Inspired By

Snow!  Well the Alps to the north of Nice are all beautiful and snow covered, and even though the city is mild and sunny one really does have the sense that it is winter!  It has started to snow in many places and I keep seeing posts on Facebook about how much snow is falling and cities being transformed into real winter wonderlands! I love how crisp and magical everything looks in a blanket of fresh fallen snow and have been looking longingly at the mountains trying to work out when I can hit the slopes! Here are some things I think about when it comes to snow and winter.

Trip Advisor

Cashmere for the home - blankets, pillows and hot water bottle covers - there is something so wonderful and wintery about it.

The White Company

Of course snow (and cashmere) make me think of skiing and ski chalets.  This amazing chalet is a perfect mix of old rustic meeting new. 

Kitchen Clarity

Jean Royere has created amazing furnishings and I have always enjoyed his club chairs covered in mohair fabric. So soft and comfortable to sit in.

Alan Moss Gallery

I just love this etherial fabric scheme from Pollack Associates.  The lightness of the sheer on top and the palette of the silver, cream and white fabrics just make me think of a snowy winter.

Pollack Associates

Snow and winter make me want to go to the spa - nothing more indulgent for me than sitting in a warm pool surrounded by snow.  For me the ultimate would be The Theme Vals Spa in Switzerland by Peter Zumthor.  It is an incredibly modern building with indoor treatment rooms and outdoor pools. Incredible view!

Slow Muse Blog

For all of you that currently have snow, keep warm and remember to ENJOY!

Six Sensen Healing

Quintessentially Nice

Walking back to the office from a site meeting last week we passed by the Place Garibaldi. It is one of the oldest hubs in Nice as it sits just on the outside of the old city and used to be the end of the road linking Nice and Torino (see exhibition post here). With the addition of the tram passing through the square, it has undergone a complete renovation becoming almost entirely pedestrian with benches, patios and some incredible painting on the facades of the surrounding buildings.

The square is almost entirely enclosed by buildings which have been painted in a 'trompe l'oeil' effect - something I think of as characteristic to this region.  Take a look at the images below and see whether you can decipher what is real and what is painted...I think that they did an amazing job and love the added interest it gives the facades and the square!

*Answer - all the stone pediments and balconies are painted! Only the shutters and metal balustrades on the balconies are real.

The Runners Up

For the past three days I have been posting on my top three from Architectural Digests 100 Architects and Designers (you can visit my PART 1, PART 2 and PART 3 posts through their links). It was VERY hard to pick my top three as there are so many interesting, innovative and amazing designers that made their list and I have therefore decided to have one more (little) post with my runners up.

The issue is really fantastic and I love reading about designers I know and discovering new ones.  Who were your favorites?  Here is the link to the AD list for all those interested in killing some time this Friday.

SELLDORF ARCHITECTS

AERO STUDIOS

DANIEL ROMUALDEZ ARCHITECTS

JENNIFER POST DESIGN INC.

DAVID KLEINBERG DESIGN ASSOCIATES

ROMAN AND WILLIAMS 

THIERRY DESPOND LTD

All photos from AD Top 100

AD Top 100 - Part 3

Well here it is the final in my Architectural Digest Special Issue top three.

JEAN LOUIS DENOIT

This Paris-based interior design and architecture company puts a contemporary continental spin on the traditional Parisian aesthetic.  In true french designer fashion the material palett used is simple, refined and elegant and their interiors ooze class. He has an eye for amazing antiques and they even have an in-house antique gallery in their Paris studio.  With Denoit's studio being just over a decade old, this Paris trained designer's work has a maturity and sophistication well beyond its years.

Jean Louis Denoit

AD Top 100 - Part 2

Following from yesterday's post, here is the next installment of my top three in Architectural Digest's Special Issue AD100 top Architects and Interior Designers.

 LEROY STREET STUDIO

This Manhattan based architectural studio specializes in the use of innovative materials and solving unique and difficult design problems. They create new modern structures each being as innovative and boundary pushing with materials and design details as the next.  However, when it comes to refurbishing an existing building or structure they are very respectful of the original architectural language and period - a quality I find very important. I love their refurbishment of  a 19th century English farmhouse (first two images below), it really is my ideal country retreat!

Leroy Street Studio