yay or nay: mixing metals

With gold back, and black always en vogue,

it's becoming more and more common to see a mix of metals in interiors.

(apologizing now for the irregular sizing ahead, but I really wanted you to be able to see the details, 
and they were all strangely sized today!)

Kitchens, in particular, are veering away from all stainless.
I know I'm feeling tired of it - you?

both of these dining room have got a splash of gold warming up these grey metals.

Black, white, and gold - need I say more.....

but wait, maybe black, white, gold AND silver?!!

here gold and grey tones form the basis for the palette....

and several layers of metals are seamlessly incorporated into this space.

 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10



I'm wondering if this is more common because
 people are slowly switching over from cool to warm metals,
 they are just adding hits around the home (as an easily removed trendy item),
or it's just become more modern to mix finishes, just like we do furnishings.


what do you think -
is mixing metals something you do in your own home?
Is it a look that's here to stay?

an homage to Black Friday

via

New and Old Meet in Black and White

One of the most wonderful thing about old homes is the character they contain.

Sometimes this becomes obliterated by renovations and decoration,
but it's fantastic to see the successful collaboration of old and new elements
in the home of Industrial Designer Kristina Stark.

The kitchen cabinetry may be new,
but open shelving and baskets keep it from
overpowering the gorgeous original wood stove.
Walls, trim and ceiling are white, and with no visual breaks, this space looks cavernous.

A coat of dove grey paint brings new life to tired floors,
terra cotta tiles will endure a lifetime of use.

What a restful space to slumber in.
The home owners must be morning people - no curtains!
I wish they put lovely deep windowsills like this in all the newer homes -
plants perch happily here in almost every room.

I think this is the star of the home.
One of my favourite rooms, ever!

I love every single thing here - that SPECTACULAR ceiling,
the bold, crisp stripes of the bed and carpet,
and the presentation, placement and scale of that yummy vintage art.
Does anyone know where you can buy those posters?

source

It's a beauty, isn't it?
Rare that you find an old home with such a perfectly modern vibe.

Anna Sui et Un Peu de Magie Noir.

Do you ever watch Man Shops Globe on the Sundance Channel?

It details the adventures and sourcing methods of Keith Johnson

  (a buyer for Anthropologie - can you say DREAM JOB) 

as he searches for artisians around the world who make goods Anthro- style:

authentic materials re-thought into innovative crafts.

Imagine going shopping with someone who has an incredible eye and vision -

 to markets all over the world!

I record them all, and usually watch each episode a few times.. living vicariously :)

Last night I caught the trip to Syria with Anna Sui.

While the trip to Syria was fascinating, I was google-eyed over Anna Sui's Manhattan apartment.

It was featured in Elle Decor last year.

At one point in the episode, Anna says to Keith, "When in doubt, go Black."

I share that philosophy.

Every time we move I try to reduce the amount of black we have present in our home,

 and it always creeps back in... nothing compares in richness and drama.
Gorgeous chinoiserie paper from Stark sets the tone..

Anna's living room is black perfection.
Anna and Keith were discussing their shared love of inlaid furniture,
 here her spectactular chest serves as a perch for a peacock!
So much pattern, balanced by the glossy black floor,
and I love the way layers of mirror bounce light around the room.

so completely chic.
This tiny, charming kitchen showcases Anna's china,
which she discusses in linked article on entertaining.

At first glance I though this was a hall vignette :)
This bathroom could host a cocktail party.
Glossy black, and LOOK at those floors, the sconces.. the chandelier!

That room I was most curious to see, Anna Sui's closet.

Can you imagine the treasures?

She travels quite frequently for inspiration, and was showing Keith some of her finds - 

embroidered boots from Uzbekistan..
all showcased brilliantly in this space, which looks like a little french boutique.

Anna's space is sultry black, black enchanted.
Have you, too succumbed to un peu de magie noir?


til next time..

A Tented Ceiling of a Different Kind.. NYU Restaurant

What do you get when you mix an old liquor factory and some serious ingenuity?

The Beirut bar/restaurant MYU, created by Architect Paul Kaloustian.

Two vaults, covered in translucent black fabric define the restaurant and bar spaces,

 with a window between for a visual connection-

clever and so original.

The lighting can be dimmed to increase the feeling of enclosure later in the evening..

such sultry ambiance.

Cocktails, anyone?

til next time..