…the idea of faux exotic finishes on walls. I’m not sure I can think of anything more luxurious than being completely surrounded by tortoiseshell, ivory or horn. Don’t you think? And the bonus is, there is absolutely no guilt attached!
A study decorated by the late Randall Ridless which was apparently inspired by Billy Baldwins library for Cole Porter. Looks like the perfect place to curl up with a pile of magazines and a cup of tea on a cold day!
Photographed by Simon Upton for the March 2005 issue of Elle Decor.
A bedroom by Miles Redd, with faux ivory (walls) and faux horn (cornices). Just stunning, and so clever.
Photographed by Thomas Loos for the July 2009 issue of House Beautiful.
We received a new wall covering sample book today at my work, and I could not be more excited. The new “Nest” collection from Schumacher is made up of 12 designs, each hand crafted from natural bird feathers. They are so stunning that I’m a little lost for words. They are definitely the most beautiful new samples we’ve received for a while. My favorite would have to be the design “Waldon”, made from quail feathers (below). It has almost a tortoiseshell appearance to it. I’m dying to use it in a project now, especially in something like a library…what do you think folks?
Habitually Chic posted this week about the launch of the new book “Paint and Paper: In Decoration” by fellow aussie David Oliver, founder of the Paint and Paper Library. I’ve had these tear sheets of the London home he shares with his wife and business partner Sophie, for 4 years. I’ve been meaning to post them because their living room is still one of my favorites, so now I have a great excuse to share them with you.
In 1996, from their Chelsea apartment basement, David and Sophie developed a range of paint colours that they hoped would reflect the 20th century. They very quickly developed a following by local designers and in 1998 they introduced a range of wallpapers they had designed, along with designs by Emily Todhunter and Neisha Crosland. Needless to say, neither of them knew they were creating what would be a leading company in the international interior design scene.
These interior shots are of the victorian terrace house they renovated and restored over a two-year period, that they now share with their two children (Edward and Cosmo) in West London.
The 70’s sofa in their living room was a hand me down from Sophie’s parents. Regency style armchairs to the right are covered in fabric remnants David had found years before.
A little difficult to see in these pictures, but the wallpaper and rug motif are the same, “Liberation”, which was designed by David.
Sitting on top of the side table by Ashley Hicks is a glass match-stick striker (similar ones available from Nina Campbell).
This living room is still one of my favorites. The combination of colours and furniture styles is so warm and inviting. It has a range of historical references as well as many personal touches that make this ultimately a wonderful family home.
Wallpaper panels are Neisha Crosland’s “Willow”. The Art Deco desk and 60’s pewter desk-set add character to their study.
All images from Vogue Living (Australia) August/September 2003. More images can be found on the Paint & Paper Library website – here.
The two rooms by Steven Gambrel from the Nov 07 Elle Decor that got me on this…
Interior by Australian designer Greg Natale
Dark walls in a Nate Berkus dining room
Charcoal library by Todd Alexander Romano
Image from KM Design
Dark walls by Thad Hayes
Another Thad Hayes room – love these colours together
The other master of dark colours, who practices what he preaches – Philip Gorrivan‘s own living room
A Miles Redd bedroom – another stunning colour combination
Federal blue walls by Markham Roberts 
Another room by Markham Roberts
Hunter green walls by Darren Henault
Smouldering dark bedroom walls by Eric CohlerHere are a few more ‘chinois chic’ images that I’ve had on my mind lately. This interior belongs to the Melbourne manager of Brunschwig & Fils. It has a masculine feel about it, and I love how he’s mixed styles as well as the origin (some of the furniture is Japanese, some is Chinese).
Bedhead is upholstered in Gaston y Daniela’s “Tap Astorga”, wallpaper is “Orientala on Bamboo & Cotton” also by Brunschwig & Fils.
Bedroom chair is covered in “Bandipur Silk Texture” from Brunschwig & Fils.
Chair is covered in “Balthazar Silk Velvet Stripe” Brunschwig & Fils, cushion is “Leopardo” by Rubelli, and the stunning wallpaper behind is “Yunnan”, also by Brunschwig & Fils. This is probably my favorite of all the images. The combination of the wallpaper, chair (and those fabrics) and the chinese cabinet is perfection. I’ve had this image in my mind lately, even though it’s quite old, because I’ve been thinking about whether or not (and if so, how much) I would incorporate a chionois style into our decor when and if we buy a place here in Hong Kong. I think this is a great example of how chinois style can be done tastefully. I love this combination of colours too – so I thought I’d share!
If anyone is interested, the wallpaper is “Loyang” from Brunschwig & Fils.
Image from Vogue Living (Australia) September 2005.
A few recent examples I found were from the new collections of Poltrona Frau, and the Spanish designer Jamie Hayon. I love their interpretation of a modern take on a traditional style.
Edward Wormley slipper chairs, from 1st Dibs
1960’s Slipper chairs from 1st Dibs
James Mont armchair from 1st Dibs
Tufted settee (source unknown)
French Canape from 1st Dibs
Ottoman (source unknown)
1920’s leather settee from 1st Dibs
1940’s silk headboard from 1st Dibs
Fabric from Kravet (pattern 9091)
“Harlow” wallpaper from Evans & Brown
Interior image from Beach Studios
Interior by Nicholas Haslam
Image from Kor Hotel group
Interior of Miles Redd‘s Living room
Has anyone else noticed the growing trend of lacquered/glossy walls? I must be a bit slow, because I thought gloss paint was only good for trims until recently. So many designers are using lacquer/gloss as a finish on walls, and I’m starting to think it can look amazing, especially when it’s a dark colour. Not only does it give a wall some interest, the way it reflects light seems to brighten up a room, as opposed to matte finished walls that just seem to suck it all up!
Lacquer has been around in China and Japan since 7000BC. Traditionally, lacquer was made from natural resins, and was used on different artifacts because of it’s durable, waterproof and beautiful finish. But these days there are many aritficial resins that are used to create lacquer, as well as wallcoverings and paints that acheive a similar, if not the same, effect at a much lower cost.
A few sources that I’ve managed to find of roll-form wallcoverings that have a lacquered look are: Valtekz – ‘patent’, Stark – ‘delfo’, Phillip Jeffries – ‘lacquered walls’, Donghia – ‘lacquered walls’, and Robert Crowder – ‘lacquers’.
High-gloss paint can also acheive a similar look, most paint companies offer a high-gloss finish. Fine Paints of Europe has a product called Hollandlac that also gives the high gloss look of lacquer, and comes in two varying degrees of gloss.
Chocolate brown in an interior by Jeffrey Bilhuber.
Forest green walls in an interior by Darren Henault.
High gloss teal in a Miles Redd room.
Feature wall panel in a bedroom at Kip’s Bay 2007 showhouse by Jamie Drake.
More chocolate brown, this time in a room by Markham Roberts.
High gloss ceiling in a Philip Gorrivan interior.
Lipstick red in a Steven Gambrel living room.
More glossy red walls, this is a living room by Todd Alexander Romano.
I thought I might post a few more images I’ve found since my post on metallic wallcoverings. I think it looks equally wonderful on furniture as it does on walls!
Donghia also does a few variations – a gold leaf wallpaper and a silver tea paper.
This image is of an interior Jeffrey Bilhuber created (image from the Katie Did blog). I’m loving his work at the moment…
Another delicious dining room covered in metallic tea paper, this one by Mathew Patrick Smyth.
A gold-leaf cabinet by Barbara Barry from her furniture collection for Baker.
“Silver Screen” cabinet and armoire by Barbara Barry from her furniture collection for Henredon.
I love the walls in this room, a bit bling and a bit old-world glam too. Both images are of the dining room in the Long Island home of Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, decorated by Thom Filicia. From the Vogue Living special issue – Fall/Winter 2006. Wallcoverings shown here are from Roger Arlington Inc.
