Tag: Steven Gambrel

unusual color combination, pink and navy blue, Steven Grambrel

Nothing transforms a room more dramatically and for less money than fresh paint color.  And no, white paint doesn’t count unless you are starting off with a black painted room.  I love to see unusual paint color combinations that are unexpected and soothing at the same time.  As I’ve mentioned before there are a few Interior Designers that are exceptional at combining unique paint colors in a room.  On the top of the list is Muriel Brandolini, she knows how to come up with unexpected wall colors that are incredibly soothing and one of a kind.  Another one on the list is Steven Gambrel who can also create never seen before paint color combinations.  See for yourself, below are the most unique and beautiful rooms painted in one of a kind color combos.

unusual color combination, toupe, ecru and browns, muriel brandolini

Living room designed by Muriel Brandolini.  The walls are covered in a fabric she designed for Holland & Sherry in a color that can miraculously be every color from taupe, pink or even brown depends on the hour of the day.  She paired this beautiful color with touches of ecru, yellow, browns and honey and makes everything looks like a warm degradation of colors.

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We often talk about different interior design styles like transitional, traditional, modern and so on or sometimes we even pop questions such as What makes a home chic?… But there is a distinct design aesthetic that stands alone on its own where every piece of furniture and object from different styles and times fits in harmoniously to create the perfect comfortable and elegant home.  That is called a Collected-Home.  When I think of this ideal approach, the first designer who comes to mind is Jacques Grange.  He is a master at designing homes that appear to have been decorated throughout a lifetime of sophisticated good living.  A Collected-home suggests its owner has had a life well lived, is an avid traveler and collector, has a independent mind with a personality of her own.  These homes never look intentionally decorated, rather they look as a result of an accumulation of cherished objects, inherited valuable furniture and invested artwork chosen out of pure love by the family members…  This is a style for those whose eyes have traveled enough to appreciate the beauty of a distinctly aesthetic which speaks for the story of its owner.  Below are 17 collected rooms that shows us what makes a home collected.

Collected-homes, jacques grange AD via belle vivirMix and Match Upholstery  In this beautiful and elegant living room designed by Jacques Grange there is mixed and matched furniture juxtaposing with sculptural tables, brass floor lamp and dear objects throughout.  There is however one common thread, literally, between the mix match furniture selection.  Green and red quietly unifies the upholstery.  Clever.  via AD

Collected-homes, jacques grange architectural digest via belle vivir

In the library of the same home designed by Jacques Grange, currently featured in Architectural Digest, we see how a careful selection of collected furniture upholstered in different colors and patterns blend harmoniously together.

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Steven Gambrel has been living every Interior Designer’s dream or perhaps it’s more appropriate to say every developer’s, architect’s and entrepreneur’s dream.  According to Elle Decor Magazine, Gambrel has restored over six homes in Sag Harbor, New York, as a matter of fact the designer owns a home in the town as well.  Enlisting Historical Concepts, a firm based in New York and Atlanta, Gambrel restores and preserves these homes to their original states of charisma while adding the modern touches of 21st-Century living.  Steven Gambrel’s style with its inclination to masculine lines and strong contrasting characters, is one that can appeal to both sexes, especially families.  One of his many elegant signatures is the use of a darker color paint on the inside moldings as well as on the kitchen cabinets trims.   His interiors usually exhibit a unique color combination, as I pointed out in this post about Unusual Color Combination in Interiors some time back.   Sag Harbor has been my favorite town in the Hamptons for its laid back bohemian vibe and also because it feels more like a beach town where you can walk.  I can’t imagine how rewarding it must be to be able to buy, restore and sell or even live in one of Sag Harbor’s charming homes.

Steven Gambrel Bridgehampton living room, sagharbor belle vivir blog

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It should not take you by surprise the fact that Americans love to collect, thus their love for big kitchens with lots of cabinets.  European kitchens, on the other hand, tend to be smaller for the reason that Europeans tend to buy only and mostly for current consumption, instead of purchasing and freezing food for weeks.  Americans love functionality and comfort, Europeans love the simplicity and no hustle.  Kitchens in America usually have big room pantries where they stack up on all kinds of food.  On the aesthetic side, Europeans gravitate towards no upper cabinets perhaps as a reflection of their more simple lifestyle.

American Kitchen vs European Kitchen

European Kitchens

Have you guys seen the beautiful Chicago home designed by Steven Gambrel in the latest issue of House Beautiful? The interior design of he home is full of layers of color and texture. My favorite room is the library which is painted in a custom high lacquered blue. I love this home because it has that sense of glam and comfort in a very livable way.  Also the touches of brass throughout makes me want it even more.  As a trained Architect, Gambrel’s interiors always have exceptional craftsmanship. One of his design staples is the use of contrasting color application on moldings and walls.  A technique that in his hands, always yields a great result.

Steven Gambrel interior design blue library belle vivir blog

An elegant degradation of the color blue in this beautiful home library.  Below, the entrance of the house has a beautiful black and white octagon stone floor.

Steven Gambrel interior design entry way via belle vivir blog

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 Steven Gambrel Kitchen Design via belle vivir blog

Steven Gambrel is an Architect so therefore it’s no surprise that his interiors are so opulent, elegant and full of architectural details.   This kitchen takes my breath away and gives it back to me with the use of Indian mica as backsplash? or is that mother of pearl?  Even fancier!  The island is designed to look as a free standing piece of furniture, while the detail of the decorative hinges brings out the brown in the striped marble top.  One very characteristic touch in Steven Gambrel’s design is the use of nail head in his custom made furniture.  Very Architectonic!

Steven Gambrel Kitchen Design via belle vivir blog

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