Sublime Stairs

In light of my post at the beginning of the week on this amazing stair hall I came across in Nice (see post here), I thought I would continue with this subject and share some of my favorite staircases.

I am fascinated at how architecture and design push something as simple as the transition from one level to another into a work of art.  Whether they are made of plaster, wood, metal, concrete or any other material I love the simplicity of their form and the creativity that design firms use when pushing the boundaries in their execution.

John Merkl & Yabu Pushelberg

Chahan Paris

Vitra Museum

Kamini Ezralow

Aspreys of London

Joan Lao & Andrea Ferrari

JAGR Interiors

Let the Feasting Begin

If there is one thing that the holiday are known for it is overeating - well one of the things at least.  Last night we started off our celebrations with some home made latkes in honour of the first night of Hanukkah - delicious! While we take advantage of the holiday season to spend time with family and friends, a large part of our time will be spent around the table.  Here are some great ideas for place settings and holiday scene settings around the table not matter what holiday you celebrate.  How do you set your table?

Plush Palate

Martha Stewart

Beaches and Peaches

Pinterest

The Style Files

 

Martha Stewart & Pinterest

Eight Crazy Nights

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah, starting off this holiday season in our house (we celebrate Christmukkah). It is a time for celebration, family and latkes! As we light our first candle tonight we wish all of you who are celebrating with us a Happy Hanukkah and all the best for this holiday season.

Pottery Barn

Sneak Peek

My time in Nice sadly came to an end over the weekend - I can't believe two weeks went by so quickly!  It was great discovering the city and enjoying a little bit of a milder climate.  I have been visiting there since I was little and never full appreciated the architecture and location until I was older and in the world of design.

Like many other European cities, Nice has an interesting abundance of history with layer upon layer revealing itself to you...if you know where to look.  I was taken to see a staircase in a residential/office building around the corner from the office in which I was working, that just blew me away.  I have walked by the building (Palais Hongran) countless times and never through to look through the glass in the front door to what was inside - or that this amazing architectural splendour could be hiding behind the interesting yet simple facade.

The building was built between 1769 and 1772 and the floral frescos which date from the 19th Century are attributed to Maurice Pillard Verneuil. I am sure that there are many little hidden gems like this in New York, London and many other cities, and this little encounter has made me want to start looking a little deeper and sneaking some more peeks - any suggestions?

The pillars aren't actually marble, but rather they are painted to look like marble - fooled me!

* Please excuse the dark photos - I only had my phone on me and this space clearly needed a better camera to capture this low-light interior!

Inspired By

Tartan!  There is something so festive about tatran, and how it always makes me think of the holidays.  With so many different patterns, colours and scales, there really is an endless supply to chose from, and a tartan that works with any interior.  Many interior furnishing companies have come out in recent years with lines featuring wallpapers, fabrics and accessories in many different plaids.  As we prepare for the holidays and now that winter is upon us, perhaps it is time to consider adding some tartan to ones life - what do you think?

The Grill at the Dorchester Hotel in London is a tartan filled wonder with walls, floors and furniture covered in all different patterns and colours.

 Bon Vivant

I love the idea of having framed tartan fabrics as a collage on this wall.

Martha Moments

This is a great example of where a more 'traditional' patterned fabric such as tartan gets a new kick by covering modern pieces of furniture.  I love the Eames chair done in a pattern like this (image on right).

Apartment Therapy

In the spirit of the holidays here are some decorations and wrapping ideas with some simple elegant plaid fabric.

Bright Bazaar

By mixing different patterns all in the same tone you get a really interesting look to the interior and it adds a little something extra to the space. 

Garry Cohn

Finally who could forget how cute our four-legged friends look in tartan. I just love this little coat and how dapper this guy looks.

Etsy