AD Intérieurs + Musée des Arts Décoratifs

I just got back from a wonderful trip to Paris, during which I had the pleasure of visiting the AD Intérieurs show house at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. The show featured spaces created by 16 French interior designers. The guidelines were that the concept be centered around a little-seen piece from the museum's collection.  The resulting spaces not only incorporated the museum's selections seemlessly but were works of art unto themselves. 

Designed by Luis Laplace and Christophe Comoy

Created around the desk of Clément Mére

Design by Isabelle Stanislas

Created around a 16th-century Venetian wood sarcophagus chest

Design by Caroline Sarkozy & Laurent Bourgois

Centered around Marie Antoinette's settee

Design by Chahan Minassian

Centered around smoked glass-spangled desk made in 1966 by sculptor César

Designed by Charles Zana

Created around a 1957 ceiling lamp by Ettore Sottass (not shown)

Max ID NY

I recently discovered Max ID NY, a quirky shop in Sag Harbor, selling an eclectic mix of both antiques and modern sculptural pieces. It is a family run business, with the father overseeing the antiques and art and the son designing the new stark contrasting pieces. The store is located in a house which is set up as a pseudo second home for the family. Vertually everything is for sale from the stacks of books in front of the fireplace to the 19th century pillars and panelling bought on a European shopping trip. 

Chiltern Firehouse + Studio KO

Hotelier Andre Balaz's first foray abroad, the Chiltern Firehouse, is currently the hottest reservation in London.  Located in a 1889 Neo Gothic former firehouse in Marylebone, the restaurant features original tile floors, exposed brick walls and a woven canvas ceiling meant to be a nod to the hoses original stored there.  

The guest rooms were designed by the French firm Studio KO. The design duo has a talent at striking the right balance between finding the cultural roots of a project and keeping it feeling modern. I had the pleasure of staying at another one of their projects, L'heure Bleue in Essaouira, Morocco, and thought the design was both authentic and sophisticated.

Eric Piasecki

Last week I had the pleasure of working with esteemed photographer Eric Piasecki on a photo shoot for House Beautiful magazine. Eric regularly contributes to the top shelter magazines and has shot monographs for designers Steven Gambrel, Thom Filicia, Juan Montoya and Timothy Corrigan.  He has a phenomenal eye for light and composition. Here is a small sampling of his work.

Tulum

COQUI COQUI, TULUM

I just returned from Tulum, Mexico.  I stayed at the wonderful six bedroom Coqui Coqui hotel.  The beachfront property is part hotel and part perfumery.  The hotel is right on the beach and the vibe was perfect.  The lack of air conditioning, modern amenities, and the salt water stone bath added to the charm.  The views of the Caribbean water could not be beat.   I would recommend highly it for a relaxing weekend getaway. 

HARTWOOD

Tulum's restaurants were highly touted prior to the trip and they did not disappoint.  Hartwood was one of my favorites.  The food was outstanding and the cocktail list was superb.  The Pina Habanero Margarita was a highlight.  Infused tequila, fresh pineapple, and cointreau was the perfect beginning to the meal.  I also enjoyed El Tabano and Casa Jaguar. 

CASA JAGUAR

EL TABANO

Design New England

Last month Design New England magazine asked me to design a tent using outdoor fabric from Janus et Cie for their July/August edition. I drew inspiration from a trip I took last year to Morocco and decided to build a Berber style mediation tent. My colleague Lindsey and I spent a fun afternoon a few weeks ago constructing it at Crane Beach in Ipswich. 

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.