Windsor Smith for Century

I had the pleasure of listening to Windsor Smith talk about her Icon Collection for Century Furniture at 200 Lex last week.  I always admired her aesthetic.  Windsor's unconventional approach to design lies in her layering of the classic and the unexpected.  "Color, texture, style and purpose" is her goal in life and in her designs.  Century Furniture's goal with their Icon Collection is to bring the soul of a designer's work together with their craftsmen in Hickory, NC to harmoniously "bring to life" a unique vision.

The Yvette upholstered bed is as comfortable as it is elegant.

The Ondine cocktail table is a stand out piece, especially in the octagon shape and lavender hue.

I love the Paloma Wing Chair with its feminine take on a classic, more masculine version of a typical wing chair with its scaled down arms and curved body.

The Clara Tete-a-Tete is a signature piece for Windsor, famously featuring it in her own foyer.  Also called a borne, this classic 18th century design looks as modern today as it did during the Napoleonic period, and makes a perfect centerpiece, dressed up or down, for a room that calls for a little pizzaz!

While the line is shown in mostly tones of grey, it can be customized.  Her most colorful piece in the collection is the Aurora cocktail table.  It is an example of the magic that happens when mirror, metal, and glass mate, in a Mondrian like pattern.  It can be ordered with a plain marble top if you prefer.

With jewelry for the home in mind, Windsor created the Giselle leather ottoman; with it's shiny hardware, nail heads, and storage it's as practical as it is beautiful.

An extremely au courant chain pedestal table is playful and pretty with a wood or marble top.  The perfect accent!

via Cococozy

Windsor also can be credited with creating the Room in a Box.  The virtual design studio that has been widely copied, and now Room in a Flash, which gives you fully designed rooms with all the beautiful accoutrements for you to purchase thru Windsor.  She did it for Gwyneth, she can do it for you ~ It's kind of design genius!

She is rolling out a collection of lighting and accessories thru Arteriors and has a collection of fabric and trim thru Kravet.

You're one smart Cookie, Windsor

Exercising Beauty

I don't care where I am and what I am doing, my surroundings are important to me.  The way an environment makes one feel should NEVER be underestimated.  When I saw Windsor Smith's design for Tracy Anderson's newest gym in Brentwood CA, my mind was blown.  Tracy's friend (and investor) Gwyneth Paltrow suggested her friend Windsor might be the perfect woman to bring the sophisticated yet casual vibe to Tracy's newest location.  Windsor wanted a sculptural look for the gym suggesting the sculpting that Tracy helps her clients achieve.

A white on white Retna commissioned canvas hangs in the serene lounge that one can rest their weary bones in after a tough class.

The lines are blurred between exercise equipment and art installation

The gray, lavender and cream  torture, I mean signature, latex streamers hang gracefully at the ready for her notoriously tough workouts. 

I am always fascinated by the inspiration behind an idea, design, creation. In this case Windsor always admired Frank Gehry's iconic gold and brass fish sculpture in Barcelona, Spain.  That was the jumping  off point for the look of the brass shelving.  It is as beautiful as it is functional.

If you feel as though your home gym needs a little bling, Windsor would be happy to customize a gold basketball hoop for you to call your own.

Located blocks from the beach, the use of  taupe, white, wood and marble supports the desired casual, beachy feel which happily co exists with all the elegant brass!

A blow dry bar was included in this mega studio.  The girls friend, hairstylist to the stars, David Babali will oversee things within the salon.  Tracey is transforming bodies inside and out.

A white commercial Trauslen refrigerator holds Tracey's fresh pressed juices. She also has a food program to help you live the TA Lifestyle.

 Hers is a upscale lifestyle brand.  Each endeavor ; food, videos, the workout, supports the message of living and building a  healthy, graceful, strong, beautiful body.

Frankly, I'd much rather moan and groan in a beautifully appointed gym, it gives me something more pleasant to focus on besides the difficulty of the workout.  It almost helps one rationalize the $50.00 a class price tag




PH:Windsor Smith