Design Inspiration from Anouska Hempel

I love the level of elegance that Designer Anouska Hempel injects in to every project.

 

 

 

Anouska Hempel style spans every design aspect 

:: Residential :: Restaurants :: Hotels :: Retail :: Yachts :: Landscape :: Couture

Parisian Design

Paris.... oh, she is lovely at every glance. 

Designer Jean-Paul Beaujard brings the graceful qualities and romantic inspiration of Paris into his penthouse apartment located in the seventh arrondissement. Although images of this luxurious apartment was first shared via Architectural Digest back in 2006, the elegance and simple beauty is worth revisiting.

The daybed is Jansen, while the rug and chandelier are vintage pieces from the 1950's.  Beaujard, who is both an antiques dealer and a designer, draws inspiration from the romance of the pieces surrounding him.

The upper level balcony overlooks the living space {in the first image} and takes full advantage of the 25-foot high ceilings, not to mention the top floor view of Paris from this 1910 circa building. I love the herringbone wood floors and detailed iron railing.

The bedroom {and main living area} doors open to a terrace offering the perfect view of Paris. Can you imagine having breakfast on the terrace outside of your bedroom or catching a glimpse of the twinkling lights at night. Beaujard captured the beauty of the blue sky with the colours used in the room, while the reflection in the mirror doors brings the beauty of Paris inside. The well thought out combination is sure to aid in the sweetest of dreams.


* images via AD

Movie House

The lake house featured in The Big Wedding

While at the theatre recently, we watched the trailer for the upcoming film The Big Wedding. The light comedy directed by Justin Zackham the cast includes Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Katherine Heigl, Robin Williams, Susan Sarandon, Amanda Seyfried, and Topher Grace ........ and many more.
The thing that captured my attention when I watched the trailer was the house. Yes - the lake house in the picture above. During the quick two-and-a-half minute trailer you are teased by the opportunity to wander through the house as the film plays out.

There are a bevy of movies that have captured our attention with soft comedic content that were filmed in a truly dreamy house.

Something's Gotta Give - this is likely the most popular movie set house. The transom windows at each archway, the creamy white and pale blue palette, white kitchen cabinets with dark soapstone counter tops {they were painted to look like soapstone} and dark wood floors bring a tranquility to an already great design. This look was not a trend in 2003 when the movie was released, but it has developed into a favoured look since then and continues to be a welcome combination in current  palette choices for many homes.

Living room on movie set Something's Gotta Give.

kitchen - Something's Gotta Give

The kitchen in the movie It's Complicated makes me want to run out and take chef lessons just to be able to play there. The kitchen is simple with open shelves, various carts serving as additional counter/storage space and an open island topped with light toned marble. Maybe it is the simplicity of the kitchen that draws us in. Then again Meryl's character Jane baked and cooked throughout the entire movie, to the point that you could almost smell the pie baking. The whole house had a welcoming feel to it.

There is nothing complicated about this great little kitchen. From the movie It's Complicated.

The view from the casual dining area into the open kitchen - It's Complicated. image: hookedonhouses

The Spanish style bungalow features plaster curved archways giving the house a soft look. image: hookedonhouses

The main character Jane has her own bakery and like the house, it is a dreamy design.

OK, so back to the soon to be released film The Big Wedding............

It's images like these in the movie trailer that make it droll worthy. The long windows feature transom style tops in the main room and kitchen. Notice the lines on the veranda railing - same lines of the windows. The built-in cabinets pop with a subtle shade of Tiffany blue painted in the back.

Ellie {Diane Keaton} arrives at the lake house of her ex-husband.

Typical of most family gatherings the central point is the kitchen. The classic white cabinets with glass fronts, soapstone counters on the mains and wood counter top on the island give a classic welcoming feel.

Katherine Heigl and Robert De Niro  play Daughter and Father in the movie.

Pre-wedding luncheons and family discussions happen on the romantic veranda. I'm hoping that they have utilized the veranda and show scene's there in the evening.

Glimpses of the surrounding lake and gardens tease throughout the movie trailer. The property for the movie was reportedly in the Greenwich, Connecticut area; which a romantic and pretty spot.

A glimpse of the lush gardens in the background.

The film's light comedy offers a glimpse at the chaos that happens when families and ex's get together for a happy event........ like a wedding. If your going to experience a bit of drama and wedding jitters, I can't think of a prettier setting than this one.

The Big Wedding - in theatres April 26th.

Elie Sabb

Like most women, I didn't need another reason to fall in love with Elie Sabb, but I have. Elie has been creating fashion pieces in his mind since he was a child, but it was thirty years ago, at the romantic age of 18, that Elie launched his design label.

He brings out the princess in every woman with his romantic creations, while we dream of wonderful places to wear the elegant frocks and accessories.

Here is a peek at Elie's creations for Autumn, they are truly timeless.

LoVe, LoVe, LoVe you Elie Sabb.

                                  ONE                        {my fave}

                                                       TWO                                                      

THREE

                                   FOUR                 {and this one}

FIVE

SIX

                                            SEVEN                {and this one too!}

EIGHT

NINE

It's important to look great leaving the room!

...... and a stylish bag for your lipstick.

What is your favourite dress from the collection ?

Have a Glamourous Weekend everyone.

Sarah 101 - Season 2

Canadian design queen Sarah Richardson captured audiences tonight with the airing of Sarah 101 - Season 2. For those of us who can't get enough of Sarah's designs it was a program that had been much anticipated, and she didn't disappoint.

HGTV Canada ran two episodes back-to-back this evening, both featuring the power of white with brights. Episode 1 focused on a dark and dreary dining room in a traditional Toronto home. Sarah and stylist Tommy Smythe turned up the volume with loads of colour accents in a white room anchored with key black pieces.

The dark wood moldings and deep red walls were painted over in white with a band of electric blue punching out between the plate rail and ceiling moldings. Interior wood trim was accented with black - one of Tommy's creations that surprised even Sarah with the final effect. Black accents continued in the chairs, sideboard and door panels. The 'jumping off point' was the unique fabric used for the drapery - a white background with black stick people dressed in bright embroidery clothing.

In typical Sarah fashion the chairs {and sideboard} were professionally spray painted, this time in a solid black shade. Chair seats were covered in outdoor fabric to accommodate the family who has small children. A strong geometric black and white rug completes the look.

The 'white and bright' theme continued with episode 2 when Sarah and Tommy transformed a master bedroom with a solid white foundation and sprays of turquoise, green and coral. The room featured a cat walk to the master bath that was open to the two story staircase below. Rather than close the walkway in with a solid wall or a railing, a wall of tempered glass was installed to allow light to penetrate the space.
Removable vinyl film in a paint wash design was applied to the glass to add detail. The effect was striking, with a soft rainbow of light filtering throughout the staircase {images of this project were not posted yet - check back at hgtv.ca later}.

via akadesign.ca

I am always impressed with Sarah's designs and the explanations she shares on the details for the choices made.
Since home base for Sarah Richardson's business is in Toronto, the trades used and the treasure shops hunted are local. Details on products, paint choices and Sarah's own furniture line {indoor and outdoor} can be found HERE.

Dynamic Duo - Sarah Richardson and Tommy Smythe

{Sarah is wearing a Smythe blazer available at    http://smythelesvestes.com }

Patina Style

My copy of Patina Style by Brooke Giannetti & Steve Giannetti, arrived today. I tried to pick up a copy in New York the day it was released, but they had not landed on the book store shelves yet. So when I returned back home I ordered a copy on-line (chapters.ca) of the creative book that is penned by the Creators of Velvet and Linen. Canadian bloggers/ readers visits at chapters.ca.

I know for sure that I snatched the parcel away from the receptionist today when she brought it to me.................. just a tad bit excited.

There are five generous chapters that cover every aspect of the design style we have all fallen in love with. You know that the pages which are about to be revealed will be incredible, when the first chapter is boldly titled 'Embracing Imperfections'.

I am devouring the pages that are filled with beautiful images and defined  explanations on the Giannetti's design style. Already I have revisited one particular page several times : Trim and Molding.
If you wonder how and where Steve and Brooke get their incredible style sense from visit here ::  Velvet & Linen. Brooke posted a wonderful page recently that describes Steve's family background in ornamental plaster.

If you haven't ordered or picked up your copy of Patina Style....... well, what are you waiting for.


Congratulations to Brooke and Steve on your new book. I love it!