by turning the headboard and pillows over.  Pullout shelves and built in lighting provide everything you could ask for.







The sculpture is actually a light by DDC and the cane chaise was provided by R & Company.



Alan Tanksley's study is titled "Pavlo's Retreat."  His muse, his longtime friend Alexa Hampton's husband!  The walnut trim and mirror replace the more expected detailed, traditional trim for a decidedly modern, unconventional twist.  Quiet contemplation is held dear in this well traveled, masculine,  gentleman's garret like quarters with an interpretive mural of the Manhattan skyline by artist Matt Austin.


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This bathroom by Peter J Sinnott IV was exceptional.   The AKDO flooring, called Origami, was more like an M.C. Escher drawing.  There was so much movement and it had a surrealist quality to it.   The orange stripe was like an exclamation point on all this good design, as was the attention to detail within this jewel of a space.

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My back is to the shower here, when you turn around you are greeted by an unexpected powder coated sculpture on the shower wall.  I have never seen something like this before.  I love it!





Paula + Martha had the 3rd floor landing and stairs to the roof deck.  They created a gallery like space.
Hanging sculptures from Jacques Jarrige, pieces by Al Held, Jeff Zimmerman, and Robert Greene hold their own.  Fine art and a touch of the unexpected ~ they do it well.

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In addition to celebrating the Kips Bay Organization's 100 year anniversary, they can also celebrate another wonderful show house, being held this year at the Arthur Sach's mansion running thru June 11th.  It's always a treat and I am always left inspired!



Ph: *Rafael Quirindongo, others CLI




Designer Vision Showcase: Alessandra Branca


For the seventh year Hearst Magazine launched its Designer Vision Showcase.  The Walker Tower is being brought back to its former glory as a preeminent luxury condominium residence with its Art Deco roots intact.  Built by Ralph Thomas Walker, called by Frank Lloyd Wright, "The only other honest architect in America," he helped shape the NY skyline in the roaring 20's.




Even though it is in the midst of the renovation ~ you know it's going to be something special!






Alessandra Branca infuses her apartment for Elle Decor with the wit, elegance, and juxtaposition of styles and time periods that create a deeply layered, personal environment.  She draws upon her Roman roots and her love of art history and European classicism.  Using her line of fabrics for Schumacher, heirlooms, and pieces from favorite resources that are quintessentially Alessandra sit side by side, comfortably creating many moments.  The design is energetic in visual appeal, but remains practical and livable for her sophisticated Upper East Side client, yearning for a downtown vibe.  Her signature red is there, but pink reigns supreme along with a mixture of hot house and primary colors.

































The upholstered walls in the master bedroom were a wow!  If you throw a zebra rug on the floor, you've got my attention, always!




























I seriously loved "the mix".  She had faux bois and western accessories with sea fans and turtle shells.  There were high and low, organic and antique.  Timeless damasks in fresh colors and bold geometics helped hip it all up.  It worked, and worked beautifully.  This is a perfect lesson in the importance of layering and personalizing.  For more on Alessandra's lines and to shop them, check out her website Branca and Bergdorf Goodman.






All photos CLI, except Elle Decor by Douglas Freidman

*For those of you that inquired, thank you, this was the story I lost