Reading Room Large, open spaces can be fantastic, but they are not always easy to manage : too often, they feel cold and empty, with no feeling of definition. However, not this multipurpose family room, which is reminiscent of the reading rooms of grand European estates. Designer Stephanie Wohlner states, "by adding the bookcases, a tall storage unit, ceiling beams, and also three seating areas, we could modify the dynamics of the full room, adding layers of heat and a sense of cohesiveness."
Personal Space Of this process of outfitting this powder space within her house, designer Alison Jennison says, "I was really free to do anything I liked. 1 detail from this area that I love is that we painted the entire thing one color--the walls, trim, wainscoting, and doors are all in the exact same color and finish. I really like how that allows the flooring layout have its second." Edwardian-style fixtures and a photograph of an open publication infuse the room with an antiquarian edge.
Going Clubbing To provide a bachelor's industrial downtown-New York City loft the " rich elements of a membership team," designer Brad Kreftman put an attractive mixture of furnishings, vintage finds, and custom-designed pieces against a backdrop of exposed pipe and brick. "The end result is an eclectic, inviting space," he states. " The analysis readily converts from a sitting room to an extra bedroom with a couch that folds out to a bed and a cupboard area in the corner for hanging clothing."
Calm and Collected At a bedroom at a family fishing camp on Florida's Grand Island, designers Abigail Rizor and Hattie Wolfe took care to infuse the space with neighborhood character, without resorting to cliche. "The marlin is a bass that the household really captured," say the designers. Balancing the giant yarn are two 1950s butterfly chairs covered in hides, a pair of French chrome side lamps, and also a custom daybed covered in practical indoor-outdoor cloth from Sunbrella. A platform bed or walnut along with an aged Indonesian wheel transformed to sculpture complete the look. "Your family has quite an assortment of fascinating objects, which always makes for a great space when pulled together," they say.
Naturalist Beauty Refurbishing a lakeside cottage in rural Ireland was an opportunity for designer Egon Walesch to link the indoor spaces with the home's lovely setting. "The brief for the toilet was supposed to provide a calm area for bathing in the bath and admiring the views of the lake and the surrounding woodland," he states. "We combined a mixture of new and old things to make a distinctive appearance: the dressing table is a repurposed classic washstand with a new basin; the cast iron roll-top tub rests on bespoke wooden sleeper affirms; handmade encaustic tiles cover the floor; plus a vintage map hangs above the toilet" Finally, neutral light grey tones with occasional splashes of blue keep the room calm and simple.
Grown-Up Guest Room Transforming a grown child's room into a guest room is always catchy, emotionally and from a decorating standpoint. On one hand, you would like the space to make visitors feel more welcomed; on the other, you would like the space to keep to feel as "home" if your fledgling comes back to the nest today and again. In this beautiful bedroom, designer Barbara Eberlein created only this delicate equilibrium during the careful use of colour, pattern, texture, and a collection of vintage accents. Her advice: "For a college-bound kid's former space, use colours and textures you see in his cupboard: tan saddle leather with decorative stitching; sharp pinstripe cotton; comfy camel knitted masculine and wood, geometric patterns and colors found in oriental rugs" Maintain beddings basic, and add some customized bits, such as the vintage luggage exhibited at the base of the mattress.
Studied Effect "We used a mixture of vintage family accessories paired with fresh contemporary furniture to create a tailored but comfy area," say the designers of Residents Understood relating to this charming study. "An area in this way should be casual and always inviting. And don't forget the cozy corner chair in an indestructible cloth prepared for a long time of enthused lounging."
Tailored Elegance To pull together her eclectic decorating tastes into a sleek master bedroom, designer Jess Goodwin of Jess Ann Interiors custom-designed her own bed--also made it herself. "I wanted a top headboard, and to finish the look I added wood wings on the sides--that ended up becoming one of the greatest design elements of the room," she says. A silent color palette of creams, whites, and grays retains the room "spacious and airy but also very modern and sharp," she says --also helps accentuate the photography set displayed over the bed.
Traveler's Rest "House to a young specialist, a native of Hawaii who recently moved to NY, this bachelor pad mixes new Euro-modern, bohemian chic, and mid-century bits to make a place that highlights the operator's vast interests and fashion," says co-principal Andrew Kotchen of Workshop/APD. "This loft-like living room marries the hip, youthful vibe of its own owner with its West Village place, thanks to its mix of custom and vintage pieces, photography and art collections, and also the Vipp bookshelves that line one wall."
Personal Library "We wanted to make an intimate space where two to four people may have a personal conversation," says designer Rodolfo Castro of this library he designed for the owners of a contemporary house. "The homeowners had a selection of African baskets, which we used as decorative elements in the room, in addition to various other artifacts gathered in there travels across the world. Vintage leather seats are always a great way to add masculinity to a space. The skull lamp from Blackman Cruz adds just a little whimsy into the space. One intriguing thing about this room is that the wall behind the chairs hides a Murphy bed: The painting could be removed and re-hung supporting the bed when it's in use. An ADA-compliant toilet adjoins the space in case anyone with mobility problems ever visits for the night."
