Category: Interior Design

The Weekender: Endless Summer

Capri, c’est fini!

The last few days, I’ve been thinking allot about Capri, Italy. In this blog, I often talk about my hotel experiences. Either those I’ve been to, or those I’ve yet to explore.

The J.K. Place Capri is perched on a cliff above the sea, and it boasts breathtaking, ringside views of the waves.  As well as a sense of being on a yacht, with its pale-wood floors and jauntily striped textiles which you will find throughout the beautifully decorated 22-rooms hotel.


The J.K. Place Capri is the sort of hotel that is definitely high on our family’s list. A few years back, one of my designer friend stayed at this hotel which is located off above the main ferry port of Marina Grande.

 Now married with children, my friend is about to embark on another adventure to Capri, and he’s been recalling his memories of this town and the hotel, as they’re getting ready to take off in the middle of next week.

The main dining room is mainly all white (but exceptionally attractive with accents of fresh flowers and beautifully designed pillows), which makes it a heavenly welcome, especially during those 
morning breakfasts.  
The penthouse suite is spectacularly designed with muted tones so as not to distract from the main attraction – the ocean view.  How gloriously inviting is this view?

The hotel was stylishly decorated by Florentine decorator Michele Bonan.  The design feels like the house of a refined and wealthy collector, and the accents throughout the place are a bit feminine, and at times, nautical.

There are splashes of bright and pastels colors throughout the hotel, to enliven the eclectic sprinkling of antique furniture.  All the public places have dark-wood floors which give J.K. Place
Capri a true sense of being a resort hotel.
Recent pieces in sixties-retro style, wing chairs, statues and framed atelier drawings decorate the downstairs lounge, and library. All these elements contribute to a feeling of a home away from home.
Although a bit out of the way (which I think is part of its charm), you will have to take the funicular or a car to reach Capri town, but the hotel is well worth the effort, and I look forward to discover it one day. But for now, I will have to live vicariously through my friend Bernard and his wife Sophie. 
225 Via Provinciale Marina Grande
Marina Grande, Capri
Italy 80073
Tel: 39 081 838 4001
* Don’t forget to participate in our End of Summer Giveaways, listed here on High End Weekly™.
NOTE: Please notify us directly, if you believe that certain images on this post are alleged to infringe upon the copyrights of others, according to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Thank you.

Hellman-Chang: Made in Brooklyn

Hellman – Chang‘s designs have long been the furniture of choice for some of my clients. So imagine how delighted I was to finally come across the design duo last May during the ICFF show in NYC.  Yes, I knew that each of their pieces were made by hand by their highly skilled craftsmen, but what I did not know was that the designers themselves took an active role with the making of every pieces that are made.
Hellman-Chang – Lucid Cocktail and Side Tables 
Their Brooklyn-based studio is not a crowded factory with assembly-line workers, but an inspiring workspace where timeless fabrication techniques are fostered.  All of their boldly designed, traditionally-crafted pieces are meant to last for generations, and embody the spirit of hand-built artisanship.  I like the fact that Hellman-Chang’s designs happen organically, through an intuitive process.  The result is contemporary, but livable, grounded in the natural beauty of the wood.  “It’s still design-conscious, but feels a little warmer,” explains Eric.  “While it’s good to push the conceptual envelope, our pieces are something you can see in your home.”
Lucid Cocktail Table

Lucid Side Table


Lucid Dining Table

Lucid is a new line of side, cocktail and dining tables incorporating along with their signature solid wood designs.  “The Lucid line was about playing with the perception of lightness and mass,” said Daniel Hellman.  The tables feature two sheets of Starphire glass encompassed by a “closed-circuit” solid wood frame.  The ultra-clear glass offers undistorted views of a rug or floor below, while allowing objects to float on the top and shelf surfaces.  “The ultra-clear transparency of the two sheets of Starphire glass creates a sense of weightlessness, while the proportion of the frame simultaneously gives it immediate presences,” Daniel said.  By using glass, Hellman-Chang has taken a step away from their classically wood-based design.  Daniel and Eric have maintained the warm, Zen-like aesthetic they are known for, while bringing attention to line and form.

Daniel Hellman and Eric Chang

The design duo is celebrating their fifth year of defining Brooklyn sophistication in luxury for high-end residential and hospitality environments.  Hellman-Chang furniture is designed and manufactured in their Brooklyn studio.  Their products are showcased in A. Rubin showrooms in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago, and in David Sutherland showrooms in Dania Beach, Florida; Dallas; and Houston.  Hellman-Chang furniture has been used in interiors of high-end hotels such as The Setai, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, the Waldorf Astoria, the Ritz-Carlton, the Four Seasons and the InterContinental, as well as featured in such productions as Sex and the City 2 and Gossip Girl.

Sitting Pretty

Sitting Pretty.1

Charles Eames was an American designer who helped change the face of 20th century, modern furniture design with his extensive portfolio of work. His enduring pieces are a stunning marriage of comfort and functionality. Charles Eames furniture has remained at the forefront of modern furniture design, influencing many subsequent and contemporary designers.

Ergonomic Paradise

With the ever-increasing hours we seem to work in the Western world, it is essential that we look after our weary skeletons to make sure that all our hard work is not futile and we can live long, happy lives. Enough of the corny stuff, in all seriousness though, investing in a well-made, ergonomic chair is the best measure to protect your back and promote optimum spinal health.

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Office Group Chair EA219 Gold Edition. Charles Eames was a pioneering force in the furniture design world. His creative vision and exciting designs lead him to create a number of pieces for an office environment including the Office Aluminium Group Chair EA119 Mesh. This is a task chair which is designed with the intention of being used at a desk. This chair is exceptionally comfortable due to the mesh panels and is also adjustable which further enhances the comfort factor and has a swivel functionality enabling the user to move 360 degrees.

Charles Eames was an American designer who helped change the face of 20th century, modern furniture design with his extensive portfolio of work.

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RAR Rocking Chair (Fibreglass). A rocking chair is also an exciting addition to any interior and will look fantastic in a modern or more traditional decor scheme.

Bachelor Chic. This Charles Eames Lounge Chair from SwivelUK is the final edition to any bachelor pad. Not only does this piece ooze luxury and sophistication, it is now considered a timeless classic in the history of modern furniture. This stunning feat of exquisite design and engineering features a bent rosewood frame and aluminium base, with chunky cushions made from the finest Italian leather. Originally designed in 1956, this piece has become a staple for the funkiest bachelor pads around and is not only stylish but exceedingly comfortable. For the perfect finishing touch to your abode the matching Ottoman is a welcomed addition featuring the same design and materials to make sure a slick, polished and ultra refined look.

Sitting Pretty.4

Office Soft Pad Group Chair EA219. The original intention for this piece was for outdoor use, hence the mesh fabric as it is hard-wearing, durable and immensely functional. The original mesh design was quickly discontinued and black leather took over as the material of choice. In 1969, the chair was further updated and a soft, padded version with cushions was created.

Contributed article by British resident, Rebecca W. She is an avid writer and interior design aficionado. She often writes about her interests.

10 Chairs – Perfect For Your Gardens

Have a Seat, and Relax!
From the Tuileries Garden to yours, this stylish and versatile chair is one of my all time favorite from France.  Available through American Country Home Store.
 
Nan Quick’s Lorenzo Love Seats are absolutely breathtaking.  These unique pieces are quickly becoming the quintessential summer garden chairs from the US and the UK.  Available in orange, yellow, red, blue, purple and green.
Segno Armchair, The Conran Shop 
Both elegant and durable. A knock out in any given garden. Love the geometric lines!

Certified teak meets tubular steel. The wood backing is a perfect example of a classic garden chair design mixed 
with modern lines.

Brilliantly designed as a piece of sculpture or garden furniture. Available at Edge Company

Classic Adirondack chair from LL Bean
 The Balance bench from Janus & Cie
Reclaimed teak from salvage wood. It’s all about being green and beautiful.  Garden Boutique

Paris Art Nouveau Metro Platform chairs from Liz Sherman Antiques.
Available through 1stDibs.

Meet David Scott

At Home with David Scott
Every inch of David Scott’s home reflects a love for collecting art as well as his practical sensibility for a modern and elegant setting. Throughout my interview, I’ve learned a few things about David and his take on design perfection.
High End Weekly™: You have a beautiful apartment. Did your dogs, Josie and Ethan, play a role in your design decisions?
David Scott: Yes, I made sure the color scheme coordinated with their fur…LOL
HEW: Define your approach on designing a home?
DS: I always start with the client, taking cues from their personal style and decide how they’ll be living in their home. The place and architecture tell each decision.

HEW: What is one of the most bizarre demands a client has ever made on you?
DS: I’d rather not say…but just know that nothing surprises me.
HEW: Have you always wanted to be an interior designer?
DS: It was a gradual awakening which culminated in my going back to school for a degree in Interior Design when I was 25. I attended The New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) which was an amazing experience. I now serve on their Board of Trustees.
HEW: Are there ways that people can create a fabulous space without going broke? Especially giving our current economic climate?
DS: Most definitely. Start with paint, it’s inexpensive and transformational. Think about how you want to feel in a particular space and let that drive your color choice. Make sure to view the color at various times of the day in the particular room. Change the throw pillows… companies like West Elm, Crate & Barrel, etc. offer excellent designs at a reasonable price.
HEW: What is your dream commission?
DS: I’ve enjoyed creating incredible dream homes for my clients but I’d love to design a hotel.
HEW: You have a great love for finding unique and one of a kind pieces for your clients. Can you share your secrets with us?
DS: The Internet is an incredible resource; websites like 1stdibs.com offer an incredible variety of furnishings.
HEW: I love great quotes. Especially about design, art, or fashion. Do you have a favorite quote?
DS: Billy Baldwin: “Comfort is perhaps the ultimatel luxury”
HEW: It seems that the world is blogging these days. And the authors are not necessarily the media types (yours truly included). What’s your view about the myriads of design blogs out there?
DS: I love the blogs which have a distinct point of view, an atmosphere of creativity balanced with information.
HEW: Who are your design icons?
DS: Jean Michel Frank. Billy Baldwin

Photos courtesy David Scott
HEW: The party you’ll never forget…?
DS: It was a party in our backyard in The Hamptons a few years ago. The evening was perfect, a warm Saturday night in late July. Incredible food, amazing music and most importantly great friends.
HEW: Designers often use buzzwords such as “green” “organic”, etc. What do these terms mean to you?
DS: Sustainable design that has less negative environmental impact.
HEW: When not designing, what is your favorite pass time?
DS: Weather permitting …Spending time in the garden or at the beach.

A Room Of One’s Own

Recently I discovered a fabulously decorated living room by a designer that goes by the name Owens, while browsing through  HOUSES MAGAZINE, on a chilly spring morning. The house in question was a 1940’s bungalow that the designer thoroughly enhanced by providing a modern open plan.  You can just imagine what a task it was for such an original space. From pages after images, I discovered no real distinction between old and new, public and private.  Spaces were integrated seamlessly and elegant furniture – modern classics – complement every room.

J Robert Scott




Natural materials were the choice palette, and they were incorporated masterfully.  His decor worked so well, mainly because of their fundamental appreciation for simplicity, and elegance.  Nature provides  us with a rich palette, and coming home to a zen-like space relaxes and soothe the soul.

The Morgan HotelThe grande dame of modern design, Andrée Putman designed the Morgans Hotel in New York with a very skilful palette devoid of color.  And guess what? Instead of being blah, the overall design is sheer beauty.
Not too long ago, I attended an event there and was taken by the modern interiors. Last year, Ms. Putman gave the hotel a face lift from her original design.  I didn’t think it was possible, but you can indeed improve on perfection. Bravo Andrée.

Designed by Shane Reilly

Top Design Trends from Milan

I Saloni is 50 years young this year, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the design trends that keep trickling down each year at this iconic luxury design trade show. Planning to attend? You’re in for a treat since you’ll be able to touch, marvel, and experience the world’s best furniture design.
I Saloni is where you’ll find a variety of furniture and accessories – from classical to modern. With an increasing audience each year, no wonder this is the quaintessial place where you’ll find firsthand, the trendsetters of tomorrow.

Opening Night at New York’s Design Center

The hugely successful online luxury marketplace for antiques and vintage designs, 1stDibs celebrates their 10th Anniversary by opening its first brick and mortar operation at the New York Design Center.
“1stdibs@NYDC is poised to completely change the dynamic of this once design-trade only building into a progressive, multi-faceted center that promotes and encourages working designers and makes shopping the building for consumers and designers a rewarding and positive experience”.

 






The celebration took place on the 16th of February, at the newly curated space on the 10th floor of New York’s Design Center. Of note was a curated exhibition from Malmaison’s Roger Prigent, my former boss, and most beloved mentor (read more about Roger here 1stDibs).  The Malmaison show show took place in the 1,100 sq. ft modern white cube gallery space designed for holding future exhibitions, as well as hosting lectures, books signings and special events. The space occupying the entire 10th Floor is now home to 53 dealers from all over the US as well as several international dealers from Paris, London, and Canada.

Top Places to Shop for High-End Designs

Since its launch in 2009 ShopAD has revolutionized the way designers shop online. Although nothing beats seeing and feeling the products in real-life, wouldn’t you say?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noteworthy Mention:

Dangerous Liaisons at 301 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London. Middle Eastern furniture, ivory bone inlaid side tables … Simply beautiful.
FR 66 – über trendy, aka the House Of True Style. FR 66, 25 Rue Renard, 75004, Paris
Cathy Lerebours houses a collection of NY’s finest antiques, all due to her tireless travels and acquisitions. Lerebours Antiques, 220 East 60th Street, New York, NY. Lerebours Antiaques.