A Bathroom is just a bathroom...or not?

A bathroom is not anymore an anonymous room "straight ahead, on your left, along the corridor" but has become a room in itself where to relax, unwind, read, perhaps entertain?

Bathrooms are now more spacious and use new materials, new technology, new forms.

 Taking care of our body and of our soul

                                            

 A domestic spa, the multi function "Avec Toi" by Kos.   It can accommodate more than one person and becomes also Turkish bath,Chromotherapy, Massage therapy, while surrounded by music and with the use of a touch screen.

                                                     
 

 "Unlimited System" by Teuco allows you to choose inch by inch the size of the shower box.   

                             

 A shower for everyone: "Easy Way" by Titan.

No more challenges, big space, big opening, several handles, a seat, great comfort.     

                                           

 And then the accessories like this Curtain made of brushed aluminum

                                               "Onda" by Hego                                  

                                            

The radiator "Tubone" by Antrax

                                             

The tiles "Dechirer" designed by Patricia Urquiola (who lately has a penchant for lace patterns) for Mutina

                               

Other tiles by Ragno, "Textile" series, some are also tridimensional or with metal inserts.

                                                

The LED lights "Sandwich Colours" with ultra slim shower heads, by Cristina Rubinetterie to make you dance in the shower, not just sing!

The extreme beauty of the Faucet "Flower" by Hego, a Pyrex cylinder with innovative technology making water flowing from below into the vase.

                                              

 Form and function go together in this freestanding tub by Rapsel, made of white resin, with the enveloping ergonomic backrest similar to the iconic Jacobsen chair.

                                                

   What else should I say...a bathroom is not anymore "just" a bathroom.

French Country Antiques

I know...I am supposed to talk about Italian design, but I always keep an eye on beautiful things made all over the world.

                                        Beauty is international, transnational and universal.

                                         
                                                                  

                               France...well, is renowned for its elegance and esprit de vivre.


I want to remind you all that soon Sherry Killam and Mamie Angus at French Country Antiques will bring to Vancouver the latest shipment of french "marveilles".
Furniture, object d'art, lighting all chosen with great taste.
Even Rodney Graham's "Torqued chandelier" was bought at their showroom. (the chandelier was part of the Whitney Museum Biennial 2006 installation).
Sherry is also an accomplished artist who I met years ago through shared passion for photography.
I have always admired her talent, her spirit, her passion for art and for life.
Larry and Sherry Killam house is a relocated 17th century barn that they converted into an elegant, modern house
                           

                            

                            

Inside and out it is an absolute French Dream.

Photography by Janis Nicolay in "Gardening Life" Magazine

New Interior Design Blogs

I just finished reading Patricia Gray latest Post on her wonderful, refined, highly successful Blog and
 I need to brag a little about it...
since she put my Blog (moi ???), in a List of 10, among others I truly admire and follow constantly.

Grazie Patricia!  

Decorator Showcase

Browsing through the Blog Habitually Chic I was reminded of the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse in New York, scheduled for April, 2009, unfortunately not on my plans so far.
But fortunately last year I went to San Francisco for the Decorator Showcase (and to visit the city's huge Design Center) and I came back very inspired and charged, with many memories and a number of pictures taken with my little digital (which I use solely for business).
The mansion was built in 1905 for the Grace family, in the Pacific Heights, anticipated cost for building was $ 12,200!
The house (about 16,000 sq.feet) is now totally renovated for its present owners, anticipated cost for renovation...you guess! 
Here are some examples of Interior decorating, I wish I took more pictures but I was mesmerized by the whole experience.

                                                                        * * *
In the living room some contemporary art, mixed with Versailles style ceiling, opulent textiles, lighting and wall treatment. A reinterpretation of a ballroom. The grey tones are super elegant.
Project by Geoffrey De Sousa

                            

   Note the butterflies a la Damien Hirst, adding a touch of contemporary.      

                                                                           

In the basement a huge family-media room, whimsical and cheerful, hip and modern.

Project by Applegate Tran Interiors

                                                           

Sorry but I could not resist to add this photo, taken from the stairs descending into the family-media room. I was stunned to see that figure and for a second I thought it was an installation...

(too much contemporary art in my mind)

                                                      

One of the many guests bedrooms, very relaxing feeling (as it should be) and again modern and antiques blending together.

"His" bathroom, with a gorgeous espresso glass tiles, of unusual size, encompassing an entire wall, wrapping around in the shower enclosure. Tiles, mirrors and glass by Paige Glass.

                            

 More on "His" luxurious bathroom: richly decadent masculine luxuries. Playing with mirrors creates a dramatic effect, but can't avoid the photographer being reflected!

Project by Hershon-Hartley; Ottoman by William Switzer; Sconces by Donghia

                            

A wonderful hue was chosen for "Her" dressing room, unapologetically feminine.

Project by Melanie Coddington

                            
                                                              
          

Several outdoor areas including a huge terrace with a panoramic view of the Bay (and a collection of contemporary art complementing the view rather than competing wit it).

                        

A sleek, well equipped kitchen and a living room "en plein air" . Big, Bold, Fun!

Furniture by Restoration Hardware. Project by Sean Weatherhill

                                                   

The courtyard in the back, with a clever use of frosted glass panels to create interesting layers

                             

                            

San Francisco Decorator Showcase to be held again in May, 2009.

A Loft in Milan

Milan (or could it be New York?)

A basic scheme of colours, white as milk, brown as cocoa

and a dramatic (not for the unfit...) set of concrete stairs to link three levels

 White is used also for the concrete floor for a  minimalist approach, all furniture is custom designed

 

 Refreshing colours, clean lines for the bathroom

Another view of the stairs and a glimpse of the owner's collection of contemporary art.

A beautiful Loft, an interesting Project by Alessandra Badoer

Photography by Cristina Fiorentini

Home Decor Fornasetti's Style

I have written already on Piero Fornasetti last November.

While recently in Milan I went, as always, to see what was new.

Talking to the manager I heard that soon they will be moving to another location, bigger and more visible.
The present one in via Manzoni is in fact inside a courtyard and beyond an ornate wrought iron gate, so you really need to know where to go.
As usual I was feeling happy just to be there, surrounded by such a whimsical array of decorations.

I sat on this sofa...

...and flipped through the beautiful Book of Wallpapers created by Fornasetti (Cole &Son production)

Another tour of the showroom, while still chatting

Then I left while Ivano was saying "Arrivederci" closing the door...and "See you again" will be!

At Home

I like to introduce you to this Home.

I am sure you'll appreciate the somber elegance created with the choice of wallpaper, the selection of materials and furniture.

An example of the informal but at the same time refined atmosphere of this Home

Note how they introduced and played colours only with few objects displayed around and mostly with the interesting hot pink sculpture by Benedetta Mori Ubaldini

Imagine yourself relaxing outside immersed in the green space while seating on Emu chairs

A visit to the bathroom by Agape

The atmosphere of this Home is intimate and relaxing

to make everyone in fact feel at Home...

even when they are at a...Restaurant.

"Home" is the very appropriate name of one of the latest and most exclusive Restaurant in Milan.

Project by Architects Luca Rossire and Riccardo Salvi who among other things also designed the sconces and the green sofa.

Technorati Tags: Interior Design,Architecture,Furniture

The Proust Questionnaire

Last year, when I moved from a house to an apartment, my niece Valentina gave me, as a housewarming gift, "The Proust Questionnaire" a wonderful, refined book published by Assouline, Paris. She bought the pink version in English for me and the orange version in French for her mother (she knew well that I lately love hot pink while my sister in Milan loves orange hues...)

                                 

In almost every house I moved to I had a Visitors Book, a real Map of my life which becomes, year after year, also an accurate List of old friends, new friends, some lost forever some lost temporarily; it gives me the idea of time, past and present and brings back memories of every kind and in a...proustian way... I live again those moments of my past.
This Book in particular is always really appreciated by my guests and it amazes me when, after dinner, they go through it and take the time to read some pages and then fill the questionnaire.It is also a precious moment for me when I read their spontaneous thoughts.
The vase on the table is another garage sale find (Limoges!) and the roses were arranged by the charming and gifted Hilary Miles who, in my opinion, has the freshest flowers in Vancouver, these roses actually dried naturally in the vase and lasted for two months, again challenging the idea of time.

I often found the Proust Questionnaire useful also in my business, some questions are the base of decorating a house to make it become a "home".
"Your favourite occupation"
"Your idea of happiness"
"Your idea of misery"
"Your favourite colour and flower"
As per my answers to these questions...I believe you have already an idea if you follow my Blog.

Technorati Tags: Interior Decoration

Armani style at Home

 The (still) gorgeous Giorgio with his trademark sweater!

A pinch of vanity, playing with name's initial on this screen

Armani Casa was established in 2000 with the launch of the first dedicated Armani Casa store in the elegant via Manzoni, Milan.
They now have 80 stores in 45 countries around the world and they just opened the first one in Dubai.

To wear an Armani suit is pure joy, perfect cut, perfect style, perfection inside and out...the same highly professional approach is now part of their Interior Design brand.

Elegance, simplicity, luxury at the same time.

Technorati Tags: Interior Design,Furniture,Home accessories