Ornate moldings, an antique door and global chic accessories such as, African masks and a Moroccan puff are ideal ways to end the day. I hope you’re having an excellent week.
A Lalanne desk
Many people would argue that the word ‘classic’ can only be given to furniture influenced by or, created at a specific style period. I think classic furniture can also be what does not go out of style and what is coveted and pursued by collectors or design aficionados worldwide, be that art or furniture. François-Xavier and Claude Lalanne’s furniture fall into those two categories; they’re art and furniture at the same time. Pretty much every design lover has seen those lovely whimsical sheep made out of bronze and wool as well as the impressive surrealist rhinoceros desk or bars designed by the deceased François-Xavier Lalanne. Claude, Lalanne’s wife, designed beautiful botanical-inspired furniture. Even when the husband and wife duo started creating sculptures in the late 1950’s, their fantastic and innovative work does not represent the 50’s style but a unique style of their own.
If you live in Coral Gables, FL Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is currently having the U.S.’s largest outdoor exhibition of Lalanne’s sculptors through May 31st.
Architectural Digest Spain
After posting about fabulous showers covered in marble, only a fabulous display of Hermes boxes would equal that. I remember the shower of Kevin Sharkey (last image below) filled up with Hermes boxes and how a little bit excessive I found it at first but then I thought well
“To whom God gave it, may Saint Peter bless it“.
“To whom God gave it, may Saint Peter bless it“.
Herve Pierre
Domino
Diane von Furstenberg Paris apartment
Kevin Sharkey
Steven Gambrel via Elle Decor
Remember my dilemma with not having enough space for a deep bathtub in our master bathroom. Well, after I figured out how to make it work (by replacing the adjacent bathroom’s door by a pocket door and taking over 5 inches); I sat down and thought why all the hustle and bustle for a bathtub that is not going to be deeper than 17 inches? Unfortunately bathtubs start getting deeper after 6′. So I decided for a shower instead with a wooden bench to sit on and give myself my own pedicure. That’s what we have right now anyway and it’s worked pretty well. It’ll only be a lot nicer. All these images are more than inspirational and even our bathroom won’t be lined in Onyx or in any of those one-of-a kind marbles that Kelly Wearstler seem to love; I’ll let you know later what I’ll use. I also love all the glass doors in these showers. Steven Gambrel (above) via Elle Decor seems to favor travertine marble for the showers he designs.
Kate Spades is my kind of girl because she rather have bigger common spaces like a living room, library and bedroom than bigger baths. I prefer that too. The spacious shower below also found at Elle Decor is like a personal gym also.
In this bathroom designed by Nathan Egan the walls are covered in marble and the floor seem to be covered with penny or hexagon marble tiles.
The basketweave floor tiles have no competition because of the use of lucite/acrylic legs as sink base.
A complete covered shower in onyx.
David Jimenez used white subway tiles on the walls and marble mosaic on the floor in this all white bathroom.
I’m afraid of heights. Any floor above 6 will give me the creeps. But this Kitchen, designed by Carlos Aparicio on the 76th floor of a new building, surprises me to my core by how much I like it. Being in a modern architecture with steel windows that go up to the ceiling, but it’s yet cozy and warm. I’m sure Aparicio was looking to get that effect when he opted for limed-oak wall paneling and cabinetry. The thoughtful touch of textured travertine on the island and counter top don’t fail either. I love that inviting little eating area and the work space in the far back looking out the window. I can imagine this kitchen towards the end of day to be filled with sunset light and me sitting in that eating area sipping a cup of cortadito while looking out the window. But of course I would be sitting in the far left side and only looking straight out front, never down.
Photo by William Abranowicz for Architectural Digest.
I’m pretty sure many of you have already seen one or two of these images here and there. The more than spectacular apartment of Francisco Costa, Calving Klein Creative Director, and partner John De Stefano was featured in the NY times magazine way back. The couple used a “gentlemanly restraint” approach somehow a mixture of masculine and minimalist with some unique pieces. The apartment is painted in different shades of gray throughout, including doors making them seemless. The bedroom is covered in seagrass wallpaper with accents of black, brass, and browns, which gives the room an aura of subtle glamour.
It’s very interesting to see how the over-scale horse photograph, being so powerful as it is, does not overpower the vibe. I love that room. The bookshelves (below) have been a favorite of the blogsphere ever since and no wonder why, the muted colors here, again blending greatly. Notice the Greek key border on the carpet. 
The benches are made of concrete. Besides the detail of different shades of gray and the concrete benches, I don’t really find this apartment to be minimalist, but hey if it is, then I’m a converted one.
Pictures by Martyn Thompson