22 February 2013

Film Interiors: Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky



Picking up where Coco before Chanel leaves off, Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky tells of Chanel's affair with a married Stravinsky. Having worked her way out of poverty and dependence on her lovers, Chanel invites the Russian composer and his family to stay at her country house. The house is a pure reflection of Chanel's tastes and its uniform style (almost all black and white with art deco lines) is testament to her independence. When shown her bedroom, Stravinsky's wife Katarina asks Chanel if she doesn't like color. Chanel responds that she likes black. The few pieces of color are provided by Katarina's tapestries, which she drapes around her bedroom in an effort to make it feel more like home. The bedrooms are the most dramatic spaces -- I particularly love the Moorish touches in the girls' room, punctuated by banners that hang from the ceiling around the entire room.

Hallway leading to the music room.

The Stravinskys' bedroom.

Girls' room.

Coco's bedroom.

Coco's bathroom.

Music room and dining room.

Perfume factory and shop atelier.

Chanel boutique.

Images: Sony Classics.

27 January 2013

Sleeping Nooks



My love of sleeping nooks can probably be traced back to seeing my childhood friend Jesse convert an entryway closet into her bedroom. Just big enough to hold her bed, it gave her the privacy she needed in a busy house and provided the perfect spot for us to hide from the world. A sleeping nook can be a way of carving a bedroom out of a small home. But even when square footage is no issue, a bed nook provides an embracing space to retreat to at the end of the day. I'd say it's worth the extra effort required to make up the sheets in the morning.











20 January 2013

Dhurries, Suzanis and Other Rugs



As an extension of a post I wrote in April on boho chic, I thought I'd celebrate the beauty of dhurries, suzanis and other colorful  handmade rugs. Suzani rugs were originally created by the nomadic tribes of Central Asia. They were expertly embroidered and were the basis of a girl's dowry, though all segments of society appreciated their value. Dhurrie rugs originate in India and are hand-loomed. Easily folded, they can be used in a variety of ways from window treatments to cushions to tablecloths. As these examples show, it's almost a shame to throw them on the floor.








Images:  Period Living February 2012. Desire to Inspire. Home Inspiration Design. Apartment Therapy. House Beautiful October 2012. Canadian House & Home March 2011. Elle Decor December 2012. House Beautiful December/January 2013.

11 January 2013

Plaid



I have already shared my love for plaid/tartan interiors here, but I thought it was time to revisit this timeless classic.






Images: Country Homes & Interiors magazine, November 2010. Quintessence Blog. Design Sponge. Lonny magazine, January/February 2013. Homes & Gardens magazine, November 2010. John Lewis.
Related Posts with Thumbnails