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A Sexy Paris Apartment

Posted Sep 25 2009 by in Antiques, Art, Color Flow, Continuity, Core Idea, Ethnic, Photography with 0 Comments

What makes this apartment sexy, you ask? Well, everyone’s definition of “sexy” is different. For me, it’s anywhere I could be without any clothes on. Usually there’s velvet involved. I am hopelessly in love with velvet chairs. ?Whenever I encounter them, I always take a second look. In this case I found them in an exotic Parisian apartment owned by Melonie and Kilian Hennessy. Although Kilian is a member of the legendary Cognac family, he has chosen a new path in the fragrance industry launching his By Kilian line in 2007. Perched above the living room windows are oversized factice bottles of Guerlain’s Shalimar and L’Heure Bleue. The chairs are 19th century Turkish.

Here is the beautiful couple with their equally beautiful children. As a running theme throughout the apartment, the rich dark wood floors are played against brilliant jewel toned fabrics and extremely gutsy yellow walls. Fabrics are lavish. The couple very much admires the orientalist interiors of French decorator Jacques Garcia and so we see his influences in their choices of furnishings from India, Turkey and the Middle East. We also see a large black-and-white photography collection featuring works by Bert Stern, Mario Testino, Ellen von Unwerth and Thierry Le Goues in addition to Mel Hennessy’s own professional work.

This view of the living room features a Syrian game table in front of a clock which Atlas hoists on his shoulders. The fireplace and mirror are Indian. A pair of chairs by the windows are upholstered in tiger fabric which beautifully echoes the yellow walls and continues the theme of rich exoticism. I appreciate the naked floors. Though I am a big fan of beautiful area rugs, the expanse of “negative space” gives the eye a chance to rest.

More exotica in the dining room: Moroccan cabinets, antique Murano vases, Napoleon III candelabra, and a 19th century painting by Jules Tornai. This is more ornate than I could live with…but what I do very much appreciate is the continuity from room to room. Each space carries the theme into the next space. As we walk through we say “yes, this feels right.” Many people have difficulty making a consistent design statement within a home. Each room is different and the over all effect is hodge podge. The key to great interior design is continuity.

Here is a detail of the other side of the dining room. Did you know red walls are good for the appetite?

Now….here is a sexy bedroom. Wrapped in violet. The wall color is intense, but not much of it shows because of the enormously generous purple silk draperies and the oversized painting (by Gustav Wertheimer). A Chinese cabinet sits by the bed and a Murano chandelier hangs above. We are told this was a gift from Kilian Hennessy’s godmother, the legendary Barbara Hutton. An Indian textile lays across the bed.

The bathroom is sexy too with it’s deep brown painted walls and indirect lighting. The collection of boxes inlaid with bone add so much to the room. Anytime a collection can be displayed it becomes a point of fascination for everyone. Collections are a delightful and entertaining way to accessorize.

Images courtesy of ?Elle Decor October 2008

Secret Garden in the Heart of Los Angeles

Posted Sep 23 2009 by in Antiques, Architecture, Art, Core Idea, Garden & Landscape with 1 Comment

No, it’s not Italy. It’s not even Europe. It’s right in the middle of Los Angeles, California….would you believe it? And trust me, this is no doll house. Those columns are 21 feet tall. What we are looking at is the creation of antique dealer self-made historian, Richard Shapiro. Before it’s transformation, this property was an ordinary Southern California backyard with a ?lawn, some palm trees and a run-of-the-mill swimming pool. This structure is an out building behind Shapiro’s Spanish/Moroccan style home. However, the “original” which inspired him so deeply is in Villa Chiericati in the Veneto region of Italy and was designed by the legendary architect, Andrea Palladio. Shapiro visited the villa and was able to obtain actual plans from which to build his own Los Angeles replica.

“My objective was to create an eccentric garden in a setting of fantastical Mediterranean antiquity,” says the owner. The columns, though stone in the original Italian villa, were carved out of redwood with resin capitals and fiberglass bases. The finish was aged with a mixture of plaster, lime and spray-painted moss.

The portico features informal red and white striped cotton upholstery. In the center stands a 17th century mantelpiece from Antwerp (this one’s a real antique) above which hangs an aged mirror from Studiolo, Shapiro’s own home furnishings line.

The property was wrapped in 20 foot high ficus trees and giant Japanese timber bamboo to create “complete seclusion and mystery.” The exotic undulating hedge was inspired after a visit to Chateau de Marqueyssac in the Dordogne region of France. Once again, the designer brought his ideas home to Los Angeles. He ripped up the manicured lawn, imported hundreds of mature boxwood plants, and laid out a snakey pattern of rounded hedgerows separated by gravel paths.

Clipping these bushes seems like it would take a team of gardeners, but we are told that Shapiro does most of the work himself in just a few hours every two weeks. Indeed, he never lets anyone else touch the boxwood hedge!

Behind the neo classic portico is an airy 275 square foot space that is used often. A Northern Italian table sits near the windows surrounded by 19th c. rustic chairs.Here is where morning coffee is sipped and newspapers are read. A fire is lit and more creative ideas are dreamed. The Chinese drum coffee table sits atop a Turkish kilim. The gilt wood mirror is antique. The contemporary lettered diptych is by Shapiro.The workbench is the owner’s own design with a pyramid shaped lamp from his Studiolo line. The marble capital is 19th century.

A view back to the main house featuring a pair of 17th century Florentine marble lions and a 10 foot tall Spanish oil pot.

A rusted sculpture by Anthony Caro sits in front of a bench from the Studiolo line.

Here is Mr. Shapiro. ?”I view the garden as a vast abstract canvas.” says this serious artist….with a wink and a grin.

Photos courtesy of Elle Decor May 2009

Random Color and Funky Charm in a French Cottage

Posted Sep 21 2009 by in Architecture, Art, Artist's Studios, Color, Eclectic with 0 Comments

When I saw this photo I definitely looked twice. “Who lives here?” I asked myself as my glance took in about 30 colors in three rooms. “It’s an old place,” I said as I perused the peeling paint”…and the owners have a sense of humor,” I mused. I found out later that it is the bright and randomly colored interior of a 15th century house owned by a pair of artists. I’m not surprised about either. The house is in Chablis, France and the owners are Andy and Claire Squire who create bright earthenware ceramics which they sell from a shop in the garden.

Their work and the interior of their home have a lot in common. Informal and unrefined, each piece reflects a true passion for color, design and age. There seems to be an overriding respect for the process of making something in stages. Notice cabinet panels that are partially painted leaving a patchwork of earlier layers of paint and no paint at all. Is this a work in progress? or do the artists call it complete because it pleases them to do so?

Not to say that we all would be happy living with this level of unfinishedness…if that’s a word. But there is something to be learned here. Something to reflect upon. The haphazard combinations are eye catching indeed. Perhaps I am a bit too uptight with my design approach. I can learn a thing or two from the Squires. I happen to love the black and white checks thrown in to the mix. And here is the other half of the kitchen…

The tiles that surround the stove were designed and made in their studio. The wall features earthenware plates from around the world.


As with their rustic pottery, their home’s design seems to have its “roots in rural cultures all over the world, from Romania to the Islamic world, from Morocco to Alsace.” Notice the colorful fabric panels hanging in the livingroom… and again, attached to the wall under the pictures like a woven wainscotting. The door features a stained glass panel depicting a wild boar, the animal for which this house is named. Maison des Sangliers.

In the bedroom, plywood was pulled off the cupboard doors revealing panels of vintage wallpaper. The look pleased them so much that they varnished the doors to stop the decay just exactly as it was. The wall were stripped too and given a light wash of pink.

A roll of 1980′s Laura Ashley wallpaper decorates a corner of the bedroom. One gets the feeling the owners like it just as it is…not attached in the traditional wallpaper way but rather, hanging as a piece of art with the slight rounded bend in the paper, casting its shadow upon the wall.

Here is the exterior of the 500 year old house. Maison des Sangliers on the Place du Marche’ au Ble’

and here are Andy and Claire Squire in their garden.

Photos courtesy of The World of Interiors October 2009

Using A Tropical Color Palette With Chutzpah

Posted Sep 18 2009 by in Beach Homes, Color, Color Flow, Continuity, Core Idea with 0 Comments


If you are an upbeat, positive person then this is a color palette you might want to play around with. This is a tropical home on the Florida coast. But unlike many Palm Beach homes with their predictable light apricots and washed out aquas, this interior is a symphony of punchy reds, citrusy greens, blacks and tans. These colors can stand up to the bright sun. I’m not talking about fading fabric. I’m talking about how sunlight can seem to zap brightness out of paler colors. Designer Allison Paladino says “You can’t do this much color successfully without serious planning…I think you shouldn’t use too many colors when you’re working with bold shades.” And, indeed, no more than three colors were used in any one room. I have long been a fan of a limited color palette because it is easier to live with. I especially appreciate Paladino’s careful attention and discipline in order to achieve such a beautiful effect.

The dining room features red glazed walls. The paint is applied by hand in layers that allow the white undercoat to glow through. It makes a dramatic dinner setting with candlelight.

The livingroom is softer with a predominance of tan and black for grounding. A sophisticated mixture of Asian cabinets and tables, and a pair of French chairs were included in the room.

This sun room turns out to be everyone’s favorite. The effect of the bright walls is softened in two ways. 1) The extensive use of white. 2) It’s a monochromatic room with green being the only color.

I notice that these colors are not quite true on my computer screen. And ofcourse I don’t have a clue what it looks like on yours but hopefully you can see how delightful this bedroom is. Again, a monochromatic room of green and white that is grounded with the dark bed and nightstands. The walls are painted in Benjamin Moore “Mesquite.” The loveseat and shams are Cowtan & Tout’s “Trailing Leaf.” The framed botanical prints are brighter than many that I have seen and for good reason. They have to stand up against this bold color scheme.

Skillfully used in every room, the white paint is a relief. It is used liberally around the house so that we can enjoy the colors rather than get agitated by them.

The raspberry walls in the daughter’s bedroom appear softer because they are glazed (in a cross hatched pattern) allowing the undercoat to show through. I adore the oversized ‘flumpy’ throw pillows. There is nothing like an oversized down and feather filled pillow that keeps a dent when you punch it (rather than bouncing back at you).

Here is the outdoor loggia with it’s sensational view out to the ocean. This gives us an idea of the quality of light in this home. It is a very brilliant light so close to the equator… and it could ever so easily wash away the palest of colors. But the bright reds, lush greens and strong blacks in this home stand up to the sun and seem to thrive in it.

Images courtesy of House Beautiful

Art Flash: How to Use Realistic Art in A Contemporary Setting

Posted Sep 16 2009 by in Art with 0 Comments

Is your mouth watering? I never knew a still life could be so exciting! The sensuous pulp. The glossy pits. The shiny rind. The stormy sky. This is called, not surprisingly, Still Life With Watermelons and Apples in Landscape. A painting like this fits beautifully into a traditional interior. But does it work in a contemporary home? I say “Absolutely!” Even if my home were at the far edge of contemporary, I could find a way to incorporate a print of one or more of these in to the interior because I appreciate them so much. There are two ways to do it and it’s best to use both. One way is to tie color together with furnishings. The rosey pink fruit color might be repeated in sofa fabric or a throw pillow. The greens and blues might be repeated in the color of your rug. The second way to blend a traditional painting into a modern interior is to frame the piece with a simple sleek frame. Back in the 18th century this would have been framed with an ornate gilded molding. Some people like to throw that into an eclectic interior, but it is too gaudy for my taste. Select a streamlined unembellished dark stained wood frame and call it good.

This is the work of the Spanish artist, Luis Melendez and, as you might have guessed, he’s not with us anymore. He painted in the 18th century at about the same time that the famous master, Francisco Goya, was the artist to the king. Melendez desperately yearned to be a salaried court artist painting boring portraits of royalty but, when he was rejected, it appears that he drowned his sorrows in vegetables and fruits. And lucky for the world that he did, because he produced an absolutely delicious body of work. The green composition above is called?Still Life With Artichokes and Peas in a Landscape 1771.

Can’t you just smell the sweet yeasty aroma of this crusty bread? No one paints bread more photo realistically than Luis Melendez. When I was studying painting in art school I used to think that painting still life was a giant yawn. That’s probably because it was so difficult… and my paintings were lackluster at best. As was customary at the time, Melendez painted realistically. Impressionist and abstract painting did not come along for another hundred years. His works are not large. Most pieces are no more than 24″ x 36.” This one is called?Still Life With Figs and Bread 1770. Here’s more…

Still Life With chocolate Service, Bread and Fruit 1772

Still Life With Box of Jellied Fruit, Bread, Silver Salver, Glass and Wine Cooler

Still Life With Bread, Bottle and Jug. 1770

Still Life With Melon and Pears 1772

To purchase beautiful giclees and art prints by Luis Melendez (framed or unframed) ?see our store in the right hand column of this blog page.

Photos courtesy of Veranda Magazine October 2009

Low Key Sophistication in a Greenwich Village Flat

Posted Sep 14 2009 by in Art, Color Flow, Continuity with 0 Comments

This is an optimistic setting, is it not? The splash of salmon color on the wall really caught my attention. It is a painting by James Nares and it really has personality. But whether this painting appeals to you is not the point. I hope that you will appreciate the interior designer’s ability to tell a “story.” It’s a style story of salmon-red-orange-carmel coexisting with dark wood floors and it carries gracefully through the space. Here’s more…

The other side of the room is dominated by a nicely chosen complement to the James Nares painting. This one is a diptych by Joe Gaffney using bold color and generous amounts of white space. Although the cowhide rug (from Rug Company) stays within the color palette, its geometric pattern is strong and takes some guts to work with. Is it too much? John Barrett, well known hair stylist and owner of this Greenwich Village apartment, asked designer Joan Schindler to help him make the statement he wanted to make.?”My furnishings and my haircuts actually have something in common – they never shout.” Yes indeed, the rug has a bold pattern but… it is balanced well by lots of “negative space” in the room. Negative space is a very important balancing element of design. Not to be underestimated. We all need a space where there is nothing. The eye needs a place to rest. In this case, the negative space takes the form of plain white walls, solid fabrics and sleek tables.

I love the way the salmon color is carried in to this conversation and art nook.


The kitchen cabinets are plain and pale. The color approaches some of the carmel tones of the living room. I absolutely love this e-NOR-mous arrangement of greens. It’s huge and wild, with red berries. The assymetrical arrangement gives it a very casual feel.

The bedroom is simple and sleek. The Stafford bed from Crate & Barrel is the simplest possible design. Here’s another abstract painting by Joe Gaffney.

The seating area in the bedroom features a pod coffee table by Kelly Hoppen. Burlap pillows are thrown onto the sofa. A silkscreen by Eric Watson on the wall.

I am intrigued with this desk and assymetrical bookshelf. We are told that it was purchased at auction but I don’t know the manufacturer or even the era. My hunch is that it’s mid century modern. Any thoughts out there in reader land?

Here is John Barrett in his tiny but exquisitely designed patio.

Images courtesy of Elle Decor September 2007

Fashion Designers’ Chic Spin on a Kentucky Horse Farm

Posted Sep 11 2009 by in Continuity, Core Idea, Ranch and Farm with 0 Comments

Stylish. Masculine. Bold. This is the library of Moon Stone Farm, a 15 acre estate deep in the heart of Kentucky horse country. This timeless interior was created by its owners, Mark Badgely and James Mischka, whose other life revolves around New York’s glamourous fashion couture industry. The 1920′s stone home’s interior has been done almost entirely in black and white, with bare wood floors and no window treatments. But it is rich with tradition and it’s luxurious finishes invite comfort.

Leather sofas and barrel backed chairs are from?Restoration Hardware.

Here is the kitchen with its mismatched cabinets. While it is important for designers to be aware of current trends, and mismatched cabinets are indeed something that homeowners are asking for now….the purpose of this blog is to take a look at classic, timeless design and what makes it last and last over centuries and over continents. There are certain fundamental design principles that, when used, always end up with a fabulous result. The most important one is continuity. Carrying a theme throughout a home, from room to room. This kitchen uses white carrara marble atop dark wood cabinetry. Across from that we see polished black granite counters on top of white cabinetry. The retro subway tile backsplash surrounds the room and reaches almost to the ceiling line. Mismatched cabinets are charming because they seem to say “we used to have that look, but we like this better now…so we put it all together in one room.” It feels more “vintage”…as if the kitchen has been around for awhile and has seen a thing or two.

I love this corner of the kitchen. Isn’t it charming the way the cookbooks are arranged by color?

The master bedroom continues the running theme of classic black and white, with leather and dark woods. The pillow shams are from Leontine Linens. Although monogrammed linens are very much in keeping with this strongly traditional look….I would have had it done in a paler shade, like carmel lettering on a white field to pick up the color of the leather chaise. What do you think?

The bathroom tiles are floor to ceiling carrara marble. Extremely traditional and lovely. The pair of huge antique roof finials are a great touch. I try to use a couple of way way oversized pieces in every interior I do. That unexpected size is a jolt and adds energy to a room.

This photo reminds me of my childhood. I could look at it for hours. It’s my desk top photo right now. The blanket is vintage Ralph Lauren Home.

Just to give you a feeling of the magnificent property, here’s the black painted stable, riding ring and tack room.

Photos from Elle Decor September 2009

Bold Energy Meets Quiet Luxury in New York

Posted Sep 9 2009 by in Accesssorizing Shelves, Art, Color Flow, Continuity with 0 Comments

Where do I start my interior design? I am often asked this question and this New York apartment gives one very good answer. If it were my apartment, I would have designed the entire space around this bold piece of art by Sean Scully. It’s possible designer Michelle Prentice had that in mind when she went about creating this place for herself. The painting has the components of a beautiful color palette. One very dark color. One very light color. Two medium colors. One bright color. If you can find that in a painting, or a patterned rug, or a piece of fabric….it’s a perfect jumping off place. The room practically designs itself.

This beautiful piece of custom designed cabinetry makes a classic statement. It’s cornice is inspired by Paladian styles, and the white paint keeps the room pale. I really appreciate the well edited choice of books and accessories displayed in the shelves. Clean and uncluttered. The exquisite barrel-back wing chairs are genuine antiques…..that is to say, one of them is. The designer found one and wanted a pair, so she had the other one made to match. Many people who are not professional designers don’t know that you can actually design your own furniture and have a skilled upholsterer make it up for you. First a frame is built out of wood, and the shapes and curves are created with webbing, foam, cotton, down and springs. This chair is graceful and sculptural with a slim profile that gives it a sort of contemporary feel. Notice how the edge of the sisal rug is cut to run around the cabinet.

I love how the corner ceramic lamp echoes the deep red of the Scully painting.

Silk draperies are used here with simple pleats that are sewn on to the rings. The classic chandelier was found in pieces in a London antiques shop, purchased and reassembled for this traditional space.

This apartment is 2,200 square feet. Not huge. Efficient use of space and storage is important. Here is the guest room with it’s built in canopy daybed. The drawers beneath the cushion hold a multitude of essentials, and a trundle bed hides behind the baseboard. The pale colors and bare floor gives this small room a very open look. ?As you will see, every room in this apartment continues the running theme of a neutral color palette and the highest quality finishes. Continuity is the key to successful interior design. While this traditional style may not be your particular cup of tea, I hope you can see how well the designer accomplished a flow of color and design from room to room.

The master bedroom is luxurious but not over done. Beiges and whites don’t have to be boring, do they? The fabrics are very high quality, but quiet. Monogrammed euro style shams on the bed are a nice touch. I don’t think I have ever seen a chair pulled up to the desk at the foot of the bed. It looks great in this photo. The walls appear to be grasscloth…a great way to incorporate texture into a neutral room.

A small sitting area occupies the other side of the bedroom. Again, we see beautiful fabrics. Neutral chenille upholstery on the sofa next to an “airy acrylic table that takes up almost no visual space.” Large contemporary painting by Sam Samone.

Photos courtesy of Decor Magazine Late Summer 2009

Gazebos and Other Outdoor Hideaways

Posted Sep 7 2009 by in Architecture, Garden & Landscape, Small Spaces with 2 Comments

If you have space on your property there is nothing quite so inviting as an outdoor room. We are all drawn to intimate places, tiny sitting rooms and window nooks. We like to be hidden….and we also like a view to the outside. Putting a retreat out of doors is one of the most delightful things you can do. The sturdy wooden structure above has a roof with a view which can be accessed by climbing a central pole.

Here’s a wonderful little wood building with actual windows like you would install in your house. The optical illusion here is that the windows are made with clear glass panes. But no….actually they are mirrors! Isn’t that clever? Because this little structure is being used as a tool shed, the mirrors hide our view of lawnmowers and tools while creating an artful reflection.

A traditional “summer house” made of trellis which commands a lovely view of the garden.

Here are some helpful hints for creating your own outdoor room: Level Ground You will need a solid, level surface upon which to build your room, preferably with a damp-proof membrane underneath. Permitting Make sure you check with your city planning department before building, especially with a larger structure. Complement the House Your outdoor room does not necessarily have to be the same architectural style as the main dwelling, but it should not “fight” with it. One way to blend two different styles is to use the same colors, or carry at least one color over. Weather Proofing Since many garden rooms are not sheltered under trees, make sure that they are built of weather proofed material, or the maintenance will be high. Here is the Pacific Northwest, concrete is the best floor material and metal is a favorite roofing material. But ofcourse you must consider your climate. Wood is the most flexible material and more different effects can be achieved with wood. Make sure that your soft coverings, such as chair cushions, are mold proof. Be Creative This may be your best opportunity to use quirky shapes and whimsical decorative effects. Consider the View Most…but not all…outdoor rooms are placed to capture a view of the garden, the water or the mountains.

An artful organically designed gazebo by Thomas Heatherwick.

A circular metal structure that will patina nicely as it ages. Canvas roof lining. This provides a spot of shade in an otherwise sunny garden.

A contemporary garden structure designed by Lynne Marcus. The metal frame is painted a greenish-gray to match the house. It has a living roof comprised of a sedum mat planted on a sloping stainless steel base that allows rainwater to drain off.

Something this large would make a good outdoor office or guest house. It should be painted to match your main dwelling. Make sure to check with the local planning commission for something this big.

Two identical garden rooms can create a very lovely balance in order to frame a particular view. Making one of them a tool shed and the other a tea room would be a useful thing. These are a bit too ornate for my taste. They remind me of the nostalgic Victorian band stands found all over the US Midwest.

A little two seater shelter with a view.

This beautiful swing hangs from reinforced metal arches. The swing itself is also metal and makes a stunning garden sculpture. It serves a different purpose than an “outdoor room” but just as important.?Aesthetics. Since I approach almost everything I do as an artist, I would say that creating something because it is beautiful is all the reason you ever need.

Painted wood and very theatrical.

A living willow shelter. Look closely and you will see that those upright branches are actually growing and leafing out. The dried material (perhaps cut willow branches) are woven in to create the architecture. I am imagining that this platform will have large cushions filled with dry fast foam and covered with indoor-outdoor fabric.

A large outdoor room with two open sides and a metal roof. Situated in the far corner of the property, this is a secluded getaway with an comfy lounge for napping.

A little sleek (shatter proof) glass room with a steel frame. There’s an old adage that children should be “seen but not heard”…..maybe this is the place to stick the kids when you are going crazy! (of course you know I’m kidding).

Photos from British Homes & Gardens July 2009

Elevating A Denver City Loft

Posted Sep 4 2009 by in Contemporary, Continuity, Core Idea, Loft Style with 0 Comments

Loft spaces intrigue many of us. One of the biggest reasons is that people have made a dwelling out of a space that once had an entirely different purpose. Was it a leather shoe factory? Did blacksmiths hammer metal into railings there? Did ladies sit at sewing machines stitch up army jackets and then leave at 5 pm and take the bus home to make dinner for their hungry families? This loft is in the historic LoDo District of Denver, Colorado. Built in 1905 it was the former warehouse for the Spratlen & Anderson grocery company. This particular 2,200 square foot space was redesigned by David Hintgen and John Moinzad with “texture rather than color… and a bit of urban sparkle.”


The overall theme of this interior is the existing architecture. Gigantic steel posts rise 16 feet or more to support monstrous wood beams. Brick walls are everywhere. Metal duct work and raw concrete have been left exposed. These elements appear in every room creating a continuity throughout. It’s a monumental space! Those handsome dining chairs are from Bernhardt. Hanging above are Schonbeck pendants made with Swarovski crystals.

Placed within that space are over scaled upholstered furniture pieces in solid neutral tones (as opposed to pattern). The designers chose to use texture alone to complement the architectural container. I agree with this choice. Patterned fabric would have competed with the brick. The eye needs a place to rest, and a solid beige sofa is a good place to do it. Large upholstered chairs and sofas provide much needed sound proofing for loud loft echoes. The high backed Suzy Wong chairs above are by Kenneth Cobonpue.

The spiral staircase came with the territory. Notice how rough this doorway to the wine cellar is. There has been no attempt to smoothe over the transitions…and it has great character!

The sliding metal door between the bedrooms was custom made. It’s a great blend with the rest of the industrial style. The hide rug and leather ottomans make a luxurious statement set against the painted brick walls and exposed beam ceiling.

The bathroom is floor to ceiling mosaic glass tiles. No one cut corners here and there is nothing skimpy about these finishes. It sends a message of stylish high end living. The sink is a custom designed 9-foot concrete trough with contemporary hardware. Very sleek and stunning. A wonderful complement to the other design elements.

The kitchen is also very clean and sleek, with pickled wood slab front cabinetry and leather pulls. Concrete countertops. Barstools also from Kenneth Corbonpue.

The red brick exterior of this 1905 building complete with original signage painted on.

Photos from Western Interiors February-March 2009

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