Creative Hardware

While perusing the streets of Paris, I couldn't help but to photograph some interesting door hardware. Elements from the natural world seemed to be the predominant trend, but then again some pure fantasy inspired trends also appeared as in the extra large bow handle, seen below on a shop the sells exclusively bow-ties. Interesting....and certainly not boring!

 Inspired from the Animal Kingdom

Pure Whimsey

Organic Inspired

Botanical Inspiration

Maastricht aside, the new Train Station at Liege, Belgium, was the most impressive site that day.

I did the aller-retour, Paris - Maastricht, in one day this year. It was a long day, but well worth the visit. Of course a trip to the world renowned Art and Antique Fair is a visually explosive experience. But this year, the most impressive site that day was the new Rail Station, Guillemin at Liege, a transfer station in Belgium. Built with glass, steel and white cement at budget of 312,000,000 euros, it was truly an amazing site.


Opening Nite Inauguration:

Santiago Calatrava is one of the most well-known and in demand architects of the current genera- tion. A civil engineer by training, his reputation has grown on the basis of projects including bridges (Seville, Bilbao, etc.), stations (Lisbon, Zurich, Lyon, etc.) and more recently the Olympic stadium in Athens and other equally prestigious commis- sions. Aside from the Liege works, he is currently in charge of the con- struction of the Manhattan station at Ground Zero. 

Maison a Deauville...Unexpected colors, Fantasy, Ethnic and totally UN-Decorated!!!

I was lucky enough to have gotten inside this wonderfully imaginative home outside Deauville to take these pictures before the house was sold, painted white top to bottom and now used as a photographers studio. The photos speak for themselves.

The unusual combination of colors in this long corridor is really very chic and unexpected. And, its all faux.

The use of varied materials makes this wonderful entrance a complete surprise. 70's glass blocks, wood stained floors, wallpaper, paint, and fabrics together give the visual effect of entering something really creative and special...and a sneak peak at what else is to come.

I always think that a special whimsical child's room is the root to a creative adult. Its all about fun, color, playfulness, inspiration and a certain looseness. What child wouldn't want to grow up in  a treehouse???

The painted carved doors lead to the powder room. An added mirrored and painted flea market find add height to the doors opening and the indian crystal lantern gives a bit of glamour to space.

You have to meet the kids.

The main living space is extraordinary. The lucite 70's suspended chair....the never ending sofa, the red painted staircase with the barn like railing, mixes well with the curlycue iron work on the mezzanine and enormous hanging chandelier. The bar is restaurant size in scale and the wood floors, scattered rugs and exposed brick on the ceiling give the space a warmth and personality all its' own.

Look at the use of color blocking. A sort of turquoise on the ceiling, a deep plum on the back wall, deep forest green dressing closets and the persimmon colored bed dressing....it does work. I especially love the drapery that doesn't even try to touch the floor. They loved the fabric and didn't care that it wasn't dressmaker dead on.

I love the doors and the mural behind the bed. The bedspread in french blue is so chic.

Another great child's room.

The color of the fireplace is fantastic. A basic sofa covered in vintage fabrics with added turkish bolster pillows transforms what would have been a boring sofa into a unique lounge of ethnic fantasy. Its all thrown together in a whimsical un-decorated way.

Way to GO GREEN Paris!!!

This was truly a  great sight. On the Faubourg St. Honore, not to far from Hermes...half a block of parking spaces were reserved for electric cars. Not parking spaces actually, but filling stations. Like the very popular Velib bicycle stations, seen now almost everywhere, this was an electric filling station for cars. Instead of gas pumps, these stations had retractable electric plugs that came from what looked like a modernized version of the old parking meters , that one connects to their environmentally friendly automobiles. Hope to see many more of these eco-friendly electric stations, (and cars too). Bravo Paris!

Paris in the Springtime.....70's and sunny! but in March?

Paris was unseasonably warm and sunny this week and it seems as if springtime has arrived earlier than usual. The gardens are awash in colorful beds of flowers and the trees and foliage are all producing new buds and sprouting new growths. Its so beautiful. Nothing like Paris in the springtime!

In the Closet? or Out of the Closet?

This is my idea of an ideal closet. Taking an entire room and devoting it to what would normally be hidden away behind closet doors. Utilitarian  rolling racks, exposed shelving, seating and plenty of space between each hanging item. Natural light and best possible exposure of what is usually crammed into closets, no matter how big they might be.

Gorgeous Afternoon Lunch at the Soho House Miami Beach

Good friend and recently awarded Interior Designer Joe Fava hosted a Baby Shower for his sister Michelle at the Miami Beach Soho House Club. Under the Tiki Hut behind the main level pool, a beautifully designed table setting filled with Orchards, an imaginative cake, clear lucite bamboo party chairs and suspended paper carnations made this a truly beautiful day.