I recently had the privilege to work on a friend's new construction home in Landfall. Built by Cress Bell with Bell Custom Homes, it was not only a joy but a true trip down memory lane for my client. She has lost both of her parents and as inherited extraordinary antiques. And by "extraordinary", I mean that moving her in and unpacking was like unearthing the Titanic. I got to see antiques I have only read about. The furniture, the art, the rugs and the china... the details of these pieces rarely show up in today's pieces. Of course, the furniture and accessories we are used to are still beautiful, but this type of craftsmanship creates true works of art. It was educational, and if I am completely honest, a real stretch for me. I love to mix client's existing pieces with new, but I was really out of my comfort zone on this project. I needed to find a way to make many of her turn of the century pieces current and the end result, well.... see for yourself....
She had a Louis Vuitton trunk that belonged to her well-traveled great grandmother. I added a vintage brass and glass table that fit it perfectly and layered an antique ashtray with vintage emerald and bone cigarette boxes. Art deco at its best....
Her great grandmothers sofa got a complete facelift in a modern velvet geometric fabric. Flanked by her leather topped end tables and new modern marble lamps, this wall has a lot of juxtaposition.
Since the living room is two stories, the blank wall needed something impactful. We found this embroidered wall hanging and it is truly exquisite. Adding a neutral hide over her antique Oriental broke up the large space and added texture.
I used a Kravet fabric to tie in the teals, navy and pinks in her rug and gave it a modern bent.
Her dining room is painted Ben Moore Sunlit Coral and we hung a plate from each of her great grandmother's china patterns. It makes such a sweet statement on the wall. Mixing in a modern bench, velvet tufted chairs and a modern glass chandelier creates a cozy dining experience. Of course, we had to set a Fall table.
Perfect for entertaining....
We wanted to keep the kitchen simple, yet elegant. I chose Visual Comfort lighting and marble tops.
Vintage lucite stools from HPID Studio are the finishing touch.
Of course, we chose Thermador appliances!
The client told me when we started this project, that she wanted her spaces in her new home to feel like a Park Avenue apartment. She wanted to update her heirlooms, but give a strong nod to her past and her family's. Her home feels cozy, elegant and collected. I'm so thankful that I got to be a part of it.
