a taste of autumn

With autumn just around the corner, I thought you might enjoy a taste of what’s to come…how about a warm cup of apple cider by a roaring fire?

photos from Birch Coffey and Chas Miller, Pauline and Jerry Harrison, Axel Vervoordt, Bobby McAlpine, Steven Volpe, Tine K Home

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well read ~ part two

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” ~ Charles W. Eliot

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

Hallberg & Wisely

Haynes-Roberts

J. Randall Powers

Jacques Grange

James Huniford

John Minshaw

John Saladino

Juan Pablo Molyneux

Kara Mann

Karin Blake

Lars Bolander

Lauren Gold

Luis Bustamante

Magnus Lundgren

Mary McDonald

Meichi Peng

Michael Smith

Michele Bonan

Miles Redd

Nina Griscom

Richard Shapiro

Robert Couturier

Sheila Harley

Steven Volpe

Suzanne Rheinstein

Ted Tuttle

Thomas Jayne

Thomas O’Brien

Tricia Huntley

Vicente Wolf

William Frawley

Windsor Smith

Yves Saint Laurent

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the art of editing

the art of editing…

chefs, composers, architects, poets, filmmakers, designers, painters…

all who create, edit…it is an integral part of the artistic process…

sometimes it is the silent pause or the blank space that creates a masterpiece

above ~ Antony Todd

above ~ Betsy Brown

above ~ Charles Spada

above ~ C|S Architecture

above ~ Darryl Carter

above ~ Haynes-Roberts

above ~ Henrik Busk

above ~ John Minshaw

above ~ Kara Mann

above ~ Mar Silver

above ~ Meichi Peng

above ~ Stephen Sills

above ~ Steven Volpe

above ~ Studio Ko

above ~ Vicente Wolf

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living with photography ~ 15 inspired interiors

above, Kara Mann

Today’s post features fifteen of my favorite interiors…they are memorable for many reasons but today, they have one common thread…their artful use of photography…in each space, the designer thoughtfully incorporates photography into the environment…some with a bold gesture, (as with the Kara Mann designed dining room above) others with a small gem, that bring you closer for a more intimate look…whether a virtuosic solo or a large symphonic grouping, these interiors lovingly highlight the beauty of photography…

below, Steven Volpe

below, Windsor Smith

below, Vicente Wolf

below, Steven Gambrel

below, Darryl Carter

below, Thomas O’Brien

below, Meichi Peng

below, Susan Chalom

below, Richard Avedon

below, Todd Romano

below, Jacques Grange

below, Antony Todd

below, John Chrestia

below, Thom Filicia

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roaring fire

there is nothing like a roaring fire on a cold winters day…wishing you a cozy sunday evening filled with love, beauty and laughter…

below, Maria Beatrice Garagnani and Leonardo Ferragamo ~ Villa Le Rose

below, Birch Coffey and Chas Miller ~ Connecticut country home

below, Pauline and Jerry Harrison ~ Sussex farmhouse

below, Susan Chalom ~ Park Avenue Apartment

below, Alex Vervoordt

below, Bobby McAlpine

below, Steven Volpe

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slice chair ~ mathias bengtsson

above, Slice Chair drawing by Mathias Bengtsson, 1998 oil pencil on paper

Next time I’m in San Francisco, my first stop will be to Steven Volpe’s gallery Hedge. I was glued to the site yesterday, reading about the brilliant artists and designers represented at his avant-garde gallery. One piece that completely blew me away was Danish designer Mathias Bengtsson’s aluminum Slice Chair. The imagination, innovation and engineering is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Curvaceous and sensual while at the same time futuristic and industrial ~ an organic form for the 21st century.

Material: Aluminium, Date: 1999, H: 750mm W: 890mm L: 750mm

“First drawn by hand and later modelled in clay, the Slice chair combines organic shapes with cutting-edge technology. Slice is constructed as an assemblage of horizontal cross-sections that stack together into a uniquely lateral profile. Laser-cut to a thickness of only 3mm, each individual layer resembles a two-dimensional abstraction more than it does a hi-tech component. Although the process was inspired by rapid prototyping methods, Bengtsson worked with more traditional materials. His starting point was to create a new form by using clay, which he then sliced in horizontal layers and manipulated digitally. The result was a surprising shape that blurred the distinctions between armrests, backrest, legs and frame.” ~ from Bengtsson Design

photos and resources from Hedge and Bengtsson Design

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san francisco loft ~ the evolution of an artful home

“The loft was a blank canvas, so I seized the opportunity to experiment. I wanted to juxtapose raw walls with highly detailed and refined antiques.” ~ Steven Volpe

While researching Steven Volpe’s 1916 San Francisco loft, I discovered some older photos from the gorgeous book San Francisco Style: Design, Decor, and Architecture by Diane Dorrans Saeks. It’s a rare privilege to see a home develop over time, consequently I couldn’t be more excited to share with you the artful evolution of this remarkable loft. Filled with 20th century furniture, one of a kind antiques, and of course incredible art, it speaks to the designers love of the “unconventional juxtaposition.” His mastery of scale, color and composition, allow you to truly appreciate his personal collection of furniture, art and design. Thoughtful, respectful, beautiful…

above, The dining room as photographed for the book San Francisco Style ~ here you see his strong passion for 1930s and 1940s furniture influenced by his classical studies while in Paris.

below, The dining room as photographed for C Magazine ~ the interior features the same bookcase (designed by Volpe after a Georgian model) but the rest of the furniture and lighting speaks to his evolving sense of style. A 1950s pendant lamp in glass and brass, by Danish designer Alf Johannsen, hangs above a walnut and steel Hedge Editions dining table surrounded by a set of eight 1930s Russian constructivist chairs.

above, The living room as photographed for the book San Francisco Style ~ a Steven Volpe designed sofa covered with Gretchen Bellinger chocolate velvet, a pair of Maison Jansen forties bergeres covered in Rose Tarlow leather, and gilt bronze forties tables found in Paris.

below, The living room as photographed for C Magazine ~ the interior features Hedge Editions sofa and club chairs, designed by Steven Volpe, an unusual 1950s French concrete and steel cocktail table acquired while in Paris, and a rare brass-trimmed galvanized metal skirted table designed in 1976 by John Dickinson.

below, photo from Steven Volpe ~ I believe this is the most up to date photo of his living room, notice the Forrest Myers designed cube seated next to the blonde leather armchair…also, the floors have been sanded to expose their unfinished beauty.

above and below, I believe this is the same wall, notice the mirror is the only piece that remains the same.

above and below, A trio of contemporary masks by Robert Courtwright from the Jean-Jacques Dutko Gallery in Paris, the pair of forties side chairs in gilded iron were designed by Gilbert Poillerat.

below, A large scale photographic print by Richard Misrach hangs above a modernist oak bench designed by Steven Volpe, the leather upholstered Regence chair is one of the designers favorite pieces.

below, photo from Steven Volpe ~ I believe this might be the same wall as photographed above, notice the Baktrian stone idols dating from circa 2,000 BC, acquired from Axel Vervoordt, are the same but the bench, art and floors have evolved.

above and below, Ron Arad’s Oh Void chair, signed and numbered 6 from a limited edition of only 20, it is crafted in carbon fiber.

below, A white plaster sculpture by Dutch artist Jan Schoonhoven hangs above a 19th century wood block table, both from March.

below, An opaline glass and gilt bronze console table by Marc du Plantier, the brass table lamp is by Maison Jansen.

photos and resources from Steven Volpe, C Magazine and The Style Saloniste

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paris pied-a-terre

Located in the 7th arrondissement, in a prime location just steps from the Eiffel Tower, designer Steven Volpe and his business partner Roth Martin, purchased the perfect Parisian flat. Partners in Hedge, a San Francisco gallery of 20th century furniture and decorative arts, the pair travels to Paris regularly in search of “the jewels in the sleeper sales,” says Martin. Their flat is a true refection of their passion for great art and design. Take for example the unusually beautiful armchair (pictured above and below) designed by the Italian trio Grassi, Conti, and Furlani. Volpe says of the chair, “it’s transparent nylon-mesh upholstery, seemingly spun by industrious spiders, makes it surprisingly comfortable. You can sit in it all night.” Other striking acquisitions include an Irving Penn photograph bought from the estate of Richard Avedon, and a curvaceous plexiglass and steel cocktail table, circa 1970, credited to aristocrat-artist Guy de Rougemont. Attracted to non-iconic pieces, they are interested in design that provokes a reaction. “Breaking the rules often gives a room charm and makes it less stagnant” ~ Steven Volpe

There is nothing more telling than a designers own home…it is a personal reflection of what they find beautiful and how they choose to expressive themselves…I love that we have a chance to see how these creative minds work and for their own personal pleasure

above, The living room sofa is by Christian Liaigre, the armchair—designed by Grassi, Conti, and Furlani—is vintage, and the stainless-steel Rock tables are by Arik Levy; the Jansen stool and oblong David Hicks pillow are vintage, and the small pillows are made of a Clarence House silk velvet.

below, A Ross Bleckner etching, cowhide rugs, and curtains of Jim Thompson silk in the living room.

below, In an artful corner, Irving Penn’s 1976 Parisian Bog Mouse is displayed above a collection of bronze sculptures by Diego Giacometti.

below, In the entrance hall, a wall sculpture by Kim Chun-Hwan, a circa-1955 Gilbert Poillerat bronze-and-mahogany table, and a 1940s Italian side chair; the hanging light fixture is by Nathalie Pasqua, and the sconces are by Artemide.

below, A gelatin-silver photogram by Adam Fuss and 19th-century École des Beaux-Arts student drawings of floor patterns in the back hall.

below, A circa-1975 Joe Eula sketch of Babe Paley hangs above a headboard upholstered in vintage fabric printed with Picasso designs in Martin’s bedroom; the bed linens are by D. Porthault.

below, The powder room’s circa-1950 brass mirror is French, as is the vintage collapsible tripod table.

below, The Italian desk chair and Line Vautrin mirror are vintage, the mohair throw is by Hermès, and the bronze reading lamp is by Christian Liaigre.

below, The desk in Volpe’s bedroom has an Eiffel Tower view; the circa-1950 table lamp is by Georges Jouve, and the bronze disk is by Robert Courtright.

below, Designer Steven Volpe near the 19th-century Paris apartment he shares with his business partner, Roth Martin.

photos and resources from Elle Decor, November 2007 ~ photographer Simon Upton

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steven volpe ~ mastering the mix

I guess it should come as no surprise that I’d be smitten with interior designer Steven Volpe, his career began in two of my favorite cities, San Francisco and Paris! While in Paris, he studied design firsthand, immersing himself in European techniques, history and theory. After many years in Paris, Steven returned to his beloved San Francisco to open his own firm, Steven Volpe Design, as well as an art and design gallery, Hedge. Now, with over 20 years of successful projects, Steven Volpe Design is one of the most respected and sought after design firms in the world. Known for his unconventional juxtapositions, he marries modern and antique as effortlessly as breathing in and out.

My inspiration for today’s post comes from the December 2010/January 2011 Elle Decor that features a stunning 1880’s London home designed by Steven Volpe for Bita Daryabari. I was pleased to discover that this is not their first collaboration, back in 2004 they worked together on a 17,000 square foot residence in Atherton California and became close friends. I thought it would be interesting to feature both homes, starting with their first project, the Atherton residence. Dramatic and worldly, it mixes old and new but with unexpected twists and turns. Notice (below) the large scale amethyst glass chandelier hanging above a George III antique dining table and Louis XVI walnut side chairs. The room reads rather traditional without the chandelier but with it, there is drama, texture, rich color and glamour. The antiques are given new life and the room transforms into a work of art.

Please enjoy these revolutionary interiors…a study in how to master the mix

above and below, photos from California Style Winter 2009/2010

below, photos from Elle Decor December 2010/January 2011

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