Interiors

Josephine Ryan house in Provence

2011-12-16T05:38:00.000-08:00

Josephine Ryan is a wonderful antiques dealer with a very distinctive taste and also the author of three great interiors books. She spent three years looking for the house of her dreams, and when she visited this house in Provence, halfway between Nimes and Montpelliers, it was love at first sight. The house had been abandoned for decades but she loved everything about it from the first moment she saw it. When she found the name of her mother's maiden name carved in a stone of the house, she understood that it was her destiny. But turning the abandoned house in a nice and pretty home required a lot of work and creativity. The decoration is a perfect example of Josephine's signature which she defines as a mix of modern, rusty and eccentric. She feels that there is a very strong emotional bond that links her to the place. She realizes that the peculiar characteristic of the house makes it a life commitment, a neverending work in progress because there is always some work to be done. You can visit Josephine's website here :

http://www.josephineryanantiques.co.uk/

Chateau les Merles

2011-10-20T01:54:00.000-07:00

The interior of the Château has been faithfully restored by the present owners to match the historic 19th century architecture. The décor is by a renowned Dutch interior designer Joris van Grinsven; after his worldwide voyages on his sailing yacht for seven years, he had, together with his children, the idea of settling down and working all together in a pleasant environment. And off he went with his wife to look for his new dream. During one of their trips to the French wine region of Bergerac, they encountered Les Merles whose premises perfectly suited the whole idea …a golf course, a hotel and enough land and premises to develop what today is Château Les Merles. It is under the name of ‘Seigneurs de Clérans’ that Joris van Grinsven works with his team on projects designing and/or decorating private homes, hotels, restaurants and businesses throughout Europe. For furnishings and accessories he works exclusively with the ‘Pigeon d’Or’ collection.

House in Provence

2011-06-24T02:42:00.000-07:00

80 m2 in Madrid

2011-06-09T01:58:00.001-07:00

Eco-friendly house in Majorca

2011-05-26T05:09:00.000-07:00

This is French architect Alexandre de Betak's creation, an eco-friendly house located in a small village called Cave House on the island of Majorca.

90 m2 duplex in Madrid

2011-05-09T05:42:00.000-07:00

Architect : Charlie Diaz

Loft in Madrid

2011-04-03T04:56:00.000-07:00

House of Spanish architect Beatriz Elorza

2011-03-08T03:49:00.000-08:00

Two Gustavian console tables stand out in the entry room. The picture is from Ricardo Cavada. The black carpet is from the fantastic Italian designer Paola Lenti. The other carpet on top is Rich Basagoiti.

The leather carpet in the corridor marks the transition between the living and the dining room. The beautiful black and white picture is from Nuno Nunes Ferreira -gallery Juan Silió.

Projected by the architect Beatriz Elorza, this 900 m2 house near Madrid is a search for space and light, sometimes so shy in the north of Spain. The interior exudes the warmth and grace of an elegant and personal decoration.

Loft in Toronto

2011-03-07T08:56:00.000-08:00

Originally a printing press factory, this Toronto building was converted into lofts many years ago. The owners wanted to improve the openness and flow between spaces. The design intent was to accentuate original features, and give attention to the quality of loft living. The kitchen was realigned and extended under the stairs to create a better path of travel and spatial division. Custom millwork, natural finishes and muted colours were used to create a more cohesive space. Modern furniture combined with unique colourful pieces creates inviting conversational seating in the living area, while monochromatic cabinets and tiles in the kitchen calm and integrate the large extent of storage.

Photo Credit: John Heineman Photography

Another great space in Barcelona

2011-02-15T02:58:00.000-08:00

Decorator Montse Esteva house in barcelona

2011-02-04T03:16:00.000-08:00

Spanish interior by Alfons Tost

2010-12-17T03:16:00.000-08:00

shabby and cozy in Stockholm

2010-12-05T03:31:00.000-08:00

Stockholm apartment

2010-11-22T08:56:00.000-08:00

Swedish cottage

2010-10-29T02:48:00.000-07:00

Photography : Beatrice Ugland

Interior in Sweden

2010-10-26T05:20:00.000-07:00

Dialogue with nature

2010-10-18T06:20:00.001-07:00

It took Architect Arturo Montanelli two years to realize the project of this house for him and his family. The Stone House, as Montanelli calls it, is situated on the bank of lake Como. The architect tried whenever possible, to connect the building with the nature surrounding it. The idea was to create harmony between the landscape and the building. Only natural materials were used : stone, marble, wood. According to the architecture’s idea only simple forms and materials can be compared with nature. The local materials were used in all the rooms of the house. The floors in the dining-room and the hall are made with stones from Varenna, the town where the house is located. The colour scheme of the interior plays with the contrasts of the natural shades of wood, iron and stone. Furniture, lights and carpets add some colour accents.

Boulevard Leopold

2010-10-09T08:24:00.000-07:00

via Studio Aandacht

House in Milan

2010-10-08T03:49:00.000-07:00

Photography by Gianni Basso

Wonderful simplicity

2010-09-27T00:59:00.000-07:00

Architecture : studio Zimmermann
Photography : Bruno Helbling

Goteborg style

2010-09-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

If you like the scandinavian style, make sure to visit Maklare i Goteborg a site full of wonderful pictures of appartements for sale in Goteborg...

Hotel Particulier in Paris, Montmartre

2010-09-15T10:17:00.000-07:00

Design : Morgane Rousseau, Frederic Comtet

Photography : Helène Couffin, Emmanuel Couffin

Sorry if it took me months to post... Love to all.

Cozy and girly

2010-05-04T00:42:00.000-07:00

LuShae Jewerly

2010-05-02T08:12:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, Sarah from Lushae Jewerly contacted me and invited me to take a peek at her online store. I was immediately seduced by the elegance and wearability of the jewels. I told Sarah I loved it and she was kind enough to let me choose a piece of jewelry from their unique range. I love to wear earrings and I chose a pair of star design drops in silvertone with white gold rhodium. I received my little box very fast and was amazed by the quality of the earrings. They looked even better in person! I couldn't be happier with them.
What I liked the most about the Jewerly Art Designs experience is that I really had fun browsing through their site. Each piece of jewerly is extremely well described and photographed and you know exactly what you are buying. Sarah has some unique and beautiful pieces.. Let me tell you I had a hard time deciding which one to pick ! The jewels are gorgeous but also completely affordable : unlike many jewelry retailers LuShae ships directly from the United States, allowing you to purchase direct from the manufacturer.
I also appreciated the jewerly guides where you can learn more about metals, gemstones, and how to clean and store jewels.
Dear sarah, thanks again for contacting me and letting me know about your amazing work..

House in Paris suburb

2010-04-20T00:57:00.000-07:00

2010-04-09T06:43:00.000-07:00

It is very common practice in Europe to live and to work in the same place. The owner, a young fashion designer was looking for a place where he could both organize fashion shows, studio recordings, photo sessions and live. As a result, this old manufacture was turned into a 300m2 loft...The space is extremely luminous; light comes from the large windows and also from the ceiling. Special attention has been given to fengshui principles in the interior design and decoration.
Photography : Javier Ortega

Loft in Saint-ouen

2010-04-06T04:52:00.000-07:00

Anouchka and Laurent Collin have turned this unusual building, once a hangar for firetrucks, in a 300 m2 modern loft. The big building with well-kept metal and wooden designs, six-meter high-ceilings had a fantastic potential. The re-arrangement of the house actually started from scratch, having left only walls and the most characteristic elements of the original design. Studying the history of the building, Anouchka learned that it consists of two parts, one of which, with wooden overlappings, dated 1906, and the second — with metal — is a reconstruction from year 1936. These two styles give the structure its individuality.
Most of the furnitures and decorative objects are antiques. In the living room, a XVIII century indian door has been turned into an original coffee table. Great work...

Chateau de Buno

2010-03-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

Chateau de Buno is nestled in the lush green of the Gâtinais Nature Park, only 12 miles from Fontainebleau. It's a green oasis of tranquility, close to nature and with a wealth of rivers, marshes and forests. The castle has a rough-stone, medieval finish, plentiful shutters and a neo-Renaissance tower, but the inside could hardly present a more extreme contrast to the husk. The furnishings were daringly re-dressed in the 1950s, featuring now a skilfull mix of contemporary and antique touches. The stylish rooms and suites, as well as the welcoming reading and music salons, are luminous and exude class: a sweep of parquet topped by a vibrant Art Deco rug, a majestic Third Empire bed and a boudoir in the tower… The secret of De Buno’s spell is its «human scale», and its many centuries history wrapped in a romantic aura.

Design : Karin Mersika
Photography : E&H Couffin

300 m2 in Paris by designer Olivier Rouvillois

2010-03-10T11:41:00.000-08:00

Interior in Rio by Andre Piva

2010-02-08T00:32:00.000-08:00

The interior design of brazilian architect Andre Piva's house have been predetermined by the wonderful surroundings. Huge windows along the perimeter of the house open onto a magnificent view of Rio de Janeiro, a wide bay and the Corcovado Mountain. Inside, stone, glass and iron have mainly been used. Leather and wood add coziness to the interior. Andre's passion for chairs is obvious: there are plenty of them in the house. The prevailing tone of black and white range is enhanced by contrast colored spots. Artistic atmosphere is reinforced by the many paintings in modern style.

Photography by Agi Samoes

Chateau-Couronne

2010-01-27T08:56:00.000-08:00

This amazing hotel is situated in an ancient castle in one of the most picturesque and historical regions of France. The name of the castle literally means “castle - crown”. The present-day owners turned this antique mansion in a cozy and stylish hotel
which gained recognition and attention of celebrities.

Apartment in Madrid, Spain

2010-01-08T11:49:00.000-08:00

Architecture : Marta Rodriguez
Photo : Javier Ortega

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!

2009-12-31T03:01:00.000-08:00

A happy new year 2010 to my dear readers, thank you so much for your love !!

Simplicity and freedom

2009-12-30T01:52:00.000-08:00

In this italian interior, plenty of air and light along with minimum decoration make the architectural solution original and comfortable.
Design: Domenico Mula
Architecture: Maurizio Belli
Photography: Gianni Basso

love this house in the french countryside...

2009-12-26T07:54:00.000-08:00

Two french architects have built their sweet, sweet home on a picturesque hill-top within easy reach of the French town of Tulle. The house design is based upon a sugar cube concept. The architects were not afraid of breaking down the stereotypes of typical country houses and created a glass-cottage to meet their dream of interrelation of interior and exterior space.

Architecture : Hervé David, Anne Sevestre
Photography by Gaelle Le Boulicaut

Living in a 14th-century mansion in Italy

2009-12-14T07:17:00.000-08:00

Dramatic loft in Taiwan

2009-12-02T05:24:00.000-08:00

In this amazing loft, the main expressive effect is created by the very interesting contrast between the classical and modernist elements against the background of concrete walls.
Empty frame on a wall, empty concrete walls are symbols of the present while the classic and the modernist furnitures and objects (the lamp, a picture, a sofa or a carpet) represents the past and the future.

Stylish transformation

2009-11-10T01:39:00.000-08:00

The interior layout of historical buildings in Paris often mismatches today's standards. Small rooms, long dark corridors and other features of old constructions complicate the transformation in modern and comfortable apartments. Young French designer Vincent Parreira took the challenge of reorganizing this beautiful space situated in a XVIII century building.
Low wooden ceilings are restored and painted in white color. The dominance of white makes a perfect neutral background for the colored furniture. The elegant dining room features a table with an oval marble table, classic wood chairs, black and white artwork and smoky glass partitions. To remind the glorious past of the apartment, a magnificent ancient crystal lustre.
In the bathroom, grey color is combined with smooth and shining surfaces. "I wanted to create a sensual intimate atmosphere, but at the same time open to light », —tells the designer.

loft in Patagonia

2009-10-08T04:59:00.000-07:00

Architect : Pablo Velasco Suárez
Interior design : Willie Sanchez, Marcela Escalada
Photos : Daniela Mac Adden

Amsale Aberra's loft in New york

2009-07-23T03:03:00.000-07:00

The apartment of bridal gown designer Amsale Aberra is located on the 11th floor of an industrial building in New York's Garment District. Interior designer Vicente Wolf, (actually Amsale's neighbor) has greatly influenced the ethiopian stylist in decorating her loft. It have white concrete floors and walls painted in Benjamin Moore Super White.

786 m2 in palermo, Sicily

2009-07-03T08:23:00.000-07:00

Warehouse in Sydney

2009-06-27T07:29:00.000-07:00

This warehouse is a home and architectural studio in Darlinghurst, Sydney. Built in 1903, the owner has incorporated many of the building's original features into the current design. He has transformed the old warehouse into a livable bachelor pad by adding all the necessary mod cons, such as windows, plumbing and electricity. To add authenticity, some areas of the warehouse remain untouched.

Another dream house in Argentina

2009-06-26T04:56:00.000-07:00

Loft in Madrid

2009-05-09T08:28:00.001-07:00

A finca in Mallorca

2009-03-30T08:13:00.000-07:00

The sense of freedom is overwhelming in this space. The rooms seems to be filled only with air and light.
Photos by Reto Guntli

Romantic attic in Paris

2009-03-27T04:44:00.000-07:00

I like how the grey colour in this apartement visually unifies space and makes a perfect background for the art photos, the furniture and the decorative objects. This is the work of french interior architect Olivier Rouvillois.

La bastide de Marie

2009-03-22T11:23:00.000-07:00

La Bastide de Marie, This perfectly restored 18th century Bastide in Menerbes, nestled in the middle of vineyards, is a haven of peace.
The warmth and simplicity radiates from every aspect of the building, the antique and mismatched furnitures.
Every bedroom is named after an herb from the nearby hills. Some have their own terraces. Others baronial fireplaces.
Yellow mimosa, purple aster, ochre red or blue Nîmes, exposed stones and antique furniture, transparent linen gauze or printed fabrics, every carefully-crafted details lend each room its own uniqueness.

Henry Wilson's home in London

2009-03-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

The home of Henry Wilson, a famous photographer with a fascination with India and interiors, combines the faded period splendor to the ultra-modern minimalism.

The past and the future

2009-03-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

This amazing apartment situated in a XVI century building is the home of an interior decorator and owner of an art gallery in Rome, Valentina Buscicchio. Her signature is the harmonious mix of antiques and design objects from her gallery "Contemporanea".

One-of-a-kind (and affordable) lighting

2009-03-13T06:25:00.000-07:00

If you are on the hunt for lamps and bored with the unimpressive usual suspects, take a look at the collection of lamps by italian artist Paola created for Lampaole. I love the dramatic look of model "Paglisia" shown above but also the simplicity and elegance of the bugia"candlestick" . These awesome creations are handmade using recycled materials and available in different colours. Thanks Paola for allowing me to share on Interiors.

Christian Biecher renovation in Paris

2009-03-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

I love the simple style of Christian Biecher, french architect/designer. love the fireplace under the window. Gorgeous!

Lovely interior design by Laura Ocampo

2009-03-05T02:56:00.000-08:00

This beautiful house by the sea, in the countryside of Uruguay, is a great example of Laura Ocampo's simple but stylish work.

"I wished to create a design in which the cool of the sea would be combined with the relaxed atmosphere of the countryside. It became a starting point for the creation of this interior »

tells Laura.
Walls are painted with a mix of white and blue colors. These two colors are perfectly combined, creating the effect of water, that wonderfully complements the atmosphere. So refreshing !

Minimalism and baroque

2009-02-28T09:16:00.000-08:00

Beautiful interior in Argentina photographed by Daniela Mac Adden

Interior Designer Frederic Mechiche's apartment in Paris

2009-02-24T04:35:00.000-08:00

Marie Solange Clark's home in London

2009-02-15T08:43:00.001-08:00

Nona von Haeften 's finca in Mallorca

2008-11-05T06:47:00.000-08:00

Some ten years ago, German interior designer Nona von Haeften and her husband Wolf Siegfried Wagner, a stage designer, paid their first visit to Mallorca. The couple had been looking for a holiday house for some time, but convinced that Mallorca had long since been ruined by mass tourism, they had never visited the island. One day, an old friend who had a house in Mallorca and knew the island well persuaded them to make a visit in order to inspect an old finca that she knew was for sale in the eastern part of the island. Although highly sceptical, Nona and Wolf agreed to fly down from their home in Hamburg for a short visit. It was a classic case of love at first sight and just three weeks after their arrival, the finca, together with a sizeable plot of surrounding farmland, was theirs.
Once the building work was complete, the business of furnishing the house took over. Nona sourced most of the fabrics and furniture from her contacts and suppliers in Germany, France and England. No easy task, but the house was eventually made ready to receive its first contingent of guests who were thrilled to find themselves staying in such delightful surroundings.
It wasn’t long before the finca became the couple’s main residence. Word of the successful transformation of their new home soon spread and within a matter of months Wolf had been asked to renovate and design other houses on the island. Meanwhile Nona has set up an interior design business in the nearby town of Manacor. Her shop, called Unicorn, stocks everything one could possibly need to set up home - antiques from Europe, stylish furnishing fabrics ranging from ravishing silks to cool, practical cottons, furniture in wrought iron and wood made locally to Nona’s design, together with ceramics and accessories made by talented craftspeople living on the island. Some years later, Nona opened a second warehouse-type shop, called Coconut Company, in premises next door - a treasure trove of stylish rattan furniture and affordable accessories imported from the Far East.

An antiquarian's home in Florence

2008-10-16T07:27:00.000-07:00

Patrice Gruffaz's apartment in Paris

2008-10-16T06:17:00.001-07:00

Well-known french designer Patrice Gruffaz, originator and proprietor of Lieux, a Paris shop selling fanciful furnishings, lives with his family in an apartment that reflects his passion for vibrant hues, his wit as a designer.
Ten years ago Gruffaz and Philippe Renaud, sharing a vision of contemporary design, founded Lieux, producing surprising, unpretentious furniture collections full of humor. Spiral lamps topped with brightly colored shades baptized Lampe Affolée [collapsing lamp], candlesticks decorated with small bronze rabbits, l and rough wood chairs with wings of chicken feathers, plates squirming with trompe l'oeil snakes, and crystal goblets with bases containing plump red hearts burst forth from the workshops of the Patrice-Philippe partnership. Without Renaud today, Lieux continues to produce witty things that it sells along with the work of other designers in the long and narrow shop on the Boulevard Henri IV, just a stone's throw from the Place de la Bastille.

Hotel Daniel

2008-09-05T11:40:00.001-07:00

The interior of The Daniel Hotel in Paris takes its inspiration from the way 18th century Europeans saw the Grand Silk Road. The palette includes green, lilac, grey, rosy, red and golden tints. The furniture here is remarkable for the variety of colours and styles. The bar is decorated with mirrors and bronze and furnished with creamy cushioned pieces and an ebony bar-counter. Columns here are finished with pearly mosaics. Each room has silk and velvet curtains and blankets, and satin cushions on the beds. The premises are papered with textile wallpaper featuring traditional Chinese motifs in their ornament. Light bathrooms are coated with Moroccan tile and Italian marble. The restaurant's decor combines floral-patterned wallpaper, archaized mirrors, decorative plates on the walls, long banquettes and mysterious stained-glass windows.

Au Cap d'Ail

2008-08-22T05:42:00.001-07:00

uruguyan paradise

2008-05-16T06:29:00.001-07:00

The coastal settlements not far from Punta del Este are called South American Sant-Trope. Light buildings are buried in verdure and flowers . Alan Faena, a famous Argentine couturier, chose this place to build a summer house for himself and his friends. A path leads from blue gates to snow-white wooden building, embraced by a veranda. Both in his work and everyday life, Faena loves bright colors in the most unexpected combinations. That accounts for the house's interior: gaudy of colors and blending of cultures. The central room of the house plays such a broad spectrum of roles, that it can hardly be called a sitting room. There is a dining table and couches on one side, a big bed and master's private nook, on the other. Variegated rugs cover striped floors. Rich Guatemalan plaids and shawls are thrown over eucalyptus furniture units, traditional for Uruguay. Motley Brazilian vases can be seen everywhere. An antique canopy, brought from Argentina, hangs over the dining table. Screens from Bali and huge candlesticks with religious images complete the color collage.

Another french interior...

2008-04-19T00:29:00.000-07:00

Apartment in Paris

2008-04-15T03:10:00.001-07:00

House in Lebanon mountains

2008-04-15T02:26:00.000-07:00

Raul Verner is the architect of this 960 m2 building. Relief masonry is the highlight of the decorations both inside and outside the building. Just over the interior staircase there is a facade staircase leading to the roof terrace. The country spirit prevails in the house - the fact accounts for plenty of ceramics, coppery and wicker-work. Though all the windows are without curtains, the house does not look bare - on the contrary, it feels snug and warm.

Another house in Tuscany

2008-04-11T04:45:00.000-07:00

Architect Giorgio Brogi

86 m2 house in Tuscany

2008-04-11T04:05:00.001-07:00

A house in Megève, France

2008-03-26T14:20:00.000-07:00

For its owner Sylvie Mirabou this house means much more than just a holiday chalet. It is a shelter from the noise and fuss of the city. In the house there are three bedrooms, a spacious living-room and a dining-room. The favorite place in the house is the balcony with a little dining table. Sylvie's collection of modern painting is the center of the decoration. Carlo Rampazzi, the designer, interprets the interior as a game of different details, such as vases and Chinese calligraphy brushes that are in harmony with the painting collection. The furniture and the lighting for the chalet have been thoroughly chosen, and most items are handmade. A warm yellow wall color, light linen curtains and leopard-colored rug in every room make the chalet a single whole.

Loft in New York

2008-02-23T04:57:00.000-08:00

Provence fairy-tale

2008-02-19T08:21:00.000-08:00

Today, I want to share with you this magnificent mansion in the south of France in a place called Pays D'Apt, described as the Colorado of Provence. The small village of Gignac, famous for its XVIII century palace is sitting at the very roof of the mountain range. The territory of the palace covered with century-old trees is fenced off the outside world by high retaining walls.

House on Lake Garda. Italy

2008-02-15T07:48:00.000-08:00

After restoration, this 15th century house has come to life and become as comfortable as modern ones. Its new owner, a professional sportsman, has decided to preserve its original look. Walls, the roof and partitions have been reinforced. Natural materials such as tile, ceramics and marble have been used in reconstruction, too. The doors and windows are made of oak and metal. On the first floor there are friendly and cozy guest-rooms. On the second floor are bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining- and a living-room. One of the owner's hobbies is repairing. Almost every piece of furniture and accessories in the house are his creations. "Comfort and rationality" might well be the motto of the house: no luxury, no special decor. There are only natural colors and materials that make the modern house a peasant's dwelling.

Loft in San Francisco

2008-02-13T07:29:00.001-08:00

Lofts have many apparent advantages. For designers it is an opportunity to fulfill their most daring ideas. When Jonathan Straley purchased this loft in a former chocolate factory, there was only a bathroom and pillars at two-meter distances. The first step of the reconstruction was the floor. It was covered with matchboards; their light-brown color brings in warmth and makes a quaint contrast with stone ceilings. Walls, painted in white, serve as a good decoration for the collection of art. In order to keep the wholeness of the space, the designer organized rooms without walls. A large pillar originally divides the sitting room, on its one side there is an artificial fireplace, on the reverse a bookcase which, together with a writing table and a couple of chairs, makes up the library. Cupboards serve here as screen-partitions between the apartment areas. The result is amazing...

House in New Mexico

2008-02-13T07:13:00.001-08:00

The first things that occur to people seeing this house are «care», «warmth», «tranquility»... An original gallery of works of art belonging to different ages and styles, the living room is given charm by the restrained lines of furniture. The caramel-coloured wooden floor is covered with a refined carpet. There is a black-and-white photo collection entitled «Woman in Water» by Herbritz in the hall that joins the living room, the dining room and the kitchen. Neighbouring is a 1954's portrait of Gorgia O'Keefe and a number of «photo souvenirs» -- recollections of Morocco. The interior design of the simple and light bedroom, overlooking a garden, is an aspiration for solitude and tranquil rest. Equipped with wooden furniture with marble counters, the spacious kitchen is yet very cozy. High glass cupboards are both very functional and elegant.

House in Torino, Italy

2008-02-12T12:09:00.000-08:00

The house in old town dates back to the 1850s. The first floor apartments, spacious and high-ceilinged, were traditionally considered privileged and prestigious. The new owners, a young family, wanted to turn it into a stylish, comfortable space and furnish it with antique units. The inspiration was found in the eclectic Art-Deco atmosphere of Shanghai of the 20-s and 30-s. Old window frames, doors and parquet were renovated. Marble crumb was used for the flooring in the hall and in the corridor. Paper wall-lamps and bright curtains break the monotony of walls and ceilings. In the sitting room, two big cupboards accentuate the height and size of the room. Victorian armchairs with rich silk and linen upholstery, a bright-blue couch, drafted by the architect, and quaint coffee-tables, brighten up the space. Various original Chinese articles of the 30-s complete the picture. Deliberately decorated and done with an eye to the past, the apartment is, nevertheless, comfortable and modern.

Loft in New York

2008-02-12T10:49:00.000-08:00

This house in Harlem has been renovated to connect the past and the present. A steel staircase between the second and the third levels of the dwelling forms a gallery. The palette of the living room is predominated by white, brown and black. The white walls intensify light effects brought about due to huge transparent panels. A modern white sofa neighbours on low wooden tables. Simple black vases filled with bamboo stems and a black table with banquettes look good together. The kitchen is dramatic with a contrast between the tints of oak flooring, bamboo cabinets, birch walls and ceiling, and the tones of grey granite tiles on the floor, a steel staircase and working tops. A children's zone and a penthouse at the gallery level are symmetrical. Opening up onto a terrace, the master bedroom is served with a cloakroom. Besides is a shower. Love this space !

Peter Klassen's house in Grasses

2008-02-10T09:14:00.000-08:00

Peter Klassen is famous for his original painting technique - geometric abstraction. Every summer the artist lives and works in Grasses. The design of this house built in 1990 was developed by Peter and Christopher Petikollo . The plot is divided into right-angled sections where an ensemble of flat roofed buildings is located. The main house, swimming-pool, workshop and gardener's house together make up an ideal rectangle. It seems as if everything here is based on geometry. Even the daylight, streaming inside through glass fronts leaves rectangular spots on the granite floor. You can say that contrast is the key principle of the interior. Entering the house through modern glass doors you see pillars from Cameroon , Nimbi sculptural masks and Dagon dance masks. Much of the furniture was designed by Klassen's wife - chairs and a coffee table in the living-room, for instance. In the dining-room on can see arm-chairs from Phillip Stark and tables made by Peter Klassen . The first floor is done in Japanese traditions: contrast of white and black, horizontal and vertical lines.

Stylist Nathalie Garcons's apartment in Paris

2008-02-08T08:21:00.000-08:00

Famous stylist Nathalie Garcons apartment in Paris leaves nobody indifferent. Each detail in the interior has its own history. The decor can not but fascinates one with its courageous mixture of styles which, according to the designer, reminds her of the amazing city of Cannes and helps her fight prosiness. It is the stone staircase leading to the mezzanine that calls the tune in the interior, the narrow steps sending us to the architecture of the 17th century. The stained-glass windows were manufactured in 1925. The interior palette attracts one with rich colours chocolate, red and khaki. The black-toned parquet flooring is laid out with thick orange carpets. The huge velveteen sofa is decorated with various textiles some of them being handweaved on the basis of drawings which Nathalie has found in the archives of some textile works. Picked up on a flea market, the chairs of the 1930s are especially prominent among Nathalies other finds. The sideboard standing nearby has been repainted into the colour of red; the original Thai table has been cut out of the giant root of a tree. The headboard is adorned with a large patchwork leather panel. In the evening the dwelling lit by wavering candles resembles an isle of the past safe from the stream of time.