I don’t know about you, but I am absolutely enchanted with this tiny art studio situated on the windy coast of Aquitaine in France.

It is the cheerful retreat of painter Richard Texier and measures a mere 12 square meters. This style of architecture is referred to as a carrelet, loosely translated to square net (filet carre’) which were used by fisherman in the 1900′s who lowered their nets from these little huts right into the sea. Texier’s original hut was lost in the big storm of 1999. Determined to continue his artwork in this magical spot, he engaged engineers and high technology to rebuild it in a sturdier fashion. It’s painted black and “ocean blue” with a zinc roof and naturally weathered 100 meter long teak gangway. “It’s always been an enchanted place, between the sea and the sky…” says the artist.

The round gate was inspired by those the artist had seen in China, a place he often visits. When the red light above the gate is lit it signals that the artist is in his studio.

This is a shutter that can be set at various angles as a shield from the wind and curious eyes of tourists. I like the way the round gate repeats the shape of the round port hole windows. Repetition of shapes is a great way to bring conintuity to a interior/exterior design, even one as tiny as this.

The outdoor work table.

The artist uses his blackboard to develop ideas for his paintings and sculptures, such as the bronze lost wax candlesticks on the table. The hanging red lantern can be moved anywhere.

People walk underneath the jetty when the tide is out, and oyster farmers collect their wares. Bird footprints provide inspiration for art and mythical animal shapes.

The artist’s indoor workbench, upholstered chair and stool covered with a sail from an old tuna boat. Is that poetic, or what?

Careful storage is necessary in the tiny galley. On the right is an india ink drawing upon a nautical map. I’d like to get a closer look at that…..

The painter comes here to “fish for ideas and inspiration…and occasionally for shrimp. It’s fertile territory.”

Photos from The World of Interiors August 2008 Thanks to?Catherine de Moltalembert and Jean-Marie del Moral

Now that’s one beautiful sofa. It’s a Biedermeier….which is interesting to some of us but that doesn’t matter. The beautiful shape of the wood frame captivates my imagination! This is the home of the Fabrizio family, creators of Dedar fabrics, some of the most luscious designer fabrics you can ever imagine. Many are featured here in these photos. Funny story about the sofa. The Fabrizios spied it in a Como antiques store but were told that Versace had already bought it at auction. Within a few days a call came saying that the sofa had suddenly become available again. Asking why, they were told that because of it’s extreme width and length, the sofa had not been able to fit through the doors of the Versace villa.

When I saw this home, I knew I liked it but I couldn’t quite identify the reason. In order for me to feel comfortable in a house it must have a sense of order as well as good design elements. There needs to be continuity of color or style. Does this house have it? Yes, for the most part, it does. The purple chair in the living room threw me for a loop at first. It seemed out of place, somehow. But when I saw a second purple chair I felt more at ease. Don’t be surprised that I am talking about feelings. For many of us….perhaps most of us….interior design is about feelings. We ask ourselves “how do I feel in this room?” Our gut gives us the answer. But why? we ask. ?Sometimes it’s difficult to understand why we feel uncomfortable. It’s even more difficult to know what changes will make the room feel better. That’s where visual people have the advantage, particularly trained professionals. They can usually put their finger on what isn’t working and how to fix it. The purple and chartruse colors in this space make a statement. Look at me, they say! Surprised you, didn’t we? they say.

Here’s a beautiful little vignette composed of a French 19th c. painting, a Chinese table and objets d’arte. The yellow walls and dark woods are the overarching theme of this interior design.

The dining room features a very bold brown and white fabric on the drapes. This is a cotton/linen ikat pattern from the Dedar fabric collection. A Murano 1930′s chandelier hangs above the table. The chairs are handmade in Thailand. What a gorgeous window-door design….now that’s one to remember!

A continuation of yellow walls and dark wood in the graciously curved table. An Andy Warhol painting hangs on the wall above an attractive arrangement of books, collectible boxes, figures and small framed pieces.

I was surprised to see the bold fabric pattern brought in to the master bedroom. This repetition actually makes it easier to live with because it is predictable. Human beings need some predictability in order to feel secure. The headboard is generous and beautifully upholstered. The inlaid chair is Moroccan and it’s brown and white color echoes the printed bedspread.

Here’s a terrific use of black and white. The striped curtains have a very bold pattern, while the pillow shams have a very delicate pattern. So handsome together! To that we add the black and white photo (by Man Ray) and the black and tan serigraph (by Arakawa). And of course the black cast iron canopy bed. This is a beautiful, balanced composition. I am not one to always match art to the color scheme, but in this case it really looks wonderful. I am a bit surprised by the red walls in this room. It seems a bit of an abrupt change from the rest of the house. What do you think?

Here’s a corner of the family style kitchen with it’s collection of copper cookware hanging on a wall of locally made tile. The dark ceiling beams are a continuous theme through out this old home.

The patio of the gray vine covered home stone home in Fino Mornasco is part of a 17th c. villa where peasants raised silk worms and spun yarn for the silk industry in nearby Como. Lush wisteria grows in profusion.

Dedar is a family run business. Here they are in the textile studio amidst their latest luxurious fabric and wallpaper collections.

Photos courtesy of Veranda September 2009

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

In my continuing exploration of artist’s living/working spaces, I stumbled upon the functional and beautiful loft space of artist John Alexander in New York’s refurbished Soho neighborhood. It’s functional because half of this city-block-deep space houses Alexander’s painting studio. It’s beautiful because Alexander and his partner Fiona Waterstreet are naturally aesthetic. Like most lofts, this space is vast. Almost a planet unto itself! The furniture is interesting because it is of normal scale and rather homey and tranditional, striking a strange contrast to the cavernous volume of space. The project designer, Lorraine Kirke understood that the place was to be kept fairly raw, simply brightened and lightened up. But it was not to look “designed.”?

Layers of Lower Manhattan’s dingy grime were scrubbed away and the paint splattered wood floors were polished. Walls were torn down to expose long vistas. Remaining walls were painted a warm white, the best backdrop for the artist’s huge expressionist paintings, as well as their collection of other artists’ works. Our eye travels through the ?high ceilinged space as it follows red and pink accents repeating and repeating in different ways. Here a vintage embroidered blanket. ?There a bold red and white stiped chair. Over there a classic mid century red kitchen stool.

The little kitchen is functional but certainly not fancy. Stainless steel appliances and chrome shelves expose the tools of living and cooking that a busy informal family enjoys.

The paint studio houses a vintage velvet sofa…….who doesn’t love a velvet sofa! I’m glad the parrots are red! Had they been green or blue and I would not be saying….”ahhh….balance.”

Their son’s room features a lovely ?collectible Empire bed and big splashes of red.

The space seems to go on forever, does it not? This round Biedermeier table’s ebony finish and dark wooden sofa legs punctuate the space, and repeat the dark tones of the artist’s canvases hanging behind. The industrial track lighting used throughout the space makes reference to other times and other occupants. Perhaps a factory. Perhaps a warehouse. These walls have lots of stories to tell, no doubt.

Here’s a glimpse of our artist, John Alexander, in the blue shirt. He purchased the loft in 1979 when Soho was just beginning to come up in the world. “It was grand and funky,” says the artist. And now it is grand and very liveable.

Crates neatly stacked hold a fascinating array of fabrics, sketchbooks and bits to incorporate into her pieces. Most of the fabrics are pre 1950 work wear and uniforms. The simplicity and functionality of this end of the studio speaks volumes. We certainly can get a sense of where this person’s heart lies. This is life lived close to the bone. The great richness here is in the pure joy of the creative process. Taking vintage fabrics, reconfiguring them and breathing new life in to their fibers. Stacked crates are a time tested and wonderful solution to creating storage. Some good ones are available at Bailey’s Home and Garden.

Collections seem to be a subject of this blog quite a bit lately. Here again, I am drawn to this fascinating assemblage of antique dolls, worn fabric shoes, little boxes, bottles, beads, bangles and buttons. But no bling here. These objects have stood the test of time and don’t have any polish left…just lots of stories to tell.

This corner of the studio features a mannequin with a restructured cotton dress, and a tiny porcelain sink for washing paint brushes or dyeing.More shelves of fabrics. See how lovely they are arranged by color. I have a client who has a large collection of hand made quilts. She organizes them into fat folded shapes and stacks them on a deep shelf in the guest room. Our color scheme for the room reflects the soft colors in the quilts, and it makes a most inviting vignette.We will keep you in suspense no longer. Here is an example of Gignoux’s inspired work. This cello like “doll” is constructed from a jacket with upside down sleeves set atop an a chair wearing a loose slipcover from an armchair. It was exhibited at Paris’s St-Cloud contemporary biennial. Notice the beautiful french mirror complete with pealing paint…just the kind of thing to be found at the Paris flea market. Or you might check out the mirror selection at?The French House?next time you’re in London.

Here is the artist modeling a refashioned coat of many pieces. Lest we think her art is randomly created, we are told that she archives fabrics systematically according to four themes. First, signs of wear and tear which includes pieces that are patched and mended. Second, pieces with folds, gathers and creases. Third, layered, smocking and pin tucks. And fourth, reverse sides and linings.

A simple kitchen. Pans and crockery on full display. Not a lot of extra stuff anywhere. Oh…I love this lifestyle. Our stuff takes so much energy, doesn’t it? ?To maintain it, to store it… to pay for in the first place! While this art studio and living space is unembellished and functional, it is vibrating with creative potential. The artist hardly needs to shop for a painting or a rug. Her fabrics and collectibles are more than enough stimulation for the senses.

To our artist, Manon Gignoux: Thank you for allowing us into your studio. Your space is both peaceful and fascinating and and we will look for more of your inspired work on the world market.

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Photographs from The World of Interiors February 2008