At home with Sara and Julius

Because of the grand Belle Epoque feel of this impressive Malmo, Sweden, 18th century flat, its owners decided to furnish it sparingly and not overload it with massive pieces. Mismatching pieces from different eras and using a relaxed, creative approach, Sara and Julius managed to design a homey apartment filled with pieces easy to connect to where everyday objects become unique display pieces . via/text frenchbydesign

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Tom Ford & His Sante Fe Ranch

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Apartment On Oscar Freire Str. in São Paulo by Felipe Hess

The project itself is a two story private residence in São Paulo, Brazil,  located on the 20th floor of an apartment building on the very well to do and cosmopolitan Oscar Freire Street. The clients, a couple who have completed their dues as parents, were finally ready to enjoy their ideal housing dream. Being great art lovers and ancient book collectors, it was of prime importance that their true passions be exposed and admired on a daily basis, a factor which was successfully achieved by Felipe Hess.

At first glance, the prime factor that captivates you in this apartment is the sense of space. No partitions, dividers or separations, just the freedom of vast openness. This is even more capturing as a guest entering from the main entrance through a tunnel like corridor all made out of Embula wood with its 2.10 m ceiling. Walking through this corridor with its bronze mirrors and Victor Brecheret sculpture ‘As duas meninas’, you are suddenly overwhelmed as you enter a double height room with its pure white walls and limestone flooring. The living, dining & TV room are connected through the great library. This great space has been designed in a 1950’s style where the lifestyle is all about friends dropping by to either discuss the latest developments or evaluate the recent art exhibit opening with a glass of whisky in one hand, pocket watch in the other and views to the metropolis. The furniture beckons long conversations and the displays of books certainly demand it.

The presence of the central wooden fixture which provides the background for some of the couple’s artworks not only helps in organizing the interior but also incorporates a secret opening to a wine cave. Ahh…. the luxuries of old timers. Throughout the rooms the presence of great names surround you, names such as  Charles & Ray Eames chaise in the TV room, Lasar Segall canvas at the back of the dining room, Florence Knoll dining table, Jorge Zalszupin pair of armchairs in the library and the list goes on.  

The designer of this project states ''this apartment is an example of urban living in the heart of fashion in the most vibrating district, bringing calm and comfort to the interiors thanks to the materials, the art works & the objects''. via yatzer

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ADAM'S DOWNTOWN LA LOFT

I moved to Downtown LA three years ago and have never met my landlord. I responded to a craigslist ad that had been posted for a while. He gave me the code to the lock box and I would come here at different times of day, or night, and just hang out. I moved from a duplex in Boyle Heights that was kind of classic LA. It had an original Batchelder tile fireplace and built-ins and pocket doors, which were amazing, but I felt like I needed to respect those details and create space around them. I ended up wanting a space that wasn't so specific, so I loaded my Scion Xb and headed over the bridge.

The space has gone through several transformations in the last few years. For a time, I had an IKEA bookshelf separating the "bedroom" from the rest of the space. I replaced that with curtain panels that I sewed together and dip-dyed. They're not a solid separation, but they create an intimate space that feels separate.

I also created the rolling ottoman and benches for the TV and under the windows. The ottoman is upholstered in dyed black canvas and has a washable quilted top (I have two cats). The benches are 10' x 12' dark stained doug fir on plumbing pipe frames. They used to be stacked with books on the lower level and the TV on top, but I wanted a bench, so I separated them. The wall behind the TV is stucco on masonry. I'm not so comfortable with hanging things in masonry, so my boyfriend (at the time) had painted a beautiful chevron pattern, which I recently re-painted.

I got the couch in an "as-is" section of a local shop like 10 years ago for $150. It's huge and comfortable and I like the shape of it, so when it needed an update (and re-upholstering was too pricey) I ended up patch-working over the original upholstery. It took me a year of random hours with scrap fabric and spare time to cover most of the visible surfaces. I recently started re-covering the re-covering.

I also ended up painting the credenza and replaced the legs with wheels so I can easily roll it away for projects, or gatherings, that require more space. I originally made the hanging above the bed as a knotted fleece rug and the sconces on either side are upside-down plant pots with rope-wrapped wiring.

I found the glass coffee table and my workspace shelving at St. Vincent de Paul's (amazing thrift store) for $85 all together. The desk and the bench (between the "bedroom") I got at a vintage shop, and used The Brick House refinishing method. And the plants! Some I've had for years, but most are from clippings. The stacked plants in the living room are attached to a drainpipe from the roof through the apartment

As for the rest, I try to choose things I love. I generally enjoy old, handmade and well designed pieces. I set aside spaces for things that are sentimental. Kind of shrines in a way. via oldbrandnewblog

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