Grey Barn Farm

My favorite summer retreats is the island of Martha's Vineyard.  Grey Barn Farm is a permanent fixture at the local West Tisbury Farmer's Market so it was interesting to see the owner's Chilmark house featured in Architectural Digest. They did a wonderful job maintaining a neutral palette while still staying true to farmhouse vernacular.

Malibu living

February is my least favorite month in New England. As I watch another snow storm out my window I can't help but daydream about relocating somewhere warm. Patrick Dempsey's home featured in the March issue of Architectural Digest seems to fit the bill. The house which is located in Malibu was originally designed by Frank Gehry in 1968. However, it was the outdoor spaces that captured my attention. Landscape designer Scott Shrader introduced lush gardens with built-in seating and low walls  made out of recycled concrete to provide structure and intimacy. I would imagine they spend just as much time outdoors as they do in the house. 

Graphic Floors & the Louis Cube

Using graphic patterns on the floor is a fabulous way of transforming an ordinary space into something extraordinary. I especially like using them in small spaces such as entries, dining rooms and bathrooms.

I am currently working on a powder room using a marble Louis cube. This pattern, which was named after King Louis XIV, has been around since the Greeks and Romans used it on their floors. It is amazing to me that is still feels modern and current centuries later.

Louis marble cube 

Design by Kelly Wearstler from AD

Wythe Hotel, NYC

Design by David Netto from Veranda

Design by Kelly Wearstler

The Great American House

There is something so tranquil and idyllic about a country house rooted in traditional American architecture. Nobody understands this better that Gil Schafer. His book The Great American House is not only filled with beautiful images of his work, it also explains how the rules of classic architecture fit with today's modern lifestyles. When asked how he can design homes that are based on classical precedents when he is a 21st century architect he explains, "classicism is a language, and you can speak it in a contemporary way."

Images from The Great American House and Architectural Digest

Creel and Gow

Next time I am in NYC, the new boutique Creel and Gow is definitely on my list. Specializing in rare specimens from nature and artisanal objects they have an array of taxidermy, rare minerals, coral, fossils and decorative objects. The idea for the shop came after the owners took a trip to the Galapagos Islands and thought it would be fun to have a store where everything came from Mother Nature.  The products are all responsibility sourced (coming from zoos after animals have pasted naturally), vintage or reproduction. 131 East 70th Street, NYC.

Images from Architectural Digest

Mark Lee + Ed Filipowski NYC Penthouse

This serene prewar penthouse of Mark Lee (CEO of Barneys New York) and Ed Filipowski is one of my favorite homes that Architectural Digest has featured. They hired the architectuiral firm Janson Goldstein to design a new open plan to replace the previous dark maze of rooms. The result was a light filled layout with public spaces interconnecting and flowing out onto the wrap around terrace (see plan below). For the interiors the pair scoured the flea markets and antique stores in Paris, LA and Stamford CT. They chose a warm 1940's palette and tailored furniture pieces to project a handsome, masculine aesthetic.