The Apartment
When I moved from my old apartment to the new apartment there were some obvious hurdles. The space was not as large, the character was not as charming, and the finishes were not as fine. I pulled up the carpet and put down a vinyl plank "hardwood look" floor in the living room, added the wall of antiqued mirrors behind the sofa, and raised the visual height of the window with my bamboo blinds and floor to ceiling curtains, but the space still just didn't feel right. Doesn't feel right. Not like me.
The Gallery Wall at The Apartment
There are a few things that I do love. I love the art, and I've spent a lot of time curating these original pieces. This wall is meant to grow with me, and it already has from this photo of the space. I love my slipcovers, so tailored - the work of a brilliant seamstress. I love most of the furniture, though, I am second guessing those French bergere chairs at the moment.
The Mammoth Centerpiece of The Apartment
One thing that I don't love (anymore) is the GIANT multi-functional ottoman/settee/daybed/chaise piece that I designed for the space. I mean, it's not that I don't love it - I don't love it there. I SHOULD have put a long, harvest style table there that could have been super useful for dinner parties or as a library table, a staging area for all the pretty little things that live in boxes because there aren't any good places to store them. I suppose it's not too late, but where oh where will this massive thing go?
Leo at The Apartment
Then there's Leo. Good ole Leo, who never does me wrong. I love this piece, and it's become so wonderfully useful in this new space. But the rest of it ... eh? Do I love it? No. Do I hate it? No. Am I just tired of looking at the same ole thing?
Bedroom at The Apartment
The one room I haven't grown tired of is the bedroom. Is it because there is color in this space? Is that what I'm missing in the other space? Color? I've been looking for different chairs for the living room, and I keep coming back to something like these Pavilion chairs:
via 1stdibs
Back at CDLV, I had one of these as an office chair, and I loved it! It was both beautiful and comfortable, and that was when I weighed 100 pounds more than I do today! I also love the look of bamboo mixed with the look that I have. So many people have done it so well that there's endless inspiration:
via pinterest - Designer Credit, Lorenzo Castillo, Madrid
They'd certainly make for great conversation chairs, and dining chairs. Love them around this skirted table.
via pinterest by way of Cote de Texas - Designer Credit: Mary McDonald
Of course, Mary "Can do no wrong" McDonald used them in this beautiful space as "staged" additional seating and they look wonderful with the ikat fabric cushions.
via pinterest - Designer Credit: Jeffrey Bilhuber
Another design master, Jeffrey Bilhuber, uses one here and it blends perfectly into the fold, along side beautifully upholstered pieces.
via pinterest by way of HouseBeautiful - Designer Credit: Mark D. Sikes
Mark D. Sikes uses one in his old library decor. Not sure where this got moved to when he made shifted his interiors around?
via pinterest by way of Mark D. Sikes - Designer Credit: Jeffrey Bilhuber
Love this! Jeffrey used these chairs a lot, and they came up in a lot of different houses when he published his third book: Defining Luxury. I think it aids in the argument of how versatile and beautiful these chairs really are.
via pinterest
There's something about these chairs, paired with seagrass or jute rugs, creams and whites, stripes, and the blue and white porcelain that just says YES! Don't you think? Add some ikat or suzani in there, a velvet pillow or two, and that whole laid back, sophisticated, 'just a touch' of chinoiserie comes through and just shines.
So that's where I'm at. Maybe I'm nuts. The chairs are certainly NOT cheap, but I feel like they're a little more me, a little less formal, a little more fun, and maybe even a bit more youthful? I think, yes! So, consider them ordered and now we wait!
Stay tuned for the slightly new look at The Apartment.
Love your new look!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great glimpse of your apartment and it is touched with the Artie style. I still miss those colorful rich touches. You are evolving as a designer and the look is great. Those chairs are a must! Peggy from PA
ReplyDeleteLove these chairs...check ebay, craigslist and etsy. Here's an etsy link:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.etsy.com/listing/274865940/brighton-style-bamboo-chair-vintage-palm?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=Chinoiserie%20%20Arm%20Chair&ref=sr_gallery_13
Stunning, classic, gorgeous. You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteJust love your aesthetic and style. Can't wait to see the slightly new look!
ReplyDeleteTold you so : " please , not a LARGE ottoman " , better find 2 smaller Chinese coffee tables . You want elegant things on them , flowers , beautiful coral , etc .
ReplyDeleteThe 2 bergeres chairs are fine , try some bright colourful ikat cushions on them .
Love your flair for design , and your drive for constant change .
Good luck with this room !
ok - you could get a large table and put it over the ottoman, but i would just move it - how about the dining room? against a wall - with a round tulip table from ikea in front of it? can't wait to see the changes. bedroom looks fab. you over think things too much - the apartment looks fabulous. as is.
ReplyDeleteArtie, I have to second Joni, it already looks fabulous!!! However, I can picture where you are going with those pavilion/bamboo chairs and I think that will look great too! I love bamboo! I love that it adds texture and warmth but looks light and airy. I have seen quite a few chairs like that on Ye Olde List of Craig for CHEAP! I do have one burning question for you... How in the world do you keep your white slips so white and fresh looking?! You have a black dog, correct? I have two small dogs and the second I get the sofa presentable they ruin it with fur, mud, general muck and god knows what! Washing the slip does not seem to help- I just end up with tired wrinkly looking fabric. As always, love it everytime we get a sneak peek into your lovely home!
ReplyDeleteKaren
I prefer all of your decor . Weldone for shared these on here .
ReplyDeleteWhen I moved from my old apartment to the new apartment there were some obvious hurdles. The space was not as large, the character was not as charming, and the finishes were not as fine. cheap designer lawn suits , gul ahmed lawn collection 2016 with price I pulled up the carpet and put down a vinyl plank "hardwood look" floor in the living room, added the wall of antiqued mirrors behind the sofa, and raised the visual height of the window with my bamboo blinds and floor to ceiling curtains, but the space still just didn't feel right. Doesn't feel right. Not like me.
ReplyDelete