Ocean

Photo Credit: www.shutterstock.com

This bedroom in a tropical setting takes full advantage of the beach and ocean beyond. The bed and accompanying ottomans are positioned to not obstruct each other's view; and, the plants bring nature indoors. The sunsets in the Malibu beachfront houses are pacific and can be enjoyed from every room in them. Keep reading below for how to engage water views from the other areas in your house.

Lake

Photo Credit: www.shutterstock.com

Head out to the patio and place lounge chairs to enjoy the countryside. The redwood floor in this house gives the space a more rustic feel, but the hanging greenery softens it.

River

Photo Credit: www.shutterstock.com

The River Thames in England serves as the scenery for the small dining table in this modern house. Notice the custom-built windows that open with barely any effort to get out of either chair next to it. The perfectly-selected mirror has the waves of the river in its design.

From Up High

Photo Credit: www.shutterstock.com

An apartment is a bit farther from the water than a house, but that should not prevent the infusing of water themes. The beachy feel of this kitchen and living room comes from the colorful stool chairs and the oceanic tones found on the sofa and kitchen items.

The post Water Views And How To Design Your House To Maximize Them appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Laurent Parrault

The French luxury brand, recognized for its high-end and exclusive crystal products since 1764, found in the Illinois-born Abloh a collaborative and imaginative partner for the exposition.

The collection is made of a lighting unit, a center table unit and glasses. All pieces are numbered and have exclusively been "made to order" through the brand. Each piece was made in France, at the Baccarat manufacture in the Lorraine region.

Photo Credit: Laurent Parrault

“Working with Virgil has been an amazing experience for our artisans at Baccarat. From our first meeting, Virgil had crystal clear in mind and could imagine how these geometrical shapes would elegantly dance together suspended from a ceiling and sitting on a table. Our people in the Baccarat’s ateliers without any hesitation interpreted his vision and sketches relentlessly. Their unique skills and passion for perfection resulted in this amazing piece of art, says Daniela Riccardi, Global CEO of Baccarat.  

“In any creative endeavors, I am interested in collaborating with the best in class. For me Baccarat represents the expression of the dynamism of crystal through history and today. The 'crystal clear' line of objects is an extension of my art practice, expertly realized by the artisans of Baccarat," says Abloh.

Photo Credit: Laurent Parrault

Visit the Baccarat Boutique BBar and Lounge at Miami Design District to view "Crystal Clear" through the month of December.

Photo Credit: Laurent Parrault

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Photo Credit: Courtesy of Gary Nader Art Centre

Locals and visitors present for the Art Basel Miami during Miami Art Week will have the unique experience of seeing one of the world's most recognizable designs.

A private reception took place at The New World Center to open the exhibit, attended by 200 guests.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Gary Nader Art Centre

Remarks were given by Steven Gombinski, President of the Lincoln Road BID; Lyle Stern, Director of Lincoln Road BID; Howard Herring, President of New World Symphony; Ambassador Paul Cejas; Gary Nader, Founder of Nader Art Museum; and Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. After the speeches, attendees headed to Lincoln Road for the official unveiling of the exhibit. After, a dinner was held at Time Out Market.

The guests included Bass Museum Director Silvia Karman Cubiñá, music mogul Emilio Estefan, Fernando Botero’s son Juan Carlos Botero, real estate developer David Martin, Miami Beach Commissioner Ricky Arriola, Michael Comras, architect Rene Gonzalez, Jorge Plasencia, artist Soraya Abu Naba’a, Telemundo TV personality and host Azucena Cierco, among others.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Gary Nader Art Centre

Previous locations that have held exhibitions of the Colombian artist's outdoor sculptures include the Champs-Élysées in Paris, Yebisu Garden in Tokyo, Lustgarten in Berlin and Park Avenue in New York City.

On his own sculptures, Botero once said, "I never give particular traits to my figures. I don’t want them to have personality, but rather represent a type that I create. My sculptures do not carry any messages, social or otherwise. What matters for me is the form, the voluptuous surfaces, which emphasize the sensuality of my work. I like the enormous size; it is the fulfillment of my longing for voluptuous round forms.”

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Gary Nader Art Centre

The famous works of art to be viewed while enjoying the pleasant South Florida winter weather include "Male Torso", "Adam", "Eve", "Leda and the Swan", "Bird", "Rape of Europa", and others. Gary Nader Art Centre (62 NE, 27th street, Miami, Fla. 33137) will host the "Espacio Botero" painting, drawing and sculpture exhibit starting on December 1, 2019.

The post “Botero On Lincoln Road” Brings The Colombian Artist To Miami Beach appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of M.A.D.Gallery

“I’m an intense person. Everything I do, I do with all my energy. I’m also cautiously curious and very sensitive,” says the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based artist. “I want to capture my passion within the work, charge the objects with my energy and emotions, so observers can feel my experiences when viewing the work.”

With URBIS, McNabb uses his vast imagination and talent to create abstract fantasy cities that become a visual experience, inviting one to study every detail of his pieces.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of M.A.D.Gallery

The URBIS collection reveals intricate architectural structures imagined by James, from towering skyscrapers and office buildings to high-rise apartment buildings. Each towering wooden skyscraper is skilfully carved out with a bandsaw and then carefully assembled piece by piece to create impressive urban landscapes.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of M.A.D.Gallery

In the City Square sculpture, McNabb visually transforms a skyline into an urban block by inverting each tower in such a manner that the antennas are practically touching in the center while the outer edges are squared off. The composition compromises 102 unique structures in American Black Walnut. This contemporary piece measures 66 x 66 x 6 cm.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of M.A.D.Gallery

ACK CTY WHL bends a modern metropolis into a sophisticated sphere due to the precise placement of each elongated wooden tower. The gentle rondure and simplicity of the perimeter contrast with more than one hundred highly ornate superstructures arranged inside. The negative space creates a glowing sun that adds to the complexity and depth of this architectural wonder. This piece of 91 cm in diameter incorporates a variety of wood types, including cherry, oak, mahogany and maple.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of M.A.D.Gallery

In a similar design, URB CTY WHL maintains the round construction of ACK CTY WHL though the interior is modern with clean structures crafted from American Black Walnut. The streamlined design of this rolling metropolis eases thoughts and draws on a simpler way of life.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of M.A.D.Gallery

Disposition is a sculpture balancing a bustling city filled with distinctive architecture at varied elevations. The sleek skyscrapers are composed in American Black Walnut and assembled to create a 46 x 46 x 51 cm modern metropolis. One has a bird’s-eye view into the streets of this city on the edge, and it’s easy to imagine an uphill climb or sliding down – or perhaps just hanging on.

McNabb primarily used a bandsaw to create these works of art. Each one takes 10-12 weeks to complete.

“To me, it’s a very expressive machine, responsive to its user in a very sensitive way,” explains James. “I’m sensitive to how the material behaves with the machine, and how my behaviour impacts the resulting forms. If we (maker, material, machine) can dance together, the results are often beautiful.”

“I like to spend most of my time cutting the wood pieces on the bandsaw. It requires patience and focus as each piece is cut one at a time by me,” he explains. Once all the architectural structures are finished, James assembles each individual component, piece by piece. The entire sculpture is then sanded to an impeccably smooth texture and finished with varnish to enhance the wood grain.

For more on URBIS by James McNabb, visit www.madgallery.net.

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Photo Credit: James Harris

Collaborations between designers and design institutions, panels and lectures with experts in the world of design, architecture, art and fashion have made Design Miami/ a yearly pilgrimage for all. The trading that takes place in Design Miami/ has far reaches in the design industry, setting trends and creating new ones.

Photo Credit: James Harris

It takes place December 4-8, alongs the Art Basel Miami fair. This year marks Aric Chen's debut as Curatorial Director of Design Miami/, and second overall. His first fair in the role was this year's Design Miami/Basel in Basel, Switzerland in June.

Chen will continue to direct the fair’s focus toward the material future of the planet with the theme Elements: Water, a companion to Design Miami/ Basel’s theme Elements: Earth.

Photo Credit: James Harris

Design Miami/ 2019 welcomes 33 galleries and 14 Curio presentations from 13 countries, including three galleries exhibiting for the first time at Design Miami/, AGO Projects, Erik Thomsen Gallery and Galerie Scene Ouverte. This is Aric Chen’s second fair as Curatorial Director, following his debut at Design Miami/ Basel in June.

Photo Credit: James Harris

For a complete list of galleries, expositions, solo projects and more, visit www.designmiami.com.

The post Design Miami/ Announces Galleries For 2019 Edition appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photos courtesy of Linly Designs

Push aside ordinary boxes of candy and nuts, Bonnâge.com is taking the luxury gift market by storm.
After repeated requests from their high-end clients seeking expertise on unique, thoughtful, and beautiful customer appreciation gifts, Chicago-based interior design firm Linly Designs recognized a lack of options in the gifting industry for luxury, professional, and memorable gifts. Thus, Bonnâge.com was born.

Now, offering an array of housewarming gifts, corporate gifts, and thank you gifts, Bonnâge.com is an exclusive shopping destination for meaningful, bespoke gifts that are tailored to make a lasting impression. And knowing the importance of beautiful and functional home décor, Linly ensures that each Bonnâge box contains superlative giftable elements from all over the globe.

Photos courtesy of Linly Designs

Understanding the value of presentation and attention to detail, Bonnâge.com upholds the same exceptional taste and eye for design for which Linly has become known. Designed to be a lavish gifting experience from start to finish, the statement-making red box and hand-crafted bow will ensure each recipient feels appreciated before they even open their gift.

Bonnâge is a name born to roll off the tongue and has become synonymous with elegance and class. Similar to Chanel and Dior, the brand Bonnâge has a French influence, radiates sophistication, and is on track to become one of the top luxury gift franchises for professionals on the web today.

Photos courtesy of Linly Designs

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Photo courtesy of Taracea

In my challenging childhood where I often felt lonely or invisible, I discovered that I had the power to shape a ‘feeling’ for myself within my environment. I know this is very personal, but it is the truth. It is because of this very fact that I chose to become an interior designer. I can regulate the ‘feeling’ of someone’s space, I think that is amazing and exciting! I love the creative aspect and the solving of a plethora of problems, challenges………. whatever you want to call them!

Photo courtesy of Taracea

Our lives today in this era of fast-moving technology takes us away from nature. Constant connection to our ‘smart devices’ even thwarts our personal connections with each other. Undoubtedly you have made note of people in a restaurant absorbed with checking their e-mail or even being distracted by social media instead of having a meaningful conversation with their friend or loved one. I do not think that we can ever replace a hike in any natural space with natural elements in interior design because let’s face it not everyone can hike or ski or play every single day! By being thoughtful and deliberate with my design work I can bring a little bit of nature to every project and influence someone else’s wellbeing.

There are many ways as interior designers we can accomplish this intention. Some ways are by utilizing natural stone tile, pebbles, reclaimed wood elements, plant walls, botanical-inspired fabrics and wallcoverings, natural stone lamps consisting of real quartz crystalline bases, stone veneers on walls and so on. The ideas to nurture with the nature-inspired design are endless! At the end of the day, the key is to approach the design with careful consideration for the end user’s health and wellbeing whether it is a residential, commercial or health care application.

Photo courtesy of Taracea

‘I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.’ John Burroughs.

The post The Infusion Of Nature And Wooden Elements In Design appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Susan Rocco, president of Kitchenworks, specializes in providing luxury designs, quality products, and a design team who ensures each clients vision in executed flawlessly. While Kitchenworks provides exceptional designs for kitchens, bathrooms and other spaces, it also is a source for luxury appliances, ensuring its status as a well-rounded company. Rocco sat down with Haute Design to discuss where she finds inspiration from, her favorite designing trends, the most challenging space to decorate and much more.

HD: Describe the overall design of your home? 

SR: We remodeled our 1958 ranch home about twelve years ago. Even though we have lived in our house for over thirty years, that remodel gave us everything we ever wanted in our house. It's an Old Florida Style, with coastal influences like clapboard porches, clean columns, and painted cypress tongue and groove ceilings around the exterior. I would describe the interior as collected and comfortable. It's a paired down, clean-lined traditional.  I wanted our house to be a reflection of who we are, what we love, and what is important to us. It has an open floor plan with wood floors throughout, louvered interior doors, detailed casings and trim, light colored walls, paired with a blue horsehair wallcovering. This gives an interesting texture and is the perfect backdrop for colorful artwork.  We have detailed beamed ceilings in the family room and kitchen and clearstory windows that allow a flood of natural light in the kitchen.  We have a variety of comfortable seating options, and in a variety of fabrics- so there is a seat for everybody. The kitchen with the connected family room is my favorite part of the house. The cabinetry is done in finishes that will hold up to a large family and grandchildren... it gets a lot of use and abuse!  It's the place where we enjoy cooking, relaxing and having fun with our family and friends. I hope the memories that are made here will last a lifetime!

HD: Where do you find inspiration from?

SR: I am inspired by geographical design styles. I am moved by the different feelings evoked by each of these styles. With travel, the internet, magazines, we have access to an immense database that allows us to admire design as it varies by area and see what other designers in other parts of the world are doing. That is just so inspirational. When your clientele is diverse, the advent of being able to relate to them through a worldly knowledge of design is indispensable. A client can request a relaxed, coastal inspired kitchen and immediately, I think of the travels and images that transport me to that location and the can think of the elements that I can incorporate in order to deliver that same feeling.

HD: What are some of your favorite decorating trends right now? 

SR: I am enjoying seeing contemporary being paired with natural finishes and organic elements. Though it may feel like it’s trending at the moment, this timeless combination will never go out of style.

Also, we are starting to see the embrace of a paired down, traditional decorating style. It's clean lined but exudes the warmth and comfortable feeling of traditional decor.

HD: What are clients typically looking for when seeking your services? 

SR: Our clients are looking for the highest degree of customer service and individual design that reflects their own personal tastes and needs. They are looking for professionalism, creativity and knowledge. They know that we value quality and they look to us to deliver the kitchen of their dreams that they can trust will stand the test of time.

HD: What sets Kitchenworks apart from other design services? 

SR: We strive to provide our clients with the same kind of individualized service we would all want to receive when undertaking such a personal project and large investment. We know just how important a kitchen is to a home and to our clients, who come to us with the desire to create their dream kitchen. It means that every step of the way should be enjoyable and as stress-free as possible. We want them to feel confident through the process and trust that the end result will in fact be their dream kitchen. We are driven by personal attention, by a commitment to quality products and by a goal to excel in our professional duties. All of these motivating factors have kept us in business for over thirty years continue to set us apart from our competitors.

HD: What is your favorite space to decorate in any home? 

SR: The kitchen of course is number one. Nothing better than to have a kitchen that everyone wants to be in!

HD: What is the most challenging space to decorate?

SR: The living room because it sets the tone for the rest of the house. It gives the first impression. It's very telling of the type of persons who live there. The style and items they are drawn to, be it formal, casual, bold, quirky, sentimental, artistic, all of these- tell a story, typically revealed the moment you walk into the first main room in the house, the living room.

HD: Describe your designing philosophy in three words?

SR:  Functional, Inviting, Authentic

Photos courtesy of Susan Rocco

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Jay Z, photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Tribeca Penthouse

In the early 2000s, before Jay-Z and Beyoncé became one of Hollywood's most iconic and impactful couples, the rapper purchased a $6.86 million penthouse on the 7th floor of 195 Hudson Street. The apartment features over 8,000 square feet of an open floor plan with an additional 3,000 square feet of a rooftop terrace. Fun fact: the couple held their intimate wedding ceremony here.

Photo courtesy of realtor.com

Oceanfront Miami Estate on Isle of Billionaires

After getting married, the couple sold Jay-Z's Tribeca penthouse and relocate to the Magic City with a jaw-dropping oceanfront property on Miami's Isle of Billionaires -- an exclusive island in Miami's Biscayne Bay. The couple lived here for two years before parting ways and selling the home in 2010 for $9.3 million.

Photo courtesy of Pursuitist

Historic Church in New Orleans

Returning to the south and tying into Beyoncé's southern roots, the couple purchased a historic church in the Garden District of New Orleans. The property was purchased by the couple for $2.6 million in 2015.

Photo courtesy of Realtor.com

East Hampton Estate

The Carters first started out renting properties throughout the exclusive area but became owners of a gorgeous East Hampton property priced at $26 million. The property boasts over 17-acres of nature preserves and was designed by famed architect Stanford White.

Photo courtesy of Realtor.com

Bel-Air Mansion 

The couple purchased an $88 million mansion in Los Angeles' ultra-exclusive famed Bel-Air neighborhood. The property was the most expensive sale of 2017 in Los Angeles County, featuring 8 bedrooms, multiple pools, a basketball court and separate quarters for the staff.

The post How Real Estate Played a Role in Jay-Z Becoming Hip-Hop’s First Billionaire appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photos courtesy of Donna Livingston 

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It has been said that the perfect project for an interior designer involves a client with great interest in three main topics- art, architecture and design.  When this trifecta is achieved, great things will be sure to come.  Luckily for us, such a client manifested himself in the form of a dear friend with a stunning, beautifully restored Beaux-Arts apartment and an eye for strong and meaningful art- all that was missing was the design component.

Having a client with a “good eye” is a wonderful place for us to start a project. Their current possessions and art give us insight into their tastes and interests and allows us to develop a plan on how they can get to the “next level” with their home.  I like to think of these special possessions as clues that help us to develop the vocabulary that will eventually become a full blown design language. The enormous floor to ceiling French windows, Nero Portoro Art Deco marble fireplace mantel and intricate plasterwork ceiling in the “Millionaire’s Pattern” on the ceiling of the living- all original- set the tone of a space that is built for entertaining.  The client saw this potential and felt a connection to the space.  He already had a few treasured Art Deco furniture pieces, a start to a great art collection and yards of rare books but needed help pull it all together, make it comfortable and make it interesting.

This interior was not pulled from a catalog or shown together in one presentation but was developed and curated over time.  Our meetings were long discussions on balance, scale, appropriateness and what would add depth to the collection as a whole.  We wanted the space to be representative of design styles throughout the decades that played off one another and showed similar restraint in detail, attention to quality construction and possessed a certain frivolity.

A key item missing from the living space was a rug. A nationwide search was conducted to find a piece of the highest quality with the most interesting design that would be representative of “today.”  After sampling several full-size options in the space shipped in from vendors far and wide, it was decided that the best choice was a wool and silk hand knotted carpet from Turkey that was only just a small sample.  It is one of a kind and was custom colored to add saturated tones picked from the artwork just ordered for the entry hall and the wonderful Hungarian art deco cobalt velvet chairs they client already owned.

We then began our time travel and looked to the 1950’s to find an incredible Fontana Arte Italian glass and brass table that feels as if it just appeared from space to serve up your cocktail.  Chicago designer Richard Himmel’s c. 1960 Lutece curvaceous sofa gave  us inspiration to fully upholster the Bill Sofield for Baker sofa from head to toe in a Jim Thompson velvet, covering what had been a dark wood frame that looked a bit too harsh.   The set of Dan Johnson brass and mahogany arm chairs (c. 1960) received a facelift in the form of a deep indigo hair-on-hide from Edelman Leather. From the 1970’s we referenced Brutalism’s rustic refinement in the Donald Drumm torch cut iron dining table bases and cast metal candelabrum in the fireplace.  The deconstructivism of the 1980’s gave us the inspiration for the design of the chaise longue near the fireplace.   Its almost spartan simplicity of line is counterbalanced by the complexity of its construction, veneered in rare sycamore and upholstered in fabrics by Rubelli and Dedar.  Contemporary art work collected with assistance from Jennifer Norback Fine Art adds the finishing touch to round out this highly personalized space for our friend and client.

The result of this designer/client collaboration with attention to all aspects of the “perfect trifecta” was many memories of great cocktail parties, quiet evenings at home and intimate dinners.  The owner has taken this approach to the next project in his future- a steel and glass, modern home in the woods, where the plan includes incorporating everything that is in this apartment and then some.  We can’t wait for that phone call.

Photos courtesy of Marshall Erb

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By incorporating ideal designs including luxe chandeliers, rare sculptures, vivid colors and more, Beverly Hills interior designer Donna Livingston was able to create an open space equipped with natural sunlight and modern designs.

“My biggest inspiration for this space was finding a chandelier big enough to fit into this 22-foot foyer. I found the perfect lighting fixture after I came across this beautiful 8-foot antique chandelier in Bridgehampton,” Livingston said.

The chandelier, which alludes to an abundance of luxurious style ahead, adds the right amount of drama needed to create a grand entrance in the foyer. In addition to the chandelier, dramatic art pieces and one-of-a-kind sculptures were added to emphasize the design.

“I found bold art pieces from New York City and used a special center table from Gregorius Pineo to anchor the amazing blue indigo rug from Amadi Carpets,” Livingston said.

The final look resulted in accentuated bold designs, unique pieces, and vibrant colors to bring a opulence, character and originality to the space.

Photos courtesy of Donna Livingston 

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A palette of subdued neutral finishes and touches of subtle natural patterns come together to make a space that exudes a feeling of serenity and sophistication. This recently completed kitchen is an example of a white kitchen that can simultaneously be as much of a classic anchor in a home as the star of the home. It comes off as impactful but also relaxed, chic, yet easy-going.

Oftentimes, the reason for opting to do a white kitchen is because of its timeless charm. They are classic and provide a neutral backdrop allowing surrounding elements to pop. In South Florida, a white kitchen is complimentary to our bright and airy climate and coastal influence. This white kitchen certainly compliments its waterside setting while subtly infusing interesting accents and design features. It balances the subtlety of thoughtfully edited elements with striking details to create a cohesive tailored design.

Light floods the space through large windows and doors that can slide open to the outdoors. The brightness is reflected off the white cabinets and gleaming white countertops. Exquisite finishes add to the elegance of this kitchen such as the captivating rift-cut white oak wood accents, the Neolith porcelain surface having the look marble without the upkeep. Attention to detail defines the character of this kitchen with notable elements such as the statement-making custom metal hood and a matching "secret" swing door into the hidden pantry that keeps continuity with the cabinets.

This clean lined kitchen reads both serene- evoking comfort and easy living, and sophisticated- elegant and luxurious.

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Vanessa Nunez, of Nunez Interior Construction & Design Services is no stranger to elegant surroundings. That’s why a young couple from Mexico chose her to design their three-bedroom Jade Ocean Condo in Sunny Isles.  

Nunez developed her signature style as a result of her international upbringing and creative sense of aesthetics.  

Nunez Interior is a boutique interior design and construction firm that provides clients interior design and architectural services. ” The purpose of Nunez Interior is to provide clients with interior design services for high end residential and commercial clients. We have a strong commitment to serving our clients with quality work from concept to completion,” said Vanessa Nunez   

The couple that hired Nunez wanted their Miami residence to be comfortable, stylish and modern. “This client wanted their home to be somewhat classic in style, yet modern, but not too fancy,” said Nunez, “they also wanted it to have a sense of minimalism.”  

So that is what they got. “We made this Jade residence minimal modern and contemporary. The walls in the hallway are covered with different shades of oak wood so they appear textured. It was custom made by my carpenter,” said Nunez.  

The result is a comfortable living space with warmth and texture. The sensation of symmetric forms was created by the wood paneling. The entire condo has a soffit drop ceiling to create a special light and sound system.  

“I utilized many elements that helped me give the perfect synchronization in time, budget and design. The cream Limestone flooring was installed in all the common areas, changing into hard wood in the master and guest rooms, with carpet in the children’s rooms.  

The open kitchen also has dark wood paneling in order to keep a uniform flow from room to room. The cabinets were made in dark Oak wood and the kitchen has modern minimalist lines. The countertops are made of off-white quartz gives an elegance touch of European look.   

The master bedroom was designed with simplicity and elegance, to make the room savvy yet classy Nunez used Crocodile wall paper. To create a comfort level and simplicity she designed a custom-made bedroom set and wood wall unit. “The idea was to make every space a special area for them to live,” she said. “We used glass doors are costume made in all bedrooms.”  

The furnishing from Fendi Casa provided a fantastic leather and watermark fabric back rest couch. There are also two club chairs and a spectacular area rug in the same natural color. Violet pillows and Murano glass accessories were used for accent colors.  

“A spectacular amber Murano glass side tables give the final touch,” said Nunez. “In the living room we used a Kenzo Maison zebra wood coffee table and matching side tables.  All light fixtures are the gorgeous chandelier on top of the dining table was crafted by an Italian artisan.”  

There is also modern contemporary art on the walls from local artists - adding elegance and a chromatic touch.  

The children’s rooms have tan wool carpeted floors and custom-made (and designed) furniture by Nunez Interior. They also made sure the design and products in the children’s rooms is child safe, user friendly and ergonomically designed.  

The furnishing in the balconies is sweeping with Sunbrella fabric and the planters area has an automatic floral watering system  

The automated technical system was one of their key requirements. To accomplish this, every room can be remotely controlled from one control system. The Lutron window treatments, the Apple TV’s, the sound and the lighting are kept in one tower, with the equipment hidden from view.  

“From the beginning to the end an empty space was completely re- designed to satisfy this charming young family. The Jade Ocean property in Sunny Isles Beach is a prestigious condominium designed by Uruguayan designer Carlos Otto and we wanted to create an interior that matched the beauty of the outside,” said Nunez.  

Nunez Interior Construction & Design Services - Vanessa Nunez, 786-252-5340, www.nunezinterior.com 

Photos courtesy of Vanessa Nunez 

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Sergio Mannino Studio designed the interior of a pre-war apartment in the West Village in New York. A 400 sqft one bedroom apartment, completely renovated while maintaining the original New York charm. The living room features the “No-flying Carpet” by Sergio Mannino Studio as well, handmade in Nepal by professional artisans.

This peculiar piece is modular with uniquely shaped pieces that fit together like a puzzle, it recreates a courtyard indoors. The piece is available for sale at www.sergiomannino.com or at our First Dibs store.

The wall lamp “Dear John” designed by Sergio Mannino in the bedroom which is part of a series of Limited Edition lamps designed as a tribute to the American artist John McCracken. The “Dear John” #1 is also available on sale at www.sergiomannino.com or at our First Dibs store.

Photos courtesy of Sergio Mannino 

The post Handmade Design Elements Revive This NYC Apartment appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

At the end of the seventies, Shenzhen was a small market town of less than thirty thousand people. By 2016 it was a megacity of 12 million, and its population rate has not slowed down since. China sees many urban inner-city projects like ours, but Shenzhen is unique in its very sudden economic and cultural boom and resultant young population, and we had to accommodate for this. The average person living in Shenzhen is just under 30 years old.

The biggest challenge we faced throughout the project was translating our design aesthetic into something that would be appreciated by the local buyers - without compromising on the Studio language. To gain an understanding of the aesthetic we were after, we visited several new residential projects in Shenzhen and nearby Hong Kong. We found that these projects were all characterized by a high level of décor; no white walls or plain surfaces anywhere. This is a major difference compared to the US and the Western world in general, where minimalism is often strongly favored across many design platforms.

Were we to adopt a minimalist practice for this project, however, we were at risk of appearing cheap or lazy. We began to understand that luxury in Chinese design is usually defined by an abundance of materials and finishes, with emphasis on stone and marble surfaces. Initially, our team found adapting to these unfamiliar design values quite challenging, having come from a markedly different cultural background and design training. Regardless of the design choices, however, our main priority was to ensure that the project was a commercial success.

After some hard but rewarding work merging these Chinese expectations with our own design sensibility, we managed to negotiate an attractive outcome. The final design was rich and colorful with an emphasis on marble - without being overly grandiose. All the apartments were sold long before completion at asking price or more. The client was very pleased with the final result, and so we were.

Photos courtesy of Sergio Mannino

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DIGITAL EXPERIMENTS

When the barriers between imagination and what can actually be executed go away true creation happens.

LIGHTING IS STEALING THE SHOW

Fixtures are either oversized, dramatized with additional elements, or intrinsically fun.

WOOD IN NEW WAYS.

Wood has always been used in furniture, but this year’s Salone del Mobile has placed it in a new light through experimentation with forms, processes and uses.

NATURE IS COMING INDOOR

Nature is a theme in several different ways: through the emphasis on sustainability and recycling, the use of greenery, and integrating natural materials.

SCALE IS EXTREME

Scale has definitely increased, whether obvious with chunky weave or displayed as an oversized mirror. Salone exhibitors have had fun blending scale in a way that gives everything a moment in the limelight as the gaze stops on each product

MIXED METALS GO BEYOND TRI-CHROME

The trend of mixing metals has been on designers’ radar for some time, but Salone is taking this must-do aesthetic to the extreme with metallic hues beyond rose gold and silver.

FURNITURE FOR “MY TIME”

Furniture should help us find time for ourselves, and hard-won moments for reading or chatting require dedicated spaces.

The post 8 Hottest Trends from Milan’s Design Expo appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

It is constantly evolving, exploring innovative styles, materials, and techniques for the manufacturing of classic décor that reflects modern designs. “For change to exist, you have to be willing to discover the uncertain, and Cassina has always been both brave and innovative in its approach,” said managing director Gianluca Armento in a recent interview with Haute Residence.

Known for renewing and reintroducing its historic pieces, Cassina collaborated with the Le Corbusier Foundation and the heir of French architect and designer Charlotte Perriand to re-launch the Casiers Standard, a revolutionary product designed in 1925, in relation to “the organization of space that had never been explored in such a way before,” Armento explained. It’s been updated in a range of heights, modules, and finishes to produce 18 options, suited for any interior space.

Limited editions of the LC1 Pampas small armchair and LC4 Pampas chaise-longue were released with Pampas hides from South America. These pieces are intended to honor the designs and travels of Swiss-French architect and designer Le Corbusier and Perriand in Latin America.

Until recently, the 932 armchair, designed by Italian architect and designer Mario Bellini in the ’60s, was left out of the Cassina collection for many years. It was re-launched as the MB1 Quartet armchair, a more contemporary interpretation of the classic armchair, with four independently made cushions joined by a large belt.

Cassina realeased "Cassina: This Will Be the Place," a monograph that explores evolving contemporary styles of living through five contemporary styles of living through five uniquely designed interiors.

With its 90th anniversary, Cassina released Cassina: This Will Be The Place, a monograph that explores evolving, contemporary styles of living through five uniquely designed interiors that integrate the insight and approach of influencers from various fields, not just interior design.

Armento elaborates on what to expect in the pages of the monograph, as well as how the luxury brand is reviving its name and modernizing its timeless furniture in an interview below with Haute Residence.

Haute Residence: With its 90th anniversary, the furniture brand has released Cassina: This Will Be The Place, a monograph that explores evolving, contemporary styles of living through five uniquely designed interiors furnished with pieces from Cassina. Talk about the book, what it aims to deliver, and how it celebrates dynamic designs of the last century and beyond.

Gianluca Armento: Cassina has always invested in experimentation and the exploration of ideas connected to interiors and design––it is part of the company’s DNA. The monograph is an opportunity to look towards the future involving influencers from different fields––not just interior design––who each explore their idea of how contemporary social behavior could have an impact on the future of interiors. For example, the young Chinese architect Zhao Yang talks about his approach, which sees a shift from the Western mania of building up urban centers, to a return to nature as a response to the uprooting of traditions in a society, where he feels identity has been lost. In the second part of the book, Cassina has identified five different themes that have been interpreted in five interior concepts. “Back to the Roots” features the furniture from our collections.

HR: How have interior designs by Cassina evolved over the past 90 years, as well as continued to reflect the brand’s original concept of producing modern classics?

GA: For change to exist, you have to be willing to discover the uncertain, and Cassina has always been both brave and innovative in its approach. Since the 1950s, the company has been exploring new production techniques, materials, and styles to create innovative products that cater for the living requirements specific to that time.

The concept of re-editing modern classics was born with the Le Corbusier, Jeanneret, and Perriand pieces in 1964, evolving over the years into the Cassina I Maestri Collection, with iconic classics by the great architects of the Modern Movement. The pieces, unknown at the time, were serially produced for the first time and distributed on an international level by Cassina, making them the well-known icons that they have become today. These projects have such value and content that they are subject to constant improvement to best meet today’s requirements. We are always looking for ways to modernize and develop classic projects, working in close collaboration with the official foundations and heirs of the architects to adapt to a constantly changing world.

LC4 Pampas Chaise-Longue

HR: Talk about how historic brand pieces––including the LC1 Pampas small armchair, LC4 Pampas chaise-longue, and the Casiers Standard––have been renewed with updated, more modern details, as well as preserved in their classic designs.

GA: The designs of these iconic pieces have withstood the test of time and are still great masterpieces of modernism today. To highlight the works and travels of Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand in Latin America, we have introduced limited editions of the LC4 chaise-lounge and the LC1 small armchair with Pampas hides from South America. Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand both had a strong connection with the local South American artistic and cultural circles, so this was a way to pay homage. The Casiers Standard project was revolutionary at the time of its design in 1925, an idea regarding the organization of space that had never been explored in such a way before. Working together with the Le Corbusier Foundation and the heir of Charlotte Perriand, the piece has been re-launched in a range of heights, modules, and finishes to create a total of 18 options suited to all environments of the home, including the kitchen and office

MB1 Quartet Chair By Mario Bellini

HR: The 932 armchair by Mario Bellini from the ’60s has been out of the Cassina collection for years. Why was this particular piece chosen to be revived with new elements and modifications?

GA: Mario Bellini has been working with Cassina for over 50 years. This year, to mark the occasion, we will gather his projects together in the MB Collection. The 932 model, re-launched today as the MB1 Quartet armchair, particularly transformed the idea of the traditional armchair by making its four independently produced cushions, joined together by a large belt, the piece’s actual structure. MB1 Quartet has a particularly contemporary feel to it―it really could have been designed today!

HR: Before her death in March 2016, architect Zaha Hadid collaborated with Cassina on the ZH One armchair, a piece that will continually strengthen her legacy. Describe how the armchair blends the architect’s striking, bold designs with Cassina’s classic contemporary style.

GA: We are honored to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Zaha Hadid, such an important and ingenious creator. Her futuristic style is unmistakable in the lines of the ZH One, a unique reworking of the cube armchair. The design is a perfect blend of her aesthetic and our continued commitment to exploring new shapes, finishes, and colors that can dialogue with the modern home.

HR: Are there any upcoming designer collaborations in the works? What does the future have in store for the Cassina brand?

GA: We have a number of new projects coming up for Cassina. This year, for the 2017 collection, we have further strengthened our collaboration with Konstantin Grcic with the Soft Props sofa, and we have a brand-new collaboration with Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec that we are very enthusiastic about.

Images courtesy of Cassina

This story is featured in the Summer/Fall 2017 issue of Haute Residence magazine.

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The brand released exclusive new photography (pictured), showcasing the interiors of the residences, which debuted in June of this year.

Mr. C Beverly Hills collaborated with renowned architect, Ray Kappe, who founded the Southern California Institute of Architecture, to design the exterior of the residences. Pozzi designed the interiors as a complement to the architecture, with a blend of Italian furnishings and mid-century American and Scandinavian accent pieces throughout.

As a tribute to the Cipriani heritage, contemporary photographs of Venice, Italy’s famous Rialto Bridge by Italian photographer Max Farina embellish the units.

Glass windows and redwood and custom teak walls line five, four-story, suite-style residences––ranging from 1,900 square feet to 3,358 square feet––one of which is a temporary stay penthouse suite.

Through a private entryway, limestone flooring is integrated into the large entertainment room, equipped with a media center; while gray, modular sofas and white lounge chairs offer sophisticated seating.

Glass doors open from the living space to an outdoor area, with an enclosed hot tub and a terrace surrounded by greenery.

Illuminated by Ricca Italian lights, unit number 1257 exclusively features a custom eight-foot Carrera marble bar.

An open-concept gourmet kitchen, dining, and living room allows for a seamless entertaining on the third floor. Stainless steel countertops and dark gray Bulthaup cabinets outfit the kitchen.

In three of the units, a glass-enclosed dining room opens up with bi-folding windows for an indoor-outdoor ambience.

Encased in glass, wooden stairs––as well as the in-home elevator––lead upstairs.

The master suite on the fourth floor features teak wall panels, flooring, cabinets, and closets, in addition to redwood ceilings.

Floor-to-ceiling teak framed by Italian Ricca lights creates a headboard for the custom-designed California king bed, which is set on a floating platform and adorned with crisp white bedding and gray accent pillows. A modern desk with a built-in plasma TV above it, as well as a black leather Paul Kjaerholm chaise lounge chair complement the bedroom.

Every room is naturally lit and connects to an outdoor terrace, offering views from Century City to Hollywood Hills.

Spa-like bathrooms have a freestanding, white tub and a glass-enclosed shower with Fantini fixtures and are lined with custom limestone countertops, floors, and walls.

Images courtesy of Mr. C Residences

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Split in nine disparate categories, World Interior of the Year awards recognize the best designed restaurants, hotels, retail, residential and office spaces around the globe. This year, a little over a third of the 78 finalists hail from Greater China – four from Taiwan, five from Hong Kong and 19 from the mainland.

Back in 2011, which marked the beginning of the competition, Chinese finalists made up less than 10 percent, according to CNN. Today, Chinese entries populate every category.

MISA Studio

Among the finalists are Bamboo’s Eatery, conceived by Minggu Design, in Nanjing, the capital of China’s eastern Jiangsu province; Shanghai’s Jian Li Ju Theatre by More Design Office; as well as WJ Design’s studio for MISA, a tech company in Hangzhou, south of Shanghai.

The increased tally of Chinese finalists reflects the evolving affinity for architecture and design in the country, Tim Kwan, co-founder of Office AOI design firm, said to CNN. Since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Kwan said, new construction opportunities have elevated the emphasis on uniqueness and ingenuity, that blend futuristic and historical references.

Jian Li Ju Theatre

This is not the first time, however, when local Chinese companies are dominating the World Interior of the Year. In 2016, the overall first place was taken by a retail space in Hangzhou.

The 2017 winners will be announced in November, when the finalists will present their designs at the three-day long Inside World Festival of Interiors in Berlin.

Images courtesy of Inside Festival

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With a talent for math, Magel worked in accounting and software consulting. In her late 20s, however, she resigned from Pricewaterhouse to pursue what truly made her happy. From working with developers and architects, to owning a home and beachwear store, Magel found her forte in interior design.

Having just finished a $24 million residence in Sagaponack, wrapping up homes in the Hamptons and embarking on new projects in New York, Magel talked to Haute Residence about her craft, its challenges and rewards.

You recently finished a project at Sagaponack, New York. What house is it?
It is a big house – 11 bedrooms. It took about a year and a half. We built it from the ground up, with breaking ground, designing everything and including the furniture, it took an year and half, which was pretty fast.
I really wanted to do a European modern farmhouse. I prefer sort of European interiors with the rustic wood – so that was my inspiration. But I wanted it to be more beach-y, clean, open.

The house Magel furnished in Sagaponack.

What challenges did you face?
The main things were that it is a $24M house and it is at the beach. Making a house feel substantial and high-end without being over the top – because it is at the beach and it is farmland out there – I really needed to figure out how to do that. I wasn't sure. [I had to] really think about getting a luxurious product without being ostentatious.
The other thing was, I mean, when you are building a house from scratch ... You know, all of the tiles needed to be there, before anything else. So, that means I had to have some ideas for all 12 bathrooms very early on and I have to say that was very challenging. I didn't even know what I was going to do in half of the bathrooms. I tried to use classic tiles. I used a lot of Belgian bluestone, calacatta gold, carrara. I used a lot of white marbles and big black stone. So, at least, when I started building off of those, I would have a classic base to start with.
I just love natural stuff. In the house I made sure that I do not use any synthetics. I use all natural materials. Even in my fabrics, my threads, I do not use any synthetics.

What is it like, as an interior designer, to have been involved in creating the house from the very beginning?
I think the reason the house is very successful is that the finishes, the architectural details go with the furniture. It was a whole look being done together versus someone designs the house and then you have to come in and have to make a decision what furniture go with the look of the house. I think it is super important to have an [interior] designer on from the very beginning and I don't think people realize that. They hire an architect, they finish the house and then they bring a designer in. But for us to work on the kitchens, the bathrooms, the fireplaces, pick the floor, you really are going to get a whole overall design. I think that the main thing is being cohesive.

The house Magel furnished in Sagaponack.

Do you have a favorite part of the house?
I actually love the junior master wing that [has] the bathroom with the black cabinet and a big oval tub. I like that bedroom down there – it is very relaxed. I also love the living room – the fireplace is my favorite thing in the house. It is a form of calacatta gold and it is special. I just love how you walk in through the front door and look straight out at the back of the house.

When working on homes, what is your relationship with clients?
Obviously, it is their home and everybody has sort of things that they like or don't like just because maybe they grew up with it. I do a lot of upfront research. I make sure that they send me a lot of images of things that they don't like, that they like. But then, I really try to narrow it down. I tried to collect most of that information upfront, so that I am presenting things that they are going to be comfortable living with. It is a collaboration but I am trying to educate and narrow things down, so that they have some good choices that they are going to be comfortable with.
As a designer, a lot of it is about educating people. These are the things that we can do that stay in the realm of your comfort zone – whether it is budget, style, color.

The house Magel furnished in Sagaponack.

How would you describe your work process?
I think that every designer works in a different way. I mean, I have my particular system, which is collecting a lot of information from the client, images that I love myself to be inspired. Then you are taking into account a budget – there are so many details that you need to create art, basically. It is being an artist. So, it is hard to describe my process of how I get to the end but it is collecting a lot of data and then, sort of, deciding how all of that fits together.
I really, really use a lot of texture. I make sure that there is a soft fabric and then there is a hard surface – maybe a wood or a metal. Because I do not use a lot of pattern, I have to really be creative with textures.

Why don't you use patterns?
I am just not attracted to them. I like one or two in a corner but when I come to a room, I like it to be easy on my eye. I do not want to see a lot. I want to sort of just get enveloped into the room and I find that patterns can be jarring to the eye. I like it in, maybe, a dining room or a room that you don't spend a lot of time in.
But you know, I go through phases. Sometimes I am more into patterns than others but for the most part I am not a big pattern or color person. Unless it is an accent, I do not mind an accent of color in my art – meaning, one or two pillows, maybe a rug, but these are all things you can move if you get sick of looking at them.

The house Magel furnished in Sagaponack.

Are there any styles you particularly like?
I am eclectic, so I probably take little things from everywhere. I am taking little bits and pieces from anything that I like.

Do you have a favorite project ever?
Not really a favorite. I love them all. I get very, very involved when I am doing a project. This [last] one was amazing because I didn't really have a client. I got to do what I wanted to do and I think you can really see that. But I like all my projects. At the time I am doing them, they are always my favorite. And then I move on to the next one.

How do you combine luxury with the intimate and everyday that form somebody’s home?
I think you can do very beautiful architecture and lighting and get the glamour and get the wow. But then, I want to make a home feel comfortable. I want to be there and watch TV, right? I want my bedroom to be comfortable. So, you pick and choose the rooms where you want to have that wow factor and also lighting. I think that lighting can be so beautiful.
So, it is just balancing those two things – and I want comfort when I am at home. But I think you should find a way to be comfortable and still make a statement and still have pieces that are wow factors in the room.

The house Magel furnished in Sagaponack.

You adhere to environmental and social responsibility – how does this translate in your projects?
Right now, I am just about to build a house that is very cutting-edge in regards to the environment and even personal health. I am building a home that is mold-free. It keeps the moisture out of the house, has a great air flow in and out of the house. We are working on using healthy materials. I think that our homes have got very, very toxic. So, right now we are doing a lot of research into building this next home that is going to be low chemicals.
I was very involved with a non-profit that was helping women artists create things. So, when we can we are buying back goods from women artists and overseas. The fabrics we use – we try to use as many as we can find that don’t have a lot of dyes, not a lot of chemicals. The same with rugs. It is a hard thing to do at this point because there are so many chemicals out there in our goods, but that is where, I think, using these more natural materials [is important]. We are working on a furniture line that is low in VOCs [volatile organic compounds that are emitted as gasses and have adverse health effects].

What brands do you prefer to work with?
I use a lot of Holly Hunt fabrics. I use Rogers and Goffigon. I love BDDW – they have beautiful furniture. Monc XIII is one of my favorite stores – I buy a lot of accessories from them. But it is different for every project. I also tend to make a lot of the pieces because I want the house to be unique or maybe I need a certain size and when I come to make things, I am able to create the bed exactly the size I need it, to do the sofa exactly the size it needs to be. So, I make a lot of the things in my houses.

The house Magel furnished in Sagaponack.

What is next for you?
I have five projects right now in NYC – I have a townhouse, I have two condos, I have a loft. They are all downtown, interestingly.

Is that a lot of projects to have?
It just depends on the size. I mean, if it is a big house in the Hamptons, I might take up only a couple of those. But five is a good amount. I have other things that I am wrapping up, but I am just starting five new projects in New York. I take on anywhere between two to 10 usually, depending on my schedule.

What things are you wrapping up?
I have houses in the Hamptons that I am wrapping up. When you are doing a big house, you know, you have a few guest bedrooms that still need to be finished or you need to start a basement. When you have huge houses, you usually have clients for two to three years and you have already done the main parts of the house but then you start on the pool house and you start on these less important areas.
I have a lot of clients that I have had for years. I have a client in the Hamptons that now just bought a place in Tribeca and so I am working on her place now, but I have spent years working on her place in the Hamptons. And it is great when you have [long-term] clients – you already know each other, it is a good relationship and it allows more creativity because the client trusts you.

Visit Tamara Magel’s website here.

Images courtesy of Tamara Magel

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Haute Residence: What’s trending in high-end city design?

Mark Zeff: New materials in the home. For example, using bronze instead of silver or nickel, or using painted brick in kitchen areas instead of painted Sheetrock or tile, which provides a softer look. Also, kitchens are becoming larger and more eclectic in terms of style. Currently, there is a trend of mixing a modern vernacular with classic designs.

HR: Is there an Uptown versus Downtown style?

MZ: The variation stems from a difference in building style, as Downtown lofts are able to accommodate larger art and therefore, lead to more forward design. Downtown has a cool, zany, chic, and modern vibe, which results in more eclectic and curated interiors. Uptown, the requests for interiors skew very glamorous and rather old-fashioned in terms of look and feel. The apartment buildings often dictate this aesthetic.

HR: How has your interior design has evolved?

MZ: In the last five years, drastically. My work has grown in terms of scale and responsibility, giving the firm more involvement from the start of a project. The hospitality sector of our business has become a major part of our workload, too.

HR: What is your favorite room to design?

MZ: Kitchens, pool cabanas, off-the-charts, technology-driven media rooms and outdoor living spaces, where I get to create environments that have a real “wow” factor by integrating landscaping and outdoor lighting with the design of the room.

HR: What are design rules you like to break?

MZ: I have been breaking design rules for over 30 years. In the ’80s, I used rusted iron for furniture and concrete floors in interiors; in the ’90s and early 2000s by designing dark, sexy rooms; and now building Blackbarn structures in the Hamptons.

HR: What distinguishes your interior design?

MZ: I take chances on all fronts: in my choice of materials, furniture concepts, and the proprietary designs for almost every aspect of the project. Inventing new ideas is how I enjoy this profession.

Portrait by Kristen Zeff

The post Mark Zeff Talks Uptown Versus Downtown Interiors and What Defines His Style appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Today, On The Miami River

For years, the Miami River area did not generate much interest: it was a working river, actually the shortest working river (5.5 miles long) in the United States. And because of barges and river traffic, it was also polluted.

One River Point: Two Glass Towers With Sky Club Connectingc

But now, the river and surrounding areas have been refurbished, cleaned, and new projects are being built along its shores. One of the visionaries responsible for this river renaissance is Shahab Karmely, developer of the substantial One River Point, the condominium tower that rises 780 feet above Miami and the Miami River.

Shahab Karmely, Developer of One River Point

One River Point consists of two glass towers, connected at the summit by a three-story glass sky bridge that opens to the elegant, members-only sky club. There is nothing like it.

Skybridge and Sky Club

Much has been written about One River Point, as two icons in the architecture and design industry have been associated with its mission, vision, and execution: Rafael Vinoly,the One River Point architect and Adrian Zecha, the hospitality and lifestyle designer of the Sky Club.

Rafael Vinoly, Architect of One River Point

The Sky Club itself is a unique differentiator in this significant urban resort. It spans 35,000 square feet, and is conceptualized to be similar to other elite UHNW gathering spots, such as Beijing’s Jockey Club, Hong Kong’s China Club, London’s Soho House, Aspen’s Caribou, and New York’s Core Club. The Sky Club will have three levels of amenities, including a 10,000-square-foot Skybridge Club garden and terrace.

Sky Club Exterior

Haute Residence interviewed Karmely about the original vision and ultimate finish of this extraordinary project.

Haute Residence: Your company purchased this Miami River waterfront parcel for $27 million. What did you see in the parcel that others didn’t see, and how did you envision this project in the beginning? Was it an immediate idea, or were you looking for a parcel like that for awhile?

Shahab Karmely: What immediately drew me to this parcel was its position on the river. I’ve always been a proponent of cities with rivers, which allow you to combine urban living with skyline views, with the beauty of water. Its unique position on the river is the only site that forms unobstructed views to the bay and the ocean.

One River Point on the Miami River

Also, its prime location directly across from Brickell City Center, which has been transformative in making the "new" Miami, was a great advantage. We were fortunate to be able to purchase the other two parcelsm allowing us to create a private gated park, which is the only spot in urban Miami giving you a curated garden experience in a secured environment.

One River Point Gardens

From the very beginning, we wanted our initial project in Miami to be a legacy address. To enter the Miami market, we insisted on having a site and setting unique enough for an equally unique building. We came to Miami with a narrow focus: we knew that we wanted to be on the river and within walking distance to Brickell. We were lucky this piece was available, and we transacted on it immediately.

HR: A certain developer we interviewed said that in order to have a great luxury development, you have to be both a visionary and an operationalizer. Do you agree with this? If so, do you have be of two minds most of the time?

River View Residence at One River Point

SK: I absolutely agree the art of development is having to be a visionary and operationalizer. Luxury is a combination of various elements that come together to make the whole greater than the sum. Development is very much a coming together of vision and aspiration with practical know-how and specific skill sets. To turn a dream into reality you need to be able to soar, but you also need to be able to walk through the mud when necessary.

Living Room, One River Point

HR: From a philosophical perspective, and in hiring Rafael Vinoly, how do you define his views of architecture as performance, especially as regards One River Point?

SK: When you set out to create something exemplary you should have courage of your convictions, but also the clarity of thinking to realize that great results are often the outcome of collaborative interactions. Rafael’s genius lies in his unique ability to see form, shape, and design in unique ways that are not obvious to others. He understands that architecture has to perform for those who occupy it and for those who simply gaze upon it.

Sky Villa Pool and Terrace, One River Point

HR: We would most appreciate some possible dates and numbers: When is One River Point scheduled to be completed? How many residences have sold so far? What are the price points, from the smallest residence to the Sky Villas?

SK: We don’t disclose sales figures, but prices range from $870,000 to more than $30 million for a Sky Villa. The completion date is anticipated for the first quarter, 2022.

Riverfront Bar, One River Place

HR: What is your favorite dimension of One River Place––the one aspect you would like to duplicate everywhere else?

SK: Of the many unique elements and perhaps the most striking features for me are the Sky Bridge, which houses the Sky Club, the glass oculus, and the loft residences. The ability to be suspended 780 feet in the air gazing out through 14-foot walls of glass, taking in those views across to the ocean, while surrounded by the details of the creative genius of Adrian Zecha, our Sky Club curator, is unparalleled.

Aerial View of One River Point

I want to emphasize that we go to great length and expense, in all of our projects to showcase and demonstrate with great specificity, exactly what the end-product, what our buyers, will call home, actually looks like and feels like. Whether it be choice of materials, or luxury brand partners or amenity operators, we pride ourselves on being specific, exact, and second to none.

Images courtesy of One River Point

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Penthouse Gathering/Eating Area

With demand for oceanfront properties that are eco-sensitive, beautiful, and becoming rarer and rarer, 1 Hotel & Homes recently announced the release of one of its signature penthouses for sale, #1610, a $20 million duplex.

Conversation Area

With exceptional views of the Atlantic Ocean, the unit is a 3,955-square-foot home, with 730 feet of outdoor space, and 12.5-foot ceilings. It has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half bathrooms, complemented by balconies on both floors. It is also the most expensive apartment in the building.

Penthouse Kitchen Area

Furnished by Rose Ink Workshop in collaboration with the 1 Hotels design team, Penthouse 1610 highlights ocean views from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows and sliding doors throughout and intelligently placed mirrored walls in the kitchen and dining room.

Penthouse Bathroom

The interior taps into a mindful connection between nature and culture, through a myriad of unique design details. Among them is a custom lighting installation, made of many ancient, naturally formed quartz crystals, arranged to form the Sagittarius star constellation, representing optimism, discovery, travel, and an exploration into the mysteries of living.

Penthouse 1610

Another unusual feature is an organic root sculpture chandelier, mixed with a vertical garden of Vanda orchids, all of which hang at the stairs, naturally connecting upper and lower levels of the duplex penthouse.

The Penthouse Residence pays an interesting homage to ocean living with unique driftwood furnishings, designed to create an ocean environment, with ocean breezes and sunlight, moving from room to room. The Penthouses range in size, from 1,694 square feet, to 4,207 square feet, and have custom Italkraft kitchens, with imported Italian silver travertine, white quartz countertops, Wolf appliances, and Dornbracht faucets, with trash, composting, and recycling bins.

Penthouse Driftwood Decor

Each of the 29 penthouses in this collection is unique, with every floor plan varying from the others. There are only 12 penthouses still on the market, and 84 percent of the 1 Hotel & Homes inventory is sold out.

Images courtesy of 1 Hotel & Homes

The post Eco-Glam: a Lifestyle Trend in 1 Hotel & Homes South Beach’s Penthouse Residences appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Lobby

The 270-room hotel is planned to be an exceptional lifestyle offering when it opens mid-2017. It will be sbe’s first hotel in the Middle East, as well as Wanders’ first hotel project in the region. Additional information about hotel’s design and entertainment features––including details on its eight restaurants and bars, nightclub zone, expansive ballroom, and a rooftop pool and bar, complete with a stained glass dome––were announced for the first time.

Stained Glass Dome Above Pool Area

Rise, the rooftop pool and bar on the 26th and 27th floors, is designed with black and white bricks, with an abundance of natural light that shines through the stained glass dome. This creates colored light prisms, and under this colorful sky is the pool area, which houses luxury wooden and crystal lamps, white leather seating, and wooden sun beds.

Atrium

The ballroom was also revealed at the conference. Noted to be the largest in the region, the ballroom is a space that can be adapted to suit extravagant weddings, award ceremonies, and other large functions. Brides may enjoy a memorable entrance in a 24-carat gold sculpted caged elevator that links the secret bridal suite directly to the ballroom.

Ballroom

“For the design of Mondrian Doha and everything we do, locale is super important,” says Wanders. “To create the hotel, we studied the city, we studied the people. We don’t create interiors, we create destinations, and Mondrian Doha is a destination in itself that needs to be discovered. Stepping into Mondrian Doha begins the first chapter of a wonderful story that unfolds and presents surprises around every turn.”

One-Bedroom Suite

In the lobby, an oversized gold leaf bell with a crystal chandelier welcomes guests, while in the lounge, a surreal white forest is characterized by giant white "Trees of Life."

One-Bedroom Suite Bathroom

Marcel Wanders’ mission is, in his own words, “to create an environment of love, live with passion, and make our most exciting dreams come true.” His chief concern is to bring the human touch back to design and to usher in what he refers to as design’s "new age." This new age defines a time when the visions of the designer, craftsperson, and end user are reunited. With the Mondrian Doha, Wanders' mission is becoming real.

Images courtesy of Mondrian Doha

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Richard Felix-Ashman

His vision for the project defines a type of technical fluency, ensuring spaces are both functional and materially balanced. Harmony of scale, tone, and texture are also vitally important to Felix-Ashman's style, something he credits to his London fine art training. The flow of movement within a room and the interconnection of spaces are fundamental to his design philosophy and have been operationalized in the Ten50 interiors.

Felix-Ashman's interiors at Ten50 are seen in the 151 one- and two-bedroom condominiums that reflect both the celebrated past of downtown Los Angeles and its contemporary, cutting-edge present.

Living Area, Ten50

Such an historic fusion of past and present define the urban resort mood and mode of the Ten50 experience.

Guest Bedroom, Ten50

The kitchens within each residence include Domus & Domus Italian cabinetry, Carrara marble and backsplash, a Bertazzoni electric cooktop, a wall oven, a Leibherr refrigerator, and a Bosch panelized dishwasher. Ten50 kitchens are ergonomically designed for efficiency and aesthetically designed for enjoyment.
The living rooms include hardwood floors that reflect natural light, provided by expansive windows. Residences feature living rooms designed to make use of space and allow for either a minimalist or an ornate design style.

The bathrooms feature porcelain tile, quartz vanity surfaces, Hansgrohe fixtures, walk-in showers, and Italian cabinetry.

The condos range in size from one bedrooms to two-story penthouses, with the largest spanning 3,575 square feet. Prices range, from the low $600,000s, to penthouses upward of $4 million.

Pool Deck, Twilight

Complimenting Felix-Ashman's balanced interiors is the exterior design of Ten50. This design also strikes a compelling balance of urban environment and outdoor landscape design.

Drone Ten50 Delivery Platform

Created by Lifescapes International, the outdoor area includes an entertainment area with a multiplicity of water-wise plant material, as well as cabana-lined pool deck and spa, barbecue grills, fireplaces, a fitness center, screening rooms, a lounge and conference center, a yoga garden, and even one of the country’s first drone landing pad (if not the first in a residential high-rise) on the sixth floor amenity deck. The drone will be able to accept packages from Amazon’s drone delivery service.

Pool Deck, Firepit

The landscaped exteriors areas include tree aloes, Japanese loquats, Kentia palms, and dozens of Japanese blueberry trees, all creating a breathable outdoor environment, with a diffuse flow of eco-sensitivity within the historic downtown South Park Los Angeles setting.

Twilight View From Pool Deck

Images courtesy of Ten50

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It’s easy to pick a design consultant based on reputation or one who fits within your budget, but to avoid “buyer’s remorse,” one must not get wrapped up in the hype. For example, imagine that you have the good fortune to move into the stunningly celestial Zaha Hadid-designed building recently opened in the Chelsea district of Manhattan. The first two completed units “preserve the futuristic feel of the condo’s spaceship-like exterior, with colorful furniture and finishes that complement the building’s muted interiors,” as described by The Real Deal. But what if that is not your aesthetic? The incredible designers who decorated these spaces, Jennifer Post and West Chin, are accomplished and sought-after visionaries. However, if you desire something less post-modern, warmer, and cozier, should you call them for a consultation? Perhaps, or perhaps not.

At Luxury Attaché, the nation’s concierge service of choice for luxury properties, the staff takes great pride in getting to know the residents of their respective buildings personally. Our clients’ preferences are considered whenever introducing them to a preferred partner who will meet their personal needs and exceed their expectations. The Lead Attachés who are design enthusiasts suggest a few considerations when choosing your next interior expert to create the home of your dreams.

1. Know Your Style

You know what you like, and more importantly, what you don’t. Make it clear from the start with the people you’re considering. Ask a lot of questions and allow them to do the same. Make sure your dream space can easily be translated into reality.

2. Consider Credentials

We always recommend professionals who can provide proof of being licensed, bonded, and insured. This is everything for someone who should be given easy access to your home.

3. Is Money a Non-Issue?

When talking to interior design professionals, don’t hesitate to ask questions to clarify how they plan on spending your money. Set parameters early on.

4. Honesty Is Best

Be clear and honest with your likes and dislikes. Don’t be bullied into a color pallette, furnishing, or art piece that you’ll regret later.

5. Timelines

Your time is important, and you want high quality delivered in a timely fashion. Set deadlines, and make sure they are able to respect them.

Hiring an interior designer to complete the look of your home by adding innovation, style, and comfort should be a splurge that you never regret. They are there to offer guidance and reduce stress. For you, that person will be a dependable resource, trusted therapist, and if picked wisely, a valued long-term friend. Choose wisely to live beautifully.

Luxury Attaché is the concierge service of choice for industry leaders seeking an advantage in attracting clients and talent. With thoughtfully-selected, dedicated Attaches, customized marketing programs, and advanced technology, Luxury Attaché has maintained a near-perfect retention rate for over a decade.

Article by Mark Hartnett, Director of Marketing, Luxury Attaché

Images courtesy of Luxury Attaché

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Designed by Stonehill & Taylor, the Barclay’s newest suite debuted following the hotel’s recent $180 million renovation, which included the redesign of its Presidential Suite.

The top-story, seven-room Sky Suite was designed as a tribute to Harold S. Vanderbilt––who was the director of the New York Central Railroad and a frequent guest of the hotel––with portraits of his ancestors and historic maps of Manhattan.

Intended to feel like a New York City residence more than a hotel suite, the Sky Suite reflects a modern interpretation of the hotel’s Federalist style, with a palette of slate grey, navy, taupe and gold.

"The Federalist style of the suite features custom-designed nods to Art Deco in reference to the Chrysler building, which can be viewed from the outdoor terrace," says Nikoletta Stagias, interiors associate at Stonehill & Taylor.

Within its 4,000 square feet, the two-bedroom, three-bathroom, suite is designed with more masculine details, including stone flooring; marble wall paneling in Calacatta Gold, Noir St. Laurent, Emperador Dark, and Crema Marfil; antique Persian carpets; and mahogany crown molding, bases, and millwork bookcases.

The master bathrooms is fully lined in grey marble, while the reception area is finished with red oak flooring and white oak borders.

Floor-to-ceiling windows offer exceptional views of Midtown Manhattan and the Chrysler Building. A squash court is located on the rooftop.

The InterContinental New York Barclay reopened in April 2016, with 702 guestrooms and suites.

Its redesign was a collaborative effort between the InterContinental Hotel Group, Design Studio, Stonehill & Taylor, Charbel Kallab, and Shawmut Construction.

Images courtesy of InterContinental New York Barclay

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Surrounded by native foliage with Seven Mile Beach as a backdrop, the 10-story building, a project developed by local firm Dart Real Estate in collaboration with SB Architects­­, will be the island’s tallest.

It will also be among the first LEED certified residential properties in the Caribbean.

“The most fun part about designing the residences has to be the fun factor with creating apartments that have a modern edge, but blend island life and exotic flavor together,” Bullard says. “It's like blending the perfect cocktail––keeping it easy, sexy, and full of punch. Comfort is the key to the Seafire, and high style completes the recipe, making these residences the ultimate Cayman abode.”

The Residences at Seafire’s interiors are designed with bright whites, cool wood tones, and varying shades of blue, intended to reflect the palette of the Caribbean Sea and local environment.

Convertible bi-fold doors allow for seamless indoor-outdoor living, throughout open living spaces with high ceilings and lit interiors.

Ten floors up, the highest point on Grand Cayman, is The Nest, a private lounge exclusively accessible by owners.

The Residences at Seafire, available for purchase for up to $8 million, are expected to be completed in late 2017.

Images courtesy of The Residences at Seafire

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Haute Residence: What’s trending among your top New York and overseas clients?

Geoffrey Bradfield: There is an amusing quote by Karl Lagerfeld: “Trendy is the last stage before tacky.” We don’t deliberately follow trends. Rather, we like to think we are in the vanguard, influencing creative ideas. My work becomes increasingly reductive with a persistent desire to distill luxury. There is no question that contemporary rules at present. Asia, in particular China, is becoming more aware of its art and artists. It is gratifying to see the country embrace its modern cultural identity with more confidence.

HR: Is there a New York style?

GB: The movie industry of the ’40s established an indelible image of Manhattan style for all time, the ultimate statement in sophistication. But the city has never been kind to the past; there’s a tireless hunger for the “new.” Today’s palaces might just as frequently take the form of sprawling, high-rise penthouses surrounded by a moat of security: The gatekeeper is the concierge; surveillance cameras are the new sentries.

HR: What distinguishes your design?

GB: Our company shares a vision of what it means to design for the 21st century. I have a fondness for texture contrasts, rich exotic woods, burnished metals, and lush textiles. We exploit these contrasts as a foil, highlighting the elements of one design from many centuries. As much of our portfolio is predicated on the use of contemporary art, our clients tend to be major art collectors and seek our professional hand in this regard.

HR: Do your international clients want to decorate their properties in New York differently from their residences abroad?

GB: We find our international clients, with few exceptions, want to adopt a Western lifestyle while in New York. They are inclined to opt for a contemporary interior that embraces the skyline.

HR: The design rules you like to break:

GB: I am not slavish about scale. I love the drama of over-scaled elements in a room, particularly art.

HR: Favorite color palettes:

GB: We are drawn to the cool or neutral palettes, which serve as great backdrops. However, we are not afraid of vibrant colors­––a brilliant orange, a punchy red, or a deep blue––but more often than not, as accents.

HR: Favorite room to design:

GB: Nothing stimulates my creative instincts more than designing a room around great art. Art can introduce pure theater.

HR: Favorite room in your New York home:

GB: I have always loved a library.

Portrait by Kim Sargent / interior image by H. Durston Saylor

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Designed by Morpheus London, the architecture of the five-story residence is influenced by the amber-colored, 102.48-carat diamond that was once part of the Russian Crown Jewels.

The traditional brick and stucco styles of homes in Chelsea are boldly contrasted in the design of Ashberg House, with black basalt and bronze detailing throughout its striking glass facade.

Softening interior elements balance the sharp, linear exterior with more fluid, organic forms, within its 8,400 square feet. Most of the furniture pieces were custom made for the five-bedroom home.

A delicate chandelier, named the “Falling Leaf Chandelier,” is handcrafted with over 140 glass “leaves” in graduated color to complement the seamless sense of indoor-outdoor living.

Spanning the entire first floor, the master suite features a series of art panels showcasing “a foliage pattern of hand painted silk and embroidery in pastel tones,” the property website states.

In addition to the home’s standard rooms and amenities, there is also a spa, a swimming pool, a steam room, a gym, a theater room, staff quarters, and a wine wall.

“Ashberg House is undoubtedly one of our finest projects to date, and represents a luxury residence unparalleled in London,” says Rickesh Patel, design director at Morpheus London. “The [diamond] theme has informed various elements of the interior design process and much of the bespoke designed furniture and furnishings make subtle references to the original diamond inspiration.”

Images courtesy of Julian Abrams

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Haute Residence: You have an exciting new partnership. Describe how your design sensibilities complement and contrast with each other’s work.

Jamie Drake: Combining my modernity and fearless approach to color with Caleb’s polished sensibility and skillful juxtaposition of historical periods. It’s invigorating to have another editor by my side.

HR: You’ve been described as the go-to designer for the billionaire set. What’s trending now for ultimate one-percenters?

JD: They request things that are unique and intriguing but insist upon comfort and function. The interest in commissioned pieces by great contemporary artisans has grown and grown.

Drake/Anderson's bedroom, designed for 2016 Kips Bay Show House

HR: Is there an uptown versus downtown style?

JD/Caleb Anderson: No, not really. Stylistically, both parts of town demand a relaxed sense of luxe, with spaces that really function.

HR: Jamie, you are known for a vibrant use of color. What color palettes are you working with now?

JD: Muted, cooler, steelier grays: charcoal, silver, gypsum, platinum, and zinc, accented with ethereal aquas, blues, and lavenders.

HR: What are design rules you like to break?

JD/CA: I believe there are no color combinations that won’t work; it all depends on fine-tuning the shade, tone, and quantity.

HR: What is your favorite room to design?

JD/CA: Living rooms are our favorite, as we always envision them filled with people, ready for a party!

Drake/Anderson's bedroom, designed for 2016 Kips Bay Show House

HR: What is the room in your home that you are happiest with?

JD: My bedroom. I find sleeping in a dark room to be sexy.

Portrait courtesy of Jamie Drake and Caleb Anderson / interior images by Macro Ricca

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'Liongate' Estate

He has been associated some compellingly large projects also: His update of the 24,000-square-foot Bel Air home, "Liongate," once owned by country singer Kenny Rogers, recently sold for $46 million. His designs can be seen at the Italian Renaissance-inspired "Hadrian Villa," a 12,000-square-foot suite at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. And his Macau projects include the Venetian Macao, the Sheraton Grand Macao, and the Conrad Macao, among others.

'Hadrian Villa' at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

The modern, luxurious aesthetic is a look that Nix has as his signature. In all, his vision avoids the trendier aspects of design, inclining rather toward colors and textures that last beyond the here-today, gone-today styles of the day.

Kirk Nix Bedroom

As founder of KNA Design, Nix oversees a staff of over 40 designers, deploying diverse ranges of design expertise, from architecture, to interior design, to furnishings. He has also created interiors for private estates and residences worldwide.

Trousdale Estate Living Rom

Most recently, however, Nix has moved into two new areas: partnering with Palecek, a luxury, eco-conscious furniture group based in the Bay Area; and Loloey, a luxury rug and carpet company based in Milan. For Palecek, he has created a new line of accessories, furniture, lighting, and wall decor; and for Loloey, he has created new rug designs.

Kirk Nix/Palecek Paxton Chair

Haute Residence asked Nix about these new ventures.

Haute Residence: In your residential interiors, and especially with the new Palacek dimension, how do you determine your design themes and language? 

Kirk Nix/Palecek Square Dining Table

Kirk Nix: I consistently feel like a diplomatic envoy navigating these waters! As from authenticated, Old World European interiors, to progressively contemporary environments, we are constantly developing a universe of new solutions. It is wise, always, to spend time with the client to understand what the architecture requires, what the end user desires, and ultimately, what they both need.

Kirk Nix/Palecek Living Room Detail

HR: In regards to your new line of furniture, did you feel this step was a natural progression for your interior design work, or was this something you had always wanted to do? 

KN: I have been designing bespoke furnishings for our hospitality and residential endeavors for what seems like eons. It was an easy transition to collaborate with the folks at Palecek to create 140 new pieces for our collection. A storied brand like Palecek has an illustrious history––once I immersed myself into their culture––it was effortless and fun to interpret it for the 21st century. The Palecek family has been enormously supportive of the work. I am honored to work with them. I am also honored to work with Loloey Rugs in Milan.

Kirk Nix/Loloey Carpet, New Oder 'Coup De Foudre'

HR: It has often been said that interior designers use a lot of more of their brain than others: You must be an artist, a spatial interpreter, and an architect. When did you know how to do these things?

Kirk Nix/Loloey Rug, 'Run For Cover'

KN: As a military brat from Alabama, our constant upheaval and travel instilled an early interest in the differences between each location. Yet, with each, the people were remarkably similar. As I developed an interest in design, I learned early on about the crucial nature of two influences: that of a building’s architecture and how that reflected the unique attributes of place and time.

Kirk Nix/ Palecek Lamp Designs

I truly believe that interiors must reveal themselves to their inhabitants as a series of seamless experiences. It is my job to ensure that client expectations are met, exceeded and ideally redefined. It takes practice and I strive to learn something new with every project.

Kirk Nix/Loloey Rug, 'Time After Time'

Images courtesy of KNA Design

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Woolworth Building

By the time Frank Winfield Woolworth was ready to build his corporate headquarters on 233 Broadway in New York, he controlled nearly 600 five-and-dime stores. He wanted his headquarters to be an elegant statement that would enhance his company’s reputation. And he got what he paid for, as the building, upon completion, was dubbed The Cathedral of Commerce. There were reasons for this: It was built in the neo-Gothic style, and looked very much like a cathedral. Ironically, the Woolworth Building outlived the Woolworth Company.

Woolworth's, 1960, historic image

The building is still an iconic silhouette on the Manhattan skyline, but it has now evolved into something new. The Woolworth Building will soon be home to 33 residences, spanning the 29th to 58th floors. While all the units are slated for completion in Fall 2017, Alchemy Properties, one of New York City’s leading real estate development and investment firms, recently revealed two model homes, 38A and 38B, that comprise the whole 38th floor of The Woolworth Tower Residences, with a private entrance at 2 Park Place.

Model Residence Living Area, 38A

Model residence 38A, a 3,282-square-foot, three-bedroom was conceptualized by Manhattan-based interior designer Alan Tanksley. Inspired by Woolworth's historic architecture, he used rich tones, offset by modern art, including works by Sarah Anne Johnson and Arne Svenson.

38A Kitchen

Alan Tanksley well understood the task of combining the early 20th century history with 21st century interior design, as he comments: "The trademark of The Woolworth Building is its extraordinary design and supreme craftsmanship. With that in mind, we paid microscopic attention to details and used the highest level of custom finishes, furnishings, and carpets at our disposal to be worthy of this iconic building."

38A Master Bedroom

Tanksley created a bespoke environment, enhanced by custom carpets by Martin Patrick Evan, hand-printed wall coverings by Fromental, and custom designed upholstery in collaboration with DUNE furniture. Special millwork was accomplished by the English company, Clive Christian Interiors. Three-bedroom homes at the Woolworth Tower Residences start at $9,575,000.

Model residence 38B is a 2,548-square-foot, two-bedroom home. Its design was conceived by Manhattan-based interior designer Eve Robinson, known for her regular participation in the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club Decorator Show House.

"The new interiors of the model apartment reflect the elegance and sophistication of the original building and elevate them to a modern, fresh 21st century design," Robinson says. "We carefully curated a mix of important vintage and contemporary furnishings and created a space that is not only forward thinking, but also timeless. The colors from the sculptural terracotta ornament on the exterior of the window jambs served as inspiration for the interior palette in the apartment."

Model Residence 38B Living/Dining Area

The brightly colored terracotta window surrounds inspired her to pair golds, teals, and purples throughout the home with decorative wallpapers by Trove, Philip Jeffries, and Alpha Workshops to reflect and enhance the natural light. Works of art by Jessy Cho, Curtis Jere, and Eric Piasecki, among others, are shown throughout the residence. Two-bedroom homes at The Woolworth Tower Residences start at $7,250,000.

Master bedroom, 38B

These modern, historic, and timeless residences offer a reflective combination of 20th century architectural history and 21st century interior design. Alan Tanksley and Eve Robinson understood how the past informs the present, and depicted historic balance through their unique design language and artistic vision.

Second Bedroom 38B

These modern, historic, and timeless residences offer a reflective combination of 20th century architectural history and 21st century interior design. Alan Tanksley and Eve Robinson understood how the past informs the present, and depicted historic balance through their unique design language and artistic vision.

Images courtesy of Travis Mark

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Eric Chang and Daniel Hellman at work

Now, in its eighth year, the duo's company, Hellman-Chang, still Brooklyn-based, is now considered to be at the forefront of the ultra-high-end furniture industry––mainly because of the popularity of their furniture with their clientele. Hellman-Chang furniture can be found in the offices of Fortune 500 CEOs, and in the interiors of high-end hotels, including The Setai, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, The Waldorf Astoria, The Ritz Carlton, The Four Seasons (their first client), The Mandarin Oriental, and The Intercontinental. Their furniture is also featured on TV and in movie productions, such as The Today Show, Sex and the City 2, and Gossip Girl.

Chang’s personal style, reflective of his design style that defines minimalist yet elegant, led to a collaboration with the men’s fashion house, Canali. He was most recently featured on a VIP panel at Miami’s Art Basel. But where you really might have seen him, away from the woodworking space, is on UBS. He is currently the face of UBS Bank’s international rebranding campaign that features business leaders in creative industries. He was selected and photographed by Annie Leibovitz for the UBS campaign and is now featured in print, online, and outdoor ads. In addition, he has been named one of Cadillac’s brand influencers.

Haute Residence spoke with Chang about his origins and furniture philosophy and Hellman-Chang’s plans for the future.

Mercer Cocktail Table, Medium Walnut With Brass

Haute Residence: Where were you educated? What were your first design projects? And what did you learn, from both a challenge and a solution perspective, about your abilities? 

Eric Chang: Dan and I were self-taught in design. I studied finance and marketing at NYU Stern School of Business and Dan studied classical guitar performance at Northwestern. But we both loved woodworking and have been friends since sixth grade.

Our first design projects together were some coffee tables and bookshelves that we built over the summers during high school and college. After we graduated college, Dan and I started building furniture on nights and weekends, and shortly after, we designed our Z pedestal, the first piece introduced into our line. In the beginning, we went through quite a lot of experimenting and self-discovery to figure out our design language.

Sternum Chaise in Brandy Walnut

HR: On your website, this sentence appears: Recognized as an artist his entire life, his innate skills in sketching, photography and bold design define the look and emotional themes of Hellman-Chang. Can you explain what emotional themes there are and how they are translated through your interior designs?

Avery Chair, Walnut With White Upholstery

EC: There are visceral reactions we want others to have when they see our pieces. We want them to walk around it, explore all the details and touch the lines. As such, there’s a lot of movement in our design, and a strong focus on negative space and the way lines and surfaces interact with each other and with light. While it all has fluidity and dynamic movement, there is a similar emphasis on a sense of calm and balance.

Lin Dining Table in Ebonized Walnut

HR: We worked with a well-known interior designer, who said that if you put on your design glasses, good design and terrible design are everywhere. She also said that architects and interior designers see everything from a different perspective. Do you think you see things differently from others who are not designers?

Nola Round Table, Black With Gold Leaf

EC: I can only speak for myself, and I do break everything I see down with a critical eye. I’m always looking at proportion, texture, color, and just thinking about how the way things are designed to make me feel.  More often than not, though, I try to ask myself what the designer was trying to accomplish, or what they were feeling or thinking when they were designing. Or more importantly, who were they designing it for? I may suffer from design empathy.

Z Ebonized Pedastal

HR: What are your processes in the creation of a great furniture design? I have been told by other interior designers that there is a sense of lightness and rightness when you have conceived and executed a great chair, or couch or table. Is that true for you?

EC: It’s all about how it makes me feel. I know that when Dan and I feel excited about a new design, others will feel a similar reaction, and we have something to introduce into our line. It boils down to an aha moment of feeling. At the same time, the core principals of our design still rely on proportion and timelessness to ensure it will never go out of style.

Tao Daybed

HR:  Talk about what you are you are working right now and what you will be working on in the coming year.

EC: We are focusing heavily on rounding out our collection with a deeper seating collection. This is going to include a number of dining chairs, more lounge chairs, and sofas and sectionals. We will follow that up with a lighting line as well.

Tao Loungechair In Espresso Walnut

Sofa In Espresso Walnut And White Upholstery

HR: What are your goals for the future? What do you want to do, in terms of interior design and furniture design, that you have not done yet?

Parker Dining Table

EC: We eventually want Hellman-Chang to be synonymous with everything luxurious for the home. So, beyond furniture, this would include lighting and then hopefully textiles and possibly hardware and accessories. We learn tremendously by working with the best interior designers in the world who are able to reinterpret and help us understand how our clients visualize and use our pieces, and that knowledge continually improves our collection. It would certainly be fun to use what we’ve learned to create a full signature Hellman-Chang environment.

Sofa

Sternum Chaise

Images courtesy of Hellman-Chang

The post Eric Chang on Co-Founding Hellman-Chang, His Interior Design Philosophy, and Future Endeavors appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Haute Residence: You famously designed the interiors for One57, perhaps the most elite building in the city. What does the very top end of the market want now that is different from when you did One57?

Thomas Juul-Hansen: While we are still seeing a saturated market of uber-luxury inventory priced above $20 million, the steady increase in the cost of construction and land is encouraging developers to create more efficient floor plans at a higher price per square foot, allowing designers to maintain the integrity of layouts, finishes, and amenities. The impeccable design we see at One57 is still apparent in many other developments, but as the market shifts, the parameters developers are operating within continues to shift as well.

HR: Is there a New York look?

TJ: Luxury buyers, regardless of the city they are investing in, all want the same primary features, such as top-of-the-line kitchens, well-appointed interior layouts, and walk-in closets. However, New York design typically showcases clean lines and simple, functional floor plans.

A bedroom and living area at 50 West St. in New York City's financial district offer Hudson River panoramas.

Design rules you like to break: Many of the projects we spearhead are based on specific planning strategies, so we tend to stick with a specific standard of design rules, based on the aesthetic we’re aiming to achieve.

Most interesting room to design: Bathrooms. I find that the more confined a space is, the more potential there is to create an innovative solution.

Greatest influences for your design: Nature. A lot of our work involves the use of natural materials, resulting in a variety of textures, colors, and experiences to draw from. Nature is never dated, so being inspired by it helps ensure a timeless design.

The room in your home you are happiest with: Definitely my living room. Because people typically spend most of their time in the living room, I always prioritize this space, whether for my own home or other residential projects I’m designing.

Images courtesy of Thomas Juul-Hansen / DBOX

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The three criteria are: commodity, or how a building or chair serves a useful function; firmness, or basic endurance, how the building or chair stands the test of time; and delight, how much the viewer or owner finds pleasure in the beauty of the building or chair.

The Porsche Design Group, located near Stuttgart, Germany, is a substantial example of a company that has re-purposed these classic Vitruvian benchmarks into a substantial sports-lifestyle brand. The Porsche Design luxury brand was established in 1972 by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, founder of the Porsche automobile company.

Today, Porsche Design creates clothing, Titanium eyewear, watches, leather products, and luggage. It has also created interior design products––kitchens, chairs, tables, sofas––all having the Vitruvian elements of endurance, functionality, and joy. There are Porsche Design stores worldwide.

The latest and most certainly imaginative evolution of the Porsche Design brand is the Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles, Florida. It will be opening soon, and is a showcase for the Porsche interior design collections. It is also the first of its kind with the Porsche Design name. Another is in process in Frankfurt, Germany.

One of its unique features is its Sky Garage system, a robotic parking garage, having 284 parking spaces for 132 units, allowing residence owners to park two or four cars right outside their unit. The owner’s cars can be driven to an elevator, called a Dezervator (named after the Tower’s developer, Gil Dezer) and sent up to the owner’s residence.

Dezer Development has sold 126 of the tower’s 132 units. But the good news is that the four-story penthouse is still for sale for $32 million.

The 19,000-plus-square-foot, four-level penthouse features full-length windows, 20-foot ceilings, and a private interior elevator. Arguably, the most spectacular feature is the in-unit garage, that has eleven garage spaces for eleven vehicles. The interiors of the Porsche Design Tower have been created by Porsche Design aided by Michael Wolk Design Associates, Miami.

The interiors and the public spaces combine Porsche Design dimensions of the old Vitruvian formula, but with an evolved, contemporary approach.

Images courtesy of Porsche Design Group / Porsche Design Tower

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At the forefront of the building, an infinity loop motor court circles an enormous ornamental bronze pumpkin, dotted in black stone––an original work of art by illustrious Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama that was commissioned for Sky

At the forefront of the building, an infinity loop motor court circles an enormous ornamental bronze pumpkin, dotted in black stone. It’s an original work of art by illustrious Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama that was commissioned for Sky, as were several other pieces showcased throughout the building. In the “Art Library” of the lobby, Kusama’s twin Infinity Nets paintings hang above the fireplace at each end as additional pieces of aesthetic elegance.

On Kusama’s artistic vision for each piece, we spoke with Fabian Lang, who is the director of sales for Victoria Miro, London’s acclaimed contemporary art gallery, and who worked with Kusama to curate custom artwork for Sky.

Haute Residence: Yayoi Kusama created several custom pieces for Sky. How does each piece align with her artistic style and vision?

Fabian Lang: While Kusama's extraordinary artistic endeavors over the past 70 years have spanned painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, performance, film, printmaking, installation, and environmental art, as well as literature, fashion, and product design, an enduring feature of her art is the intricate lattice of paint that covers the surface of her Infinity Net canvases. Composed of repeated, looping brush marks across the canvas, each of which leaves a negative dot at its center, Kusama’s nets suggest an endless lattice, conjured less by hand, it seems, than emanating from deep within the psyche. Forging a path between abstract expressionism and minimalism, Kusama first showed her white Infinity Nets in New York in the late 1950s to critical acclaim. She continues to develop their possibilities in monochromatic works, which are covered with undulating meshes that seem to fluctuate and dissolve as the viewer moves around them. Obsessively handmade, the Infinity Nets are endlessly self-referential and self-generating. The ultimate, immersive expression of her lifelong exploration of infinity, illusion, self-obliteration, and repetition they attest to Kusama’s singularity of vision, her tireless commitment and legendary endurance.

HR: Specifically, talk about Kusama's vision for the bronze pumpkin sculpture in front of Sky.

FL: The pumpkin form has been a motif in Kusama’s art since the late 1940s. Coming from a family that made its living cultivating plant seeds, Kusama was familiar with the kabocha squash in the fields that surrounded her childhood home. It was in early childhood that Kusama also began to experience the terrifying visual and auditory hallucinations that left her “dazzled and dumbfounded” by repeating patterns that engulfed her field of vision, flashing and glittering around her, a process she referred to as obliteration. It was after Kusama’s return to Japan from New York in the 1970s that she began to revisit the pumpkin form. It has come to represent for her a kind of alter-ego or self-portrait­­––part-organic, part-conceptual–– and occupies a special place in her iconography. Enchanted by their “charming and winsome” forms as she describes them, the artist has said it is the pumpkin’s “general unpretentiousness” that appeals to her. Kusama’s bronze pumpkin sculptures integrate many key aspects of her practice: the repeating pattern of dots, a juxtaposition of light and dark, connotations of growth and fertility, and the almost-mythical status of the pumpkin in her art.

HR: Does Kusama intend to contribute original works to other New York-based projects in the future?

FL: Having established herself in New York in the mid-1960s by staging groundbreaking happenings, events, and exhibitions, Kusama feels a deep connection with the city and was thrilled to be welcomed so warmly on the occasion of her 2012 retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art. A major exhibition of Kusama’s work, focusing on the evolution of her immersive Infinity Mirror Rooms, will tour the U.S. and Canada next year, beginning at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., in February 2017.

Images courtesy of Sky / Scott McDermott

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Now an award-winning professional whose eponymous firm has designed slews of luxury residences and restaurants all over the globe (including Bice restaurant in NYC), Delrosso is looking to expand his ever-growing architectural empire to include headquarters in the Big Apple—one that'll rival his majestic post in Milan.

We chatted with the renowned architect during his recent venue-scouting visit to New York about his design philosophy, key sources of inspiration, and what sets his company apart from its competitors.

Describe your design philosophy and ultimate professional goal.

When I am asked what I believe in, I say that I believe in architecture having the power to give spaces soul. What makes design special is the alchemy that emerges between the space, those who inhabit it, and the designer. Architecture can elevate the spirit of a place. My design style is very clean and clear, and not too "minimal." I also love empty spaces. I like to work with fewer materials, such as concrete, wood, iron, and stone, and focus on natural finishings where everything is integrated with natural light. 

Residence in Monte Carlo, Monaco designed by Federico Delrosso

Residence in Montel Carlo, Monaco designed by Federico Delrosso

“Pushing the Boundaries” is a metaphor for my approach to everything that I do. It's also the name of my book, which was presented by Gucci in Milan. It means constantly seeking that special thrill you feel when you break new ground and overcome your limitations. I think this urge comes from my passion for racing. 

What are your key sources for inspiration?

I am inspired when I am traveling—walking in cities like New York, Istanbul and Milan, or simply driving. I store in my mind what I see and when I get immersed in a new project, draw out inspiration from what I have seen and start designing. I believe in following your gut instinct.

Are there any architects or designers—dead or alive—whose work you deeply admire? 

I never had a specific architect who I really followed that influenced my style, as I try to be free of dominant influences. I can say that my personal design trajectory has referenced the modern masters, such as Gio Ponti, Ernesto Nathan Rogers, and Le Corbusier. 

What are the three most important factors you take into consideration when designing any given space or structure?

The location, the type of building or land and its relationship with the urban landscape. I design to bring out the "soul" of architecture, not for me or the client. That is my mission.

What sets your firm apart from other design and architecture companies? 

We design for those who share our philosophy of luxury. For me, it’s not about using expensive materials or following trends. Luxury is the feeling of being somewhere else without feeling isolated. We believe in creating private spaces that exude a sense of intimacy with the surrounding of people, cities, and nature. We collaborate with clients and artists, iterating ideas until we are confident that we’ve created a space that captures emotion and tranquility. A space must have its own soul. 

Are there any projects you have completed in the past that you are particular proud of?

I like to say the next one! However, a project that I am particularly fond of was the home of LVMH artistic director for Berluti, Alessandro Sartori. He remains one of my closest friends to this day. I am also proud of a farm renovation in the hills of my hometown, because I was completely involved in every single detail of the house, including its selection of art.

Farmhouse designed by Federico Delrosso in his hometown of Biella

Farmhouse designed by Federico Delrosso in his hometown of Biella

What are some projects you are currently working on?

I’m working on several exciting product design collaborations, the design of a vertical farm building, and an art installation for the upcoming Biennale of Art in Venice. I have a great interest in art and am directing more of my focus to working with artists.

If you could design any space in the world without having to worry about any fathomable limitations such as cost, what would it be?

A Museum of Modern Art.

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Like all net zero buildings, W.I.N.D. House—which is situated in Northern Holland—harvests energy from roof-bound solar panels that sustain the home's electrical systems, allowing it to heat and cool with total efficiency. Passive aspects were incorporated into the construction to contribute light and warmth to the space, whose temperature is regulated by the clay roofing and facades. This process is aided by an air/water pump, which harvests and distributes waste. All of these features can be controlled remotely and are mutable enough to suit a growing family.

Livability was crucial in designing the futuristic net-zero home. Bedrooms and office spaces face forested area and admit light via glass windows tinted for privacy. The living areas offer panoramic views of the village's polar setting, into whose natural beauty the design aims to integrate.

Photos courtesy of Inhabitat

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#1: Mirrored Side Table

Available individually or in a pair, these sleek, mirrored side tables are adorned with geometric patterned sides. Made of wood composite and mirrored glass, they can be purchased from Neiman Marcus for $200 each.

#2: Sculptural Chandelier

Available at Jayson Home for $695, the Sussex Double Chandelier is reminiscent of modernist sculptural studies from the 1930s. The geometric chandelier is handcrafted with iron rods, and features an antique black finish.

#3: Angular Bookcase

Made of sheesham wood, this angular bookcase is a system of sharp, precise lines—a perfect home for books, photos, and accent pieces. It can be purchased from Anthropologie for $1,248.

#4: Geometric Shelf Console Table

This geometric console table by Regina Andrew Design is the epitome of contemporary sophistication. Ideal for an entryway or living room, the table is a blend of modern and rustic. It retails for $897.

#5: Cylinder Stool

Add crispness and visual space to your home bar or kitchen island with a set of metal, cylinder stools. The curved seat is supported by dark gunmetal in an open geometric pattern. Each stool retails for $85.

#6: Modular Shelf

The Jonathan Adler Claude Modular System is a two-drawer unit that has unlimited configuration options. Available in white or wood-toned, the multi-functional, modern piece will make a statement in any space.

The post Create a Minimalistic Look With These 6 Unique Geometric Furniture Pieces appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

In addition, the couple opted to move from Los Angeles all the way across the country to New York City, along with their twin four-year-olds, Gideon and Harper, and two dogs, Watson and Fred.

The family's new five-story,19th-century townhouse—which underwent a yearlong renovation helmed by designer Trace Lehnhoff, in collaboration with architectural firm Povero & Company—is located in West Harlem, near their former pied-à-terre close to Columbia University.

Scroll down for a tour of the beautifully-appointed home, while melds together a slew of classic and contemporary elements that wholly reflect the happy couple's urbane and vibrant style:

The residence's living room is adorned with a Jonathan Adler light fixture; Room & Board sofas; a high-back chair by Powell & Bonnell for Dennis Miller Assoc., nesting tables by Arteriors, and a custom Trace Lehnhoff cocktail table.

Its sleek, silver-and-black kitchen showcases Holly Hunt pendant lights suspended above a Caesarstone-top island, which comes equipped with a Wold range and hood.

The artful den is covered in Andrew Martin wallpaper and embellished with playful memorabilia, and outfitted with a desk and chair by Arte de Mexico, and a sofa by RH. Two classic guitars—a Gibson (left) and a Jean Larrivée—add further character to the room.

Gideon's room features an RH Baby & Child bunk bed, along with a Flash Gordon lithograph, a Keith Haring chair by Vilac, a Roman shade made of DwellStudio fabric for Robert Allen, and a carpet by Safavieh.

The music room spotlights a Yamaha player piano and a Bourgeois Bohème Atelier chaise lounge, as well as an Annie Lapin painting on its Donghia-fabric-covered walls.

Photos and details courtesy of Architectural Digest

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The result was nothing short of incredible, as within a white box apartment, the designers created a large volume Amsterdam office entirely from super-versatile cardboard.

Nothing Amsterdam office by designers Joost van Bleiswijk and Alrik Koudenburg. Even the stairs are made of cardboard.

The ingenious designers crafted an entire office space—complete with desks, tables, bookshelves, columns, stairs, and even rooms—with carefully cut and folded sheets of 15-millimeter honeycomb cardboard. While each piece is structurally stable, if for any reason one of the items gets damaged, it can be easily and inexpensively replaced.

Tea is served at the Nothing Cardboard Office, on the cardboard conference table

The style of the office was modeled after van Bleiswijk’s "no glue, no screw" technique, in which the form follows function and only the most basic elements remain.  This concept is in perfect harmony with the Nothing agency's  philosophy, Koudenburg says on his website, "Nothing is about the power of ideas, how a single idea can transform nothing into something. Using a cheap throw-away material to build a unique and memorial work space, seemed a good way to materialize this thought."

A Comfortable U-shaped sofa with recycled patchwork cushions

Drawing inspiration from historic industrial design objects, van Bleiswijk’s design work is sustainable, versatile and timeless, not to mention brilliantly creative. He explains: "I find it interesting to work with construction methods to create techniques that work as dogma for my designs. I create contemporary versions of forgotten objects such as the grandfather clock, hourglass, chessboard and goblet. I draw inspiration from the past and study hundreds of years of product design to find archetypes and conclusions of shapes that lie in history. It's not only the style of design I find very important but the object itself; I choose objects that tell a story."

A meeting room with sliding doors for privacy

Inside the white box, everything is made out of cardboard

Fun, friendly drawings adorn the walls and columns

A cardboard sign featuring the Nothing logo greets at the studio's entrance

Images and information courtesy of Inhabitat and Joost van Bleiswijk Design

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Appropriately named The Amethyst Hotel, the design was proposed as part of a luxury hotel chain that will have multiple locations around the world, the first one being on the man-made island of Ocean Flower, China. Based on the original hotel layouts of John Portman, the hotel's design was inspired by the semiprecious stone for its striking beauty and vibrant color, in addition to its universal association with properties such as the  ability to heal illness and bring good fortune.

These quartz buildings are cut in half to reveal a purple crystalline surface. The hotel rooms are clustered in the center of the tall tower and will be faced with geometric, crystal-like glass tinted purple. This arrangement allows every room to enjoy panoramic views and an abundance of natural light, while invoking the healing qualities of amethyst.

Contrasting with the vibrant purple crystalline windows, the interior features a minimalist design of cool and gray tones. Each room connects to a circulatory corridor that spans the width of the hotel. At night, the hotel’s central crystallized void lights up to create a vibrant glowing effect.

Ocean Flower, China is a suitable choice for the site of the first hotel, as the amethyst holds an important place in the Chinese art of feng shui.  The chunky crystalline room windows are not only meant to reinforce the symbolic aesthetic of the hotel, but to present a contrast with the smooth exterior. The cathedral-like appearance of the building is meant to evoke feelings of grandeur and a welcoming sense of hospitality.

Images and information courtesy of Architizer and Inhabitat

The post NL Architects’ Proposal for The Amethyst Hotel is Truly a Gem appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The challenge for Hilton had been to find a home in which she could reside with her seven dogs. She found the perfect solution with this 2,396-square-foot penthouse, which boasts a fabulous 905-square-foot private rooftop terrace overlooking Manhattan's NoHo neighborhood, and is just a few steps away from the very popular Washington Square Park.

Here is a tour of Paris Hilton's $4.9 million penthouse:

Hilton's new stomping ground is located within the historical Broadway McKenna Building at 738 Broadway, which was built as a warehouse in 1867.  After a complete remodel job by Karl Fischer and Andres Escobar, the structure has been completely transformed. According to the building's website, this unit is a "rare and impressive full floor loft condominium,"

With an elevator that opens directly into the entrance foyer of the home, the apartment has a spacious and bright living room with a beautiful white calcutta marble fireplace and wide planked Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors.  There are impressive ceiling heights just under 12 feet, and huge windows overlooking Cooper Square.

The master suite is inviting and peaceful, with natural hardwood floors, a platform bed, and a lounge area near the door. Flattering recessed lighting adds a warm glow. The ultra-sleek modern master bath features a walk-in shower and jacuzzi tub surrounded by Calcatta Gold Marble and finished with GRAFF, KOHLER and JACLO fixtures. The walls are also framed by the Calcatta Gold Marble, and the countertops fitted with Ceasarstone.

The kitchen is outfitted with top of the line appliances and finishes. The countertops are dark brown quartz, the lower cabinets are a high gloss wenge, the upper cabinets are high gloss white and the island countertop is white quartz. The oven and cooktop stove are by Wolf, while the refrigerator, dishwasher, and coffee machine are all by Miele, and the wine cooler is by Subzero.

Hilton has proved to be a very good businesswoman, and the purchase of this apartment is no exception, as the asking price was $5.25 million, while the initial price back in January of this year was $7.5 million. The duplex with a roof deck is one of just four units in the Broadway McKenna building, which was converted to luxury apartments last year.

Images and details courtesy of 738 Broadway's Official Website and Lonny

*Note from the building: Artist Rendering. The Artist Representations And Interior Decorations, Finishes, Appliances And Furnishings Are Provided For Illustrative Purposes Only. 

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"Multifacet" is a series of four pieces, each of which has the same standard fibre-reinforced concrete form—an octagonal base and angled sides that create a partially enclosed space—but depending on their arrangement with additional metal components, and the way in which they are organized, project different functions: a candle holder, a champagne bucket, a single-flower vase, and a tablet/shelf.

Three of the sides are removed so that whatever is inside can be displayed.  "Multifacet is a series of concrete mini-areas with multiple possibilities," said Crasset, who spent five years working with Philippe Starck. "Each mini-area is faceted, to be broken down on each side, to better show off the object on display: a flower, a candle or a bottle."

A cylinder made of Brass forms a vase to hold small flowers within the concrete shape.The ice bucket features a dip in the center, allowing a bottle to rest on the lip. The missing sections have been replaced by a mirror-polished pewter container within the concrete shell.

Also lined with pewter, the candleholder has a small circular section raised slightly from the center of the base, allowing it to catch dripping wax.

To create the display stand, one of the concrete forms has been flipped over and placed on another. Sitting between the two, an eight-sided brass sheet with raised sides creates a shelf, with the surfaces of the base and its top also being topped with metal.

Crasset—who worked with metal smiths l'Orfèvrerie d'Anjou to create the metal parts of the pieces—said, "A masterful mix and staging of contrasting materials— concrete and metal—meet a need for durable beauty."

Matali Crasset will also display "One Piece" at Maison&Objet 2015. The unique monolithic counter structure combines the expertise of Concrete LCDA, and the leather craftsmanship of domeau & pérès. Amazingly fabricated with a single piece of 20-inch-thick fiber-reinforced concrete produced in a single cast, 360-degree molding was used in conjunction with a counter mold to hold the concrete in place.

This ambitious undertaking required a total of 300 kilograms of concrete and 18 hours of casting. Complementing the faceted concrete structure, the underside is lined with genuine leather, fitted visibly by domeau & pérès.

Images and Information courtesy of designboom and Dezeen

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All the objects in the collection are made in Italy, but inspired by the various eating traditions by which the young Fabrica designers were reared.

Fabrica collaborated with the Italian design brand Atipico on the project.

""The table is the perfect place for meeting up. At Fabrica, place of exchange and interchange par excellence, we love to mix our different cultures and backgrounds to create design projects which are a pure manifestation of the daily creative work and which become a source of personal growth and enrichment for our residents," said Sam Baron, Fabrica's creative director.

Fabrica residents come from China, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Morocco and Scotland, to name a few. A set of glasses resembles Japanese tea cups; an aperitif set encourages Indian-style food sampling; a cutting board is ridged like a round of Italian schiacciatina bread.

Together, the objects transcend their cultural derivatives to form a cohesive set. At the same time, the pieces highlight diverse customs by way of multi-functionality. Ceramic, wood, metal, glass and fabric were used for the collection, which includes linens, crockery and kitchen equipment, too. Part of the Benetton Group, Fabrica is based in Treviso and offers scholarships to young creatives from all over the world.

The collection will be on view at Maison & Objet from January 23 to January 27.

Photos courtesy of Dezeen; additional details courtesy of designboom.

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Entitled "Airspace," the exhibition showcases pieces from two collections: three works from "cut_paste"—intended to evoke a construction-site aura—and seven from "PdT," which features works that evoke ruins.

"These are two strongly contrasting but complementary series of objects inspired by the history of architecture and the art of construction through time," the designer told Dezeen. Stadler's pieces are sculptural, but are designed to function simultaneously as contemporary furniture.

As its name suggests, "cut_paste" harmonizes mismatched materials like marble and aluminum honeycomb to form angular pieces like a shelf, sideboard, bench, bookcase and table. On the other hand, PdT is characterized by softer limestone pieces and is named for "pierre de taille," a French phrase for masonry of large stones ("ashlar," in English).

"From certain angles the spectator looks through cut_paste and the background becomes a part of the perception of the piece. The air circulates through the objects," Stadler told Dezeen. "On the other side, the spectator's view is blocked by the massive presence of PdT and air must flow around it."

The exhibition will run from January 17th to April 4th at the Carpenters Workshop Gallery in Paris.

Photos and details courtesy of Dezeen

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