Hauvette and Madani Updates a 1980s Paris Apartment With Eclectic Accents

Architect Theo Domini has undertaken the transformation of a grand 19th-century Haussmanian building in Paris into a tranquil apartment named Chateau Landon. Overlooking the Montmartre, the residence is designed to offer panoramic views while questioning conventional approaches to existing spaces. The project reinterprets the material and color palette of the historic building, creating a dialogue between its original context and contemporary design principles. The interior eschews confined spaces and heavy ornamentation, instead focusing on a dynamic interplay of light, materials, and fluid thresholds. The design is inspired by the ethereal glow often depicted in 19th-century French art, aiming to capture the serene play of light and shade that occurs as the sun sets over the landscape. The renovation of Chateau Landon functions not only as a protective screen for privacy but also as a belvedere, offering expansive views of the Parisian landscape. Domini's design introduces a radical abstraction of steel surfaces, juxtaposing them with the faded plaster that retains the marks of a century of history. These elements are intended to coexist harmoniously, enhancing the experience of the views they frame. The interior features simple linear geometries, smooth surfaces, and a restrained color palette, which together guide the eye through the space and emphasize the beauty of everyday life. The design seeks to intensify basic necessities, creating a calming and restful environment where sensory experience is prioritized for its inhabitants. A key aspect of this design philosophy is the elimination of unnecessary objects, distractions, and rigidly defined thresholds. Traditional doors are replaced by transitional spaces characterized by gradual changes in tonal values. This subtle interplay of gradations and suggestive boundaries, which are never fully enclosed, animates the space and encourages exploration. Domini notes that occupants imperceptibly transition from bright rooms into warm, modulated half-light, where the softness of the materials becomes prominent. The entrance to the residence is marked by a platform that rises slightly above the original parquet floors, where ferns and climbing ivy are integrated, growing freely and adding a natural, organic element to the interior. The project underscores a commitment to embracing raw materiality and the historical narrative embedded within the existing structure. By maintaining the original plaster, Domini allows the century-long history of the building to remain visible and integral to the new design. This approach creates a free sequence of spaces, where movement is fluid and uninterrupted by traditional divisions. The design celebrates the beauty found in the raw, unadorned state of materials, fostering an environment that is both historically resonant and distinctly modern. Chateau Landon is located in Paris, France, and represents a thoughtful approach to residential renovation. #TheoDomini #ChateauLandon #ParisianApartment #HaussmanianBuilding #ResidentialRenovation #InteriorDesign #MaterialJuxtaposition #LightAndShadow #ArchitecturalAbstraction

The article details the transformation of a 2,200-square-foot condominium in Chelsea, Manhattan, into a flexible and aesthetically cohesive living space, orchestrated by Lee Mindel and Peter Shelton of Shelton, Mindel & Associates. The client, a Minneapolis-based CEO of an international investment firm, sought a minimalist yet sophisticated pied-à-terre that could accommodate both his solitary living and visits from his two young sons. The apartment, originally a three-bedroom unit in a converted early 20th-century office building, presented several design challenges, including an intrusive architectural layout with aggressive walls and a lack of flow, failing to capitalize on its significant views of the Hudson and East rivers and the lower Manhattan skyline. Shelton and Mindel's approach focused on "undoing" architectural elements to create an expansive, unified space. They began by removing a wall between the living room and an adjacent narrow bedroom, allowing for a seamless flow between the living/dining area and the open-plan kitchen. To further enhance simplicity and openness, a uniform ceiling height was implemented, and closet doors were redesigned to appear more loft-like. Sliding wood panels were installed between the master bedroom and the guest room/children's room to provide flexibility. Radiator cabinets were integrated into the design under the windows, and large-scale custom rugs, along with raw-silk draperies, were used to define and refine the room's dimensions, giving it a sharp, clean finish. A key aspect of the design philosophy was to anchor the rooms with robust modernist furniture, selected for its quality and ability to impart a sense of order, structure, and strength without overwhelming the space. The furniture, sourced from various European countries and the United States, includes distinctive pieces such as a 1920s Fritz Henningsen leather armchair, a 1940s Fontana Arte coatrack, a 1950s Jean Prouvé console, and a 1950s Carlo Scarpa sconce in the entrance hall. The living room features a 1950s Poul Kjaerholm daybed, Børge Mogensen leather-and-birch chairs, and a Kjaerholm sofa upholstered in French postal cloth, alongside contemporary pieces designed by Shelton and Mindel. Art plays a significant role, with works like Richard Prince's cowboy photograph and Matthew Barney's 'Cremaster 3: Plumb Line' integrated into the living space. The dining area is furnished with a 1950s Prouvé Granito dining table and Børge Mogensen wicker dining chairs, illuminated by a 1970s Verner Panton acrylic sphere. The guest room/children's room features 1940s Prouvé compass desks and a trundle bed designed by the architects. The master bedroom includes a 1940s Jacques Adnet armchair, a 1950s Charlotte Perriand bedside table, and a custom headboard of natural hemp and black horsehair, complemented by a 1940s Josef Frank armoire and Richard Prince's photographic triptych. The design aimed to create a tranquil yet dynamic environment, where the volume, light, and carefully curated furnishings coalesce to give the condominium a strong sense of place, a rarity in condo conversions, achieving a harmonious balance that was met with universal approval. #InteriorDesign #ModernistFurniture #ManhattanApartment #ArchitecturalRenovation #SheltonMindelAssociates #LuxuryLiving #ContemporaryArt #SpacePlanning #CustomDesign

The Houston Estate project, located in a lush Houston neighborhood, exemplifies a seamless integration of traditional and modern design elements, creating a distinctive aesthetic that also showcases the client’s art collection. The entryway sets a grand tone with oversized custom steel doors and plaster walls, a recurring design feature throughout the home. A custom staircase, eclectic artwork, and a floral sofa contribute to a bold, inviting atmosphere, complemented by reclaimed octagon and dot tile from Italy, adding warmth and historical character. The formal dining room features grasscloth wallpaper matching the wood trim, producing a dramatic effect. Each furniture piece in this room is a statement, including a solid travertine table seating eight in velvet barrel-back chairs, and a custom console with a carved wave design. A personalized cupboard was also built to display the client’s china collection. In contrast, the formal living room opts for intricate millwork instead of grasscloth, presenting a color-drenched space where walls, ceiling, and drapes share the same hue, creating a sophisticated and dramatic ambiance. Furniture groupings in this room are arranged around a central fireplace, optimizing both aesthetics and functionality. The kitchen is a custom-designed space, rich with marble and tailored to the height of the homeowner, former MLB player Jason Castro. Details such as a bullnosed countertop profile, bookmatched backsplash, integrated marble sink, and hand-painted plug-in covers reflect meticulous craftsmanship. Oak cabinetry and a black Lacanche range complete the culinary area. The adjacent pantry is notable for its abundant natural light, dark blue cabinetry, soapstone countertops, and brass hardware, creating a moody yet stylish storage solution. An oversized vintage rug adds texture and patina. A casual breakfast nook, located off the kitchen, features a light fixture that harmonizes brass and darker metals, linking it with the kitchen's design. Seating includes comfortable, durable chairs with leather seats and plaid upholstered backs, chosen for a family with young children. Artwork by Tyler Guinn and a Heath Oak Cabinet from McGee & Co. enhance the space. The family room, a more relaxed gathering area, incorporates pieces from Round Top, Texas, and a vintage rug that informs the room's color palette. A curved-back sectional with crypton fabric offers durability, while the fireplace, with its fluted front, curved sides, and reclaimed fire brick, is a focal point. Styled built-ins provide display space for collectibles. The primary suite is designed as a serene retreat with a vaulted ceiling and a fireplace. Its neutral palette of browns, greens, creams, and moody blues is layered with custom millwork and relaxed drapes matching the wall color. Abstract artwork by Kimberly Moore is intentionally scaled smaller above the bed. The primary bathroom features unique elements such as a mixed metal vanity and plaster walls and ceilings between wood beams. The guest bedroom offers a calm and serene environment with ample natural light from windows on two sides. It is furnished with McGee & Co.'s Sutherland Bed and luxurious bedding. The ensuite bathroom features contrast trim derived from the wallpaper and a Calcutta marble-topped vanity. The study is dedicated to displaying the homeowner's baseball memorabilia, including Jason Castro's MLB career mementos and a World Series trophy. A herringbone wood floor with a brass inlay defines the room. The playroom features a distinctive wallpapered ceiling and various nooks for children's activities, including a firepole leading to a netted loft and built-in shelving for toys and books. The girls' room is characterized by a bold wallpaper dictating a soft pink contrast trim, layering pattern on pattern for a playful effect. The ensuite bathroom extends the trim color to the walls for cohesion, and an arched shower entry creates an artistic focal point. The boys' room utilizes a dramatic, high-contrast paint color derived from the upholstered headboard, which is complemented by a display of baseball hats as art. Its ensuite bathroom has subway tile throughout and a strategically placed vanity and mirror in front of a window. In the nursery, design elements such as wallpaper with contrast trim and a paneled ceiling are echoed from other areas of the home. The crib is positioned as the focal point for both aesthetic and practical reasons. The laundry room is designed to be a pleasant space, featuring wallpaper, patterned floors, and soft-colored cabinetry. A bold floral pattern is mixed with a geometric one, unified by a cohesive color palette. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #TraditionalModernMix #HoustonEstate #FamilyHomeDesign #CustomInteriors #LuxuryDesign #ResidentialDesign #RoombyRoomDesign

This article details the transformation of a "plain Jane" and dated condominium in Park Plaza into a chic and functional living space, expertly designed by owner Biff Bartron Buda, who also runs BW Design Group. Despite initial challenges such as a concrete ceiling and floor that complicated wiring and flooring installations, Buda was captivated by the condominium's spectacular city skyline views, motivating him to completely rethink the interior design. His solution involved constructing a "box within a box," which included dropping the ceiling to integrate wiring for lighting and installing a custom floating wood floor over the concrete slab. The 1,400-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath unit was reimagined with a strong European influence, drawing inspiration from Buda's travels to Croatia, France, and Italy. This is evident in design choices such as oversized round door knobs centrally mounted, as seen in Parisian apartments, and bathroom walls featuring raised, scrolled detailing created with crushed crystals, reminiscent of a modern take on Roman mosaics. Six-inch white painted baseboards are uniquely capped with stainless steel, introducing a sleek, German engineering aesthetic. The entire condo adheres to a consistent palette of various gray shades, from a charcoal sectional sofa in the living room to pale dove-gray walls in a guest bath and deep slate wallpaper with silver streaks in the master bedroom. This monochromatic approach is intentionally used to create a sense of spaciousness, ensuring the focus remains on the exterior views. Lighting solutions were crucial due to the concrete structure. Recessed lighting provides ambiance in the evenings, complemented by a glamorous crystal pendant chandelier in the dining area, mounted flush to avoid obstructing the view. The ceiling was lowered by a minimal one and a half inches to accommodate the lighting's mechanical elements, with molding directly mounted to the ceiling to enhance the illusion of height. The custom-engineered maple floors feature a durable polyurethane finish, installed as a floating floor due to the building's concrete foundation. In the kitchen, perimeter walls are covered with tiles designed to mimic linen, offering durability without sacrificing the aesthetic of wallpaper, while a contrasting glass mosaic tile on the back wall creates a focal point and visually expands the space. Glossy gray-lacquered cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a freestanding stainless range hood, a beverage chiller, and quartz countertops complete the sleek, contemporary kitchen design, prioritizing efficiency and ease of maintenance. Buda selectively incorporated only a few pieces from his previous 10,000-square-foot home, recognizing that larger furniture would overwhelm the smaller condo. He prioritized decluttering, hiding the TV within a custom cabinet, and using flush-mounted doors with seamlessly integrated wallpaper. The dining area features a modern, industrial-chic table with a dark ceramic glass top, designed for durability and expandability for larger gatherings, surrounded by black leather chairs with chrome frames. The master bedroom continues the black leather and chrome theme, featuring a contemporary bed and moldings that simulate a coffered ceiling. A walk-through closet was converted into an airy dressing room with built-in storage. The master bathroom is a luxurious space with a steam shower for two, hand-painted floral designs mimicking wallpaper, and a wall-mounted white lacquered vanity. The bathroom's tiles are an artful combination of finishes, with hand-glazed polished porcelain on the walls and matte finishes in the same colors on the floor, demonstrating Buda’s commitment to intricate details. #CondoDesign #InteriorDesign #UrbanLiving #EuropeanStyle #ModernHome #SpaceOptimization #LuxuryDesign #Renovation #ArchitecturalSolutions

Jeddah-based interior designer Rawan AlSahsah, founder of RIS Group, offers a tour of her recently redesigned double-storey home in the Al Khaldiah district. The extensive renovation, which took five months to complete, involved breaking down walls, replacing the entrance door, and completely reconstructing the kitchen. The home's atmosphere is described as comfortable and welcoming, with visitors often remarking that they feel transported to another place upon entering. AlSahsah's design approach for her home is deeply influenced by her travels, particularly her six-month stay in Paris, resulting in an eclectic style that blends traditional Parisian elements with modern influences. She incorporates a diverse range of materials, designs, furniture styles, and lighting, and is known for mixing vintage pieces with antiques and art sourced from auctions. Notable antique items include a cabinet in the living room, a classic brown buffet table, and an Art Deco vintage chandelier in the salon. The walls of the home are adorned with artwork collected by AlSahsah during her travels and from various auctions and galleries, featuring pieces by artists from Turkey, Indonesia, and Morocco, including Khaled Takreti, Virut Panchabuse, and Bahar Kocaman. Her selection philosophy for art, design pieces, lighting, and furniture prioritizes personal connection and unique, unconventional designs, exemplified by pieces from Jonathan Adler, Kelly Wearstler, and Lindsey Adelman. The entrance to her home features a handwoven Khazak rug, reflecting her passion for rugs, with other handmade and antique rugs present throughout the living spaces. Hand-painted Chinoiserie wallpaper decorates the walls, contributing to an 'escape-to-the-past' ambiance. AlSahsah emphasizes the importance of incorporating antique pieces for the stories they tell and the cultural depth they add to contemporary spaces. The living room features floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of a lush green garden, a space she utilizes for meditation when the weather permits. She advocates for investing in statement pieces to imbue a space with artistic character. AlSahsah recently launched her high-end furniture brand, Rawan Isaac, based in New York. The collection, which debuted at the High Point Market furniture fair in North Carolina, draws inspiration from the Art Deco era and mid-century modernism. Each piece is named after a constellation, such as 'Luna,' 'Elektra,' and 'Aria,' and is crafted by skilled artisans. A dining table from this collection, a bestseller, is proudly displayed in her own home. She spends most of her time in the ground-floor living room and enjoys breakfast on the upstairs terrace overlooking the garden. Weekends are often dedicated to entertaining friends with cooking nights, which she believes bring the house to life. The first-floor terrace also serves as her yoga space. AlSahsah describes her home as a reflection of her personality and lifestyle, an open space with colors that resonate with her, showcasing her personal tastes and artistic freedom. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #EclecticStyle #RawanAlSahsah #JeddahInteriors #ParisianInfluence #VintageFurniture #ArtCollection #LuxuryHomes