Carrie's Design Musings

Fa la la la la

Bottoms Up!

Wishing you a happy, healthy, joy filled Holiday .

photo:Kelly Wearstler

"My houses are more than homes— they are temples. Wherever I go, I create them. I live in my own temple within my own time, my own music, my own art, my own loved ones. Each element that I select has an aesthetic power or spiritual significance that elevates me. I don’t think in terms of design, but rather in a layering of my life experiences. Spaces have their own energies, and each layer that is added changes and influences the energy of a place. "

I was reading an article about Argentine hotelier and real estate developer Alan Faena recently in Elle Decor and everything this man said struck me. As I get ready to head south for the winter visiting the famous Faena hotel is on my "to do" list. If you don't know him, you may know his over the top properties. He created an entire FAENA district in Miami, encompassing a hotel, event spaces, retail and restaurants making an immersive experience the goal.

Mr Faena's own Spanish style Miami home, designed with the help of Diego Pereira Luchetta, expresses his desire to arrive at what he calls, his beautiful illusion. Alan says over the top interiors energize and delight him!

Each piece of furniture whether it be Regency, Louis XIV, Spanish, English, Italian Rococo or a custom Faena design gives energy to another, influencing one another, and the addition of bold art intricately fills in the pieces of a puzzle of a life fueled by authenticity, curiosity and creativity.

Alan Faena's thoughts, values, art, perceptions, religion, spirituality, and desires merge together into some kind of beautifully chaotic harmony. The deep colors and rich layers are like a tapestry evolving over a lifetime.

Nourishing a childhood dream, a desire to be transparent and magical thinking have given Alan the push to be creative and create. When thinking about his own home, creating a temple where one is renewed, is a sort of a layering process. Each piece, each experience, family and friends bring a richness, another layer to the whole. Every space has energy. Alan feeds off of the energy he creates. Spiritual deities and crystals are seen in many of the rooms. They really speak to energy and not religion.

There are so many great quotes in the Elle Decor article, but I will leave you with this last one.

"I am who I am because of the spaces I create - they allow me to live in absolute peace with myself and the exterior world."

OK, one more, " What matters most is not the end goal but rather my daily transformations along the way"

I like this man's energy!!

#Amen

photos:Douglas Freidman

Designers Do Christmas

Ahhh the holidays ~ for many it is a time of stress and anxiety. For others, it's their time to shine!
Designers make everything look effortless. IF I decorated for the holiday, which I do not, I know I would want to have themes each year and experiment with the whimsical and the wondrous. It is a blessing and a curse each year when I day dream about what could be....

London based designer Hubert Zandberg decorates his clients homes in a more subdued way for the holiday. Not one to follow cliches, he imbues his spaces with a touch of green and a touch of sparkle. I love when the look doesn't "hit you over the head" but blends in and unfolds as you move through the house.

Scot Meacham Wood exclaim's, "more is more," but it feels oh so right!

Known for her use of red, Alessandra Branca stays true to her signature color through and through

Ken Fulk's usual over the top aesthetic has taken a turn for the simplistic and I love it!

Oksana Lazarets shows us uncommon holiday decor woven into garlands looks outstanding , fruit and greens ~ perfect together

Charlotte Moss does too

Baker Design group skillfully decorates around your interior ~ ideally the decor should match the interior in feel and color. Keep sights, sounds and smell in mind too. The details will get noticed.