Photography by Tessa Neustadt

The Palm Springs aesthetic is one that never seems to stray too far from the design scene — and why would it? When one thinks of the ‘ideal home’, per se, most seek a design that is effortlessly light, captures the freshness of the outdoors and is clutter-free, hence the perseverance of this classic trend with rock-solid foundations. For author and screenwriter Kelly Oxford, her husband James and three kids Salinger, Henry and Bea, classic with a creative twist is best.

The residence is located in Studio City, the LA neighbourhood known to house the rich and famous — including Twitter-famed Canadian Kelly. Having recently moved from Calgary, The New York Times best-selling author =QUOTE= sought help from interior designer Orlando Soria from Homepolish LA to add some much-needed personality to the space. “The home was lovely but totally empty,” says Orlando.
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With all parties content to work with the bones of the residence, the redesign focused on collating a range of vintage and new pieces for the great room, kitchen dining nook, master bedroom and children’s bedrooms. “We didn’t want to change too much about the space, so one obstacle was giving it a fresh feel without changing the walls, floors or lighting,” says Orlando. “We wanted to keep the colour palette light and minimal to emphasise how airy the space is.”

Due to the reliance on furnishings, the selection of art in this home was of the utmost importance. “Kelly and I had a great time figuring out the art,” admits Orlando. “We commissioned a gorgeous painting from Erika Gragg for the living room, and one of the most fun things we did was look for nude portraits at the flea market, which Kelly painted swimsuits on. They look kind of hilarious and I love that it brings her humour into the space.”

Combining the old with the new is a running theme in the home, and this also applies to the furnishings, with many pieces upcycled and given a new lease on life. “I find using vintage is a subtle way of going green,” says Orlando. “Instead of purchasing a home full of new pieces which are filled with chemicals, we used as many flea market finds as we could, adding in contemporary pieces to make the space feel fresh.”

An all-star vintage find is the pouf in the living area, which was reupholstered in a vibrant teal fabric — the perfect piece to create a fabulous Palm Springs look. Greenery is also incorporated into the living area, with plants brought inside to maintain that tropical vibe. “We tried to emphasise tropical vegetation outside by adding some tropical prints and coastal accents, such as sisal rugs.”

Inspired by Slim Aarons’ iconic images, Orlando and Kelly have successfully captured the essence of these photographs and integrated them into the home.

“Because Kelly has such a strong sense of humour and a developed eye for beautiful design, the project ended up being tasteful and a bit outlandish — not a lot of clients make it easy to create this type of design!”

For more information
homepolish.com

Originally from Home Design Volume 18 Issue 6

The post Real interior: California love appeared first on Completehome.

Making the move to a holiday house isn’t a decision made lightly. But when you think about it, the choice has already been made — ocean views and salty fresh air trump a concrete jungle any day. For designer Heidi Meyer, her husband Kim and baby girl Chalcot, converting a rundown property into an Alice in Wonderland-esque space to call home was very much a whirlwind adventure.

Situated in Mooloolaba, Queensland, UNITFIVE was the name bestowed upon the property by owner Heidi, who believed the space was “devoid of character and the warmth of a home. A home is created through layering =QUOTE=texture and the occupants’ personalities who live there,” she says. “Not only was the apartment boring with a capital B for a waterfront location, but we had owned it for 10 years already and it needed modernising with a new floorplan. Although situated in a warm climate, it was a glass and aluminium box far too safe for an interior designer and her other half. It was a blank canvas just waiting to be drawn on.”
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And draw the duo did, looking to bright colours and textures to turn the yawn-worthy interior into a lively space.

Using their positive outlook on life as the inspiration behind the design of the property, Heidi and her husband sought to create a “nest” that reflected the sheer happiness her family was experiencing with the birth of the couple’s first child as well as their new abode. “We wanted to establish the same layers of warmth and sophistication we designed elsewhere in the world,” says Heidi. “We wanted to make it youthful, fun, vibrant and incredibly classy.”

A unique aspect of the home is the brick feature wall, transported all the way from London and hand-curated by Heidi out of the mud. “I dug an entire muddy London backyard for two pallets of age-old bricks,” she says. “When the pallets arrived, they were in a crumbly mess. I managed to salvage what was needed and the crumbly ones looked the best!”

The Alice in Wonderland theme is present in the colour scheme throughout the apartment. “We wanted it to feel like you had fallen down the rabbit hole and arrived at the Mad Hatter’s tea party. Hence, bright colours pop, the walls talk, light cables swing and life is overscaled and large,” enthuses Heidi.

A large portion of the renovation revolved around the kitchen, which featured an impractical layout. The water view wasn’t utilised due to the cooktop facing a wall, so a brand new kitchen was installed as a solution. Establishing a home office space was also crucial, where both parties could work together in an area that was fluid and cohesive. The body of work completed included three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an office, balconies, laundry and an open-plan kitchen and living area.

The couple began the renovation process while living in London, forcing Heidi to keep up with tradies via Skype as well as travelling back to Australia to check on the progress. “Because Queensland tradies go surfing every day at 2pm, something that should take a few weeks can take months,” says Heidi. “It takes a great deal of organisation, patience from neighbours and stamina to realise the end result.”

Brimming with quirky styling, including the green bottles hanging on the wall and knobs reminiscent of M&Ms, this amazing home is allowing Heidi and her family to live in their very own fantasy land, turning a whimsical dream into reality.

For more information,
unitfive.com.au

Photography by Jaimi Kenny

The post Real interior: Down the rabbit hole appeared first on Completehome.

Renowned designer Gérard Faivre has put his magic touch on an apartment located in the picturesque Paris district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The area has been a haunt for intellectuals, actors and musicians since the 17th century and exudes a historic air of culture and beauty.

This 130m² two-bedroom apartment occupies the third floor of an 18th century building, complete with an elevator and unobstructed views of the Saint-Sulpice church. It is in the centre of Paris’ cultural hub, =QUOTE=where famous cafés and restaurants dot the streets alongside designer boutiques.
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With inspired nods to the 1940s, Gérard reworked the apartment to ultimately combine luxe interiors with modern comforts. A monochrome colour scheme was deliberately selected to showcase the materials within the apartment including Carrara marble, Thala stone, hints of leather and brass along with furniture crafted by design icons such as Giò Ponti, Franco Albini and Méret Oppenheim.

Drawings penned by Xavier Spatafora pay tribute to French writer and designer Jean Cocteau. Adorning the walls of the entrance, the artist’s work is also present on a stark white wall in the second bedroom. The black-and-white flooring of the entrance was recreated to the stylistic codes of the 17th century, consisting of a mixture of aged beige stone and black cabochon stone by Palatino.

In contrast with the airy nature of the entrance, the dining room’s moody palette is lit by floor-to-ceiling windows framed by pale grey curtains from Ateliers Caffins. Hints of gold are introduced to the space in the form of brass light switches along with a side table by Méret Oppenheim. An ethanol fireplace acts as the centrepiece of the room, decorated by an original mirror and Leleu and Baccarat candle holders sourced from French antique store Trouvaille Antic.

The flooring of the entrance is continued in the kitchen, almost mirroring the ceramic wall between the counter and cabinets that contrast against the black colour scheme of the Boffi Paris kitchen. For an extra Parisian touch, the ever-important Enomatic wine fridge conserves bottles of wine that can conveniently be served by the glass — how very French, indeed.

The first bedroom of the apartment is a cocoon of light and natural textures. The white leather bedhead designed by Roberto Lazzeroni for Poltrona Frau blends with the neutral space. Two crystal lamps sourced from antique store Giraud Art Déco add a touch of glamour to an otherwise organic and natural room.

Continuing the earthy feel of the first bedroom, the second features an in-built bookcase and fireplace along with black vinyl wallpaper from Elitis. The moody theme is present in the black leather bedhead and dark purple vases that adorn the fireplace.

Reflecting the neutral and airy colour palette of the first bedroom, the flooring of bathroom one features white Carrara marble combined with black Italian Marquina marble. Towels and a bathrobe stamped with Gérard’s logo offer a personal touch from the designer.

A cast-iron bathtub with polished aluminium feet is the statement piece of the second bathroom. Matching the colour palette of its bedroom, the dark marble floor gleams as the sunlight from the window shines through.

Both dressing rooms are a thoughtful highlight of the structure. Sliding doors in woven Japanese paper were specifically created for Gérard, who also designed the black wardrobes brimming with shelves and hanging space.

It is evident each piece in this residence has been carefully curated to reflect the delicate design aesthetic present throughout the apartment — a capsule of modern Parisian style combined with an essence of the ’40s.

For more information,
gerardfaivreparis.com

Photography by Francis Amiand

The post Real interior: A French tryst appeared first on Completehome.

The idea behind the interior design of this Victorian terrace in Sydney’s inner west was to enhance and highlight the existing period features. The clients, a doctor and a writer, are well travelled and have spent considerable time working in China, and wanted to express this life experience subtly throughout their home without creating an overly styled interior.

“Our client and their travels was the inspiration,” says Andrew Waller, interior designer of Andrew Waller Design, who undertook the project’s interior decoration, bespoke joinery, furniture specification and design, soft furnishings, finishes and lighting. “The doctor and family had lived in China for business and already had a few interesting Chinese pieces which we added to in the refurbishment. They didn’t want a new pristine home but a lived-in, family feel which had a layer of history to reflect their lives.

“The brief was to update the interior space and provide much-needed storage…our clients had been living in quite an unorganised space for a while and generally needed a new eye to organise their home life.

“We took the project as an opportunity to organise the existing pieces, while adding new in a way that had a historic evolved theme rather than a ‘brand new’ appearance, which would date quickly and may not have suited the period property. As part of the project, many personal artefacts were also incorporated into artworks throughout the spaces.”

Two areas became the main focus – the master suite (which was to be the wife’s main retreat), and the lounge with the large full-wall bookcases (the husband had a large collection of books to be housed).

The master suite, which had consisted of numerous amassed loose cabinets, required a complete overhaul. A large amount of storage was required to replace these cabinets, but a cleaner plan was required to ‘tidy’ up the visuals and create some much-needed floor space, despite the room’s large dimensions.

In this master suite, one of Andrew’s favourite parts of the home, a combination of the new wraparound timber joinery and wing armchair by the fireplace redefined the space as a private sanctuary/reading spot away from the main living area. The joinery has now created a panelled-room feeling.

The master bedroom exhibits a masculine overtone, with the extensive bespoke joinery referencing a gentleman’s tailor shop. The bedroom furniture includes a custom-designed dressing table with intricate bone inlay, handmade in India.

Andrew also loves the lounge room with new twin bookcases adjacent to the fireplace, framing the space with a textural backdrop to the semi to create an inviting lounge space – the first port of call for guests.

Meanwhile, the main entertaining area was designed with the female client in mind, introducing a layer of colour on top of the neutral palette.

“The project evolved over a period of time,” says Andrew of the finished work. “We employed an ‘evolved historic’ approach to the design including the new furniture and bespoke joinery details. We retained and brought focus to some of the beautiful existing elements in the home and reinvented spaces and details which needed a little more attention.”

The project was designed by:

ANDREW WALLER DESIGN

First floor, 722 Bourke Street,

Redfern NSW 2016

Mobile: 0422 992 676

Email: andrew@mrwaller.com

Website: mrwaller.com

The project was built by:

Tallal Mostafa

BFS Pty Limited

Mobile: 0411 831 832

1B Torwood Street,

Sans Souci NSW 2219

Email: tallal@bfsconstructions.com.au

Website: bfsconstructions.com.au

FLOORING

Living areas/kitchen: Timber, varnished finish

Entrance: Retained original marble tile

Bathroom: Tiled by Academy Tiles

Bedrooms: Timber stained floor – Feast Watson

WALLS

Living areas: Dulux Rice Cake Wash & Wear; skirting boards Dulux Rice Cake semi gloss

Kitchen: Dulux Hog Bristle Wash & Wear; skirting boards Dulux Hog Bristle semi gloss

Bathroom:

Master bedroom: Dulux Pale Parchment Wash & Wear; skirting boards Dulux Pale Parchment semi gloss

Childrens’ bedrooms: Dulux Finishing Touch Wash & Wear; skirting boards Finishing Touch semi gloss

LIGHTING

Living areas: Silk embroidered lampshades – from Mao and More

Entrance: Custom made in Parchment to Waller Design specifications, from Circle of Light

Kitchen: Pendant light from Chippendale restoration, Rozelle

Bedrooms: Medusa chandelier from Orson & Blake

KITCHEN

Cabinet doors and panels: Existing timber sand and new varnish finish

Benchtop: New laminate inserted benchtop with original timber moulding lip-edge detail

BATHROOM   

Wall: Dulux Finishing Touch Wash & Wear; skirting boards Finishing Touch semi gloss

Tiles: From Academy Tiles

Bath/shower/vanity: Chippendale restoration, Rozelle

Additional features: Towel rail from Chippendale restoration Rozelle, bent wood chair from auction

WINDOWS    

Original timber windows sand, recondition and new paint finish, sash windows mechanism were repaired

DOORS (external or internal)

Original timber doors and, recondition and new paint finish

OUTDOOR

Landscaping by Votre Jardan – Stuart 0410 691 521

FURNITURE

Hallway: Hat chair – Chinese from Orient House

Living room:Rosewood Mahjong table – original from client

Bentwood chairs – auction find

Silk-embroidered pendant lamp – Mao & More

Rug – Doncaster Furnishers

Soft furnishings custom designed by Andrew Waller Design

Feature chair – Arana Chair upholstered in Liberty fabric from Jardan

Lounge – Genevieve sofa from Jardan, fabric by Mokum

Dining room:

Existing client table and chairs

Soft furnishings custom made by Andrew Waller Design

Fireplace – upholstered chimney breast in Assam colour Plum – Mokum

Armoire – A-frame Jiansu cabinet – Orient House

Family room (off kitchen):

Sisal floor rug – Equator Homewares

Kitchen table and chairs – auction find

Wicker chest/coffee table – Mandalay Design

Cabinet – Gansu painted front cabinet in poplar – Orient House

Love chair – Equator Homewares

Master bedroom:

Custom design soft furnishings by Andrew Waller Design

Floor rug designed by Andrew Waller Design, made by The Rug Collection

Varenne desk chair from La Maison

Joinery (wardrobe) – American oak with bronze finish hardware, designed by Andrew Waller Design

Armchair – Augustine wingback chair in chocolate linen from Orson & Blake

Dressing table and mirror – Bone inlay kneehole dressing table – custom designed by Andrew Waller Design, made in India

Written by Danielle Townsend

Photography by Georgia Moxham

Originally from Australian Period Style Volume 8

The post Real reinvention: Victorian vision appeared first on Completehome.

“At 30 years old, this apartment was due for a complete refurbishment. So we gave it a modern makeover and transformed the kitchen, two bathrooms, laundry and robes. The kitchen was designed to capitalise on views of the Brisbane CBD and includes an informal dining area at the end of the preparation bench.

Each finish was selected for its high-end appeal and textural qualities. We used textured woodgrain laminate at the tall cabinets and island bench contrasted with crisp white benches and joinery.

The preparation bench is finished in a contrasting polished stone end with mitred corners. A mirror splashback reflects the skyline and creates a sense that the apartment is larger than it actually is. Mirror kickboards reflect the new floor tiles and LED strip lighting is strategically fitted to create the illusion of floating cabinets. Shadowline finger grips, appliances and fittings were all selected for their minimal look and simple details.”

Designer: Marc Silcock and Astrid Robertson (decorator) for Designer Kitchens

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Designer Kitchens 12 Beesley St, West End 4101

Phone 07 3844 1500

Website designerkitchens.com.au

Originally from Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly, Volume 21 Issue 1

The post Eclectic kitchen design appeared first on Completehome.

“The stunning architecture of this waterfront property needed a comparably structured kitchen. The elongated and spacious form was achieved through selecting the appropriate material, creating plenty of bench space, and using a uniform pallid colour. The hand-picked Staron Quasar White benchtop flows to a 150mm diameter cove as one continuous surface without a visible join.

It amalgamates into an angled splashback, featuring an etched wave pattern, which envelops itself around the integrated V-Zug wall-mounted appliances. The height differences and abstract shape of the extended island adds interest, while the Grigio Carnico marble surrounding the fireplace provides a natural element and focal point.

This uncluttered and streamlined design is achieved by two clever techniques: the kitchen sits against the back wall with the appliances at usable heights; and the entire splashback is on an angle to completely hide the rangehood canopy. Contrasting elements, such as gloss black borders, mirrored appliances and wallpaper around the end cabinet, add textural variances to the clean and glossy white surfaces. A glamorous and studiously envisioned masterpiece.”

Designer: Lee Hardcastle for Enigma Interiors

Originally from Kitchens and Bathrooms Quarterly Volume 20 Issue 4

The post Waterfront bliss: Eclectic kitchen design and interiors appeared first on Completehome.

Original is something of an overworked term, but it has real meaning when it comes to interior designer Peggy Prendeville. Her home is a case in point.

A converted chapel in South London, it throws out the style rulebook in favour of an idiosyncratic melange of furniture and accessories, running from Chinese antiques to Italian classics. Cue a Saporiti chair dressed in vintage Missoni fabric. “It’s seen better days,” Peggy admits. “It’s a bit bashed up and the colours are a little bleached out, but it doesn’t matter; I love it.”

Peggy’s home tells the story of her life so far. The ornately carved day bed in her living room, for instance, was purchased while living in Singapore. “I ordered it online from China, which was completely worrying because I didn’t know what I was going to end up with,” she laughs. The statue of Buddha, meanwhile, was given to Peggy by a client who unconventionally paid for her interior design services in art, and the rug in her mezzanine television room recalls a “phase” in Peggy’s career spent designing rugs featuring inset panels. “For this one, I used a piece of stainless steel, but if people were game, I would inset leather, timber or steel, or sometimes a mixture of all three.”

To create a successful eclectic scheme, Peggy has brought together mismatching pieces that casually unite in colour and theme. Highlights include a cluster of upholstered pieces that form an informal seating area on the ground floor, a carefully considered space that opens out to create various ‘zones’ of activity including dining and cooking. “Because this is such a tall space, I wanted the furniture to relate to it,” continues Peggy. For this reason, the high back design of her sofa, love seat and chaise longue (all designed by Peggy) are the same height as the kitchen island unit. “It’s all very contrived,” Peggy explains. “Sofas are usually much lower, but I thought it might look like an airport lounge if everything was low.”

The kitchen was installed by the chapel’s previous owner, but Peggy added her own design spin by wrapping the “ugly” kitchen carcass in stainless steel. It’s an inspired decorating trick where the stainless steel acts like a mirror and reflects the rest of the room. The kitchen comprises a single run of base units with additional storage available in the adjacent island unit, which started life as the chapel’s altar before it was converted by the previous occupant. Peggy retained the existing Baltic Brown Granite work surface but has added a smart black glass splashback and glass light shelves that run the full length of the kitchen. In addition, utensils are well placed, suspended from rails positioned above the work surface. And to create a super-sociable setting, a bespoke dining table by celebrated designer Mark Brazier-Jones is placed within striking distance of the kitchen.

In spite of its history, Peggy’s home doesn’t take itself overly seriously. Witty additions to her bedroom include a freestanding bath wrapped in faux ostrich skin and a plastic armchair that plugs in and lights up; they may have come across as naff in anyone else’s hands, but somehow Peggy makes it work, notably by juxtaposing these with her more sedate sleigh bed in rich chocolate brown leather. The bedroom is one of two mezzanines she installed at either end of the chapel. “I wanted it to feel cosier in here and while it is a very grand space, which is lovely, without the mezzanines it was a bit like living in a cathedral.”

The beauty of Peggy’s interior design is that it does not draw attention away from the chapel’s original features. Beautiful panelling on the walls is a talking point, as is a row of pews which were badly damaged when Peggy found them but have been lovingly restored. Like all seasoned interior designers, Peggy understands the value of natural light. The bottom section of each stunning stained-glass window is hinged and opens on to plain glass to ensure that the chapel is bathed in natural light throughout the day. “This work was actually carried out by the previous owner,” says Peggy. “I believe he used the same company who made the original stained-glass windows.”

Due to the chapel’s Grade II-listed status, Peggy had to run her proposed designs past English Heritage and the local planning department. “Interestingly enough, they didn’t want everything that was new to be a pastiche of the past,” she reveals. “In fact, they prefer to be able to see instantly what is original and what is new.” On that basis, Peggy installed both mezzanines with glass balustrades, allowing for a completely open space as well as unobstructed views of the Latin inscriptions running the perimeter of the walls.

Surprisingly, it took Peggy some four years to start work on her chapel. “We were living out of cardboard boxes like hippies!” she recalls. “Partly, it was because I didn’t have the money to start it and partly because it took a lot of organisation; I had to get two lots of listed building consents.” Living in the chapel before converting it also gave Peggy the chance to carefully consider her final decisions. “My first instinct was to have a big Hollywood staircase to connect the ground floor with the television room,” she admits, “but then I decided against it because the staircase was to be where the altar once stood, and I wanted to keep the feel of the chapel.”

The upshot is a narrow staircase tucked out of sight behind a joinery wall. And what of the painting that hangs there? Peggy smiles, “It’s quite a pressure on a painting to be the equivalent of an altar. I have had this Andrew Mansfield painting from the early ’80s and it’s already hung in three previous houses. It has a big job, but I think it carries it off quite well.”

By Katie Hughes
From Renovate magazine Vol. 9 No. 1

The post REAL HOME: London converted chapel appeared first on Completehome.

“You can’t be minimalist and work for Christian Lacroix,” explained Sacha Walckhoff, creative director for the house of Christian Lacroix, when interviewed recently by The Guardian. “I was a minimalist guy, I am a minimalist guy and I will be forever, but of course working for Christian Lacroix you can’t be minimalist,” he laughs. “I really had to fight against myself to put things together that I would never have put together alone.”

This same mentality applies to Sacha’s own home. There’s certainly not much minimalism there. Actually, it’s so far from minimal you’d be forgiven for thinking Sacha was telling porky pies. From the life-sized Zebra sculpture to the decadent designs by some of the world’s most renowned creators and innovators, this creative corner of Paris is chocker block with eccentricities, masterpieces and a variety of antiques encountered while rifling through the world’s best flea markets.

Position-wise, this stylish nook is in one of the best spots in Paris. A stone’s throw from the Opéra Garnier, Sacha’s home is surrounded by all the arts, history and romance that make the city so special. Structurally, Sacha changed nothing in the apartment. The architecture is beautiful enough already and his love of everything antique held him back from altering an old building in any way. With no architectural changes, the nature of the design work comes purely and simply from that which sits within it. “Depending on what I found during my travels or at the flea market, I composed the setting of each room in order to feel at ease in the space,” he explains. Essentially it is a masculine interior brought to life by brave colours, strong pieces and fine materials. “Each object and image tells a story, each fabric evokes an emotion,” he says. “My apartment is not a showroom for reeling off brands or names; it is an accurate reflection of my inner self.”

Sacha is an intriguing character. He is a man with a discerning eye; one who can effortlessly combine antiques and contemporaries with ease. The house of Christian Lacroix also swears by this same mantra, something Sacha has adopted and learnt from Christian himself. Christian developed a love for fashion when writing a dissertation on the topic of dress in 18th-century French painting as part of his art history degree. Since then, his designs have eloquently amalgamated old with the present, and his fashion house is particularly renowned for bringing extravagant flair to modern wear. It’s hardly surprising that — after 18 years of working together — these two creative individuals have rubbed off on one another in some way and both share this similar love of coalescing old with new.

Sacha is an artist, traveller and collector. The eclectic mix of items dotted around his apartment comes from markets in New York, Paris and London, and from various exotic places such as Syria and even as far afield as the Amazon. The items span centuries, too, with pieces dating back to the 1600s and beyond. “My home says a lot about me,” explains Sacha. “I have been here for quite a long time, I live here with my companion and we really put together all the things that we like and so it’s full of memories, full of all the souvenirs we bought on our travels — this is really a place where I feel at ease.” He is an accumulator of ceramics, an enthusiast of contemporary design and an admirer of 1950s furniture; he has acquired a variety of treasured pieces by Picasso, Cocteau, Charlotte Perriand, Hella Jongerius, and Garouste and Bonetti, to name but a few.

“Even though I still love antiques, I am more into designer furniture and contemporary art right now so I try to put all my heart into building a warm and cosy interior,” explains Sacha. This is unmistakably evident within the space. The presence of well-known and respected design labels such as Hermès and Marcel Wanders add a touch of chic modernity, balancing out the vintage, bringing in a bit of the present and enabling Sacha to maintain a hint of his minimalist nature.

One must take a stroll through this weird and wonderfully detailed world that Sacha has created to really appreciate the depth of the life experienced here. The living room is where a large portion of the fantastical world can be found: eclectic and wild, animalistic patterns dominate. An Amazonian head and a human’s backbone make this space not for the fainthearted, but look closer and contemporary items and artwork can also be found alongside the extravagant.

Colour deserves mention in every room. Contemporary pieces by Dutch designer Maarteen Baas and fabrics and homewares from the house of Christian Lacroix have a great part to play, and the use of the bright items helps to balance out the dark hues found in so many of the antique pieces. Gold offers a fabulous halfway house, uniting old with new effortlessly.

The bedroom is filled with intriguing and inspirational pieces, which works well for Sacha as this room doubles as an office. “My favourite part of the apartment is the bedroom, it’s my second studio and I do a lot of work in my bed either early in the morning or late at night,” he reveals. The screen behind the bed — created from bull skin — is a truly unique touch and was designed by Sacha himself.

Take a walk through time. Take a walk through history. Take a walk on the wild side. Whichever path you choose to take through life, this apartment is a reminder to respect past, present and future. Respect that which is beautiful, intriguing or detailed. Respect old, respect new. Appreciate good design no matter which era or continent it comes from. And sometimes it is best to abandon rule and reason and simply surround yourself with that which you love.

GENIUS TRICK: Old and new are brought together effortlessly through clever use of golden hues and bold patterns

Eclectic Paris apartment details:

• Sacha Walckhoff is the creative director of the house of Christian Lacroix.
• A short distance from the Opéra Garnier, Sacha’s home is surrounded by all the arts, history and romance that make this city what it is.
• A minimalist at heart, Sacha has adopted much of Christian Lacroix’s own decadent style, which can be seen throughout his home.
• Sacha has a penchant for mixing antiques with contemporary pieces. Items from all over the world and multiple eras of time are dotted throughout the space.
• While still an avid fan of antiques, Sacha loves modern pieces, too, and his home features a selection of items from some of the top designers and creators from centuries past.

christian-lacroix.fr

By Alexandra Longstaff
Photography Francis Amiand and Niel Bicknell
From Home Design magazine Vol. 16 No. 4

The post REAL HOME: Eclectic Paris apartment appeared first on Completehome.

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Interior designer Massimo Speroni prides himself on his distinctly Italian design style. Time spent in Milan during his youth has left a distinct impression on his design ethos and philosophy and he draws his creative passion from Italian history, art, architecture and modern Italian pioneers of design.

His work combines a special touch for detail and lavish pieces, with elegantly refined shapes and form. This culminates in interiors that inject grandeur and personality into his clients’ homes, while still maintaining the serenity and comfort expected in a private setting.

The featured project is a private residence on which Massimo worked closely with his clients. During the early construction phase, efforts were made to maximise available living space and lay a foundation that would work to the best of its ability in creating a stunning interior decor.

Massimo’s client wanted a home that was modern and elegant, yet comfortable, with an open-plan living space perfectly suited for entertaining friends and family. The client also wanted the home to have visual impact and a level of luxury one would find in a five-star hotel.

Positioned on a corner block, which has been subdivided, the home consists of two storeys, each devoted to the distinct needs of the client. The lower floor contains the public living and entertainment spaces, while the second floor is dedicated to the private areas. Living, dining, kitchen, powder room and the lounge rooms are all situated downstairs, arrayed in an open plan that maximises light and space and allows for a playful arrangement of decor. The second floor contains three bedrooms, a bathroom and an ensuite for the master bedroom. One of the bedrooms has been converted into an office space.

High-gloss ceramic tiles were used as a neutral foundation for the lower floor, establishing an anchor point for the rooms and providing a low-maintenance solution that also serves as a starting point for any coloured furniture and wall colour combinations.

Initially the client’s specifications were for a completely open living, dining and kitchen plan. However, it was necessary to place a dividing wall between the kitchen and living to maximise cabinetry space for the kitchen. A servery forms a link between the two spaces, while also encouraging interaction and interplay between inhabitants using the two separate rooms.

Kitchen and dining areas are light and spacious. Large glass sliding doors form the threshold between internal rooms and the external courtyard, while also allowing voluminous amounts of light into the internal space.

A mirrored splashback creates added depth within the kitchen and reflects diffused light back into the rooms. The white cabinetry and kitchen island maintain a bright and clean environment, complementing the chromed finishes of the double sink and cooktop and the rich dark panelling of the lower cabinetry.

A high ceiling provides extra dimensions for storage and enhances the spatial forms of the rooms, adding to the feeling of the open-plan design. An added touch is the seamless form of the storage spaces, which are handleless, with a simple finger groove to allow the cabinets to recede into the streamlined vision of the kitchen.

Visually, the loungeroom is one of the most impressive in the home; a large feature wall mural dominates the room with a life-size depiction of Romans of the Decadence by Thomas Couture splashed across its surface. The print was scanned onto washable vinyl wallpaper after being sourced from an American supplier and then applied to the feature wall, created by enclosing previously existing windows.

The furniture used within the lounge room, while sleek and sophisticated, maintains a neutral palette. Clear polycarbonate, or minimal white, upholstery increases the sense of space and form while remaining subdued enough to keep the feature wall as the unobstructed centrepiece of the room.

The overall visual feel of the home continues upstairs. Neutral flooring allows the finishes of the rooms to truly shine while keeping the total look grounded. Walk-in wardrobes are a feature of each room. The two guest rooms, with one converted into an office, offer plenty of space. The main bathroom, set between the two rooms, contains a spa, single shower and floating vanity to increase floor space. With walk-in wardrobe, balcony and ensuite, the master bedroom evokes the ambience of a high-end hotel suite. Silver-embossed wallpaper and a floor-to-ceiling mirror wall create a textural, spatially unique and glamorous look for the room. Lifestyle demands dictated a double-size shower and double vanity for the ensuite, mirrored splashbacks, and a mirrored plinth below the vanity to double the visual space of the suite.

Throughout the home, mirrors have been strategically placed to create the illusion of added space. Either wall-mounted or floor-standing with ornate frames, the mirrors create extra dimensions that reflect and refract light throughout the internal layout.

Dressing and finishes of each room are varied. Each sings with the detail and keen eye of the design team, blending modern and traditional techniques and pieces into seamless, sleek and artistically unique visual aesthetics while retaining a personal warmth and high level of comfort in each room.

Massimo’s love for Italian design really shines through in his choice of furnishing and lighting, including classics such as the Arco floor lamp, designed by Achille Giacomo Castiglioni and located in the lounge, and antique clear crystal chandelier above the Tulip dining table. The mix of classic, antique and cutting-edge design, such as the transparent Louis armchairs from Kartell, really enhances his visual and artistic direction of the home. Elements of drama form centrepieces for the individual rooms and the placement of finishes and furnishings is obsessed over, to create a perfect flow and balance between a room’s usability and its artistic relevance.

As his client states, “We always get that overwhelming feeling of pride when friends and family drop by and comment on how our house has that ‘wow factor’!” Massimo’s direction and design philosophy has paid off in spades.

The ability to use extravagant details and designs in a way that they do not come across as overly bombastic or crass is a unique talent. Massimo’s vision of form and function effortlessly produces luxurious extravagance and refined subtlety in all he does, resulting in passion and creativity in equal measure.

Style notes:

• Massimo Speroni has a distinctly Italian design style. He draws creative passion from Italian history, art, architecture and modern Italian pioneers of design.
• The brief was to maximise available living space with a visual impact and a level of luxury one would find in a five-star hotel.
• The lower floor contains the public living and entertainment spaces, while the second floor is dedicated to the private areas.
• Throughout the home, mirrors have been strategically placed to create the illusion of added space.
• The mix of classic, antique and cutting-edge design, such as the transparent Louis armchairs from Kartell, really enhances his visual and artistic direction of the home.

massimointeriors.com.au

By James Cleland
Photography by Stu Morley
From Home Design magazine Vol. 16 No. 1

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New York, New York: that famous city that never sleeps is home to millions of people pursuing their dreams. For countless individuals, their ultimate goal is to live, breath and work in this legendary city.

The East Village is a far cry from its former self in modern-day New York. From its humble farmland beginnings to the European immigration wave, the numerous neighbourhoods that make up the borough have been revitalised in recent years through the preservation of local landmarks and buildings.

This historic townhouse is set in the heart of the vibrant East Village. Ulises Liceaga and his wife saw the potential this building had and decided to give it the TLC is was crying out for, transforming it and bringing it into bustling 21st century New York.

Originally a dilapidated dwelling, the structure contained three loft-like apartments that were all dark and very small. Ulises decided to start afresh, redesigning the entire layout of the building and reconfiguring the structure into two dwellings, one atop the other.

“I wanted to go against the grain of the standard ‘row house’ typology and bring this townhouse into the 21st century,” says Ulises. “Gone are the small compartmentalised units and dim lighting; now there is an open, spacious environment bathed in natural light.”

Focusing on the top-floor apartment he and his wife were to call home, Ulises added an additional 620-square-foot storey that would become the master bedroom. From here he continued with the rest of the home, focusing on an open-plan living design that would connect the kitchen to the dining and living spaces. At the same time, Ulises didn’t want to take anything away from the traditional features of the residence; he simply wanted them to blend in with their new contemporary counterparts.

“Working within a landmarked building had its constraints,” continues Ulises. “We constantly had to adjust plans to keep in line with square footage requirements.”

Looking around the home, you’d be forgiven for thinking you had walked into an art gallery. There is not a dull space in the home. The walls are full of interesting and intricate designs, many courtesy of friends of Ulises and his wife. It is easy to see how the vibrant tones of Ulises’ Mexican heritage have made their way into the design; every piece of furniture or art is different, yet mesmerisingly appealing.

“There is a certain simplicity and sobriety within the townhouse, but one cannot ignore the playfulness that also shares the space,” says Ulises. “Collaborations with family friends, such as sculptor Emilio Garcia and light designer Ingo Maurer, add a whimsical flair.”

Nowhere is that whimsy more apparent than in the innovative lighting feature that covers the glass facade of the building. Faced with the dilemma of needing enough light but not wanting to compromise privacy, Ulises and lighting designer Ingo Maurer came up with the adventurous LED lighting design.

“With the LEDs fully lit we create a curtain — one that both blocks exterior views but lights the interior,” explains Ulises. “With the LEDs unlit our open plan is bathed in natural light.”

New York is a magical city. For anyone who has had the fortune to live there or simply visit, there is a certain vibrancy that inhabits its occupants and its streets. Ulises has managed to draw inspiration from this and create his own oasis that is surrounded by one of the busiest metropolises on the planet.

“This project will always hold a certain weight and importance in my portfolio because it was my first big commission in my new practice,” he explains. “I love being here because when I look around I see artwork created by childhood friends from back in Mexico City, I live under a beautiful glass façade that acts as my own starry constellation at night, and outside my windows I see a slice of history.”

By Tessa Hoult  
Photography by  Eric Laignel & Paul Warchol
From Luxury Home Design magazine Vol. 15 No. 6

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