Paris in Pastel

If you don't already have the July/August 2010 issue of Australian Vogue Living, run, don't walk to the nearest newsstand!  This issue is one of their best and includes a fun story about eating in Brooklyn and a feature on the Montauk home of Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch of Roman and Williams which you can also see here.  But what really stopped me in my tracks was a gorgeous Paris apartment designed by Baroness Bruno de Pampelonne for a young Russian woman who received it as a birthday present (must be nice huh?!).  The Baroness whose name is Rose Anne, worked on the space with architect Florence Lopez and what's surprising is that it's so different from her own Paris apartment that was seen in Elle Decor.  The title of the article, Paris in Pastel, suggests that the apartment is full of pastel colors but it's not at all saccharine or sweet.  Lots of black and gold accents and marble, as well as a top notch art collection keep it sophisticated and modern.  It actually reminds me a little of Kelly Wearstler's home.  The photos below are only a few of what is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite interiors.  Enjoy!

Artwork by German artist Katja Strunz hangs above a table by Angelo Mangiarotti.  The lamp with pale blue shade and mounted crystal is by Bagues.

If I had seen this apartment last week, I could have included it in my mirror post.  Here, an Hervé van der Straeten mirror hangs over a mirrored wall panel. The Baroness designed the carpet. 

The sheep desk, "Mouflon de Pauline" is by François-Xavier Lalanne.  The Baroness is quoted in the article as saying, "You know when Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and Peter Marino started to buy Lalanne, the prices for his furniture skyrocketed."  The Ico Parisi chair is covered in a Brunschwig & Fils fabric.

In the guest bedroom, striped leather walls by Elitis are a perfect backdrop for a work by James Nares and sconces by Objet Insolite. 

The black kitchen features a Thonet dining table. 

Photos by Richard Powers

Pure Perfection

I was looking through old tear sheets again when I found the page below from the November 2008 issue of Vogue. It was shot at interior designer Veere Grenney's London home and it was the first place that I became acquainted with him and his work. It is also still one of my all time favorite homes. One that I could move into tomorrow and be blissfully happy forever! Except maybe for the bed. I grew up with a canopy bed and I have had an aversion to them ever since but if anyone could make me reconsider them, it would be Veere Grenney! I also thought it was perfect to post his beautiful home after Hamish Bowles Paris place since they are friends. I wrote about their summer excursion in a post last year. I find this apartment infinitely inspiring and I hope you do too! Enjoy!

Photos by Ditte Isager for Australian Vogue Living

Melbourne Magic!

I can't believe it was a year ago that I met Melbourne interior designer and showroom owner Diane Bergeron. It seems like just yesterday that Michelle Adams of Rubie Green and I were laughing at her stories on David Hoey and Julius Vingerelli's amazing roof terrace. Michelle was lucky enough to stay with Diane in her beautiful home while visiting Australia recently but the rest of us can drool over it in the September issue of Australian Vogue Living!

Diane and her family moved to her husband's native Australia five years ago from New York and since then she's made quite a name for herself by not only continuing her interior design career but also bringing many fabulous fabrics and firms with her. She is the agent to Lulu DK, Carolina Irving and Michelle Adams's line, Rubie Green, as well as Madaline Weinrib. When I had a reader from Australia email me about finding a carpet that could be shipped to Australia, I referred her to Diane who I knew could help her!

Diane and her family actually live in a warehouse in Melbourne that also houses her showroom. You'll notice the abundant use of color is contained to the upholstery, accessories and light fixtures while the white walls serve as a blank canvas.

I think my favorite part of her home are the green light fixtures that pick up the green of the Peter Dunham fig leaf fabric above!

This is the cute little guest room that Michelle Adams stayed in during her visit. I love how the black accents pop against the blue seagrass wallpaper!

In her daughter Anna's narrow room, the bed also acts as a sofa. I especially love the contrasting red welting on the coverlet and trim on the draperies! I was thinking of suggesting a red welting on the bachelorette's custom blue upholstered entry bench and now I have a great concept to show her! The pillows are in "East Village" fabric by Rubie Green.

The bathrooms custom vanity was made by Industria and I love that you don't have to go far to find a hand towel!

I love orange so needless to say, this is my favorite room in Diane's home! Paradise Background from Quadrille is used on the shade, headboard and pillows and coordinates perfectly with the Madeline Weinrib are rug! The fabric behind the bed hides a brick wall.

Diane's love of color extends to her wardrobe! Here she is in her showroom/office space. The black and white fabric behind her is part of her new line called DB Home.

You've probably seen Diane's famous inspiration board before on other blogs! It's famous!

You can see in this view how many great patterned fabrics Diane represents! Also in the September issue of Australian Vogue Living is a look inside interior designer and blogger Anna Spiro's home. Since they are so far away, I'm grateful to them both for opening their beautiful homes for all of to admire! Kind of makes me want to move to Australia!