It's a Family Affair

Can you keep a secret?  Not, really?  Well, no worries because the secret is out-- or soon to be for the masses.  Bolon by Missoni will be unveiled at the Missoni Showroom (Via Solferino, 9) next week in Milan during the Salone del Mobile.  Bolon, a cutting-edge Swedish flooring company, well-known as the first in the world to produce woven vinyl floor coverings, has a fabulous new collaborator (and my favorite Italian fashion house, http://jennifermicocciinteriors.blogspot.it/2011_01_01_archive.html): Missoni.  It makes perfect sense that the two companies would meld their ideas.  At the root they are the same: family companies with an amazing eye for detail.  Annica Eklund, Managing Director of Bolon explains, "The same philosophy about life, views about design, both Bolon and Missoni are strong family businesses with their own production lines, third-generation entrepreneurs, our products are woven-- as you can imagine, we see eye-to-eye on most things."  Based on classic Missoni patterns and their vibrant color ranges, Bolon by Missoni has reproduced three designs: Optical, Bayadere and Flame.  Ci vedremo a Milano!      

 

BOLON 

Vera in Bloom

Vera Wang Fall Bridal Collection 2012

A dear friend of mine is recently engaged, and so, it's time to plan a wedding!  However, she is in Atlanta and I am in Rome, too far to give her a congratulatory hug and kiss... but I've expressed my joy for her through words... and through images!  You see, I couldn't resist perusing the latest bridal runway shows, awestruck by the resplendent beauty and designs of Amsale, Lazaro, Jenny Packham, Reem Acra and Christos.  And yet, my 'go to' designer for elegant gowns (with a tad of origami humor) is the mago of wedding gowns, Ms. Vera Wang.  Hers was the last of the runway shows ('save the best') that I watched, or more accurately, studied.  It was anything but typical for I was immediately surprised and a bit stupefied by her color choices-- nudes for the bride, la sposa-- and even black.  Now, I would never suggest my friend glide down the church center aisle in this dark shade, more befitting for the groom's attire.  Yet, Wang's gown has inspired me and summoned a whimsy of ideas.

Chalice (archival pigment print, paint resin on wood) by Linda Ingraham.

Capitello Corinzio Chair by Piero Fornasetti.

Seed Cloud Wall Light (36 x 8 cm) by Ochre.

Octopus in Black 20x20 throw pillow by Stanton Home Furnishings.

Divine Recline Banquette by Ochre.

Horsehair Screen 42 x 144cm by Ochre.

From the 28 product line of Bocci. Photo by Gwenael Lewis.

Soho Tufted Sectionals from Restoration Hardware.

Entwined Leaf Rug (Jute) from Anthropologie.

Negro Marquinas Marble Book from Kelly Wearstler.

Datura 1 (archival pigment print, paint resin on wood) by Linda Ingraham.

Dedar Showroom Milan.

Soho black/lime hand tufted wool/viscose rug from Safavieh.

Max & Company, part II

 

The hip younger sister has never been so cool... Time to share more of the best vignettes from Phoebe Howard's Atlanta Max & Company showroom.  Some of the highlights?  Tufted ottomans.  Symmetry galore.  Perfect table settings.  Neutrals in a new light.  Wall vinyl a la' wainscoat.  Alluring accessories.  The ever perfect pillow.  And details down to the last hem stitch!  On this International Women's Day, a closer look at Phoebe's designs...      

    

Some of my favorites (part II):    

Pop of color; not your typical selection for this warm, rustic setting.

Lovely to the umpteenth degree!

From afar the wainscoating seems to be a wall tile...

Up close it is actually a wall covering!

Various sizes, colors and styles are available for the perfect pillow.

Check mate...so lux!

Fabulous area rug with wool carving.

Gorgeous pair of ceramic lamps in the most striking green.

Love the banquette idea for a breakfast area; ready to propose this for my next client!

By far, my favorite vignette of the showroom; amazing rocker!

A perfect pair; the natural wood sculpture aside the blurred glass lamp.

Max & Company, part I

The hip younger sister.  Shall we contrast Elizabeth Bennet to the elder Jane?  That is how Max & Company feels while comparing it to Phoebe Howard's other shop, the more classically designed Mrs. Howard (see January's blog).  The freshness of this showroom is felt before even stepping foot onto the gorgeous hardwoods; the soft colors of the octagonal entry space can be spied from outside the glass doors.  And the other details?  Cleaner lines.  Simplified moldings.  Gorgeous coffee table books.  Softer hues.  White metals.  Casual stones.  Industrial lighting.  Bold artwork.  Yet those perfect pillows (with chop) are still abundant.  

Some of my favorites (part I):    
   

Breathtaking 'riverstone' mosaics.

Elegance of the perfect settee at the foot of the bed.

The artworks speaks so perfectly to the exposed beam ceiling.

If the space allows, love the nightstand doubling as a desk.

Love the little brass crab for a beach house!

Oh, so Ralph Lauren, but with a lightness.

 

Gorgeous lamps and side chairs in the stairway.

Did you notice the paneling and dental crown? Details galore!

Wonderful custom lamps and accessories.