Quirky Living

Phillipe Starck is looking to reinvent British Design. Watch!

Take an hour out of your day and watch the most fascinating design show on British television. Iconic designer Phillipe Starck's reality design show "Design for Life" features 12 British product designers--young hopefuls who are all competing to win a coveted 6 month placement at his world renowned firm. Both Starck's character and philosophies are as bold and matter of fact as the success and acclaim he has achieved throughout his career.  The frenchman unabashedly proclaims the need to reinvent British design...there are after all only three or four good designers in Great Britain.  He reminds me of my own Frenchman, my thesis professor Yves Ghiai, the most valuable and terrifying teacher at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/ FIDM.  After watching the six episode season I feel like I've enrolled in a refresher course (thank you Phillipe!) and while I'm not impressed by the competitors --Starck's philosophies along with the determination and earnestness of the students are reason enough to watch. Besides, the flavor of this British reality is a nice break from the materialistic nature of most American programming. 

Design for Life from design on Vimeo.

Favorite Starck Philosophies:

-The military truck is almost intelligent.  Why because it is driven by function and not by marketing (hummer not included).

-Don't think about design.  Think about everything else around it.  We are professional dreamers.

-Design is for all.  Art is elitist.

If you don't know Starck you probably know his designs.

 

Juicer that is know to squirt juice in your eye

 

Iconic Gun Lamp

 

 

Ramses Restaurant in Spain   

 

Iconic Louis Ghost Chairs. 

Living Etc. goes ga-ga for color

British design staple Living Etc. is going bonkers for color this month.  Check out the cover (just spotted those chairs at the Long Beach Flea Market this weekend--sans the blue frame and cushion) and a few pages from this month's issue.  You can pick up the mag at your local book store--it'll cost you around $8 US.

 

 

 

Also peek inside Jimmie Karlsson's London home:

 

 

  

Sexy Highrise in Beirut

If you're anything like me you probably love grabbing a latte and hitting the design section of your favorite bookstore.  Now I'll admit, I haven't picked up Architectural Digest in quite a while but today I'm glad I did. This gorgeous, minimalist design interperts traditional Islamic decoration which leans towards geometric form as decor rather than iconic imagery.  This high rise takes a minimalist approch to furnishings, allowing interesting finishes to take center stage--such as a clever map of Paris ceiling relief and stunning antique marbe wall finish.   

 

 

 

 

  image source:  Architectural Digest

A nod to the classics

I came across Ryan Korban's NY apartment last week when I was tooling around on the net.  He is the Creative Director of Edon Manor an incredibly chic, eclectic and glamorously styled shoe boutique in Tribeca that pays homage to English style.  Ryan's apartment epitomizes a similar sensibility I hold so dear to my heart--a little bit of city, a little bit of the countryside mixed with classical pieces and eccentric finds that peak our curiosity.  Below are the images that moved me.  

 

Now this is what I call organized chaos.  Have a little to avoid a museum like feel to an overly organized home.

 

I've mentioned a million times that dark grey is my favorite wall color.  Or is that black?  Love the pop!

  

Always use good china!! I learned this from my Grandmother.

Classic.  Love this look but you can only pull it off if you have hardwood floors and some classical detailing in the architecture of your space.

 
   Grey dupioni silk with brushed gold hardware adds instant glamour to your typical walk-up.

A casual white slip-covered sofa thing adds some much needed chill to a mostly formal setting. 

 

Get Sienna's Look!

 

 

Actress Sienna Miller's flat is on the market.  Her 2.095 square foot, two bedroom three-bath home located in St. John's Wood London is listed for $1.6 mil--about $750k less than she originally paid in 2007. Regardless, her home immediately caught my attention.  The main room's relaxed bohemian look reminds me of my time as a young designer in San Francisco when zinc table tops, weathered woods and cool, neutral color tones were the epitome of San Francisco design.  The direction is eclectic in nature. Industrial elements in the loft style architecture of the space, concrete floors (from what I can tell in the photos) and rustic materials with Moroccan touches seen in the pendants seem fitting for the actress who's known for her bohemian fashion sense.

I am a little surprised however that the lower ground floor of her home has been completely tricked out as a Turkish bath.  While the pendants in the living room and blue color tones link the two spaces, there seems a bit of a disconnect for me with this level.  Regardless, the casual space has most certainly been the epicenter of some interesting evenings, a traditional tiled sauna centered around cozy built-in seating and moody lighting.   I think at one point or another we've all tried the Moroccan style look.  Here are some ideas on how to recreate her boho chic look shown above.

 

Wisteria Octagonal Rococo Mirror 

 Crate & Barrel Petrie Apartment Sofa

 Modern Dose Poofs

 

Anthropologie Chimera Curtains

Wisteria Swedish Gustavian Side Chair

Sienna Miller

Stairways to Swoon for!

images courtesy of Living Etc.

There is something so lovely about these three grand entryway featured in Britain's number one magazine Living Etc.  

Seaside Sophistication - The bohemian beach mama inside of me is screaming for a space with wide plank white hardwood floors, the ultimate luxury in seaside living.  The turquoise blue paint detail on the stairs is surprising addition to what would otherwise be less than spectacular; and wow does it ever make an impact! The statue iconography and ornate gilded mirror complement a simple wood railing and the balance of both casual and formal result in a mature yet youthfully exuberant entryway.  This is my favorite of the three!

Classically Composed - What I love about this entryway is that even along a traditional point of view, elements are interpreted in a fresh and modern way.  Take for instance the door, notice how the hardware is painted in the same high gloss finish?  How about the dark concrete floor.   I suppose it's that constant play of the traditional and modern that really gets me excited about design.  It's like there's something in it for aficionados of both aesthetics and while nothing is lost from either, creating something new and innovative.

Parisian Style - The last image couldn't be more Parisian in styling.  Parquet flooring, chair rail, iron balusters, architectural molding juxtaposed with a pop of modern art, crystal chandelier, retro lamp and papered Asian motif console create an eclectic yet balanced look of sophistication and high art that the French are known for.  I'm constantly torn between my love for British style and that of the French. Familiarize yourself with glamourous ease of French style in one of my favorite books, New Paris Interiors here.

"Creative Space" - the homes of innovators

 

Of my favorite sources for inspiration are my shiny, picture filled design books.  At the moment I'm coveting Creative Space:  The Urban Homes of Artists & Creatives, by Francesca Gavin.  If you think "people watching" is fun, try "home watching". This book features urban studios, apartments and homes of designers, directors, stylists, graffiti writers, curators, novelists and innovators across the globe displaying a wide range of how people interpret the perfect space to call home.  I personally find it fascinating to see how people live and from my constant commitment to surround myself with design, I agree that beauty comes in many forms.  Even a pile of unruly books, a casually draped printed tea towel and half drunk coffee cup can be so chic and stylish on top of a worn, wooden dining table. Not only having a space that reflects your passion and personality, but living in a home with style and comfort is the essence of this book, as it is as well for Quirky Living.  Buy it here! 

 

Is an English eccentric vibe right for you?

The British are repeatedly a source of inspiration and undoubtably a favorite style of interiors for me.  Moody, kooky, dark, artsy, a happy little hybrid of modern mixed with loved childhood curious and vintage flea market finds; you to can acheive this look with a few cans of Dunn Edwards DE6348 Draw Your Sword...and these tips:  

1.  Gray looks amazing on walls, especially with lighter colored artwork/frames

2.  A slick modern sofa an an antique chair are playful opposites that work together

3.  Bright accent colors play off a darker scheme on walls and floors 

4.  Combining needlepoint, patterned & solid pillows equal instant British look

5.  Flea markets, vintage shops or your grandmother's basement offer one of a kind finds

6.  Consider some edgy wallpaper like those shown from Deborah Bowness.

Thinking of England

I was searching the web looking for cool new ideas and I came across this fabulously styled room from an eclectic victorian in London.  I so yearn for clients that want to push the artsy edge of design.  Charcoal gray is one of my favorites for walls...here it tones down the chaotic pop of the patchwork upholstery, floor lamps and candelabras.  Ah, bliss.

Labels: eclectic, London, patchwork, sitting room, victorian