Louis Vuitton legendary trunks

I don’t usually care much for logo action but these beautiful vintage Louis Vuitton Trunks drive me insane!!! They remind me of old movies with glamorous people on steamships, romantic voyages on the Orient Express, exotic adventures and the wild possibilities that come with travel…and of course they make the perfect coffee table!!!! 

Philippe Starck's Master’s Chair

Philippe Starck a master of design in his own right, decided to pay homage to his forefathers: the master’s of midcentury modernism. By combining the lines of Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7, Eero Saarinen’s Tulip chair, and the Eames’ Shell chair, Starck has created a clever and surprisingly beautiful tribute. Made of plastic (sold by Kartell), the Master’s Chair serves as a poetic three dimensional representation of a defining time in design history. Though it is debatable that it may be a more successful art object than a piece of practical furniture, what is undeniable is Starck‘s ability to spark dialogue and debate within the design community through his work.

Eero Saarinen Tulip Armchair, a symbol of mid-century modern design

This one-legged chair was meant to alleviate one of Saarinen's great concerns: clutter, "The undercarriage of chairs and tables in a typical interior makes an ugly, confusing, unrestful world. I wanted to clear up the slum of legs. I wanted to make the chair all one thing again." Saarinen designed each piece of furniture in the Tulip series with a single pedestal leg, creating a unified environment of chairs, tables, and stools.

Produced by Knoll since 1957, this visually arresting chair, which many have said evokes the space age, has evolved into a symbol of mid-century modern design.

Eames Shell Chair

This chair was designed by Charles and Ray Eames, the most influentials American Designers of the 20th century. The story behind this chair is particularly amazing. This chair was actually the end result of a “failed” design. Having experimented with molded plywood, they could never get the single shell strong enough to handle the stresses of being a chair. But when plastic appeared, Charles and Ray saw the potential in it and they came up with a shell composition that was made out of plastic reinforced with glass fiber. These shells could be had in many colors which was infused into the plastic to remain consistent throughout. Because of its four legged metal base, this chair was called the Eiffel.

Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7

Outstanding Danish architect and designer, Arne Jacobsen created this versatile and low key side side chair in the 50’s to adjust to the body's contours and movements and so it is a stackable chair.

"I have made my chairs so that they can be stacked and leave the floor open. This is very important in private homes..."

His furniture and other design work have become an international heritage.

Timeless Chesterfield sofa

My favorite sofa is the chesterfield sofa. It’s distinguished look demands and grabs the attention of anyone who walks into a room. It is both chic and comfortable and can be incorporated into traditional, modern or contemporary homes.

This icon of the furniture world is widely thought to have been commissioned by, and consequently named in honor of, the fourth Earl of Chesterfield, Philip Dormer Stanhope, in the 18th century. Aside from being a much-admired politician and writer, the suave Earl was a known trendsetter. When the Earl requested a cabinetmaker to construct a piece of furniture that would allow a gentleman to sit upright in the utmost of comfort, thus was the inception of the Chesterfield sofa with its characteristic deep buttoned upholstery, rolled arms, equal back and arm height and nail head trim.

 

Nothing says “Romance” as a canopy bed

A typical canopy bed usually features posts at each of the four corners extending four feet high or more above the mattress. Fabric is often draped across the upper space between the posts and a solid swath of cloth may create a ceiling, or canopy directly over the bed. The canopy bed came into existence more for utilitarian means rather than for extravagance or decadence. In fact, the earliest incarnations were probably beds of common people seeking an additional layer of shelter beyond that of a less-than-impenetrable thatch roof. Canopy beds with curtains that could completely enclose the bed were used by lords and noblemen in medieval Europe for warmth and privacy, as their attendants often slept in the same room.

"World Interiors" by Alberto Pinto

What better way to start the year than by paying tribute to one of my favorite interior designers, Alberto Pinto. Not only because he was born in CasabIanca like me J but also because he truly inspires me.  His countless cultural influences mixed with his unique and sophisticated points of view produce timeless opulent interiors.    

His new book, the eighth, promises to takes us from holiday homes in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Monaco, to grand residences in New York and Kuwait, via super-yachts and private jets.           
The book called "World Interiors" should be available in the US on Jan 10. Can’t wait to put my hands on it.

Welcome 2012!!

Happy New Year everyone!  

Let’s make it a magnificent year with fresh ideas, exciting projects, and a lot of inspiring moments…

Bring it on 2012!!

Farewell 2011

Such a blessed year, so much to be thankful for, so much to learn from and make me stronger. If at the end of the year I can say that I’ve laughed, cried, loved and became a bit wiser than I consider it was a successful one.

Happy Goodbyes to 2011

The Château de Goult

Have you ever wanted to be ‘Lord of the Manor’ for a week in a luxury French chateau? Well, how about The Château de Goult, a magnificent 800 year old medieval castle at the hill-top of the village de Goult in Provençe

You will cross the ages: from the 12th century tower through the Guards Room of the 14th century to the Grand Staircase of the 17th century. The Chateau offers over 1000m2 steeped in history. Its 2 lounges and dining rooms, its 2 kitchens, 8 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms can accommodate twenty people or more.

Beni Ouarain rugs

These shaggy pile rugs featuring soft black abstract archaic-looking patterns against ivory backgrounds are hand woven by the Beni Ouarain, a Berber tribe in the Middle Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

One part of each family cultivate fields in the valleys, while the others migrates with their flocks and tents to the mountains in summer, descending in winter to the hill country.

In these mountain regions one can still find the ancient breed of small sheep whose excellent wool is responsible for the quality of Beni Ouarain rugs.