This week feels like a major transition week into fall yet the temperatures remain in the 80s (29c). The light has shifted to a warm dancing light as it filters through the trees. The breeze is crisp and cool. The evenings are getting cooler and the days are getting shorter.
Read MoreBeige-on-Beige Fantasy
While perusing the February Architectural Digest I was stopped in my tracks by the amazing thoughtful and deliberate penthouse designed by Rafael de Cardenas. The skillful use of beige combined with other elements to keep it from looking like a sepia photograph. The limestone and brass mantel, the beige Malachite finish on the ceilings, light herringbone wood floors all combined with really bold moments make this penthouse a masterful expression.
I took this shot with my phone...sorry for the quality.
The entire home was designed around the above pair of armchairs, created in 1958 by Joseph-Andre Motte. They're upholstered in soft leather the color of sand. "I totally fell in love with them, and I never fall in love with beige things," says De Cardenas, acknowledging his reputation for dramatic color. "Then I got into this whole beige-on-beige fantasy, like Armani in the 1980s, and she (the client) started teasing me that I was going through a beige phase."
Can we talk about that ceiling? I've honestly been obsessing over this very pattern of outsize slices of malachite (if malachite was anything but green) for years. I first imagined it in a gray toned concept, I love it in beige though. I'm currently having it done in a radically different colorway of nearly fuchsia in a client's dining room.
How incredible are those kitchen cabinets? Wonderfully imaginative. The bespoke hardware was done by E.R. Butler and Co.
Again I took this with my phone...
I had to include an image, even a poor one, of the breakfast banquet area. The chicest banquet I've seen. Very classy. I love how the photo based framed grouping by Walead Beshty add color to the space.
Here's the bold color that Rafael is known for! I can't get this space out of my mind. The reason it works is because everything else is simple and traditional. When going with a bold element in a space the rest of the room must be more restrained to keep it from being a funhouse type look. Check out Rafael's firm Architecture at Large.
Monday Funday.
In an effort to begin my busy Mondays on a lighter foot I'm going to post an inspiring feel good something every Monday. Also....maybe just calling it Monday Funday will make things better ;).
No one can say feel good words like Maya Angelou. It wouldn't be the beginning of Monday Funday without her. Let's be kind to each other this week. Including being kind to ourselves. I know we all tend to be hardest on ourselves. I want to loosen up on that habit a bit. Go at life with a bit more of an open heart.
My August newsletter went out this morning. Did you get it? Sign up at left for the next one if not. You can check out August's on my Facebook page in case you're dying to know what I have to say. I do try to keep my social medias a bit different from each other to prevent boring you all.
Go Monday!
If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love contact me to learn more about Jamie House Design interior design services.