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

Hillhaven Lodge sits among the Hollywood Hills, famous for its star studded neighbors. It’s size is not overwhelmingly impressive compared to many, but its walls have witnessed many a celebrity party and there are stories to prove it. Yes indeed, Ingrid Bergman purchased the home during World War II. She called it the Barn and…. looking at the beams in the vaulted ceiling above, we can see why. Kim Novak and director Richard Quine carried on their romantic triste in this house. ?James Caan played basketball in its living room. Through the years we are told that it fell into ragged disrepair until director Brett Ratner came to purchase it and, with the help of designer Waldo Fernandez, restore it to it’s casually elegant glamour of today. I particularly love the way the owner’s collection of framed black-and-white photographs are displayed throughout. On easels. Propped against walls. On the floor. They all appear to be framed similarly (which is a great way to hold a collection together visually). The photos are a theme in the design of this interior, repeating itself from room to room.

Yes, it’s a real Rodin sculpture. Fantastic.

The fireplace seating area features four matching leather club chairs. Very handsome with the nail heads. This is a nifty way to create a conversation grouping. Let’s break out of the sofa-and-two-chairs box. The stacked stone wall, typical of mid century, is original to the home.

Another running theme are the dark hardwood floors and white walls. You may think this is not much of a theme but, indeed it is. Imagine if the walls changed color from room to room and if the floor finishes were different in each room, “Good Design” would have dictated that another running theme be established to provide much needed continuity. What could it be? It could be all white furniture and all white woodwork. for example. I love the English style divided light windows in this home. Below is an expansive bay window with its upholstered banquette. A pair of Windsor chairs and an English gateleg table are silhouetted in the light. Loveliest touch here are the two ?giant fern fronds in a vase.

The master suite features a Moroccan rug and Moroccan striped pillow fabric. The headboard is made out of 17th century Portuguese wood panels. Below is the gorgeous onyx walled master bathroom. And more of those beautiful divided light windows

Photos from Elle Decor March 2009

“Out of Africa with a twist” are the words used by interior designer?Martyn Lawrence-Bullard to describe his client’s Mediterranean style home tucked into the hills of Malibu, California. Fascinating photographic images and unique artifacts from Africa wind through the home as one continuous theme. White walls are the backdrop for neutral informal furnishings with an occasional “pop” of bright color… like the vintage Turkish red and yellow horse blanket (which echoes the antique rug colors so beautifully).

In the kitchen, antique French lanterns hang above a beautiful old console table. This is a great island idea and has a lot more character than the predictable cabinet island with granite countertops, don’t you agree? I love the medium dark cabinet color and door style which compliment the (what looks like recycled) wide plank wood flooring.

Dramatic photographs by Leni Riefenstahl are displayed above the seating area. Not only are the photos absolutely remarkable, but the very large scale of the images creates a powerfully exotic mood in the room.

I love this bathroom. The Hundi hanging lamp and charming English Windsor chair have great personality. Never underestimate the power of a well chosen antique! ?It can turn a” ho hum” room into a memorable room.

Photographs from Elle Decor July-August 2009