Jasmine and Philippe Starck!

Can you guess whose house is this? was the question posed in my previous post, with that beautiful fridge open to reveal a hat and different treats. Let’s enter the Parisian home of multitalented Philippe Starck and wife Jasmine and discover more visual treats.
When he does not redesign the rest of the world he travels…they own 11 homes around the world, including one in Venice. I leave it to you to comment on these beautiful images full of surprises.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From an article on The National Post: “People often ask what inspires me. The answer is nothing. Nothing inspires me directly. I live outside of everything. That means I have no direct information. My inspiration comes from the existence of my life. (…) You also need to live outside mainstream thinking. If you go out every night for dinner or to a cocktail party, where you speak with everybody, you cannot create because you end up just repeating what people tell you. You get very comfortable and very unoriginal. The only way to create, the recipe for creativity, is to be alone. In front of a blank sheet of paper or your computer in the middle of nowhere. It’s the best way to find only your ideas, your intuition”.

Leave a comment on the image that most attracted you, we are curious to know your reactions…as for me…I love brick walls accompanied by flowing curtains and Venetian mirrors but I also love books, free standing tubs, Baccarat vases, old English roses and L’Air du Temps by Nina Ricci reminds me of my youth...
It was not an easy question but Fingers glued together gave the right answer. Congratulations, well done. If you want to see the other comments go to Can you guess whose house is this?

Source

©2012 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".

Brillante Interiors now offers also online consultations so please send an email and we can start the process. It will be an investment in happiness at home, a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

The Queen’s Palaces - A giveaway

Liz Windsor aged 3, 1929

From a press release - BBC Worldwide Americas
New York – May 2012 – BBC Home Entertainment is proud to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee year, the 60^th year of one of the longest reigning monarchs of the United Kingdom. For the occasion BBC America has produced a special, three-episode documentary:

 The Queen’s Palaces DVD which will be released on May 29, 2012.

Princess Elizabeth aged 7, 1933 Painting by Philip de László.

The DVD will be sharing an extensive look into the long history, the remarkable interior décor and the architecture that has evolved across the centuries of the Royals homes :Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle - which dates back to the 11^th century and has gone from medieval fortress to a romantic fantasy; and the Palace of Holy Roodhouse, formerly a monastery, and now home of objects from the Royal Collection that are bound to Palace’s turbulent history.

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Formal Engagement photograph.

Coronation portrait of Queen Elizabeth II June 1953, Westminster Abbey. “ A six yard train in best quality handmade purple silk velvet, trimmed with best quality Canadian ermine 5" on top and underside and fully lined with pure silk English Satin, complete with ermine cape and all being tailed ermine in the traditional manner, and including embroidery by the Royal School of Needlework.”

Cecil Beaton photograph, 1950’s

As Fiona Bruce walks you through the palaces, objects and art of profound historic importance are showcased including some other quirky pieces of work. Bonus features include an introduction to the series by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, discussing the role these palaces play in the life of the Monarchy and in the history of Britain.

1976 in Finland

May 2012, inspecting the cake for one of the celebrations…

Another- recent image of the Queen and Prince Philip.

Queen Elizabeth II at 86 years of age, beautiful as ever.

The year 2012 will be a Royal Party, since The Commonwealth celebrates 60 years of her reign with events, parades, concerts, even tea with commoners.

“In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship, and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth.” Elizabeth II, 2012

And now a curiosity:

 

The Royal Canadian Mint, in 2003, unveiled the new portrait of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II created by Susanna Blunt (happy to say she is one of my best friends and I lived with her the whole exciting process) in celebration of the Queen's Jubilee and has been used on all new Canadian coins. Queen Elizabeth expressed the wish to be portrayed without the crown, a sign of her willingness to be represented as a modern monarch.

Long live the Queen, she was for six decades and still is a true example of style and determination in fulfilling her extremely demanding role, managing gracefully to combine the dignity and grandeur of her position with a common touch that allowed the public to warm to her.

Let’s visit her Royal residences…
I can offer three DVDs to my readers as a giveaway, just leave me a comment with some contact information and I will randomly choose and announce the winners on June 2nd, 2012. Unfortunately I can send the giveaway only to Canada and continental USA.
If you don’t win don’t despair, you can buy the DVD  clicking HERE.


Don’t forget to answer my question: “Can you guess whose house is this?” from my previous post HERE.

©2012 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".

Brillante Interiors now offers also online consultations so please send an email and we can start the process. It will be an investment in happiness at home, a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

Can you guess whose house is this?

Tips: he is a designer constantly reimagining and rethinking the quotidian, very famous, very creative, sometimes he wears a hat…now surprise me with your answers!

Please comment only on this post, not on other social media, otherwise it is difficult to track all comments.  I will not publish your answers until the end of the week, so keep writing. The first person with the right answer will have an "honorable mention" and of course a link to their Web site or blog.

©2012 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".


Brillante Interiors now offers also online consultations so please send an email and we can start the process. It will be an investment in happiness at home, a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

I wish I was there

Palm Court at Villa Hassler hotel

The superb garden of Villa Hassler hotel in Rome, just above Spanish Steps, will be open to the general public soon. I always loved a white flowers-garden, especially in the evening the flowers can still be seen and become magic, as the stars and the moon in the sky.

The view from the 5 stars boutique Hotel is one of the best in the world,

with the new terrace being built it will be 360 degrees view.

 

The Penthouse suite has a private large terrace, and is furnished with antique pieces including a 1780 desk,  paintings from the school of Tintoretto, Venetian mirrors, opulent chandeliers and Louis XV chairs. The large outdoor terrace overlooks the city and is ideal for private sunbathing, cocktails with friends or an intimate romantic dinner.

Presidential suite

A room with graphic black and white rug and contemporary patterns on the chairs,

from the windows...glorious sunsets every evening!

Fewer and fewer family-run luxury hotels remain in the world, the Hassler is the only one left in Rome.

Looking forward to go back, even just for an aperitivo!

©2012 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".


Brillante Interiors now offers also online consultations so please send an email and we can start the process. It will be an investment in happiness at home, a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

The ceiling is the limit

 
Ceilings are often just an empty white space in a house, where furniture, accessories, lighting will never be able to fill that void.  Especially in historic or heritage houses the ceiling decoration is as important as the choice of a precious floor but in any house always remember the ceiling when decorating…in fact many times, especially in modern houses the ceilings are totally ignored.

So let’s remember to look up every time we enter an ancient church, a museum, a castle…or more simply when we decorate our house. There are many ways to improve any room starting from its sky, without recurring to Mantegna (as in the title image representing the “Camera degli sposi” in Mantua or the image above where Tiepolo decorated the magnificent Villa Pisani  near Venice)…here are a few inspiring ideas on how great designers created stunning rooms:

 

Exquisite Moroccan decoration on the ceiling and deep red for the walls

create drama in this dining room, the out of scale candelabra in this small room also set the tone.

SMW Design defined the ceiling of this San Francisco house with a graphic millwork.

This treatment can drop your ceilings down, so it needs height to be effective,

but it adds instant classic elegance.

Same idea here with a coffered ceiling and wood paneled walls

for this  living room.(House and Home)

Near Siena, Italy, a farmhouse with an amazing large bathroom, an old enameled tub, vivid blue antique rug and a collection of art on the walls. The ceiling  was painted with a lavender blue between the original old beams (From the book “Case d’artista” image by Mario Ciampi).

A delicate Liberty style flower garland enhances the entrance

in this beautiful but otherwise minimalist apartment in Milan.

 

Antique tin tiles ceiling by The Adeeni Design Group,

another beautiful feature in this stunning room.

Kelly Wearstler project in Bel-Air with a mirrored ceiling

reflecting light and the exquisite marble floor.

Look how beautifully the light plays with this high gloss ceiling.

 

Old beams can be a perfect juxtaposition for antique furniture as in this dramatic setting.

“Thousands of sheets of silver leaf were hand applied to the recessed ceiling, reflecting the crystal chandelier, sunlight through the floor-to-ceiling windows and the water of False Creek”. Project by Patricia Gray at The Erickson, in Vancouver.

A simple bedroom with a rich Islamic artwork on the ceiling.


We don’t need to go to the extent of the above images but with a simple ceiling medallion, white or colored,  a new dimension will be added to any room, I can especially see a medallion in a bedroom to create more atmosphere and a focal point, personally I even often dream of having framed paintings on the ceiling, as I have on the walls…I did not have the courage so far but maybe soon?

If  a medallion is not your choice, why not paint the ceiling the same color as the walls to create a more intimate feeling as Sarah Richardson effectively succeeded to achieve in this bedroom. (House & Home)

Or choose a contrasting color to draw eyes up as in this

high gloss Jupiter Glow by Benjamin Moore (Elle Decor).

Using wallpaper is also an effective treatment to create interest

as in this delightful home office designed by Annsley Interiors.

Pendant lights and chandeliers of course contribute to decorate

a room like in this stairways and landing by Muriel Brandolini. 

"Don't dismiss your ceiling with a coat or two of white paint. The least you can do is tint it with a dollop or two of your wall color. Or paper it with pattern. Or make a sky of golden stars with rubber stamps and a metallic ink pad." -Lee Melahn. 

And there are many more ways but now I leave it to your imagination on how to create some interest in an otherwise blank space.
Remember… after all ceilings are the fifth wall so now please share your ideas on how to enhance them.


©2012 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".


Brillante Interiors now offers also online consultations so please send an email and we can start the process. It will be an investment in happiness at home, a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!