Archive for the ‘INTERIOR DESIGN’ Category

…this mornings post didn’t really count as content.

What would the internet do without quirky parisian apartments? Would it shrivel up and die without the whimsey  and quirk of the under-cooked cool-kid decorating of  The Paris Apartment? These apartments always have great architecture that makes some of us New York condo dwellers shrivel up with we-live-in-a-box jealousy. And because of said great architecture, not much needs to be done. You don’t need to go all Jill Zarin on an apartment that has wood ceilings that are who knows how high, amazing windows, and spectacular doors.

So many choose to go the minimal, quirky route: ( Why hello chair that looks like a Georgia O’Keefe painting…) This apartment really reminds me of the Sarah Lavoine apartment I posted a few months ago. Check it out HERE.

I particularly love a parisian kitchen.

Colors! Cabinetry that just hangs out like furniture and doesn’t look built in. Retro appliances, and of course, chandelier and gigantic art piece! The metal shelving for exposing delightful dishes is usually present.

Stylish without looking styled… this is the apartment equivalent of unwashed hair and last night’s eyeliner, which could go either way in the awesome department.

The kitchen is BY FAR my favorite room, but I also kinda love the cement surround on the tub… Im not really feeling the bedroom that much, or  the pink chair, but I’m sure living there would be freaking fantastic. What do you think?

Designed by German-French interior designer Josephine Gintzburger via Trendland.

The Phillip Johnson Glass House

Above is The Glass House by the one and only Phillip Johnson. When it was completed in 1949, it was a groundbreaking work of modern American architecture. It became an instant sensation, and as you can see, has had a huge influence on the way a house would and could look in the future. Who wants to go on a Sketch42 field trip with me to see The Glass house? It’s been fully restored and since 2007 tours are available to the public, see HERE for details.

Ultimately, I think you guys know that I’m more of a “Lets buy an ol’ fixer upper” of a house kinda gal. (Even though that’s not what I did in my current apartment). “It’s charming,” I’ll say when its dumpy. “Its quaint,” I’ll say when its small. Yea, that’s the kinda thing I like: PROJECTS! But then I see houses like this. Weird, quirky, and beyond amazing.  Although I do think most architects could REALLY use a hand from some supremely talented interior designers on furniture selection. As a Manhattan dweller, I have no concept of curb appeal. I just think about  what a place should look like INSIDE since I generally have no control over the outside. What would you build if you could build a home from scratch? In the woods? On 47 acres with no one to see you? Maybe it would look something like this!

Below are some crazy, cool and fascinating places that human beings inhabit. Enjoy!

The NaCl House by David Jameson ArchitectGiovanni D’Ambrosio designed the Under the Moonlight house in Mount Hotham, Australia.

Lake House by Frederico Valsassina ArchitectsHill House by Andrew Maynard Architects

Click through to see more!

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Last week, I walked by a shop in my neighborhood that I’ve never seen before, and stopped in. It’s the second store by brother sister duo, Allison Julius and Louis Marra, who were both in the store when I walked in, and are quite delightful!

Maison 24 is offering up a whole lotta look: Neon, graffiti, lucite, glitter, fur, spikes, skulls abound and at first glance, the shop seems very cool, but intense. Then you spend some time perusing the art, toys, gifts, furniture and collectibles, and you think: Oh yea, I could get into this.

A lucite crib, Keith Haring products (including a puzzle that I bought for my kids- I lie, myself), Alexandra Von Furstenburg’s neon acrylic home accessories, Moser crystal, Pop phones, chic coffee table books, collectibles like Be@rbrick,  70′s inspired chrome and lucite tables, an Oomph backgammon table that I just might need… It’s a fun place to browse, that’s for sure.  It could be the place where you find that one quirky piece that takes a room from super serious, to lighthearted and whimsical. I like a room to have a sense of humor.

They also have a kitschy and fun collection of art happening: Dirk Westphal Payphone prints, Camomile Hixon’s glitter pop culture paintings, lucite sculptures, Jimmie Martin graffitied furniture, neon light sculptures, Anton Perich photos from Studio 54 and the newly opened Rory Dobner shop-in-shop: the first place in the US to carry the British designer’s luxe, goth, Victoriana inspired art and home wares.

Maison 24 has a GREAT collection of well priced gifts. A few weeks ago, I spend days combing the UES looking for hostess and holiday gifts for Passover. Its remarkably hard to find a sweet and substantial house ware gift in my neighborhood for under $100, and even harder for under $50. I mean, you can find things, but you can’t really find COOL things. Had I known about Maison 24 three weeks ago, I could have been spared hours of gift-hunting.

If you are in the neighborhood, I totally recommend stopping in, or checking out their site HERE. And you can check out more detail shots after the jump.

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A few days ago, I was walking home from The Met, and I noticed this absolutely spectacular mansion. I stopped in my tracks.

It’s the French Embassy for Cultural Services. The French, I thought, obviously don’t disappoint. Then I did a little research and learned a hell of a lot more about the mansion. It’s known as the Payne Whitney Mansion, built in 1902. Amazing. The entire block is actually gorgeous, overlooking Central Park and lined with old world mansions. It’s old time New York Chic, built in the Gilded Age of American billionaires. A little history below:

It was designed in the style of the high Italian Renaissance by McKim, Mead & White. It was erected in 1902-06 for financier, philanthropist, and sportsman Payne Whitney and his wife Helen, a poet and patron of the arts(sister-in law to the Whitney’s who founded the Whitney Museum.) Whitney had been given the land by his uncle Oliver Payne (who was an officer in the Civil War and the benefactor instrumental in establishing the Cornell University Medical College) as a wedding gift  for himself and his bride, Helen Hay, daughter of the Secretary of State for President McKinley.  The total cost of the land and building of the mansion was estimated to be around $1 million.

Stanford White designed and oversaw the construction of the exterior and interiors of the house, until he was murdered in 1906. Among the furniture and art that he sourced for the house was a cupid sculpture that was placed in the round foyer. Recently, the cupid was found to have been sculpted by Michelangelo!

Helen Hay Whitney lived in the house until 1944. The French government acquired the Payne Whitney Mansion in 1952. In 1970, it was deemed an official landmark of the City of New York. Today, the building is home to the Cultural Services of the French Embassy.

OK – Guess what? you can rent it out for parties…

Learn more about the mansion HERE and rental inquiries HERE.