Tag: Interior Design

30Jul

Myrtle Topiaries: The Artistic Elegance of Topiaries

topiaries, Julie Paulino Design
Myrtle topiaries, topiaries, Julie Paulino Design

Myrtle and boxwood topiaries inside our fireplace at our home. Julie Paulino Design

Last week I had a photoshoot at our house for a local publication.  I wanted to photograph the area around our fireplace, but alas, it’s summer so turning on the fire was out of the question.  After a couple of days brainstorming about how to make a black hole, a big one, in this case, look good enough for a photoshoot, a lightbulb went on, and a picture of myrtle potted topiaries and boxwood topiaries inside the fireplace came spinning into my head.  The result was more than satisfying, transforming an empty rather cold space into a warm and charming one.  Myrtle topiaries can add that understated elegance to any area adding that soothing character to a home or garden. 

Myrtle topiaries, Julie Paulino Design

Initially, I thought of using a few flower arrangements, but they would have gotten lost or distracted the entire ensemble.  I was lucky to find what I was looking for, two tall double topiaries and two small rounded boxwoods to create different heights.  The two double balls are Myrtle topiaries that can live inside and hopefully last year round if we take good care of them.  The smaller rounded boxwoods are evergreen that later on, we’ll transplant outside.  The dense evergreen leaves are meant to withstand cold weather, and they are a favorite for shaping into different shapes of topiaries since ancient times.  Below, a few options of potted topiaries to bring a bit of garden inside your home.

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12Feb

From The Archives: Peter Pennoyer Stunning Townhouse Transformation

Architect Peter Pennoyer transformed this 1857 New York City townhouse after the interior has been altered too many times.  The building or the townhouse is a four-floor Italianate redbrick building in Greenwich Village which had been previously converted into separate apartments and as a consequence many of its original features and layout had been removed.  The owner of the townhouse enlisted Architect Peter Pennoyer for the major undertaking of the Interior Architecture and Shawn Henderson for the Interior Design.  Pennoyer is known for his elegant classic aesthetic “I usually like to keep the old materials, the beams, at least,” the architect says. “But this was unsalvageable.”  as told to AD.  And so it all began on a three year renovation project to restore the single family home and bring it back to its original beauty.  The serpentine staircase illuminated by a skyline is the master piece of the renovation and it was further embellished with subtle texture and flecks of silver leaf added by Henderson over its white plaster walls.  To see the before pictures of this impressive transformation go here.

Peter Peter Pennoyer livingroom Shawn Henderson

This living room is the epitome of glamour, from the color scheme and the art work to the furniture selection.

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05Feb

From the Archives of Interior Design: Lynn Nesbit’s Transitional Home

Lynn Nesbit’s home was published a few years ago in Elle Decor and the marvelous thing is that it could be a home ready to be published next month.  No need to change anything in the decor.  That is what transitional style in Interior Design should grant.  The apartment was designed by Courtney Coleman and Bill Brockschmidt and the mixture in the design is timeless as a result of the use of different styles of furniture from different parts of the world. Chinese table, French and English chairs harmoniously live with modern art and exotic accessories.
Lynn Nesbit's home, transitional style in Interior Design, livingroom 2 via belle vivir interior design blog

The use of a bold colorful fabric on the klismos-style chairs help take away form the formality found in the rest of the antique pieces.

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22Jan

White Plaster Chandelier and Accessories for the Home

Although a white plaster chandelier is very au courant and very frequently used lately, it’s far from being a trend.  It would actually be quite silly to think otherwise.  These chalky white plaster chandeliers or plaster home accessories have been around for quite some time perhaps as back as 1930’s when Alberto Giacometti brought the material into fashion in Paris.  The plaster lightings we see today are mostly inspired by Giacometti’s work.  With the help of his brother Diego, Alberto created beautiful and understated home accessories made out of plaster and or bronze.  Giacometti created various kinds of home accessories from table lamps, sconces and fireplace mantles in plaster.  Often creating pieces commissioned by Jean-Michel Frank who used a lot of white and plaster in his interiors.  Another great reminder of the use of plaster in interiors is perhaps the most recognizable of all Serge Roche.  He created objects in stucco or mirror which were heavily influenced by the Baroque.  Roche’s iconic designs are regarded as one of the most recognizable ones of the 20’s 30’s and 40’s style.  A more recent reference to this classically modern use of plaster in home accessories would be the work of John Dickinson.  The very acclaimed late American designer from the 60’s and 70’s who created collectable whimsical plaster furniture pieces.  One of his very recognizable and coveted pieces is the African table, a great modern interpretation of the original African stool.

plaster chandelier, white plaster chandelier jvia belle vivir interior design blogeffrey bilhuber via AD

As beautiful as these plaster accessories are, they also evoke a sense of whimsy and fun.  The imperfect finish of the plaster provides these rooms with a more relaxed atmosphere, which is perfect for our modern days.  Room above by Jeffrey Bilhuber via AD.  The white plaster chandelier was custom.

plaster chandelier, white plaster chandelier via belle vivir interior design blog Nicky Haslam home

The home of Nicky Haslam in London.  How beautiful, whimsical and collected is his home…

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10Jan

Designing A Home Around Contemporary Art: A Habitable Drama

When designing a home around contemporary art, especially if the art is an impressive one, the house should rise to the occasion in more ways than one.  In this case the owner of this Victorian house in London owned a dramatic collection of contemporary art so instead of creating a home that recedes to the background, Architect and designer Shalini Misra created a home with drama just enough to not shy away from the art and with character enough to serve as blending element.  The result is a balanced combination of drama and glamour.

designing a home around contemporary art by Shalini Misra via belle vivir blog

A mixture of black and white play a protagonist role in the Interior Architecture.  The contrasting colors are beautifully used.  We can see them on ornate stair railing and on the Rhombus pattern tiles on the raised ground floor.  The transformation of the Interior Architecture was pretty impressive and left only to professionals.  Since the house needed to be enlarged to accommodate the owner’s art collection, doorways were widened to facilitate the view of the art.   The basement was dug deep to create an extra 418 square meters for a swimming pool, gym and spare rooms.  As well as the staircase was relocated to move clockwise between all floors.  This last move was inspired by Vastu Shatra principles- a traditional Hindu system of architecture meant to bring harmony into the home.

designing a home around contemporary art via belle vivir blog

How amazing is this impressive view of the staircase.  Beautiful white marble, velvety stair runner and ornate railing combined with an edgy but still traditional rhombus floor.  It’s a somewhat over the top interior design.  Though a kind you can live with thanks to the classic references and neutral tones.  I say, I’ll take it.

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04Jan

Cameron Kimber’s Home: An English Country-House Style

Cameron Kimber‘s home is located in Australia but after you take a look at it, it will strike you as a perfect interpretation of an English country-home.  English country-house style is usually saturated with all cozy elements.  Mostly rooted in classic style, steers away from stiffness and creates the most comfortable and charming of interiors.  Sofas like the kinds of Chesterfield, English rolled arms and overstuffed armchairs provide ease sitting options while natural rugs such as sisal and jute support the laid-back side of English country-house style.  We can also find oriental rugs.  A traditional color palette inspired by the nature of the English countryside is an integral part as well, shades such as yellows, greens, blues and others are found abundantly.  And who can forget about flowers, chintz in the forms of textiles and wallpapers are the cornerstone of English countryside style.  Either in the form of upholstered furniture or wallpaper, flowers and trailing are one of the main elements of this cozy style.  Such use of floral details acts as softener to the often dark wood antiques found in the English country-house style.

English country-house style cameron living room via belle vivir blog

It’s a style of living that allows us to live with the things we love and enjoy our home without worrying about ruining our rugs or sofas.  This is only because prints, patterns and natural or oriental rugs create the most beautiful patinas out of the daily tear and wear caused by our pets and kids.  Now, I think they call that a double winner…  “Things are beautiful and comfortable, and that’s really all that matters”  Kimber.  This latter a repeating mantra of Belle Vivir Interior Design Blog for years…

7 Elements of English country-house style.

English country-house style flower print via belle vivir blog

Informality

English country homes have an informal aesthetic and ambiance. Things are not taken too seriously… it’s the mingle of different textures and patterns that creates the elegance but relaxed atmosphere.

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