Pas Possibility

I was going thru a past issue of Elle Decor and this caught my eye, in a story titled, Flights of Fancy:

"When an adventurous Californian fulfills her lifelong fantasy of owning a pied-à-terre on the Seine...."

"Pas possible" said the real estate agents when Pamela Mullin told them of her fantasy of having  a place in Île Saint-Louis.  The impossible became possible!

I want to hear about anyone living out their dream, especially when it involves a pied-à-terre AND Paris!  She must be a colorful character because her apartment sure is.  Can you imagine walking through the front door, what your first impression must be?

It's exuberant, it's whimsical and it's full of period furniture probably worth a king's ransom.
There is a joie de vie to the decor, the color, the taxidermy, the Hockneys (paintings above) that remind us to not take life to seriously.

The view of Notre Dame is to die for!

The article explained that Pamela had had a difficult childhood.  She came to America from Scotland with nothing.  She worked hard, then married a successful entrepreneur.  When that marriage come to an end and her children were grown, she decided it was time for an adventure, and it was to begin in prestigious Île Saint-Louis, an island in the River Seine in the center of the city.  I like the way this woman thinks!

When she found the apartment, it looked like it had not been lived in for quite a while.  For the next few years, Pamala embarked on the renovation herself.  With the help of friends, antique dealers and artists, small rooms were enlarged, the ceiling was lifted, pieces were accumulated from high end  stores as well as flea markets, but it wasn't perfect.  She sought out color expert Jean Parrot and hired interior designer Didier Benderli.  Together they injected the apartment with a jolt of energy.  Now it truly expresses Pamela's joie de vivre.

Another extraordinary view ~ the Parthenon, outside the bedroom window, OMG!  The (stuffed) tigers, from Deyrolle, seem to like it.  Pamala's life on this little island is fanciful and joyous.

Pinocchio sculpture by Hubert Le Gall.  I love how it is completely unexpected resting on the 17th century desk.

The tiny jewel box of a guest bedroom fully upholstered in a Pierre Frey fabric with custom bed and French and Dutch furniture is fit for visiting royalty.

Hold your dreams close ~ for they just may become "pas possible."

What dream do you hold close?





photos James Merrell via Elle Decor



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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

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

The Designer Visions Show House

Inside this unassuming building in Tribeca, an industrial turned residential conversion contains three  show stopping apartments, each a collaboration of a designer with a shelter magazine, sharing the same vision or design aesthetic.  These apartments share other things as well; subtle marble clad spa like bathrooms, Poggenpohl kitchens, Ann Sacks tile, and dark wide oak wood floors and spectacular views.

Each designer imagined a fantasy client for whom they designed.

House Beautiful and David Rockwell ~

David's imaginary clients were a Bohemian, chic couple whose passion for art and design informed their collected interior design.  Refined, rough, tactile, layered.  Mid century furniture resides comfortably with an array of pottery and textiles.  The classic and avant-gard happily co exist.

The hand crafted tile in this kitchen, reminiscent of Delft pottery, created consistency in the open space by bringing together the look of handmade and modern that we see across the room

There was a great melange of elements in the den that definitely was in keeping with the Bohemian vibe that Rockwell set forth to create.

A take away might be the cork flooring panels applied to the walls in the studio.  Form and function once again prevail ~ and look good doing it.

CLI

The choice of the Byzantine wallpaper and Ikat upholstered headboard may be strong for some but this was evocative of the couple's creative spirit, travels, and pedigree.

Elle Decor and Matthew Patrick Smyth ~

Matthew imagined his couple as jet setters with a refined sensibility; globetrotters whose interiors display treasures from around the world.  A ride on the Orient Express was the jumping off point.  Deep colors and bold patterns create an exotic and classic dwelling.  Matthew had a lot of tricks up his sleeve to personalize the sterile apartment.

The moody gray walls were a perfect backdrop to showcase the artfully designed living room.  There was a surprise around every corner.

The showstopper was this extra room that was turned into a dynamic dining room.  It has no windows, no view, and was the first room off the entry, but no matter.  Schumacher wallpaper was carefully cut and patiently applied to mimic that of tile work in Moorish architecture.  The capiz shell and crystal chandelier, antique table and velvet chairs produced a visual feast for the eyes.

I liked that the kitchen was kept quiet.  This was not the place to make a bold statement.  Subtle silver, crackle subway tiles accented the contemporary wood cabinets beautifully.

These new apartment conversions very often lack interior architecture.  Matthew added his own.  He brought in this elaborate antique door frame to act as a dramatic headboard for a simple metal bed.  He inserted a mirror, added a picture, and WOW!  Everything else in the room became a supporting cast member.

Another trick I am dying to try is the floating bookshelf.  A frame is created and in this case the center was papered, but I have also seen them upholstered.  The customized floating shelves artfully displaying accessories do not become the focal point, but an integral part of this whole design element.  I love it!

Once a steel drum, the desk base with the burlap top was customized by The Alpha Workshop.

CLI

Veranda and Anthony Todd ~

A philanthropic, cosmopolitan family of 3 wanting to live in a casually elegant space was Anthony's fictitious family of choice.   Todd filled the apartment with blocks of color to produce the intended effect and showcase the duality of the family's imagined life, which is in keeping with Todd's philosophy of creating timeless, sophisticated environments.

CLI

The application of the Ann Sacks mirrored subway tiles was exciting to see because I chose them for a client's butler's pantry.  Let's just say...beyond stunning.  Pops of pink and the combining of pieces spanning several centuries make the room as casual as it is formal.

A lot of texture but little pattern make the den a relaxing spot.  Accented with Turkish and Asian textiles and a contemporary canvas, you could easily idle the hours away.

The soothing silver of the walls makes for one calm retreat... Nothing should interfere with a view.

Benjamin Moore's Blue Danube paint color wrapped 2 walls in the boy's room with sophistication and warmth:  a nice teenage twist.

BUT that's not all  ~  Hearst's Designer Visions Show House in conjunction with The 48 Hour Film Project,  invited 2 film makers for each apartment to use as a movie set for a film they had to write, produce, shoot, and edit, all in 48 hours; a daunting task!

Click on the names of the magazines, if your interested, to watch the short films ~ or you can cut to the chase and just watch my favorites.  Brought to you by Veranda's sponsored apartment and Anthony Todd designs:

The Toast and Mr. Freckles (Grap a tissue)

AND if that's not enough Derring Hall, the on line marketplace for fine design and products, is selling items similar to those in the showcase apartments.




ph: courtesy of each magazine, unless otherwise noted