Month: April 2012

18Apr

Characteristics of Georgian Homes: Classic Georgian Architecture

Today we are going to discuss The Characteristics of Georgian Homes.  But, first, I have the great pleasure of introduce you to Vyna St. Phard the mind behind High End Weekly, a blog dedicated to the highest standards of luxury lifestyle.  Vyna is a New York-based interior designer who draws her inspiration from culture, fashion, art, travel and nature.  Her aesthetic style is greatly influenced by the Art Deco style and Bauhaus movement.  Her daily posts cover everything from, of course, Art Deco, the luxury market, and lifestyle blogging.  Raised between Paris and New York she speaks perfect French and what I love more about Vyna is her bonne vivante personality and how easy going she is.  I asked Vyna to contribute to Belle Vivir and share with my lovely readers some of her extended knowledge.  Thank you Vyna for accepting.
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When my friend and fellow designer Julie asked me to do a blog post on Belle Vivir, I was thrilled to accept and be part of all the excitements and inspirations she create every day on this blog. I hope you too get inspired by these beautiful Georgian homes because they have long been cherished, and stand as exemplary homes of long ago and a perfect standard for progressive architecture of the future.  It’s all in the details
Characteristics of Georgian Homes via belle vivir blog

Here’s a quick rundown of the history of Georgian Houses. They were built in a style that was popular in England from roughly 1715 to 1830, during the reigns of the four King George. The Georgian style homes are noteworthy for their distinctive appearances and for the influence they still have on modern building styles which is why I’m especially fond of them.
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18Apr

Bettina Prentice at home

New York City apartments tend to run small and people sometimes have no other choice than stuff it all up with everything they need to live in it.  That’s not the case with Bettina Prentice, founder and owner of Prentice Art Communications.  She recently relocated to a spacious 1,800 square-foot apartment which she shares with her husband.  The apartment was featured in APT with LSD in vogue.com and the couple decorated it with a pretty relaxed atmosphere and lively colors.  Enjoy!.

 images via Vogue.com
16Apr

Food for Thought & A Thank You

“Don’t  do unto others what you don’t want others do unto you.”  GOD

I want to thank the sweet Ada from Classic for hosting an awesome giveaway, which I’m happy to have won.   
Image via House and Home 
13Apr

The House Hotel in Istanbul

The ornate facade of The House Hotel in Istanbul

One thing that inspires me the most is Architecture, especially seeing how different countries interpret it while injecting their own personalities.  I think that is extremely smart and I’m so happy that that’s being the case.  The House Hotel in the hip Beyoğlu area of Istanbul was renovated in 2010 and Autoban, the firm responsible, preserved the 1890’s building by keeping its structure as untouched as possible and also maintaining its beautiful parquet floors, hexagon coffered ceilings, boiseries, and Mosaic.

Part of the ceiling of this hotel is a hexagon coffered ceiling which is repeated on some areas of the floors.  Please note how the small sconces have the room numbers on them which then reflect on the walls.  How cool!

If it weren’t for the glass table the size of this room would be perfect for kids to play around.  The beam ceiling is loudly calling my name.

The white curvy side table works as a space for the eye to rest from the rectilinear of the elaborate boiseries and headboard.  Love the scale of the lamp and the simple detail of the brassy dove on the wall.

The TV of course had to be white.  If I live in Istanbul one day, cross your fingers, I’ll be knocking the doors of Autoban.

Love, love the excess of molding and the appliques used to make the boiseries.  Everything is about continuity in this hallway.

In the bathrooms hexagon shaped mirror again mirrors the ceiling.  The two leg sink, by the way, deserves a post of its own. 

In both images above we can see clearly how beautiful architecture does not need much to reign.  Someone said that a good room should be able to look beautiful naked.  I agree!

Apparently the hotel has a “butler” style service but I would much rather be at the roof top enjoying a delicious Turkish breakfast overlooking The Galata tower.
images from Autoban and THH
To Rome with love: Palazao Margherita
11Apr

New York 20th Century Art and Design Fair

From Friday, 13th through Sunday 15th the tent at Lincoln Center in Damrosch Park will transform from hosting the glamour of NY Fashion Week to hosting the glamour of mid-20th century style furniture and art.  The inaugural New York 20th Century Art and Design Fair will showcase the best in 20th century art and design from 36 premier dealers all from 1stdibs.  This exquisite Fair will kick off with an early buying preview party on Thursday, April 12th.  The preview will benefit the Bard Graduate Center: Decorative Arts, Design History, Material Culture.  I’m looking forward to being at the preview party and get to see the curated selection of furniture, ceramics, textiles, furniture and lighting among others.  Enjoy!