Not all stairways are created equal — and this one is too beautiful for words. In a space this breathtaking, I’d need to get dressed up just to walk down to the kitchen. Alternatively, I’d own a vast collection of silk kimonos, or pajamas chic enough to wear out to lunch.
Please, on this dreary Friday, take a virtual walk through the fantastical world of designer, Vincent Darré. From an eye-popping sputnik light, to richly printed fabrics and wallpapers, to objets and curiosities wild enough for a Dali stamp, this Parisian pied-a-terre is pure theatre. Every last item is a conversation piece –– and tell me you’re not dying to faire le chit-chat with this wonderfully exuberant and bizarre fellow. Everything got sold at auction in November –– Darré is reinventing himself, oh my -– but if I could get my hands on that 18th Century couch, I’d never leave home.
If you have a fabric fetish like I do, then rock on over to Australian photographer, Martyn Thompson colour rich loft in Manhattan. Glorious wallpapers, beautiful hand-stitched embroideries, and vibrant murals painted by Thompson’s partner, artist Dove Drury Hornbuckle make for a space that is vibrant, decadent and utterly unique. Thompson’s own textiles, wallpapers and home furnishings are scattered about the place, as are Hornbuckle’s paintings and ceramic creations. If you ever get invited over, be sure to wear face paint and flowers in your hair. You’ll fit right in with the décor.
Some of the most beautiful frescos I have ever seen are in Florence, where I lived for a year in my late teens. My friend Zelmira rented a beautiful apartment in Palazzo Pucci on Via dei Pucci and her ceilings were covered in cherubs and clouds and palm leaves. I’ve always loved the romance and decadence of frescos or murals at home. In fact, inspired by Zelmira’s walls and Barbara Klunder‘s large Arcadian mural at Union in Toronto, I’ve thought of commissioning something similar for our living room. This room, by Johann Bergl, is magical to me.
I was sifting through The Selby today, and I came across the colourful home of designers, Robert Geller and Ana Lerario Geller. It’s just the sort of hodgepodge of a home that I love with stacks of books, eclectic art and lighting, richly patterned rugs and chic herringbone floors. They have two girls –– Luna and Anis –– and the children’s art and toys are scattered freely around the house. Sure, there’s some heavy styling going on, but I get the feeling that this is a fun place to live.
These are the days for hiding under a blanket with a good mini-series and a vat of homemade leftover Turkey soup. Make sure to choose a blanket that compliments your complexion. You never know who may pop in for a bowl of soup.
It’s at this time of year that my grandmother’s silver comes out, that we use our special plates and that I fill the home with clementines and red blooms. There’s something lovely about sitting down to a table cloth. It’s not for every day, but what a delight to dine this way from time to time. This is such a pretty Christmas setting –– red ranunculus and Moroccan tea glasses, and the smartest monogrammed napkins. Can I bring a guest?
About a month ago, I had a dream about a prefab home –– a large space, light and bright with soaring ceilings and zero effort. It was off a dirt road, and the area felt rural, but with city life and amenities close by. I would need to learn to drive. I said to the architect on the project, “there is so much colour and print in our lives, that I want the space to be almost invisible.” I’ve always been a bit of a snob about prefab. Ignorantly so. December’s Dwell delved into the world of prefab with stunning homes that reflect the beauty, integrity and brilliance of prefab. “The allure of prefab is really about control,” writes editor-in-chief, Amanda Dameron in her monthly letter. “Control over timeline, control over budget, control over the site.”
I came across these stunning wall hangings today, created by Los Angeles based artists Robert Dougherty and Janelle Pietrzak. They’re a mix of metal, wood, fibre and ceramic, and combine mellow, muted tones with bright, pops of colour. They’d suit a boho decor as much as they would a minimal one. In fact, I think they’d be right at home anywhere.
You know those restaurants that give you mints with the bill, those are the restaurants I loved as a child. The Chinese restaurant in Mayfair that we were regulars at gave out After Eights, while our burger joint on Park Lane had a large fish bowl of white mint balls by the front door. They also gave away branded matches, something you don’t see much anymore. Mints! Matches! What a stash to walk away with! My father had heaps and heaps of matches that he’d collected on his various travels. I still think retro matchbooks would make a great table top. My friend Stephanie has a gazillion of them. I’ve got a few –– from Claridges and The Plaza –– special ones that are hard to throw away. I’ve also got matchbooks from various weddings. If I ever have a guest loo, there will always be chic matches in the soap dish.
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