THE DECORATED DOOR

LES PORTES DECOREES

world of interiors

Like a number of designers, I have been confronted with the problem of having to deal with ordinary doors on a project. You know, the ones with the ordinary cheap looking moldings, ordinary hardware and plain Jane off-white paint.

What to do to bring this sad lot to a semblance of elegance? 

Well you could go wild with ornate moldings, sold by the yard at the hardware store or, better, found at an antique restoration material store.

planete maison

Or you could just add a small amount of panache by way of something simpler yet handsome.

highmarktrim

Of course there are ways to address this challenge with great style but they are going to need some effort and money. 

marie claire maison

a lot of effort and a lot of money...

world of interiors

Some people with very little means find ingenious ways to adorn their otherwise plain doorways

oualata mauritania via uncieldetoiles

others are beyond creative, like this door in the School of Architecture of Strasbourg in France

 www.archi-strasbourg.org

A bit of paint and a lot of talent will help of course

jujol can negre

as will carpentry skills 

world of interiors

and often the most modest detail like this wreath-like round frame makes all the difference.

marie claire maison

and while you are at it, why not go all the way and incorporate your door into a whole wall of detail.

aesthetically-thinking

au revoir.

A CLOSET TO WALK -AND LOUNGE- IN

LES PIECES "DRESSING"

I was very VERY productive this weekend, thanks mostly to a rainy Saturday and to a Sunday that benefited from the roll-over energy of the prior day. 

I cleaned out my closet!  

Out went those items I have not worn in a year, the pants with wide legs that make me look like an elephant, the tops that were a mistake of gigantic proportions from the 1st.day, the flashy bags that can't seem to look good with anything and the scarves that make me look a hundred years old. They will help someone much more at a thrift store than sitting in my closet.

Well, I almost cleaned out my closet if I count not putting away my sweaters and winter pants in the attic (our attic has a bar that runs from one end to the other; great for changing seasons but dramatique for throwing away clothes left unworn for months...) I kept the sweaters and pants because it is not quite warm enough in the morning to do without: "En avril, ne quitte pas un fil". In April do not take off a single "thread" is the very literal translation.

I am also about to have my closet re-carpeted, and I was about to expose myself to shame, the space was so bursting at the seams.

As I was making neat piles of t shirts - by color, mais oui...- giving a little breathing room to my blouses and tops and reorganizing my bags, I started dreaming about my ideal closet. 

Dream # 1: a BIGGER space!

and then in no specific order:

A big area for my shoes

A place to sit while I choose my outfit for the day or evening

A table to lay it all out

And why not a fireplace, a chandelier and big windows

a nice tall mirror

a pretty commode just for jewelry

and a vanity to try them on for best effect

images decorpad, domino via mysecondstorey

I really want to turn a room into a dressing next time I move. Not more clothes or shoes or bags, just more space to store it all. Now, that's not too much to ask is it?

Oh, and I started on that long bar in the attic too.

au revoir.

FRENCH EYE VIEW

 COUP D'OEIL

Just something that caught my eye.

Someone in Larchmont is not satisfied with a run of the mill white clapboard/black shutter look, nor even a muted Victorian maroon/green/terracotta combination...

This is con.fi.dence!

au revoir.

HAS SPRING FINALLY STOPPED THE TEASING

SERAIT-CE DONC LE PRINTEMPS?

The weather here is finally allowing us to dream of our own green Eden. 

As for this actual heavenly space, try as I might, I do not quite see it in my future. 
Sigh...

bon weekend.

FAMILY PORTRAITS

LES ANCETRES

xjavierx

So, you are lucky enough to have inherited the fabulous portrait of your ancestor and you will cherish this historical beauty forever.

Good.

Now what?

How are you going to integrate it into your home without throwing a wrench into the carefully planned design you are so proud of and so comfortable with? Can you really even imagine such a precious but, let's say, "cumbersome" gift in your space? 

Of course you can. 

You have two choices : go with the style. 

You have a classic house and you like it this way, so give these merveilles the place of honor in your vast hall, or, short of that, in your living room. The formality will well suit both.

mires paris

house-designing

Choice number two:

You are happily housed in a loft-like New York apartment with wonderfully rough, trendy brick walls, the envy of your many friends.

Don't hesitate. 

Go right ahead and hang great great grand'papa on the bumpy surface. The effect will be stunning.

via my notting hill

Let's say that you are even more of a modernist and you are terrified of anything that originated before the 60's. 

Reconsider. 

A large oil painting can be an outstanding addition to you minimalist approach. The contrast will bring ooh's and aah's.

Trust me. I do this all the time...

bernard touillon

au revoir.

THE DARK LIBRARY

LA BIBLIOTEQUE SOMBRE

One of my very favorite clients has a cozy, warm, dark library and finding the right furniture and accessories has been a challenge. We wanted to keep the character of the space without turning it into an English Manor "wannabe".

The original architecture- dark oak built-in fireplace benches, crown moldings, bookcases, floors, window and doors- was kept intact but stripped and stained back to its past beauty- but the design was given a shot of "modernism" of sorts with a table somewhat like the one below, very comfortable club chairs and a deep inviting sofa, velvet roman shades and curtains. A tad classic but in keeping with the mellowness expected of a library.

To avoid heaviness and all the "old library" clichés, the art chosen was definitely modern -albeit soft and warm- and definitely something to wake up the room: pieces along these lines.

Then came the time to introduce smaller accessories. My client wanted to display family photos in this intimate space. The obvious choice was brass. Silver looked too chichi, wood was already everywhere.

The ones we found were something like these and I must admit the effect is exactly what we both had in mind. 

Mission accomplished.

images via my notting hill, 1st dibs, fortaleza via ebay, nelson and nelson

au revoir.

FRENCH EYE VIEW

COUP D'OEIL

Just something that caught my eye.

The soothing restrained color palette, the comfortable sofa, the touches of black and soft warm orange in a pale gray space, the mix of stark geometry and rounded lines and of classicism and mid-century modern.

Oh, and that lamp.

via decorpad 

au revoir.

THE LBD'S BEST FRIENDS

LES GRANDES AMIES DE LA PETITE ROBE NOIRE

Take a Little Black Dress...

...like the ones first designed in the 20's by Mademoiselle.

via dresslivechamedlife, Versace, via promdresspicture, Balmain, Courreges

It could be any cute Little Black Dress that strikes your fancy.

Then dress it up just with breathtaking earrings.

That's all you need, you know, really.

SHE did, and breathtaking they were!

In case "they" insist they can lend these huge emeralds only to Red Carpet celebrities and you don't quite qualify yet, not to worry, there is a more manageable version.

Siman Tu

You can opt for a more discreet approach, but you would be wrong. 

Even if you prefer to stay neutral at least go for BIG. 

Sophia Bush also gets it right. Low key but generous.

J Crew

ebay

A little black dress needs Oomph! a lot of Oomph. Trust me.

Fashion Cents

Color, bold color, will be needed to balance the severity of the black.

Siman Tu

Barney's

Amrita Singh

Go for broke; get really colorful!

Oscar de la Renta

All right, if you must be a bit shy, just this once, as long as you choose color.

Marie Helene de Taillac

Now, THIS is going creative... and fearless.

YSL

And if you are in an Indian mood, this fit-for-a-Maharani pair will certainly do.

Dagmar jewelry

Have fun with that LBD.

au revoir.