well read ~ part one

whether they’re stacked on the floor or alphabetized on ornate custom shelving, books are an essential part of our daily lives…a true reflection of our passions and professions…more tomorrow!

Karl Lagerfeld

Albert Hadley

Alexandre de Betak

Andy Newcom

Bill Blass

Brigitte & Alain Garnier

Bunny Williams

Charles Spada

Christopher Knight and Carlos Aponte

Cristina Azario

David Kleinberg

Dransfield and Ross

Garagnani and Poccianti

Gil Schafer

Greet Lefevre

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a second look

Today’s post is what you might call, a second look…I was fortunate enough to discover some additional photos of Cristina Azario‘s gorgeous Harlem brownstone on her website…a few of the images are of her linens and bedding but I believe they were photographed in her home…it’s so exciting to see these rooms from a slightly different perspective…I especially love the third photo ~ a tufted ottoman upholstered in a humble white hemp, tucked under a rough industrial table, and to complete the composition, an antique landscape/folding screen with just the right scale and patina to pull all of these unique pieces together…I’m surprised Elle Decor didn’t publish this side of the living room…lucky for us, we have a few more beautiful images to dream about…wishing you a wonderful weekend!

photos from Cristina Azario

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cristina azario’s harlem brownstone

Cristina Azario‘s name is synonymous with luxury linens…having worked for such powerhouses as Frette and Donna Karan, Azario now heads her namesake, Cristina Azario, where she and her team create a full range of home textile products for select private clients and the design focused hospitality industry…it’s no wonder she has an educated eye for interiors as well! Take for example the Harlem Brownstone she designed along side architect George Cooper…from the unified color palette to the custom stain for the hardwood floors, she had a hand in every decision…her vision remained clear throughout the renovation and for me, the result is breathtaking…light, airy, open, and inviting…just beautiful…

In an interview with Elle Decor, Azario eloquently describes her creative process and passion for mixing traditional with contemporary…

“I really wanted to integrate both aspects of the house, the traditional brownstone and the contemporary prefab. This was my constant guideline when addressing materials, fittings, color schemes, and furnishings. So the kitchen has stainless steel countertops, but hand-painted wood cabinets. In the master bath, the tub has an old European look, and the fittings are Georgian inspired, but the room has linear, unframed mirrors for contrast.”

“The living room sofa is deeply tufted, which is a traditional upholstery technique. But it is huge, and very modern in scale. It has no arms and it’s upholstered in hemp, a modest, ancient fabric.”

“The library, for example, has a modern shelving system, so I bought a very rustic Asian cocktail table, and the wood chairs are from Brazil. There is an African cocktail table in the living room as well as a set of 18th century engravings by William Byrne.”

photos and resources from Elle Decor

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