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Plucked from Luxe regions across the country, these memorable spaces speak of timeless elegance and autumnal ambience.
A look at the latest news and product collaborations from the industry’s buzziest creatives.
Pages from Mieke ten Have’s new book provide bountiful fall inspiration for the months ahead.
Market
Layered mood boards by stylist and photographer Robin Verrier feature trending color combinations alongside the newest fabrics, wallpapers, trims and tiles.
Discover the latest product nds that complement beautiful rooms from Luxe’s regional issues.
Rich materials, delicate details and warm, neutral layers prove today’s quiet color schemes are nothing short of intoxicating.
A minimalist approach to meet your modern tastes.
For those whose appreciation for precision is matched only by their passion for food, we offer our new Transitional Series — the next step forward in the luxury kitchen. From satin stainless-steel finishes to slim transitional handles to touchscreen functionality, discover a new expression of purposeful design. This is how we stay #TrueToFood.
FEATURES
Risk Takers
With ocean vistas at every turn, a magnificent Naples penthouse exudes bold, playful charisma.
Nashville
Idyll
Combining characterful antiques and contemporary polish, a Tennessee home balances family with formality.
Written by Alice Welsh Doyle
Rising Aspirations
High on a Bel Air hillside, a multitiered estate’s open-air design redefines the concept of indoor-outdoor living.
ON THE COVER: The collaborative vision of architect Robert Sinclair, designer Errol Dejager and builder and developer Dara Mir, the central courtyard of a Los Angeles estate contains a geometric water feature by Water Studio and groupings of Minotti chairs around Boulder Fire Tables. The home’s formal dining room, lit by Il Pezzo Mancante chandeliers, merges seamlessly with the outdoors. Page 136
Written by Shannon Sharpe
Photography by Eric Piasecki/OTTO
Styling by Anita Sarsidi
Photography by Lisa Romerein
Written by Jessica Ritz
Photography by Manolo Langis
DESIGN DIRECTOR
Pam Shavalier
ART DIRECTOR
Candace Cohen
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Brittany Chevalier McIntyre
SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR
Colleen McTiernan
JILL COHEN
EDITOR IN CHIEF
MANAGING EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Kelly Velocci Jolliffe
MANAGING EDITORS
Krystal Racaniello, Clémence Sfadj
HOMES EDITORS
SOUTHEAST
Kate Abney
COLORADO, LOS ANGELES, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Kelly Phillips Badal
PACIFIC NORTHWEST, SAN FRANCISCO
Mary Jo Bowling
ART
ART DIRECTOR
Maria Pluta
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Jamie Beauparlant
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Kyle Anderson, John Griffin-Santucci
SENIOR RETOUCHER
Christian Ablan
STYLE DIRECTOR
Kathryn Given
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Hannah Lavine
DIRECTOR, DIGITAL Ileana Llorens
SENIOR MARKET
EDITOR
Sarah Shelton
AUSTIN + SAN ANTONIO, DALLAS + FORT WORTH, HOUSTON
SANDOW was founded by visionary entrepreneur Adam I. Sandow in 2003, with the goal of reinventing the traditional publishing model. Today, SANDOW powers the design, materials and luxury industries through innovative content, tools and integrated solutions. With its diverse portfolio of assets, SANDOW has established itself as the largest design media company in the world which includes the following brands: Luxe Interiors + Design, Interior Design, Metropolis, DesignTV by SANDOW; ThinkLab, a research and strategy firm; and content services brands, including The Agency by SANDOW – a full-scale digital marketing agency, The Studio by SANDOW – a video production studio, and SURROUND – a podcast network and production studio. In 2019, Adam Sandow launched Material Bank, the world’s largest marketplace for searching, sampling and specifying architecture, design and construction materials. Other SANDOW brands include definitive authority on all things beauty, NewBeauty; luxury sampling platform, Test Tube by NewBeauty; Leaders Magazine; and exclusive private airport newsstand network, MediaJet.
Experience the Difference: Club 1683
Gaggenau, maker of luxury kitchen appliances and the Home Kitchen Appliance Brand Partner of the MICHELIN Guide, prioritizes partnerships with its trade network. Club 1683 was developed to offer a select group of top tier industry trade professionals the opportunity to participate in the exclusive membership program promoting excellence in residential kitchen design. Qualified participants, including luxury designers, residential architects, kitchen studios, and single-family builders, gain access to personalized guidance, professional assistance, rewards and exclusive experiences.
For those who know the extraordinary.
Learn how to become a member.
The difference is Gaggenau
Featured: 5-Burner Gas Cooktop, Refrigerator, Convection Ovens, Espresso Machine, and Warming Drawer.
Simplicity Interior Design, Club 1683 member
Photo by Adahlia Cole and Colin Peck
KATE KELLY SMITH
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT + MANAGING DIRECTOR
JAY BOUDREAU
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, SALES
TANYA SUBER
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS
NATIONAL SALES DIRECTORS REGIONAL SALES DIRECTORS
NATIONAL PUBLISHER
Michelle Blair
HOME FURNISHINGS DIRECTOR
Sarah Smith
WEST COAST DIRECTORS
Lisa Lovely, Carolyn Homestead
MIDWEST + SOUTH CENTRAL DIRECTOR
Tanya Scribner
INTEGRATED MARKETING
VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING + DIGITAL STRATEGY Samantha Westmoreland
SENIOR MANAGER, MANUFACTURING + DISTRIBUTION Stacey Rigney
Luxe Interiors + Design®, (ISSN 1949-2022), Arizona (ISSN 2163-9809), California (ISSN 2164-0122), Chicago (ISSN 2163-9981), Colorado (ISSN 21639949), Florida (ISSN 2163-9779), New York (ISSN 2163-9728), Pacific Northwest (ISSN 2167-9584), San Francisco (ISSN 2372-0220), Southeast (ISSN 2688-5735), Texas (ISSN 2163-9922), Vol. 22, No. 5, September/October , prints bimonthly and is published by SANDOW, 3651 FAU Boulevard, Suite 200, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Luxe Interiors + Design® (“Luxe”) provides information on luxury homes and lifestyles. Luxe Interiors + Design®, SANDOW, its affiliates, employees, contributors, writers, editors, (Publisher) accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. The Publisher has neither investigated nor endorsed the companies and/or products that advertise within the publication or that are mentioned editorially. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims made by the Advertisers or the merits of their respective products or services advertised or promoted in Luxe Publisher neither expressly nor implicitly endorses such Advertiser products, services or claims. Publisher expressly assumes no liability for any damages whatsoever that may be suffered by any purchaser or user for any products or services advertised or mentioned editorially herein and strongly recommends that any purchaser or user investigate such products, services, methods and/or claims made
La Menagerie Collection
Photography by Nick Mele
Fall into Color
It wasn’t my intention for our September/October issue to be about color. In fact, when choosing the homes we included, I didn’t have any particular theme in mind. But the design world has a slow way of revealing how people are currently living, and, as an editor, it’s my job to share that story with you.
The homes you’ll discover throughout these pages—many enveloped in rich burgundies, dark chocolate browns and mossy greens—are restorative and soothing. I believe that these projects’ palettes are rede ning comfort for homeowners across the country and making them feel more at ease in their spaces while connecting them to the things they love—whether it’s wine, food or nature.
The language of design is visual, and, in that spirit, we are also telling a seasonal story without words. In one of our Market features, our editors sourced beautifully crafted materials from the design world and collaborated to create a series of inspirational assemblages using both natural and man-made wonders. Each one encapsulates an autumn narrative in a way that will inspire.
Fall has become the most comfortable season, so allow us to be part of your relaxing moments and enjoy the wealth of inspiration in the pages ahead.
Jill Cohen Editor in Chief Follow me @jilleditsluxe
Capturing the color and light on location with photographer Lisa Romerein.
Paint that painting experts trust.
Wall: Indi Go-Go CSP-565, Regal® Select, Eggshell
Trim: Indi Go-Go CSP-565, Regal® Select, Satin
A
Celebration of the Industry’s Leading Interior Designers, Architects + Professional Painters
WHEN IT COMES TO THE ESSENTIALS OF INTERIOR DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, FEW ELEMENTS ARE AS VITAL AND VERSATILE AS THE FINAL FINISH. Paint is not just a backdrop; it is the essence of design, bringing depth, character and emotion to every room. It often tells stories of personal, historical and cultural significance while enhancing functionality with its durability and timeless appeal. For the industry luminaries who meticulously select colors, finishes and application techniques, paint is a powerful tool of expression and innovation.
This special feature celebrates the craftsmanship and work of 13 interior designers, architects and paint contractors who have forged strong partnerships, united by a shared passion for the transformative power of paint.
In collaboration with Benjamin Moore, meet the six talented teams across North America, whose collective expertise converges to create projects that are both beautiful and meaningful. Discover the magic that happens when creativity and teamwork meet as we introduce this year’s Faces of Design.
TORONTO, CANADA
COLETTE VAN DEN THILLART + MARIANO TORO
Layers of historical reference, touches of wit and personalized allure—these are the characteristics by which the work of designer Colette van den Thillart is known. Much of it comes to life with the addition of paint, and her partnership with contractor Mariano Toro is key. In discussing their creative collaboration, van den Thillart shares a recent project she and Toro completed. “For a spectacular house in Toronto with an interior dining room that had only one window, we chose Benjamin Moore’s Chartreuse 2024-10 in matte and painted all the walls and the ceiling in this ethereal color. The resulting space felt like an art installation; it is vibrant and dynamic during the day, but moody and poetic by nighttime candlelight.” Essential to the outcome was Toro’s application expertise. He shares the depth of it while mentioning another project: “For a client who wanted an almost glass-like finish, I came up with a method for creating a mirror effect that required many coats of paint and sanding between coats.” Alongside their love of unique colors and applications, van den Thillart and Toro share a passion for finding the perfect product to suit each client’s goals.
colettevandenthillart.com; optimustouch.com
PHOTOGRAPHY: ALEX LUKEY
CHICAGO, IL
ERIN SHAKOOR + EDUARDO GONZALEZ FLORES
An interior designer’s passion for color, texture and finishes demands exceptional craftsmanship. Erin Shakoor, distinguished for her love of dynamic material juxtapositions, relies on the skill of Eduardo Gonzalez Flores to flawlessly execute her creative visions. “Eduardo helps us achieve every exacting step with flying colors (pun intended),” Shakoor enthuses. She emphasizes the positive outcomes of their work together by sharing a recent project: “For a whole-house design, our clients wanted their primary bedroom to feel, function and look like a luxury hotel suite. Our thought was to evoke intimacy. We decided that the custom-paneled walls, crown molding and ceiling should be painted in Olympus Green 679. The wood floors had a similarly rich finish, and together, they created a cocooning effect.” Regarding applying one hue throughout a space, Flores shares his techniques, saying, “When using the same color, I like to select a different sheen for each surface. For example, flat ceilings, eggshell walls and semi-gloss trims all in one shade.” One look at the duo’s joint portfolio showcases the stunning results of this thoughtful approach.
“ The before and after of a p roject, and seeing the clients happy with our work, is what I love most about this job.”
— EDUARDO GONZALEZ FLORES
CA
ADAM HUNTER + ASAF AMARIO
In the art of design, expert trade skills converge to create a cohesive project. Among these, two seemingly juxtaposed yet perfectly complementary approaches stand out: a grand vision for overall aesthetics and an eye for intricate details. The power of this combination is evident in the collaboration of Adam Hunter and Asaf Amario. “Each of us plays a role in ensuring the design and execution are seamless,” Hunter explains. “I manage the overarching concept and material selection, while Asaf and his team focus on the technical application.” Since their introduction through industry connections five years ago, the duo has discovered a profound alignment in style and work ethic, leading to numerous successful projects. One of their
favorite projects showcases their combined expertise. “We transformed a dining room by applying a pink hue with a gloss finish, creating a vibrant, energetic atmosphere that uplifts the mood,” Amario shares. “The glossy finish bounces light around, making the room feel bigger—it’s stunning and perfect for lively get-togethers.” Hunter adds, “We always start with the client’s preferred palette and then suggest modifications to suit the lighting and space. This approach brings a custom element, ensuring the final design exudes the homeowner’s personality.” This special partnership showcases the remarkable synergy between design expertise and meticulous precision in application. adamhunter.com; mastercustompainting.com
HOLLYWOOD,
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
NOZ NOZAWA + PHILIP STOREY
If there is one overarching theme that becomes apparent upon viewing the portfolio of designer Noz Nozawa, it’s color, color, color. For one so obsessed with bold hues, partnering with the right contractor is essential. Fortunately, Nozawa has found that in Philip Storey. “He is proud of the quality his team brings to the project and cares deeply about turning over a painted home that will last,” she says. The duo has been working together ever since a contractor friend introduced them in 2018. To hear each of them talk about why they love their jobs, the shared passion is obvious. “I get to help people bring to life a manifestation of who they are and what is most important to them,” Nozawa says. “Paint is always a necessary component and one of the most flexible ways to imbue a space with the exact nuance of a spirit or personality.” Storey weighs in, “We live in such a beautiful area with amazing nature, design and architecture. I love that my job gives me an opportunity to experience that and add to the beauty of our city by the bay.” nozdesign.com; redhillpainting.com
“When Noz asks us to work with her on a project, I get excited. It’s always new, it’s always incredible and I always finish by thinking I want that in my home!”
— PHILIP STOREY
PARK CITY, UT
SCOTT JAFFA + JOEL MARSH
For those dedicated to creating home, there is no greater reward than client satisfaction. Architect Scott Jaffa says it best: “When I see the expression of a client who feels like they’ve just stepped into their true home, I know my extraordinary team has put their talent into a space that will be enjoyed for generations.” That team includes Joel Marsh, painting contractor extraordinaire and longtime project partner to Jaffa. “We have been collaborating for seven years, ever since one of our mutual clients introduced us,” Jaffa says. “Our job is to transform dreams into reality, and Joel values bringing that joy to our clients too.” For the contractor, this goal depends on many factors, but thoughtful specification is certainly at the heart. Speaking to that, Marsh says, “In some cases, technical aspects dictate which product we choose. For example, many Benjamin Moore paints have open times that allow us to roll large walls, while still being scrubbable and accepting touch-ups. Other times, the homeowner’s lifestyle is top of mind. Regal Select is perfect for families with pets and children because it is durable, wipes easily and doesn’t mar.” jaffagroup.com; marshpaintinginc.com
“ When we complete a project, it should ne ver look like we were there; our goal is seamless perfection in producing one-of-a-kind homes.” — SCOTT JAFFA
The partnership of Tami Ramsay, Krista Nye Nicholas and Cassandra Pace underscores the impact of chance meetings and mutual admiration. “I heard about Cloth & Kind from one of my clients,” Pace says. “I went to the showroom to introduce myself, and they were hosting a paint demonstration for designers that day.” Being that Pace was visiting to share her services as a painting contractor for the two design pros, this was undeniably serendipitous. The trio has worked together on various projects in the years since. Ramsay and Nicholas share one of their favorite collaborative endeavors, saying, “We recently completed a large Queen Anne Victorian with Cassandra. Collectively, we decided to paint over an
oppressive, deep-red textural wallcovering in the family room rather than remove it. Benjamin Moore’s Stratton Blue HC-142 melted away the Victorian vibes while leaving our clients with an interesting story to share.” Anecdotes like this aren’t uncommon with these three, who share a love of bold paint projects. Ramsay and Nicholas chime in, “Every time our clients trust us to use color, we’re able to dramatically impact the mood of the space, not to mention create a more custom aesthetic. Whites and soft neutrals have their place, but we consider it a missed opportunity to design an entire home that lacks confident use of color.”
clothandkind.com; bellpaintingmi.com
ANN ARBOR, MI
TAMI RAMSAY AND KRISTA NYE NICHOLAS + CASSANDRA PACE
Advice FROM THE Experts
“Always consider the lighting when choosing colors. For high ceilings, use a lighter shade to make the room feel more expansive.”
-ADAM HUNTER
“Adding sheen to a trim indoors does give it more durability in the long run, and personally, I like a trim that stands out from the walls.”
-MARIANO TORO
“Benjamin Moore is consistently my go-to brand because 95 percent of the time, if I’m dreaming up a color in my head, they have a shade to exactly match my vision.”
-NOZ NOZAWA
“For years, I only used eggshell in damp areas. But then, Aura Bath & Spa came along, and it changed my entire world! The ability to get a washable matte in the bathroom is fantastic.”
“ When views are extra important, consider painting window frames in the same shade as the walls. They’ll fade away and let the view take center stage.”
-JOEL MARSH
-ERIN SHAKOOR
“Prep is the most important step. If you skip on proper prep, it will show in the finish.”
-CASSANDRA PACE
benjaminmoore.com
Oxford White
Dove Wing OC-18
Smoke Embers 1466
Adam Hunter and Asaf Amario’s favorite colors, respectively.
Beach Glass 1564
Black Beauty 2128-10
Waller Green CW-510
Noz Nozawa’s favorite color.
Moonshine 2140-60
Erin Shakoor’s favorite color.
Joel Marsh’s favorite color.
Tami Ramsay and Krista Nye Nicholas’ favorite color.
Colette van den Thillart’s favorite color.
ELEGANCE ACROSS EVERY ROOM
Find Häcker dealers with sideboards for seamless luxury.
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FROM VISION TO VIEW
Thoughtfully crafted moving glass walls and windows redefine the boundaries of indoor-outdoor living, offering you the freedom to design, build, and live in spaces that inspire. Scan the QR code to learn more.
RADAR
Step inside this season’s guide to stunning spaces, new product collections and a timely tome.
A Ray Booth project overlooking downtown Nashville boasts sweeping views and a sumptuous, livable palette. photo:
Open House
CULLED FROM LUXE ’S REGIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THESE INVITING INTERIORS CHAMPION RICH MATERIALS AND UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE.
WRITTEN BY
GRACE BEULEY HUNT
Set against a cosseting backdrop of Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe, an integrated Calacatta marble desk provides an airy counterpoint in this San Francisco home office designed by Viona Seshadri (above). studiovionainteriors.com
Tactile textures—from a linen headboard to an Apparatus sconce composed with natural stone—infuse this Laguna Beach bedroom by designers Lisa Berman and Melissa Rohani with a sense of earthy connection (top right). studiogutow.com
Designer Anna Knight channeled a collected-overtime ethos for her clients’ Chicago living room (right), mixing vintage furnishings with velvet, sisal, iron, leather and marble material notes. annaknightinteriors.com
In Palo Alto, designer Tiffany Mansfield embraced the dark disposition of a basement level rec room, deploying Benjamin Moore’s Wrought Iron as the base for sumptuous textiles and warm brass accents (left). mansfieldoneil.com
Rustic wood details, including reclaimed ceiling beams, Ochre appliance handles and an accent stool by artisan Ian Love, bring a cozy disposition to this Manhattan kitchen designed by Sean Anderson (bottom left). seanandersondesign.com
A powder room in Cardiff-bythe-Sea, California, offered the perfect opportunity for designer Amy Meier to showcase diverse materials, from hand-troweled Marmorino plaster walls to a deep green Esmeralda Quartz sink (below). amymeier.com
Art & Craft
TODAY’S TOP DESIGNERS AND ARTISTS DISCUSS THEIR LATEST VENTURES AND COLLABORATIONS MAKING WAVES ACROSS THE INDUSTRY.
Carmen Nash
When Carmen Nash received an Instagram message from Kelly Wearstler complimenting her aesthetic and inquiring about pieces for sale, her side hustle as a vintage furniture dealer quickly turned into a full-time career. However, Nash soon realized that she didn’t just want to present pieces of furniture; she wanted to tell a story that would emotionally resonate with her audience, thus beginning her art and design journey. Fast forward to today, and Nash has recently released a visually transporting lamp collection with Troy Lighting which, ironically, began with an admiring note on Instagram. Aptly named Folk and Flora, the rhythmic designs reference folk perspectives of the rural south, including those of Nash’s own family, while also nodding to the beauty and simplicity of Ocala, Florida, which she has long called home. “I discovered a lot about myself during the design process,” Nash explains. “But at the end of the day, connecting people to things they love is what impacted me the most.” hvlgroup.com, @loftandthought
photos: jeanne canto, courtesy troy lighting.
Jamie Bush
Since founding his Los Angeles-based rm in 2002, Jamie Bush has been recognized for his ability to blur the lines between interior and architectural design, as well as an eye for what he calls “historically driven modern design”—focusing on materiality, texture and natural forms. It’s this passion that has driven a portfolio lled with signi cant residential homes and a recent collaboration with Marc Phillips Rugs. “The designs are based on abstract paintings I made depicting studies of agricultural elds left fallow and eroded by nature,” Bush explains (see his Pepper rug, at left). The pieces have a hint of traditionalism and ample versatility: They live as easily in a classic Tudor as a contemporary home. jamiebush.com, marcphillipsrugs.com
Alyssa Kapito
Alyssa Kapito has made a name for herself crafting distinctive interiors rooted in minimalist classicism. On the heels of publishing her rst monograph, the New York-based designer is fast at work developing a second collection for AKI Editions, the small batch editions arm of her e-shop, Galerie by Alyssa Kapito. Envisioned as a gathering ground for ne antiques and bespoke collaborations with makers—like the above collection with Venetian glassware company Laguna~B— the designer plans to open a physical space in Manhattan this fall. “Galerie is a place that combines all of my passions,” Kapito shares. “I love art, I love design, I love fashion, and I love creating. I want it to be somewhere I can welcome you into my world!” alyssakapito.com
Barry Dixon
Dixon
It’s no secret that Dixon has a proven for heirloomworthy With a love of and an eye for Dixon uses his pieces as nishing touches in beautifully balanced rooms. While he has many
It’s secret that Barry Dixon has a proven penchant for crafting heirloomproducts. With a love of antiquities and an eye for modernity, Dixon uses his pieces as touches in beautifully balanced rooms. While he has many collaborations to his name, his latest collection of metal lighting and furniture with Iatesta Studio is particularly special. A passion project initiated by the Maryland-based studio’s owner and creative director, Matt Quinn, the compilation is a resurrection of Dixon’s iconic and archived designs, like the Synapse Pendant (above) which rst debuted more than a decade ago. “We already had a history of collaboration,” says Dixon, “so we were primed and ready to go.” barrydixon.com, iatestastudio.com
Jessica Helgerson
Most design elements aren’t accompanied by “friends,” but the table lamps in Jessica Helgerson’s new Bobine collection are meant to pair perfectly with a set of sculptures. are cute, whimsical the Paris-based designer. “I wanted to create elements that spark joy when you The light xtures—beauties in their created in concert with Portland artists Lynn Read and Kovel—are available as all-glass xtures hand-painted wood and ceramic models. Helgerson’s intention is for the pieces to light in a sometimeschallenging world. It is this joy that Helgerson brings to breathing life into historic homes, a specialty of the seamlessly mixes timeless elements contemporary framework, a using for a new rug set to launch this year. jhinteriordesign.com
collection are meant to pair with a set of glass snail sculptures. “They are cute, whimsical gures,” says the Portland- and Paris-based “I wanted to create elements that when you look at them.” The shapely xtures—beauties in their own right, created in concert with Portland artists Lynn Read and Andi Kovel—are as luminous xtures or wood and ceramic models. intention is for the pieces to be a in a sometimesworld. It is this same joy that to life back into historic a particular of the designer who mixes traditional and elements within a contemporary a formula she’s using for a new rug collection set to launch this year.
Workshop/APD
In the world of founded Matt Berman and Andrew Kotchen, is most a From interiors to and a space at this year’s Kips Bay New York Show House the rm has their hands in about “Early on, we felt uncomfortable de who we were,” says Berman. “But now we embrace it and realize is
In the world of design, Workshop/APD, founded by principals Matt Berman Andrew Kotchen, is most certainly unicorn. From residential and commercial interiors to architecture, hospitality, a stunning space at this year’s Kips New York Show House (right), the their hands in just about everything. we felt uncomfortable de ning who Berman. “But now we embrace it and realize design is uid. There’s a lot of crossover between disciplines.” Such crossover has led them to product design and collaborations with brands like Arteriors, with whom they are launching a second line in September. The assortment, which features pieces like the Roll chandelier (above), focuses on mixed materials and architectural details. workshopapd.com, arteriorshome.com
Amber Lewis
If the laid-back, California cool aesthetic had a poster child, Amber Lewis might be its face. As the principal and founder of Los Angeles-based Amber Interiors and Shoppe Amber Interiors lifestyle boutiques, her signature style, which she describes as “elevated, but lived-in,” counts cultlike devotees. Lewis’ unstudied, approachable chic is on full display in her recently completed Lake Arrowhead getaway (right), where the family room’s warm tones and layered patterns exude a mellow coziness. Her celebrated look has led to partnerships with Loloi Rugs and Visual Comfort & Co.; this fall, she adds even more to her 100-plus piece collection (including the Billings End Table, at left) launched in the spring with Four Hands—the brand’s rst designer collab. Also on the docket? A fth outpost of Shoppe Amber Interiors in Montecito, set to debut before the end of the year. amberinteriordesign.com, fourhands.com launched in the rst collab. Also on the docket? A fth outpost of Amber Interiors in set to debut before the end of the year.
Natural cork mural with metallic foil. Nagano in Terracotta
Seasonal Splendor
IN HER FORTHCOMING TITLE, STYLIST MIEKE TEN HAVE SHARES HER SECRETS FOR ENLIVENING YOUR HOME THIS FALL, AND ALL YEAR LONG.
A dreamy tableau in the mudroom at Mieke ten Have’s upstate New York property features gilded sconces, a Greek Revival mirror and bountiful blooms.
photo: frank frances.
“I think the term stylist is a nebulous and often confusing one. What I’d rather tell people is that I am a storyteller of sorts, always seeking to conjure emotion in rooms using objects, flowers, colors, and patterns as my tools,” explains creative extraordinaire Mieke ten Have in her upcoming book, Interiors Styled by Mieke ten Have Her debut tome covers the principles that guide her dreamy and evocative styling work as well as seasonal influences on decorating and design. In an excerpt (at right), ten Have dives into her take on autumnal inspiration at home. vendomepress.com
Fall offers perhaps the most interesting dialogue between the interior and exterior world; before the first hard frost, the dahlia beds erupt in color and soar in height I can scarcely keep up. In the fall, I turn to jewel-toned textiles, earnest American jacquard blankets, and graphic rugs of varied origin, which I drape over my dining table, channeling a Dutch master painting of a wealthy sea merchant’s interior. I shuffle pillows around on sofas and chairs. I see my textiles anew, and I’m always surprised by how adding a secondary pattern on a large, upholstered piece of furniture can sway the mood of a room.
LIGHT CREATES SANCTUARY
Shades and Lighting
Part of a home ecosystem. Designed by Lutron.
DISCOVERIES
Liaigre
The Costes x Liaigre capsule collection includes the Castiglione sofa, Carrousel side table, Mont-Thabor armchair, Rivoli reading lamp and Cambon chair—each of which was created for the five-star hotel Jean-Louis Costes and Christian Liaigre realized together. 212.210.6264
Häcker Kitchens
A harmonious balance of sophistication and innovation. The AV 6023 GL grooved cabinet fronts from Häcker Kitchens are an elegant and sustainable surface that grounds the kitchen with natural elements and visually-enriching textures. hackerkitchens.us
Roche Bobois
Designed by Christophe Delcourt, the Palatine table features a top resting on Roman travertine half-cylinders, joined by solid walnut crossbars, creating a timeless, architectural masterpiece. roche-bobois.com
Perennials
Perennials is proud to introduce Perennials Wallcoverings, the brand’s first category introduction outside of 100-percent SDA textiles. Boasting 17 designs across patterns, metallics, performance and textures, the debut collection offers understated elegance to any space. perennialsfabrics.com
STARK x Missoni Home
Experience the allure of the Missoni Layers custom rug, a meticulously hand-tufted masterpiece in wool, shiny nylon and lurex that showcases Missoni’s signature glamour. The intricate chevron pattern and subtle ombre detailing bring dimension and depth to any space. starkcarpet.com/missoni-home
MARKET
Influenced by bold color combinations, these pages feature the latest in luxurious fabrics and wallpapers, inspiring furniture finds and Luxe’s paint picks.
Seasonal Schemes
ferguson.com/build
COLOR REPORT
Soft Landing
Clockwise from top right: Striations Rug
Fortina is a remarkable architectural system that looks and feels like real wood, but is made with aluminum and a hyper-realistic non-PVC surface. Available in over 100+ wood and metal finishes and 50+ profiles for interior and exterior applications. Now with integral lighting, larger, up to 2" x 12" profiles, and quicker delivery with Quick Ship.
Clockwise from right: Rolf Medium
Clockwise from top right: Mak Rug
PHOTO: JOSHUA MCHUGH.
Next Generation collection
CREMA CLARET
OCEANUS
VENUS
ATLANTIS AZUL
L UNARIA
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Room featuring Chrome Green HC-189 by Benjamin Moore
LIVING
Today’s standout kitchen and bath projects and products embody the trend towards warm, rich interiors.
photo:
Neutral Nuance
THERE’S NOTHING MINIMAL ABOUT TODAY’S TONAL, TEXTURED TAKE ON KITCHEN AND BATHROOM DESIGN.
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY GRACE BEULEY HUNT AND SARAH SHELTON
Soft maximalism. Easy elegance. Quiet luxury. Whatever verbiage you prefer, there’s no denying that neutrals are having a renaissance. With the days of bland white kitchens and baths largely in the rearview, serene yet richly layered and thoughtfully detailed schemes are emerging in their stead. Take this jewel box kitchen in New York’s Hudson Valley: Awash in artisanal touches and historical references, it’s a feast for the senses—and the perfect embodiment of neutral’s impactful new mood.
Warm white tones—including clé zellige tiles, marble from BAS Stone and cabinets painted Farrow & Ball’s Shadow White—converge in this upstate New York kitchen. Designer Isabel Brewster crafted a shallow ledge to display treasured objects, which are illuminated by Chapman & Myers picture lights.
The Breakers, the Vanderbilt family’s iconic Newport, Rhode Island, “cottage,” might seem like surprising inspiration for a Hudson Valley farmhouse. But as chance would have it, designer Isabel Brewster was fresh off the Newport Cliff Walk home tour circuit when she signed on to renovate a young family’s stately Greek Revival in Rhinebeck, New York—and the threads between the two historic dwellings proved serendipitous.
For the kitchen—a sun-drenched space with a modest footprint that was stripped down to the studs and reimagined alongside general contractor Piotr Ottenbreit of PO Design Creation—Brewster envisioned a warm white scheme rooted in classicism, layered with patina and accented with modern elements. Inspired by The Breakers’ kitchen’s ceiling-height subway tiles, Brewster clad the upper walls and integrated range hood in perfectly imperfect Moroccan zellige tiles that shimmer in the light. Below, a sleek floating ledge and continuous white marble backsplash and countertops lend a decidedly contemporary perspective.
The room’s robust cabinetry program offers another discrete historical homage with its inset-style paneling, which Brewster describes as “transitional” and “Shaker but not ” thanks to the enhanced beveled detailing. Anchoring the space, the designer once again took her cues from the Breakers’ kitchen, channeling its large, freestanding center table for her design of an oak island stained chocolate brown.
Sanding the original wide plank pine floors to their natural state finished with a subtle whitewash creates a bright base layer for the room and unlacquered brass taps and hardware garnish the scene with a timeless living finish. A cherry red pendant suspended above the island is the lone saturated dissenter in the creamy milieu.
Upstairs, the primary bathroom is similarly reverential of history, taking cues for its walls from hand-carved paneling the designer spied in a circa-1700s home in Maine. “I thought this was such an interesting idea and a way to have ‘artwork’ without actually hanging artwork,”
An Urban Electric Co. pendant specified in Benjamin Moore’s Raisin Torte hangs above a custom oak island designed to evoke that of The Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island (left). Brass Rejuvenation hardware dots the drawers (below).
Brewster explains. Here too, the designer chose a warm white paint for the millwork, complemented by bright white ceilings, a monochrome clawfoot tub and crisp, limestone-tiled floors. “I love the mixing of whites in this space—a flat white ceiling, warmer white walls and white floors. There’s a gradation of shades moving up the walls based off the white tones found in the marble.”
Said marble—which wraps the walk-in shower and tops the vanity the designer had fabricated from a vintage midcentury dresser—is a bold cut of Calacatta Viola Breccia. “It makes such a statement with the burgundy undertones,” gushes Brewster, who opted to pair the striking stone with exposed piping, yet again in an aged brass finish, “because that’s ho w bathroom plumbing actually looked and worked in period homes.”
While quiet, the finished spaces thrill with their many tone-on-tone material choices and hand-crafted details. When it comes to creating wow factor within a neutral palette, pulling layers of patina from the past, it seems, is an inspired place to start. isabelbrewsterinteriors.com
Farrow & Ball’s Slipper Satin blankets the primary bathroom, where an antique dresser was retrofitted as a vanity and topped with Calacatta Viola Breccia from United Marble. A tub from Vintage Tub & Bath adds a historic touch.
MATERIAL NOT ES
HIGH-TOUCH PRODUCTS THAT ELEVATE EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES.
GLOBAL VIEWS
Australia-based hardware company, Bankston Architectural is making its U.S. debut with the launch of a buzzy collaboration with New York-based design studio, Civilian. The 12-piece Hemispheres collection—named after the two parts of the world from which the and and Portoro bankston.com companies are headquartered—combines architectural and artistic flair with functional, standout hardware. Curving shapes and circular elements can be found throughout the line of levers, knobs and pulls as evident in the H03 Knob on Half Moon in Portoro Gold Marble on Smooth Nickel (right).
TAPPED OUT
With matte-black plumbing and hardware here to stay, Brizo is now o ering its beloved Kintsu bath collection in the popular fi nish. Named for the Japanese method of Kintsugi, which marries cracked pottery with gold, Kintsu combines Japanese wabi-sabi principles with a minimalistic Scandinavian ethos. Here, the discreet Widespread Lavatory faucet is shown in the matte black fi nish with wood inserts for a balanced and Zen aesthetic. Mother-of-pearl and concrete detailing are also available. brizo.com
STONE FACED
Coming o the heels of their debut line of mantels, Marmi is leaning further into product with the launch of Editions No. 2: Bath. Known for their custom natural stonework in high-end interiors, Marmi’s 20-piece bath collection features everything from vanities to pedestals to tubs in an impressive 17 stone choices. Here, the Hamilton Demilune Vanity in Picasso marble, designed by the brand’s creative director Neil Zuleta, is complete with burnished brass detailing, open side shelving, a fl uted front and walnut-lined drawers. marmistone.com
All in the Mix
VARIED TEXTURES MAKE A STRIKING STATEMENT IN A MARYLAND BATHROOM DESIGNED FOR DECOMPRESSION.
photo: stacy
zarin goldberg.
a
collaboration
“UNVEILED”,
new
by Ryan Saghian for Studio M.
Greige tiles, Formica vanities, a quintessential 1980s sunken jacuzzi: The bathroom, located in Clarksville, Maryland, was begging for a rewrite and designer Elizabeth Reich was happy to oblige. Spurred by her client’s love of Italy, Reich composed a surprising symphony of materials that bridges classic and contemporary for a transportive retreat. Below, the designer breaks down the details.
Wow Factor: My client wanted an unusual marble that reminded her of traveling abroad. We fell in love with this Calacatta Vagli Viola with its wine-colored veining and milky background. She wanted it everywhere at first, but we evolved to making it a focal point on the vanity, sinks, shower and casings.
Grounding Influence: The wood tiles are by Tabarka Studio, which warm up the room and add another element of texture and pattern. I fell in love with this monotone parquet; it’s simple yet interesting.
Hand Crafted: The walls are Venetian plaster by artisan Kelly Walker to give an aged feel, like something you would see in Europe. The pale umber color brings out the subtle golden tones in the marble.
Custom Content: The bespoke vanity was designed and built from white oak by a local cabinetmaker. The solid brass hardware is in a burnished finish by HRL Brass, and we loved the rectangular backplates which give them an extra cool factor. The standalone cabinet is also made of white oak, but the panels are reeded. Same material, different vibe! crosbyjenkins.com
Calacatta Vagli Viola marble from Gramaco Stone Source steals the show in this Maryland bathroom, where Visual Comfort & Co. sconces flank Arteriors mirrors. Wood tiles from Tabarka Studio and plaster walls by Kelly Walker of Artstar Custom Paintworks add texture.
photos: stacy zarin goldberg.
RISK TAKERS
Filled with boundary-pushing ideas, a Naples penthouse plays with patterns, textures and art.
WRITTEN BY SHANNON SHARPE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC PIASECKI/OTTO | STYLING BY ANITA SARSIDI
Architecture and Interior Design: Suzanne Lovell, Suzanne Lovell Inc. Home Builder: David Gordon, Kurtz Homes Naples
In the dining room, residential designer Suzanne Lovell selected Pierre Frey’s geometric Pueblos fabric for Studio Van den Akker’s Paolo chairs. Dual Lucy Slivinski chandeliers inject whimsy above the redwood slab-topped Pollaro table with cumaro-trunk legs.
Suzanne Lovell is a storyteller, although not in the traditional sense. Her narrative isn’t oral or written but, rather, architectural. This was the approach she used when renovating an amoeba-shaped Naples penthouse with sweeping oceanfront vistas. “The architectural language had to play together throughout the home,” the residential designer explains. The main plotline, she adds, is “all about the views.”
Having designed the clients’ Chicago condo, Lovell had a deep understanding of their wants and lifestyle. Lovers of entertaining and unafraid of making daring choices, they desired a fun, relaxed atmosphere, in which every room pops with personality. “The husband teased us, saying the first home was a test,” the residential designer shares with a laugh. “They were ready to go big in this space.”
That began with rethinking the layout alongside general contractor David Gordon, weaving a tale that begins as soon as one steps out of the elevator lobby and enters the great room. “Suzanne knew we wanted this area to be usable for enjoying the view as well as entertaining,” he says.
With prior experience working in the building, Lovell knew they’d be able to take down nonload-bearing elements that blocked sights of the white sand and blue ocean beyond. “The line of windows needed to flow from the front door all the way around the home,” she explains. “I wanted people to be able to walk to the edge of the architecture.”
The material palette was essential in moving the story forward. Lovell maintained the boxshaped millwork, adding bright white shiplap and wrapping columns in rope. Walls were transformed with plaster, grass cloth and linen. Other nautical nods—like brass kitchen pendants on chains that bring to mind boating knots, the yacht-inspired game room with its woven panels and leather seating, and the great room’s curved wood-back sofa—serve as reminders of the beachfront location.
Lovell carried this aesthetic into the great room with a neutral color scheme that sets the stage for the views while using art to make a
bold statement. The wife had first turned to the designer for help building the couple’s collection when working with her on their Chicago home. “This time, the husband wanted to get educated in the world of fine art,” Lovell notes. “Their goal was to buy art they’d love to live with and that would create dialogue.” A mix of mediums congregates, including a monotype by Cecily Brown and works on paper by Yoshitomo Nara and David Shrigley. Then there are the functional art pieces throughout: See the great room’s sculptural lamp by Rogan Gregory, the nest-like pendant by artist Lucy Slivinski in the cabana room and the sculpted sliding doors by woodworker Caleb Woodard that open from the family room to the home theater.
While traveling the residence along the window walls, Lovell created a through line by using the same patterned neutral draperies in all the public spaces. “It works well in the rooms with quieter, subdued palettes as well as the more colorful and lively spaces,” she observes. From there, vibrant accents pack a punch. Pink, blue and chartreuse provide geometric pattern play on the dining room chairs. Blue cheetah-print fabric, meanwhile, envelops the deep seating in the theater. And black lacquer glimmers on the moldings and ceiling of the game room, which also showcases a zebra-print paneled bar. This all culminates in the jaw-dropping cabana room, with its blackand-white banquette, patterned Moroccan-style rug and chairs in chartreuse, orange and yellow. Grounding the space is a floor-to-ceiling charcoal image of a cat by Robert Longo. “He keeps watch over this party room,” Lovell muses.
For those needing a respite from the revelry, Lovell designed two primary suites on opposite ends of the penthouse. The owners’—complete with his-and-her offices and bathrooms—is a luxurious sanctuary of ivory, tan, rust and black, with patterned drapes and a Ross Bleckner oil painting adding oomph. The guest suite, which has its own separate entrance, is an ode to the sunny locale with its palm-print wallcovering, rattan touches and yellow-and-green scheme. It all makes for a compelling tale Lovell was thrilled to write. “This apartment is fascinating to me,” she reflects, “because it’s very relaxing but also quite bold. The clients were brave.”
Pierre Frey’s Totem print appears on the cabana room’s draperies and Jouffre sectional. Matter chairs pair with Stahl + Band side tables on the Erden rug. Another Lucy Slivinski chandelier hangs above
Louise Liljencrantz’s Cloud coffee table from Studio Twenty Seven.
“THE ARCHITECTURAL LANGUAGE HAD TO PLAY TOGETHER THROUGHOUT THE HOME .”
–SUZANNE LOVELL
Apparatus pendants align in front of an Obsolete clock in the kitchen, home to Waterworks faucets. Troscan stools pull up to a peninsula outfitted with titanium granite, which was also used for the backsplash. Matthew Shlian art inserts a splash of blue.
Above: Benjamin Moore’s semigloss Black showcases the game room’s woven panels by Toyine Sellers. A Keleen Leathers-upholstered Jouffre banquette joins Soane Britain’s Crillon chairs and Yacht table on the Beauvais Carpets rug. The Urban Electric Co.’s Rex flush mounts stud the ceiling.
Opposite: Blackman Cruz’s Molar stools provide elegant seating at the great room’s bar, which is clad in handpolished nickel applied metal by Axolotl and topped with Nero Marinace granite. Bendheim’s VintageMirror Cloud mirror reflects Apparatus’ Arrow pendant lights and Waterworks’ Henry faucets.
Above: In the wife’s office, Huddle by Elliott Puckette is displayed behind Promemoria’s Moka chair and Theo writing desk. The patterned Elizabeth Garouste lamp and the brand’s Plum lounge chair, both from Ralph Pucci, congregate with Caste’s Madoc table lamp.
Opposite: An Erden rug, Thomas Brummett prints and a leather BDDW mirror create a luxurious path to the wife’s office. Michael Schmidt Custom Interiors fabricated the chaise next to the Gregorius Pineo side table as well as the Pierre Frey drapes.
The primary bedroom’s Troscan sofa and Caste coffee table face a Jouffre bed. Patrick E. Naggar armchairs, Ross Bleckner art and a Holly Hunt floor lamp add interest beneath Jonathan Browning Studios’ Avion chandelier.
“ THIS APARTMENT IS FASCINATING TO ME, BECAUSE IT’S VERY RELAXING BUT ALSO QUITE BOLD. THE CLIENTS WERE BRAVE .”
–SUZANNE LOVELL
The guest suite’s Ananbô wallcovering is a tropical backdrop for the McGuire bed, ottomans, lounge chairs, nightstands and side tables. Zanat stools front a sofa by Michael Schmidt Custom Interiors.
Soane Britain lights, a Lostine floor lamp and Jasper table lamps complete the scene.
Architecture and Landscape Architecture: Steve Giannetti, Giannetti Home Interior Design: Brooke Giannetti, Giannetti Home Home Builder: Jim Mullowney, Mullowney General Contractor, Inc.
BY ALICE WELSH
DOYLE | PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
LISA ROMEREIN
To orchestrate a new country estate for a Tennessee family, a designer duo combines calibrated notes of rusticity and elegance.
WRITTEN
The foyer embraces tradition via reclaimed gray-and-white marble checkerboard flooring from Exquisite Surfaces and a Gustavian settee from D. Larsson wearing Holland & Sherry’s Rambouillet velvet. Framed botanicals from Benton, Hayden & Associates accent walls painted Farrow & Ball’s Wimborne White.
Adherents of classical architecture in its purest form may frown on anyone who dares to step outside the bounds of tradition. But architect Steve Giannetti believes that if doing so improves the daily experience for the people who live there, some allowances should be embraced. “I’ve always been a bit of a rule breaker,” he shares. “I like to take the best ideas from all eras and blend them together.”
A sublime example of Steve’s approach plays out on Nashville’s pastoral outskirts, site of the new abode owners Dana and David Curtis have lovingly dubbed Bliss Manor. Theirs is a residence that certainly references history, yet very much comes across as here and now.
Formulating a design inspired by years of Dana’s personal sketches, the architect then took further cues from the DNA of storied Southern homes—including local favorite Cheekwood Estate—along with British manor houses Dana admired while living in England when she was young. So, while the residence boasts a classic pediment and limestone exterior, its au courant façade is enriched by soaring steel windows and doors painted soft gray. “When most people incorporate steel, the finish is darker, which means that material really defines the space,” Steve explains. In this case, “We wanted your eye to flow through without interruption, so the home feels connected to the landscape.”
To keep the large house from becoming cold or unwelcoming, the architect referenced the floor plans of older homes. “Rooms unfold sequentially as you walk through them,” reveals Steve, whose plan favors the enfilade in lieu of hallways. “There is only one hall on the first floor—and it leads to the primary suite.” This free-flowing configuration allows the couple and their four young children to easily interact, even when seated in neighboring rooms. “The spaces are laid out in such an intimate way,” Dana reveals. “Steve was so attuned to what we wanted for our family and how to make our home work for us and for entertaining.”
For the interiors, the Curtises engaged Steve’s wife, Brooke Giannetti, his partner in life and design. “When you hire Steve and Brooke, you get ‘one plus one equals three,’ ” Dana says. The
duo’s collaboration calls to mind longtime dance partners; every move is anticipated as they keep their eye on the goal of an extraordinary home. In the case of Bliss Manor, their collaboration produced a mix of classic—French giltwood mirrors, cut-crystal accents, oil paintings and oldworld textiles—with current: pale painted finishes, natural wood tones, breezy linens and plentiful clear glass. Room by room, Brooke’s judicious placements of hand-carved 18th- and 19th-century antiques provide ornate counterpoints to Steve’s comparatively streamlined millwork.
The home’s quiet color scheme centers on soft neutral tones shot through with a range of blues, the owners’ mutual favorite hue. Likewise, general contractor Jim Mullowney adhered to a similarly restrained material palette of stucco, limestone and white oak to affirm a clear flow between rooms. When spaces do deviate from this simplicity, it is to signal their specialness. The dining room, for example, adopts a more formal attitude with its French parquet floors, dramatic crystal chandelier and a scenic mural personalized to echo the view. The family room, meanwhile, feels more casual thanks to its wealth of oak—seen in wide-plank floors, vertical paneling and ceiling beams and trusses. “This room was partly inspired by a barn, so we wanted to give the impression that it could have been added over time,” Steve notes. Adds Brooke: “We remained aware that— although formal—this is a family home. So, we played with rusticity as well.”
The Giannettis hold tight to the thesis that interiors should be in constant conversation with exteriors; to that end, Steve also addressed the landscape design. Large windows and pocket doors open to reveal the pool, courtyard and garden from multiple points within the U-shaped rear of the residence. Back indoors, Brooke followed suit with a bevy of botanical prints and garden-inspired cement urns while Steve designed a powder room sink that looks plucked from an English potting shed.
Considering how beautifully the home’s refined design and grand scale support entertaining, it’s notable how well it equally fits the casual rhythms of modern family life. “People always remark how peaceful our home is. The colors are easy and natural, and nothing is too fussy,” Dana notes. “It truly is a place of bliss.”
Julie Neil Designs’ Bonbon chandelier presides over the living room. Highland House’s Gallas swivel chair, dressed in Rogers & Goffigon’s Biarritz velvet in Fountain, mingles with a circa-1790s settee from Jacqueline Adams Antiques.
Above: Maria Trimbell Murals painted a custom pastoral scene for the dining room, which includes depictions of local flora and even the Curtis family entering their nearby church. Draperies of Holland & Sherry’s Wool Challis in Azzurro accompany a Baguès sconce from Dawn Hill Antiques.
Opposite: Anchoring the same space is Rose Tarlow Melrose House’s Regency Dining Table in Tipperary mahogany, which is lit by a Fontaine Chandelier and encircled by St. Pierre Dining Side Chairs, all by Dennis & Leen. The latter don Holland & Sherry’s Rambouillet velvet in Millpond.
Above: Hickory Chair’s Amsterdam Counter Stools line the kitchen’s French oak island by Gaston & Wyatt. Antique lanterns from Artifacts hang above a Calacatta Gold marble countertop and backsplash from Indigo Granite & Tile, LLC.
Opposite: A weathered oak counter from M. Fowler Antiques anchors the bar room, providing a buffet-style serving spot beneath a Jamb globe pendant. The custom Gaston & Wyatt cabinet is painted Farrow & Ball’s Pavilion Gray in a striated finish to give the illusion of patina.
Above: McLean Lighting Works’ English Street Light helps cultivate the family room’s casual attitude. Highland House’s Marcel Skirted Sofas and Durant Chair—all from Bungalow Classic—converse with a French tapestry from Garden Variety Design.
Opposite: A Marvin transom window marks the transition from the family room to the courtyard. Beside the Absolute Pools swimming pool, Bevolo lanterns flank a pair of Formations’ Estate Chaises topped with pillows of DeLany & Long Ltd.’s Cabriolet outdoor velvet in Sky.
Panels of Rogers & Goffigon’s Meltemi linen in Avorio and Libeco bedding from The Iron Gate dress Rose Tarlow Melrose House’s Oppede Bed in the primary bedroom. A lantern from Foxglove Antiques & Galleries hangs above.
Above: Polished nickel Classic Brass hardware adorns the primary bathroom’s bespoke Gaston & Wyatt vanity, joined by a Swedish side chair from Patina Home & Garden. 1stdibs-sourced Baguès crystal sconces flank the reproduction 19th-century French gilt mirror by Eloquence.
Opposite: In the same space, a classic undermount tub and Etoile tub filler—both by Waterworks—sit beside Marvin windows and Riviera Bronze doors that look onto the private walled garden. Charles Edwards’ Hanging Ophelia Lantern highlights honed limestone flooring from Higgins Stone.
Above: Farrow & Ball’s Pink Ground and Middleton Pink were blended to paint the walls of one daughter’s bedroom—a perfect match to custom bed canopies of Rogers & Goffigon’s Cumulus linen in Rosebud. The carved Chelsea beds and benches are by Mimi London, Inc.
Opposite: This guest bedroom charms in Sanderson’s avian-print Tuileries wallcovering and trim painted Farrow & Ball’s Cooking Apple Green. A Lee Industries rocker in Rosemary Hallgarten bouclé rests atop an Elizabeth Eakins rug from Holland & Sherry.
Architecture: Robert Sinclair, Sinclair Associates Architects Inc. Interior Design: Errol Dejager, Dejager Design Inc.
Home Builder: Dara Mir, The Mir Group Landscape Architecture: David Squires, Aroundyou, Inc.
Rising Aspirations
Masterful juxtapositions of classical and contemporary styles define a Bel Air hillside villa envisioned as a Mediterranean-inspired oasis.
WRITTEN
JESSICA
BY
RITZ | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MANOLO LANGIS
White oak panels and plaster walls wrap the formal living room with warmth. An Enne sectional and coffee table, velvet Randolph & Hein armchairs and a Donghia chair rest beneath a Henge chandelier from Mass Beverly. The painting is
Gyula Sági, the two large wood artworks are from Accessory Preview Inc. and a Salvador Dalí sculpture sits on the table.
The idea of living in Bel Air was a longtime dream during the years Dara Mir spent growing up in West Los Angeles. As an adult— and determined to turn that fantasy into reality—he’d drive up and down the area’s storied streets, studying the possibilities.
So when the entrepreneur-turned-developer spied the Bel Air hillside property that now holds his multitiered, contemporary Mediterraneaninspired residence, he was more than ready to move forward into the future he’d imagined. What followed—10 years from conception to final construction and furnishing; proposing to his wife, Lilly, at a gazebo on the property; factoring her and, eventually, their two children into the house— “has felt like a dream ever since,” he muses.
The steep site helped define the parameters of that dream, recalls architect Robert Sinclair. “The concept was about light and views, expanses and intimacy,” he says. Working hand in hand with Mir himself (who oversaw construction) and interior designer Errol Dejager, Sinclair first created the home’s expansive central courtyard, around which the main public spaces are placed, then stepped additional stories and courtyards up the hill.
“I really liked the homes in Santorini, where one person’s roof is another person’s deck,” he explains of how the structures are overlapped, staggered and stacked. “Then we got carried away with a modern Santorini idea, with flat roofs and outdoor stairs that connect the courtyards and roofs. It flows like a Grecian hillside village.” Plans for the architectural envelope came together within the first week as Sinclair and Dejager, who are frequent collaborators, lobbed ideas back and forth with Mir.
The material palette as well as certain details became more defined after Mir and Lilly returned from a stay in Ravello off the Amalfi Coast.
“It had such a quintessential Italian old-town feel, and so many buildings had vaulted ceilings and beautiful stonework—we asked, ‘how can we bring that feeling back to our own home?’ ” remembers Mir. One direct result is a long axial outdoor passageway that incorporates vaulted ceilings and lanterns; otherwise, textured limestone clads the exterior and continues into certain sections of the interior, honed travertine flooring evokes
that of the Getty Center and clay-plaster walls add softness and depth. These classic design elements are punctuated by contemporary moments— steel windows, linear chandeliers, sculptural furnishings—but none so much as the main level’s automated sliding glass doors and windows. “All the doors and windows pocket into the walls; the house becomes a glassless open floor plan at the touch of a button,” says Dejager of how the entry foyer, great room, dining room and lounge area all interact with a tranquil central courtyard. The space’s symmetry is underscored by four mature olive trees in a grid and a soothing water feature composed of rhythmic cubes. “It’s an amazing experience, as if you’re living outside, but with a cover,” the designer continues. But the spatially fluid concept did present its own challenges, Dejager notes, “because how do you create formal spaces out of what’s essentially one large loggia?”
That was solved, though, in the course of the project. “We wanted each space to be grand but also have everything in proportion and create moments of intimacy,” notes Mir of the care he and Dejager employed in choosing furnishings and finishes that transition effortlessly from, say, the courtyard through the living room and out to the pool deck. Textures are subtle and the materials earthy, while the bold lighting choices, contemporary furnishings and accessories are fittingly glam. And there’s a degree of meticulous attention to detail evident throughout, from the floor-to-ceiling panels of the kitchen to the shadow play of the entrance’s deep eaves and teak-slat covered windows.
Landscape designer David Squires devised a specific tree selection and plant palette to soften the architecture and “give it a home,” he says. He envisioned the house as being nestled within an olive orchard, placing groves into the hillside and an edible orchard at the higher reaches of the site. Deciduous ginkgo trees line the driveway approach and, after a few years of growth, will eventually form a canopy.
Mir continues to make tweaks, aiming to get the lighting, the automation, the plant palette just so. “He has a discerning eye, as well as the courage to say, ‘If we’re not going to do it right, let’s not do it,’ ” concludes Dejager. “And there’s not a corner of this house that compromises quality.”
In the family room, which opens to the pool deck, a Minotti sofa and lounge chair take in the views.
The fireplace surround is clad with Matrix Jet granite from Stoneland USA. Large-scale art by Matthew Dibble grounds the tableau.
Above: The kitchen’s rift-sawn white oak cabinetry and integrated millwork create a paneled look complemented by countertops, shelving and a backsplash of leathered Taj Mahal quartzite sourced from Topanga Stone. The appliances are by Gaggenau and the faucet is Dornbracht.
Opposite: The same stone is featured on the kitchen’s double islands, the first of which boasts display shelving at one end. The door to a walk-in pantry and butler’s kitchen is subtly tucked into the paneling. Limestone cladding, also used on the exteriors, provides continuity inside.
the
sits an
which
Central to
main level
inner courtyard around
public spaces are configured in a square. Pocketing doors from Riviera Bronze allow for a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. The chairs are Minotti and the Boulder Fire Table is from Stone Yard, Inc.
Right: A marble table anchors the formal dining room with Walter Knoll armchairs from Luminaire. Il Pezzo Mancante chandeliers, via Collectioni, light its expanse. The credenza is Olivya Stone and the custom rug nods to an abstract painting from Ebanista.
Opposite: A geometric water feature by Water Studio and four olive trees placed in a grid enhance the courtyard’s symmetry. In the background lies the formal dining room, positioned directly across from the entrance hall on the courtyard’s opposite end.
When the primary bedroom’s doors pocket away, the
walls nearly disappear into their surroundings.
and
and
glass balcony
Designer Errol Dejager designed the bed
floating nightstands
matched them with a Holly Hunt bench. The rug is Martin Patrick Evan and art is by Angela Gebhardt.
louvers by Geolam form the screens that enclose the pool deck at the main level. Multiple seating vignettes by Harbour and a roomy outdoor bar offer ample space for entertaining.
Go Ahead, Overthink The Windows.
Architect: Upwall Design Builder: Douglas Knight Construction
Photographer: Springgate Photography Follow us on Instagram
For some homes, windows become more than a building element. All the more reason to start with the world's best materials and designs, sustainably crafted. To transcend function and open the world of stunning sight lines, playful light and museum-quality views. A tall order for a normal window, but not for windows that never compromise. Learn more >
