Inside Interior Designer Alia El Tanani’s Stunning Family Home In Monaco

This article showcases a sophisticated Mediterranean-style home in South Tampa, designed by Michelle Miller Design. The homeowners, successful business owners, desired a residence that mirrored the elegance and style of a luxury resort, drawing inspiration from establishments like The Breakers Hotel. The resulting 8,977 square-foot property features six bedrooms and five bathrooms, exuding a timeless and refined aesthetic tailored to the clients' preferences and lifestyle. A central focus of the design was the kitchen area, given the homeowners' frequent entertaining for both business and leisure. Michelle Miller integrated two interior kitchens—one for primary use and a second prep kitchen specifically designed for private chefs—along with an additional outdoor kitchen. This multi-kitchen setup underscores the home's emphasis on hosting and culinary functionality. Miller notes the collaborative and enjoyable nature of the project, attributing it to the clients' discerning taste, warmth, and openness to innovative design concepts. Beyond the extensive kitchen facilities, the home boasts several other notable features. These include a four-car garage, three indoor fireplaces, and a separate fireplace located in the outdoor cabana, enhancing both comfort and ambiance. For recreation, the residence incorporates a dedicated game room equipped with a bourbon bar, providing a distinct space for entertainment. A highlight of the master bathroom is a free-standing copper tub, which Miller describes as a "show-stopper," serving as a luxurious focal point. The interior details further elaborate on the home's sophisticated design. The family room features blue ottomans and chairs from Four Hands, introducing a vibrant pop of color against neutral backdrops. A fireplace wall anchors this space, complemented by fashionable and functional ceiling lights from Visual Comfort, clear Vanguard side tables, and Surya table lamps. The main kitchen distinguishes itself with a black Bluestar range and a black and gold Vent-A-Hood, chosen for their classic European appeal and enduring style rather than fleeting trends. The prep kitchen continues the color theme with blue cabinets and wallcoverings, creating an inviting and functional space. The primary bathroom's free-standing copper tub is set against SICIS tile and Kalista plumbing fixtures, highlighting bespoke luxury. The master bedroom incorporates creamy neutral tones with ivory wallcovering from Arte, subtly accented with touches of purple in the York wallcovering, orchid, and headboard. The recreational room showcases Elysium Shell Blue Subway tile from Ceramic Matrix and jewel-toned lounge chairs from Caracole, creating an attractive and inviting atmosphere. The game room, intended purely for entertainment, includes a pool table, a bar, and a seating area with a linear fireplace. Additionally, one of the bathrooms features an artistic combination of Artistic Tile Jazz Glass in Ombre Blue Fan and Seneca Blue Subway Tile from Ceramic Matrix, adding to the home's distinctive charm. The outdoor area is completed with a pool by Garry Delisi of TrendSetters and landscaping by Mike VanCoulter of Earthscapes, ensuring a cohesive and luxurious living experience both indoors and out.

Ania Dunlop, founder of Home for Zen, undertook a significant project: the gut renovation and interior design of her own family home in Westchester. After an extensive search that involved viewing 30 properties, Dunlop selected a house built in 2003, recognizing its underlying potential despite its dated Mediterranean style. She envisioned a complete transformation, leveraging the structure's good bones, expansive space, and generous grounds suitable for entertaining. This personal project served as a canvas for her decades of accumulated art, heirlooms, and graphic prints, allowing for a soulful and personalized expression of her design philosophy. The renovated residence now spans three levels, encompassing a dining room, family room, living room, sunroom, kitchen with a cafe nook, two offices, five bedrooms, six full bathrooms, and two powder rooms. The lower level features an indoor pool, an entertainment area with a bar, a gym, and a screening room. The design prioritizes natural light, with extensive glazing throughout the home and ample green spaces outdoors, facilitating an indoor-outdoor living experience year-round. Architectural elements, such as the grand double staircase, were preserved but updated with a streamlined railing to complement the more modern aesthetic while contrasting with the original ornate moldings. Dunlop's design approach on the ground floor emphasizes an open plan, utilizing off-white walls and subtle natural hues to maximize daylight and create an airy atmosphere. Certain areas are enhanced with vibrant wallpapers and organic surface patterns, adding visual interest. A standout space is the solarium, which has become a favorite, designed as a tropical oasis with botanical patterns, gold velvet chairs, and various thriving plants. The home incorporates elements like luxurious marble mantles and backsplashes, metallic accents that will develop a patinated finish over time, and artisanal handmade ceramics. The furniture, primarily crafted from ash and rift oak, is upholstered in rich textures such as shearling, mohair, and boucle textiles, contributing to the tactile quality of the interiors. A notable detail on the first floor is the design studio, which features a large, weeping willow tree wall treatment, with its tendrils extending across the room, creating an immersive and artistic environment. The overall interior design blends Mediterranean and Parisian Chic influences, resulting in a cohesive yet eclectic atmosphere. The incorporation of artisan goods and handcrafted collectibles infuses the minimalist spaces with character and history. This approach reflects Dunlop's advocacy for meaningful curation, promoting quality, sustainability, and timelessness in design. For Dunlop, designing her own home presented unique challenges, demanding a strong reliance on her intuition. The project’s success, however, brought immense satisfaction, affirming the emotional return on investment when a designer creates a space tailored to their own family's needs and desires, free from external client expectations. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #ModernMediterranean #ResidentialArchitecture #ZenLiving #PersonalizedDesign #SustainableDesign #FamilyHome

Designers Jenna Schumacher and Majid Maleki of Insert Design undertook a project in Dana Point, California, to create an interior that complemented the home's transitional Mediterranean new build, designed by architect Bob White of Forest Studio. The initial connection with the client occurred serendipitously on a flight, leading to the project's commencement in mid-2018. The primary objective was to craft a warm, inspired, and inviting interior that capitalized on the home's views while maintaining a balance between beauty, livability, impressiveness, and modesty, reflecting the casual vibe of the affluent coastal neighborhood. The 5,200-square-foot residence, featuring four bedrooms and six bathrooms, was envisioned as a family home, prioritizing comfort and functionality for a family with two teenage boys and a Jack Russell terrier. Maleki and Schumacher incorporated practical additions such as a second laundry room for wet suit drop-off and a secondary kitchenette for bulk item storage, catering to the family's active, outdoor-oriented lifestyle. The interior design drew heavily from the home's Mediterranean architectural style, utilizing durable textures and materials characteristic of the region. Authentic limestone floors, large-format stone, and various woods were selected to introduce history and warmth, contrasting with white plaster walls. Long-lasting finishes designed to patina over time were chosen to enhance charm, while durable wool and linen fabrics were used to withstand wear and tear. The color palette was kept warm and neutral, incorporating golds, rusts, and hints of black, inspired by the vibrant local sunsets. Beyond the romantic interior courtyard, which features antique cobblestone, a stone fireplace, and a towering olive tree, the main level comprises an office, media room, wet bar, butler’s pantry, and an open-concept dining room, living room, and kitchen. Each room was designed to offer a unique experience while contributing to a cohesive overall aesthetic. For instance, the living room ceiling's tongue-and-groove wood provided a backdrop for the more ornate dining room ceiling, and a simple iron chandelier spanned the living room and kitchen, guiding the eye across the space. The kitchen is outfitted with custom European Woodworks cabinets, a substantial marble island, and high-end Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances. The dining area features an ADG Lighting chandelier, an RH table and chairs, and abstract art by Colleen Veltz. The main level also includes an en suite guest bedroom, a luxurious primary bathroom with diverse lighting, and a primary bedroom accented with brown tones. The primary bedroom aims for a romantic ambiance, incorporating a Century bed, Noir/CFC chests, and art by RH and Natural Curiosities, with organic bedposts and rustic wood beams contributing to a relaxing atmosphere. An additional guest bedroom and a separate casita with a kitchenette are located upstairs. The exterior boasts a serene backyard with a pool, spa, and RH outdoor furniture, complemented by a rooftop deck offering ocean and star views. Completed in March 2021, the residence seamlessly integrates modern conveniences such as an automated home control system, motorized window treatments, and hidden televisions with timeless elements. Insert Design incorporated vintage and personal items, including a vintage cabinet, the client's bell collection, a tete-a-tete seat in the living room, and flags above office workstations—a vintage American flag for one and a U.K. flag for the other, honoring the family's heritage. This blend of new, old, and meaningful pieces created a curated and authentic living environment for the family. #DanaPointHome #MediterraneanStyle #InteriorDesign #InsertDesign #LuxuryLiving #HomeDecor #ArchitecturalDesign #FamilyHome #OrangeCountyRealEstate

The article explores the history and transformation of Dar Zero, a 300-year-old house in Tangier, Morocco, which has served as a residence and creative canvas for several prominent design figures. Originally built in the early 18th century, the house holds a central location at 0 Place de la Casbah and has been shaped by a succession of expatriate owners, each leaving their distinctive mark while respecting its rich heritage. Among its early inhabitants were the British novelist Richard Hughes and the landscape painter Jim Wyllie. The narrative primarily focuses on its more recent history, beginning with the acquisition by interior designer Charles Sevigny and his companion, Yves Vidal, president of Knoll International. Sevigny and Vidal meticulously restored the dilapidated structure, preserving its architectural integrity and integrating their modernist design sensibilities with traditional Moorish elements. They created a unique aesthetic by pairing iconic Knoll furniture, such as Eero Saarinen Tulip chairs and Warren Platner's metal pedestal tables, with local ceramics, silk embroidered cushions, and intricate woodworking. They also undertook significant renovations, including the creation of a keyhole-arch doorway, the installation of wooden floors, and the addition of a primary bedroom with a terrace connected by a zellige staircase that wound around a centuries-old fig tree in the courtyard. This period saw Dar Zero become an extension of their more prominent residence at York Castle, a 16th-century building where they showcased Knoll's wares. Following the deterioration of York Castle, Sevigny and Vidal moved permanently into Dar Zero. After Vidal's death, Sevigny continued to live there until Jamie Creel and Marco Scarani, co-owners of the Manhattan-based shop Creel and Gow, purchased the house in 2005. Creel and Scarani had initially been hesitant to buy a home in Tangier but were persuaded by Sevigny, who wished to ensure the house passed into the hands of those who shared his values and aesthetic. They maintained the understanding that Sevigny would reside with them until his passing, which occurred in 2019. During Sevigny's lifetime, Creel and Scarani largely refrained from altering the original house. Instead, they purchased and rebuilt a neighboring residence as an extension, completed in 2018. After Sevigny's death, they embarked on a careful process of refreshing and expanding Dar Zero, which now spans 6,500 square feet. Their aim was to honor Sevigny's intentions while infusing their own style. This involved repainting faded ocher accents in more saturated marigold, adding new kitchen tiles in Kelly green and pomegranate, and incorporating fabrics from designers like Lisa Fine and Carolina Irving into new spaces, such as an airy salon and an open-air atrium. They also converted staff quarters into a marble-lined hammam and transformed Sevigny's bedroom into their own, re-upholstering his Saarinen Womb chair and adding new furnishings. Throughout the article, the continuous evolution of Dar Zero is highlighted, with each owner contributing to its layered identity. The house is presented as a palimpsest, where the influences of past residents — from the original architecture to the design choices of Hughes, Wyllie, Vidal, Sevigny, and now Creel and Scarani — are visible. The new owners' efforts to peel back layers of paint to reveal original patinas and to incorporate elements like mashrabiya mirrors and ziggurat windows demonstrate a deep respect for the house's history and the spirit of its previous inhabitants. The narrative underscores how Dar Zero has become a testament to the enduring legacy of design and the careful stewardship of a historic home. #TangierHome #DesignLegends #MoroccanArchitecture #HistoricRenovation #InteriorDesign #ExpatriateCulture #KnollFurniture #HomeTransformation

This article showcases a Maryland home designed by Mona Hajj, emphasizing a global-inspired aesthetic that blends multicultural elements with comfort for a young family. Hajj's design philosophy integrates antiques and textiles sourced from various parts of the world, creating a cohesive and inviting living space. The article provides a room-by-room tour, detailing the design choices and key pieces that define each area. The living room's design is centered around a 19th-century Persian Tabriz rug, which dictates the room's color palette. Two distinct conversation areas are established, featuring a skirted sofa by Gérard and a wooden-legged sofa from A. Rudin. An armchair by Dessin Fournir and an antique Regency walnut table from a Parisian flea market further enhance the room's global and timeless appeal, showcasing a mix of historical and international influences. The dining room is highlighted by a custom walnut table with rosewood banding, designed to extend and accommodate up to 16 guests, indicating a focus on both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality for entertaining. This piece reflects a blend of craftsmanship and scale suitable for family gatherings. In the family room, a linen velour sectional by Verellen serves as the central furniture piece, offering comfort and anchoring the space. A cocktail table by Kerry Joyce complements the seating arrangement, while curtains in Ralph Lauren Home linen contribute to the room's refined yet relaxed atmosphere. The walls of the family room feature a faux finish, with trim painted in Benjamin Moore's Soot, adding depth and a sophisticated backdrop to the decor. An Arne Jacobsen Egg chair, upholstered in Moore & Giles leather, is illuminated by a 1960s Italian floor lamp, introducing an element of classic modern design. The daughter's bedroom is designed with a regal canopy, adding a whimsical touch, while glass nesting tables from Donghia provide a sleek, contemporary contrast. Nevis curtains by Lady Ann Fabrics, adorned with a Samuel & Sons pom-pom fringe, further contribute to the room's decorative layers. Throughout the home, the design seamlessly merges diverse cultural influences with functional and stylish elements, creating a uniquely personalized and family-friendly environment. The overall design narrative emphasizes comfort, global aesthetics, and thoughtful integration of various design periods and origins. #GlobalStyle #InteriorDesign #MonaHajj #MarylandHome #AntiquesAndTextiles #FamilyHome #EclecticDecor #DesignInspiration

This article provides a detailed tour of a renovated mansion house apartment in west London, highlighting how its owners, Emily Maynard and Ron Totton, collaborated with interior designer Deborah Bass of Base Interior to merge Art-Deco elegance with modern functionality. The couple, who have three young daughters, purchased the property drawn by its character and the connection they felt with its previous owner. Their primary goal was to restore the apartment's Art-Deco essence while creating a welcoming and practical family home. Deborah Bass implemented a new floor plan that reconfigured the living spaces, creating a large L-shaped area encompassing dining, sitting, and kitchen zones. A key design element was the addition of a wall of paned glass to the formerly dark hallway, enhancing light circulation throughout the flat. A curved wall was introduced to soften the transition between the dining and sitting areas, adding an architectural grace note. The former kitchen space was ingeniously transformed into a bathroom, separate shower room, and utility room, while the new kitchen was relocated to a previous bedroom’s footprint. This extensive planning and execution, which involved navigating strict permission guidelines, took approximately six months for design and another six for completion. Emphasizing period details was crucial, leading to the incorporation of an octagonal ceiling detail that resonates with the building's Art-Deco heritage. In the long corridor, to mitigate low beams, a deep coffered ceiling and wall paneling were installed, effectively breaking up the space and preventing it from feeling like a 'runway.' The homeowners actively participated in the design process, providing inspiration from various hotels and stately homes. A significant priority for the family was creating a warm and restful environment, reflected in their insistence on working fireplaces, especially enjoyed during winter and Christmas. The apartment’s design facilitates both everyday living and entertaining. The dining area, featuring an oval table perfectly fitted into a window alcove, offers spectacular rooftop views and serves as a central hub for family meals and hosting. The kitchen is designed with a glass wall to maximize light in the adjacent hallway, complemented by an earthy Moleanos Blue polished stone countertop that extends as a splashback. Dramatic green hand-painted cabinetry with brass accents contributes to a chic aesthetic. The master bedroom showcases an eclectic mix of print and color, with hexagonal motifs in the pendant light and curtains echoing the main reception area’s ceiling design. A clever workspace was created in a nook within the master bedroom, serving as a dressing table and a functional office during lockdown. The girls' bedroom was designed with flexibility in mind, featuring a dividing wall of sliding panels that allows for both a large play space and individual privacy. The family bathroom exudes a luxurious, demure, hotel-like feel with dusky pink accents and Carrara marble. The overall design successfully blends the historical character of the mansion with the contemporary needs of a family home, making it a wonderful sanctuary in the heart of London. #LondonHome #MansionApartment #ArtDecoDesign #ModernInterior #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #FamilyHome #LuxuryInteriors #ArchitecturalDetails

Julee Wray, founder and lead designer at Denver-based Truss Interiors, shares insights into the renovation and design process of her 1941 French Modern Hilltop home. Upon purchasing the house, Wray was captivated by its classic French Modern exterior, characterized by sharp symmetry, steep rooflines, and arched doorways. However, she found the interior to be a stark contrast, featuring a contemporary design with elements like frameless kitchen cabinets, steel stair railings, and all-white walls, which did not align with the elegant facade. Due to budget constraints, a full gut renovation was not feasible, prompting Wray to devise a strategy to integrate the existing contemporary elements with her preference for more traditional charm and a softer, more feminine aesthetic. Wray discusses the challenges of designing for oneself, acknowledging the endless choices and the pressure to achieve perfection, despite facing the same budget and decision-making limitations as any other client. She recounts the complexities encountered during the renovation of the older home, particularly with electrical work. The house, built in the 1940s with glass, plaster, and brick, required significant modifications to accommodate modern electrical wiring, leading to added expenses for framing, drywall, and paint, such as thickening walls to install LED can lights. Additionally, the removal of multiple layers of old wallpaper necessitated extensive stripping, prepping, and re-papering of the walls. To achieve her vision of a soft-maximalist space, Wray focused on blending styles by warming up the home’s contemporary finishes. In the kitchen, she replaced flat-panel frameless cabinetry with real wood tambour cabinets to introduce curves and texture. The dining room ceiling was enhanced with reclaimed beams from an old Veterans of Foreign Wars post, adding character and dimension. Wray highlights several locally made elements integrated into the design, including maple tambour cabinets crafted by Black Hound Design Company in Arvada, and cast limestone features for the basement and bedroom fireplaces by Cast Limestone Creations in Lakewood. All City Floors was responsible for transforming the wood floors from black to white, a decision that, despite initial skepticism, added to the home's unique story. The outdoor spaces also underwent significant transformation. The front yard was redesigned with curved beds featuring more florals than grasses, a curved walkway with brick trim, and lighting, along with the addition of a porch to enhance its traditional appeal. In the backyard, Wray created a garden as a tribute to her father-in-law, a former president of the Houston Rose Society, and expanded the deck to include an outdoor kitchen and additional decking around the pool. She describes the backyard as a cherished family space where she tends to her garden, and her husband enjoys grilling. For her daughter's room, Wray aimed for a whimsical yet adaptable design, choosing a birds and flowers theme with a colorful, large-print wallpaper that is playful but not juvenile, allowing it to grow with her child. Wray reveals that the primary bedroom is one of her favorite rooms, attributing its calming, cocoon-like effect to the textured grasscloth wall covering that accommodates the room’s unique ceiling lines. The dining room/office is another favorite, featuring a blueish sage color from Benjamin Moore, chosen to complement a family heirloom painting from France. She advises homeowners renovating older homes to hire professionals with expertise in historical properties and project management, and to embrace the home's original era and architecture rather than creating a stark contrast between the interior and exterior. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #FrenchModern #HilltopHome #TrussInteriors #JuleeWray #HomeDecor #DesignChallenges #OutdoorLiving

Maison Inc., a design firm based in Portland, Oregon, has completed a large-scale interior design project at Tradition Golf Club in La Quinta, California. The project involved transforming an 8,500-square-foot modern Mediterranean-style home, which includes a casita and several patios, into a comfortable and inviting sanctuary for a family of four and their guests. This marks the second collaboration between Maison Inc.'s founder Joelle Nesen, senior designer Emma Davis, and the homeowners, following a successful renovation of their Portland residence. The primary objective for the Tradition Golf Club home was to make the expansive space feel intimate, functional, and warm, addressing the challenge of scale in an 8,500-square-foot structure that risked feeling cavernous. The design team worked with architect Jim DeFord, who created the initial floor plan, and then collaborated with Wade Harvey and John Klauk of DeWitte Construction Inc. to execute the interior vision. Maison Inc.'s comprehensive involvement included cabinetry, ceiling designs, lighting, tile selections, and hard surfaces. The design concept blended elements of early 1980s California glamour, inspired by designer Michael Taylor, with subtle nods to the family’s Persian heritage and Portland roots, aiming for a look that was both 'sexy but grounded' and 'light and airy but warm.' A key challenge was managing the sheer volume of each room, particularly the living room and kitchen, to prevent them from feeling overwhelming or like a furniture showroom. In the living room, Maison Inc. created two distinct seating areas, anchored by custom-designed sofas upholstered in wool and linen, complemented by bronze lily pad tables and vintage sculptural lighting. This layout provided flexible gathering spaces while maintaining a cozy atmosphere, rather than using a single, oversized sectional. One seating area faces the home’s main entertaining spaces, while the other is oriented towards a striking linear silver travertine fireplace, with plush cut-pile rugs and 1970s-inspired neutral-toned chairs adding to the luxurious yet comfortable feel. The design strategy aimed to make each seating arrangement function as an intimate conversation area, effectively segmenting the large room. The kitchen, initially conceived with a single, large island, was re-envisioned with two islands to enhance versatility and functionality without sacrificing elegance. One island serves as a dedicated chef's station, while the other, featuring a minimalist waterfall quartzite countertop, provides a social hub. White oak cabinetry adds warmth and a sleek aesthetic, while a plaster range hood, a signature element of Maison Inc., introduces a Mediterranean touch. Adjacent to the kitchen, a custom dark bar with a wine tower and backlit mirror offers extensive storage for entertaining, creating a sophisticated counterpoint to the kitchen's lighter palette. The powder room was designed as a 'surprise moment' with a floating honey onyx vanity, smoky-black plaster walls, and vintage Murano sconces. The primary suite emphasizes refinement with a black iron canopy bed, desert-blush upholstery, light oak furnishings, and soft textiles. A curved-back sofa faces a minimalist linear fireplace. The primary bathroom features tambour-front vanities, floor-to-ceiling custom mirrors, and warm gray limestone floors laid in a parquet pattern, focusing on texture and subtlety. The home's overall design maintains visual unity through a consistent palette of creamy tones, classic materials, sculptural furniture, and carefully curated accessories. Despite the five-bedroom layout, including a casita with two en suite bedrooms, the design ensures the home feels 'considered and balanced,' rather than 'McMansion-big.' Art curation was integral to the project, with bespoke pieces commissioned early in the process. An abstract painting titled 'Angle of Repose' in the entry sets a moody, desert-inspired tone, while a custom piece by Wendy Westlake adds depth to the media room. The outdoor living spaces include 'his-and-hers' verandas: one facing the golf course, equipped with a lounge area and television, and the other, a serene front courtyard with a fireplace, blending outdoor furniture from JANUS et Cie and RH for a curated feel. The project successfully met the clients' vision for a modern, warm, and inviting home that is sophisticated, elegant, functional, and suitable for both family living and entertaining.

Interior designer Dina Sebti undertook the redecoration of a 1960s Casablanca home, originally reimagined by architect Jacqueline Alluchon, who founded Casamémoire to preserve Casablanca’s architectural heritage. Sebti's primary challenge was to modernize the 1,500-square-meter property while respecting its historical integrity. Upon her initial visit, Sebti noted the house's serene, cocoon-like atmosphere, enhanced by birdsong from the garden and a spacious layout. A significant feature that captivated her was the extensive art collection, which provided a strong visual and emotional identity to the space. The homeowner is a notable art collector, and the brief emphasized creating an environment that could stylishly and sensitively showcase their collection. This collection includes significant works by Moroccan masters such as Mohamed Melehi, Chaïbia Talal, Mahi Binebine, and Hassan El Glaoui, alongside pieces by European artists like Picasso, Miró, and Buffet. A key issue identified was the lack of natural light on the ground floor and the need to update some finishes. Sebti aimed to introduce clarity and modernity without compromising the home's authentic character, fulfilling the client's desire for a comfortable, accessible, and bright living space. Sebti maintained her admiration for Alluchon’s original interior architecture, particularly her well-planned layouts and striking ceilings. Consequently, Sebti preserved the existing ceiling designs, intricately inlaid floors, and original woodwork. Her focus was on restoring the finishes that were part of Alluchon’s earlier renovation. Room functions were reconfigured to align with the client’s contemporary lifestyle, and bathrooms, electrical systems, and lighting were upgraded. The interiors were refreshed with a palette of warm neutrals and rich earthy tones, complementing the home's style and location, and fostering the tranquil atmosphere the client desired. To address the issue of insufficient natural light on the ground floor, Sebti implemented several strategies. She applied a silver-leaf finish to the ceilings, which introduced a soft, reflective quality that distributed light more effectively. The walls were painted in a creamy white with a subtle metallic sheen, further enhancing light reflection. Additionally, mirrored paneling was installed in strategic locations to amplify light and integrate the lush garden views into the interior. A central principle guiding Sebti’s design decisions was that the art should be the focal point. To this end, she devised an innovative modular picture-rail system throughout the house. This system allows for easy rearrangement and evolution of the art display over time, providing flexibility and dynamism to the collection's presentation. To enrich the home's character, Sebti sourced artisanal and vintage pieces from Clay Concept, a design hub based in Dubai that specializes in Moroccan heritage. This curated selection included 1970s Arflex sconces, Modernist items by Knoll, and contemporary pieces from Italian and Danish brands like &Tradition;, Tacchini, and Gubi. She also incorporated unique vintage finds, handmade decorative objects, and candles to create a warm and inviting ambiance. Sebti noted that the year-long project benefited from an unhurried approach, allowing for thoughtful layering and organic maturation of the design, resulting in a home that harmonizes modern design with heritage architecture, respecting its past while embracing its future. #CasablancaHome #InteriorDesign #ArtCollection #MoroccanHeritage #VintageFurniture #LuxuryHomes #ArchitecturalRenovation #DesignInspiration #ModernDesign

Interior designer Sarah Magness undertook the renovation of an early 19th-century property in Panzano, Italy, transforming it into a modern Tuscan villa while preserving its historical essence. The project involved a main villa, a barn, and a guesthouse, focusing on a design that harmonized with the natural landscape and abundant sunlight of Tuscany. Magness was particularly drawn to the property's orientation, where major rooms face west, providing spectacular sunset views. The homeowner, a long-standing client, desired a residence that felt integrated with its tree-lined surroundings, capable of hosting family and social gatherings comfortably, and featuring subtle traditional and historical influences without being overly ornate. The existing structures provided an ideal foundation, as their original design already promoted excellent air and light circulation, reducing the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning. Consequently, the main house's floor plan remained largely unchanged, with no interior walls moved due to its robust original construction. While the architectural integrity was largely maintained, the interiors, last renovated in the 1980s, required significant updates. Magness's approach honored Tuscany's architectural heritage through material selections, blending them with contemporary comfort. Much of the original terra-cotta flooring, wood beams, and plaster walls were preserved. Local craftsmen were employed to restore and clean surfaces, ensuring authenticity and quality. All marble used in the renovation was sourced from Carrara, and cabinetry was crafted by the Como-based company Promemoria, highlighting a commitment to local resources and expertise. The furnishing strategy combined antique pieces with new additions. The clients' appreciation for antiques meant that some prominent items inherited from the previous owners were integrated, contributing to a contemporary Italian aesthetic within the main house. The entrance features a barrel-vaulted brick ceiling and antique pieces that function as sculptural art, designed for circulation rather than prolonged dwelling. The dining room, also containing inherited antique furniture including a 19th-century sideboard, was enhanced with vertical mirrors to maximize natural light, particularly from the west-facing orientation. The formal living room maintains a minimalist, all-white aesthetic with comfortable sectionals, acknowledging that most entertaining occurs outdoors. A short distance from the main house, the former caretaker's residence, 'casa dei custodi,' was converted into a self-sufficient apartment with two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. The most extensive transformation was the barn, initially the most dilapidated structure. Magness collaborated with New York–based architect Brian Boyle to extensively gut and refit it. This former hayloft now serves as a luxurious guesthouse, complete with two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a central living room, a kitchen, and direct access to a pool. A key design element in the barn's renovation was relocating the staircase to the west wall, which allowed sunlight to illuminate both floors through a latticed window, a significant improvement from its previous dark, dungeon-like state. Magness emphasized working in harmony with the natural environment, ensuring that the redesigned spaces quietly fulfill the family's needs while respecting the existing character of the property. Magness underscores that despite extensive planning, the true understanding of a residence comes from experiencing it firsthand, observing how light interacts with the spaces, calling it a 'holistic experience.' #TuscanVilla #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #ItalianCountryside #SarahMagness #ArchitecturalHeritage #LuxuryHome #HistoricPreservation #Panzano

This blog post showcases a 4,100-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath residence in Naples, Florida, designed by Eileen Marcuvitz of Plum Interiors and her husband, Andrew. The home, built by Big Island Builders and designed by Village Architects of Key Biscayne, Inc., stands out for its minimalist Bauhaus-style architecture, a departure from the repetitive designs often found in the area. The design emphasizes straight lines and flat surfaces, requiring significant skill and precision in its execution. The property's unique features begin with its exterior, a concrete structure featuring a three-step walkway wrapped in porcelain tile, appearing to float over a lit, filtered zero-edge pond. A slatted overhang extends from the roof, contributing to its modern and minimalist aesthetic. The home's design was inspired by a similar structure by Village Architects in South Beach, leading the couple to commission this new build despite initially not planning to do so. Upon entering the home through a large glass and bronze pivot door, visitors arrive directly into the living room. This space is characterized by a back-lit drop ceiling, massive walls of windows, and sliding doors that offer extensive views of the outdoor living area and pool, ensuring abundant natural light. The living room is furnished with Christian Liaigre sofas atop a Tibetan silk carpet from Holly Hunt, with a Robert Natkin oil painting serving as a focal point. Throughout the residence, 24- by 48-inch rectified porcelain tiles with a striated pattern are prominently featured, extending into the outdoor living spaces, pool deck, and even up the side of the building, providing texture to the home's silhouette and a sense of continuity. The kitchen exemplifies uniformity and architectural minimalism with its dark Poliform solid wood cabinetry, where hand-aligned grain patterns extend to the 12-foot ceilings, effectively concealing appliances. The waterfall-edge island and all kitchen surfaces, including those in the hidden pantry and adjoining laundry room, are crafted from Cristallo quartzite. A low linear window behind the double-faucet sink allows for natural light, complemented by white Poliform upper cabinetry that adds linear visual impact and storage. Symmetry is a guiding principle throughout the home, particularly evident in the dining area. Here, a large, custom alabaster and brass lighting fixture by Gabriel Scott is precisely mounted to an inverted drop ceiling, which also conceals curtain rails. A Holly Hunt dining table and chairs complete the space, alongside flush baseboards with reglet trim for a clean finish. The family room showcases the couple's appreciation for high design, featuring a Poliform Mad Joker armchair upholstered in Hermès leather and Poliform fabric, set on a Christian Astuguevieille rug. Wallpapers introduce texture and playfulness in various rooms, such as a peach-colored graphic finish in the powder room and grasscloth gray-blue coverings in the second-floor entertainment room. Upstairs bedrooms maintain a sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance, with the primary suite boasting a wall of glass overlooking the pool, drop-down soffits concealing integrated curtains, and oversized his-and-hers walk-in closets. The primary bathroom continues the use of rectified porcelain tile, complemented by wall-mounted faucets and a tub filler. A third-floor, roof-level sun deck, accessible via elevator, provides views of nearby Cambier Park. The property also features retaining walls around its perimeter to level the site, and the pool's design allows it to spill over on two sides. The porcelain tile from the interior extends below the waterline, creating a seamless flow and ensuring the home makes an impression from every perspective. The project was executed by Village Architects of Key Biscayne (architect), Big Island Builders (builder), and Plum Interiors (interior design), with photography by Diana Todorova Photography. The home garnered three 2022 Sand Dollar Awards, including best kitchen and pool, highlighting its successful integration of innovative design and meticulous craftsmanship. #BauhausArchitecture #MinimalistDesign #NaplesHome #ModernHome #LuxuryInteriors #ArchitecturalInnovation #HomeTour #InteriorDesign #ResidentialArchitecture

This article highlights four distinctive home design projects by various architectural firms, showcasing innovative approaches to residential living spaces. Each project demonstrates a unique blend of creativity, functionality, and personalized style, reflecting contemporary trends in interior and architectural design. The first featured project is by Itch Società d’Architettura in Milan, focusing on the transformation of early-20th-century attic apartments and duplexes. These residences incorporate clever interventions such as a daylight-ushering glass rooftop extension that opens onto a balcony, enhancing natural light and outdoor access. The design also emphasizes refined color blocking, which serves to animate and add character to otherwise understated interiors, utilizing original wood-slat ceilings crisscrossed with steel beams as a foundational element. Next, Ubalt Architectes in Paris presents a conversion of a 1970s computer data center into a live-work unit on the outskirts of the Marais district. This project boldly reimagines the typically grayscale office environment with fearless design choices. Notable features include vertical blinds, a vibrant jolt of tinted Plexiglas cladding structural steel, and a unique staggered terrazzo jardiniere. This jardiniere, accessed by a surrealist pool ladder, ingeniously extends the terrace greenery into the interior space, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. Office S&M;, an emerging London practice, contributes a remodeled lower level of a Victorian town house in Islington. Their design is characterized by a playful and vibrant aesthetic, incorporating joyous tropical colors and tinted mirrors that introduce warped views, adding a whimsical dimension to the space. Custom built-ins, designed with peaks and arches, reference the surrounding architecture and evoke a playhouse-like charm. A strong emphasis on sustainability is evident through the use of reclaimed materials, such as countertops made from melted-down plastics and pendant lights crafted from recycled crushed brick, giving new life to previously existing elements. Finally, Rowland+Broughton showcases a contemporary three-story family home in Aspen, Colorado. This residence is a crisp composition of natural and refined materials, including soap-finished larch, bleached oak, charred pine, and black steel. Situated adjacent to a meadow and surrounded by evergreens, spruce trees, and Gambel oaks, the home integrates seamlessly with its natural environment. Interior highlights include a sculptural spiral staircase featuring LED-lit treads and a hand-carved Pele de Tigre marble fireplace, a collaboration with the Haas Brothers, which serves as a central artistic statement within the home. These elements collectively define a sophisticated and modern living space deeply connected to its serene surroundings. #ResidentialDesign #CreativeHomes #InteriorArchitecture #HomeRenovation #MilanDesign #ParisianLiveWork #LondonTownhouse #AspenHome

This blog post offers an exclusive tour of Dallas-based interior designer Erin Sander's custom-built home in University Park, highlighting her unique design philosophy of 'relaxed, refined luxury' and 'Belgian farmhouse' aesthetic. The 5,000-square-foot estate, featuring four bedrooms and five baths, was constructed from the ground up on a quarter-acre lot, with Sander herself drawing the floor and architectural plans. The design emphasizes natural light and understated yet impactful details, drawing inspiration from her travels and other design projects. The home’s architectural features include a long hallway terminating in a window, with steps leading to the second floor, designed to create visually appealing focal points. Custom light fixtures and detailed wood flooring were also designed by Sander. The living room, a space optimized for practicality for her young children, features performance fabrics, a custom grasscloth-covered coffee table, and artwork by Katrine Hildebrandt. An annex, originally Sander's home office, now serves as a family study. This vaulted, story-and-a-half space offers ample storage and privacy. The kitchen is a central highlight, showcasing rift-sawn white oak flooring and hand-hewn Douglas fir beams. A striking pale blue Lacanche oven range, chosen early in the design process due to its year-long procurement time, sets the tone for other blue accents in the space. Other notable kitchen elements include an unlacquered brass faucet by Waterstone and a backsplash by Clé Tile. Over the eye-catching island, custom-made fixtures from Urban Electric Company in a hand-hewn brass finish are suspended. Scandinavian-designed stools provide practical seating, and decorative bowls, including a vintage piece from Sander’s grandmother and ceramics by Sara Kersten, add personal touches. The honed marble countertops were intentionally chosen to observe their wear and tear over time, informing her client recommendations. Café curtains made from hand-blocked fabric by Galbraith & Paul add another layer of detail. The dining room combines vintage McGuire chairs, re-covered in Peter Dunham fabric, with contemporary art by Addie Chapin. Exposed brick and a light fixture from Currey & Company contribute to a modern yet cozy atmosphere. A collection of pewter dishes, including pieces from her mother and finds from the vendor Unrefined, adds dark contrast and personal history to the dining area. A custom coffee station, a testament to the family’s love for coffee, features a La Spaziale espresso machine with walnut panels, open shelving, and an Ann Sacks’ Savoy series backsplash. This functional space is equipped with refrigerator drawers for coffee essentials. The primary bedroom boasts a whimsical Oly Studio light fixture depicting a flock of birds, vintage cabinets from Juxtaposition Home, custom lamps, and quadrille bedding. The master bathroom includes custom white oak vanities and hand-cut limestone floors laid in a unique pattern, accented with tiny blue celeste marble mosaics. The home's exterior features a mix of materials like lime-washed brick and cedar shake, surrounded by live oaks and potted olive trees, creating an approachable street view. A custom wood bench from David Sutherland is nestled among Savannah holly trees in the backyard. The article provides a comprehensive look into an interior designer's personal residence, showcasing a blend of functionality, luxury, and personal style. #InteriorDesign #CustomHome #DallasHomes #HomeFeatures #LuxuryInteriors #BelgianFarmhouse #DesignerHome #HomeDecor #ErinSanderDesign

Artemest's L’Appartamento exhibition, held during Milan Design Week, transformed a 20th-century Milanese mansion into a showcase of Italian craftsmanship through decorative interventions by six international interior designers. Each designer reimagined a room, creating immersive vignettes that seamlessly integrated with the mansion's authentic character while exclusively featuring contemporary art and furnishings from Italian artisans available through Artemest. The exhibition provided a unique platform for designers to blend their individual styles with Italian design heritage. Studio Meshary AlNassar curated the Entryway, infusing it with warm earthen tones inspired by Gulf landscapes. This space featured silhouettes reminiscent of classical colonnades, illuminated by a chandelier adorned with Murano glass sunflowers, setting an inviting and exotic ambiance upon entry. The adjacent Flower Room adopted a dreamlike aesthetic, utilizing pastel hues. It was further enhanced with Art Deco steles and mouth-blown vases, brimming with vibrant floral arrangements that lent an ethereal quality to the space. Elicyon designed the Cocktail Room, where playful bohemian textural expressions paid homage to the building's historical grandeur. This room was characterized by sensorial textural depth, exemplified by a long-hair fur lounge chair and wall-mounted rugs, creating a luxurious and inviting atmosphere. VSHD's Dining Room presented a striking juxtaposition of styles, blending minimalist modernism with richly ornamental baroque aesthetics. A whimsical paper chair was deliberately placed alongside Luciano Baldessari's Futurist floor lamp, creating an eclectic and dynamic dialogue between eras and design philosophies. Rottet Studio's classical Living Room embraced traditional elements such as wooden parquets, gilded brocade walls, and celadon wainscotting. This historical backdrop was enriched with contemporary touches like Venetian glass accents, a pyrite- and Cubism-inspired cabinet, and a dichroic glass table, which dynamically refracted light throughout the room, adding a modern sparkle to the classic setting. Tamara Feldman's Bedroom drew inspiration from Mexican haciendas, featuring robust terracotta textures and saturated red walls. The space was enlivened by biophilic elements, with glimpses of botanicals, natural wood, and stone, complemented by yellow and green hues that mirrored the foliage outside, connecting the interior with nature. The exhibition extended outdoors with GACHOT's Courtyard, conceived as a verdant extension of the interior spaces. This intimate outdoor living room offered lounge and dining areas, alongside a bar, all enveloped by local blossoms. A fire pit sculpted from local Dolomia stone served as a focal point, harmonizing with the delicate Murano drinking glasses and the rich burgundy tones of an iron bowl, creating a sophisticated and relaxing outdoor environment. This comprehensive exhibition highlighted the versatility of Italian craftsmanship and the innovative approaches of international designers in a historically rich setting. #MilanDesignWeek #Artemest #ItalianCraftsmanship #InteriorDesign #EclecticShowHouse #MansionInteriors #ContemporaryArt #MilaneseArchitecture

This article showcases a newly constructed Tuscan-style villa in Valley Village, Los Angeles, designed by Shlomi Sfadia of SLS Properties. Completed in 2024, the five-bedroom home integrates contemporary Italian style with relaxed California living, drawing inspiration from Sfadia's travels in Italy to create a unique blend of rustic, organic, and modern aesthetics. The designer aimed to infuse the brand-new property with character and warmth, transforming it into a space that transports its inhabitants. The design focuses on creating a sense of 'La Dolce Vita' in California. The kitchen, situated at the heart of an open-plan family room, features white oak cabinetry, natural plaster walls, and a large island with a white countertop and built-in stovetop. It also incorporates classic modern farmhouse elements like open shelves with rustic pegs and a farmhouse sink. The living room, adjacent to the kitchen, is defined by a Mediterranean-revival arched fireplace and natural lime plaster walls, which soften the new construction and provide a rustic, organic backdrop. Reclaimed wood alcove shelves add a touch of patina and character. Spaciousness is a key design element, with natural wood flooring and a wall of sliding glass doors in the living area opening to a landscaped backyard. The outdoor space is designed as a continuation of the Tuscan theme, featuring plants commonly found in Italian villas such as olive trees, cypress, rosemary, and lavender, ensuring a cohesive design from inside out. The downstairs area, while open-plan, maintains distinct zones, including a cozy dining alcove with an elegant arched window. A classic Mediterranean-style arch also frames the staircase. One of the home's highlights is the upstairs landing, treated as a room in its own right, complete with a rustic lime plaster fireplace and a built-in bench seat, aligning with current staircase trends. The primary bedroom combines rustic and textural details, featuring a contemporary paneled accent wall that bridges the gap between the lime plaster and modern villa aesthetics. Steel-framed glass doors and a balcony connect the bedroom to the outdoors. The seven bathrooms in the house feature clean, minimal plaster finishes, inspired by historic Moroccan designs, and the primary bathroom strategically positions a freestanding tub to maximize exterior views. The pool house offers a bolder color palette, deviating from the neutral tones of the main house with rich wine-colored lime plaster walls and limestone flagstone flooring from Eco-Outdoor, extending to the patio. Custom white oak cabinets and vaulted ceilings with reclaimed wood beams complete this space, which Sfadia considers his favorite part of the project due to its unique and expressive design. #LosAngelesHome #ItalianStyle #CaliforniaLiving #ModernRustic #TuscanVilla #InteriorDesign #HomeTour #LuxuryHomes #ArchitecturalDesign

This article highlights how designer Suzanne Costa transformed four units in the Parkview at Cambier development, all sharing the same 3,900-plus-square-foot floor plan, into distinct living spaces tailored to each homeowner's unique taste. Costa's initial work involved selecting hand-poured Kinon Surface Design panels for cabinetry and Cambria quartz surfaces, among other high-end finishes. The subsequent challenge arose from the diverse preferences of the well-traveled and culturally astute clients, each desiring a personalized interior. The design process involved an artistic collaboration, with Costa working to integrate existing art collections and homeowner aesthetics into the uniform layouts. For units 201 and 202, she cataloged homeowners' art to inspire design motifs. For unit 301, Costa incorporated the client's appreciation for nature and local art, helping him build a collection of vibrant, biophilic works from Naples artists. Across all units, art served as a central theme, influencing material choices, color palettes, and the overall mood. The prevalence of white walls and a strong emphasis on lighting were consistent features, creating gallery-like settings. Custom kitchen cabinetry, designed by Marcus Jelley and inspired by Japanese pottery, provided a unifying element across the units, yet Costa's approach allowed for significant personalization. Unit 301, dubbed "Where Nature and Art Collide," features a top-floor design rooted in local Naples art, with pieces by Juan Carlos Collada, Tom Manziano, and Diane Whiting. Collada’s *Let the Sun Shine* greets guests in the foyer, while his sculptural totem blurs the lines between natural and man-made elements. The condo heavily utilizes wood, with dark tones like high-gloss rosewood adding a "rich, smoky opulence," contrasting with typical coastal light hues. A custom wine and bourbon bar with Cristallo quartzite, salmon Kravet chairs, and a Vanguard bed with Kelly Wearstler fabric contribute to a luxurious yet natural ambiance. The lanai patio extends this natural theme with a live-edge dining table and cedar ceiling details, reflecting Southwest Florida's sandy palette. Unit 202, titled "The Old World Goes Contemporary," presented the challenge of merging diverse elements from world-traveling owners, including Balinese carvings, Parisian oil paintings, and heirloom furniture, into a cohesive contemporary design. The great room blends a hand-woven Pakistani rug with a Kravet acrylic coffee table and a curved sofa. A stone fireplace displays Asian objets d’art and Murano glass sculptures. Costa meticulously staged the client’s global art collection, using elements like an intricately carved piece on tigerwood shelving and a sustainable fiber wallpaper. The Luxe Light & Home PIRELLI Chandelier 30 in the foyer exemplifies the focus on lighting to highlight artwork. The office combines Parisian oil paintings with an antique desk. The primary bedroom evokes Art Deco glamour with crystal pendant lighting, Spanish hand-embroidered Gianti drapery, and a Kravet Versailles velvet bed in turquoise blue, complementing gold-framed paintings, notably *Romeo and Juliet* from Azerbaijan. Finally, unit 201, a "Black-and-White and Bespoke All Over" design, caters to a Canadian homeowner's modern art and masculine aesthetic. This unit features extensive black wall coverings and large backdrops for a spectacular art collection, contrasted with white furnishings and finishes. The foyer immediately establishes this contrast with an ivory-white grand piano set against white-on-black abstract figurative works. The dining area includes black Phillip Jeffries wall coverings with a technicolor abstract expressionist painting by Arthur Potts. White cerused oak kitchen cabinets by Marcus Jelley and white fabric Barbara Barry chairs maintain the minimalist color scheme, while the painting adds dynamic flair. The bedroom introduces novel neutrals and rich mauve velvet drapery by Kravet. Costa collaborated with Toronto-based furniture designer David Powell to create custom swivel chairs for the bedroom, aligning with the client's lifestyle. Throughout the two-year project, Costa's bespoke detailing and deep understanding of her clients resulted in distinctly personalized spaces. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #SuzanneCosta #LuxuryCondos #ArtIntegration #CustomInteriors #NaplesFlorida #ModernArt #GlobalInspiredDesign

The author, Hanya Yanagihara, reflects on the concept of 'home,' noting that her transient upbringing across nine cities and 20 residences prevented her from associating the idea with a single physical space. Instead, her sense of rootedness is derived from an accumulation of specific details, rooms, furniture, and light from the various places she inhabited. This personal reflection introduces a broader exploration of diverse relationships with the notion of home, as presented in T Magazine's Design Issue. The article highlights several distinct examples of family residences, each offering a unique perspective on what constitutes a home. One featured residence is a mountain compound in Brazil, meticulously constructed by furniture designer Etel Carmona and her grown children. This compound is designed to accommodate three generations, balancing communal living with the need for individual privacy for each family member. This arrangement demonstrates a contemporary approach to multi-generational living, where shared spaces coexist with distinct personal areas. Another case study involves an English art dealer in Italy who decides to rededicate himself to Venice, a city with which he has a complex relationship. His new apartment, situated in a 17th-century palazzo, surprisingly turns out to be a place he was familiar with during his teenage years. This narrative explores the serendipitous return to a place that held previous personal significance, illustrating how history and personal memory can intertwine with one's definition of home. The story suggests that familiarity and a sense of connection can transcend the novelty of a new dwelling, transforming it into a deeply personal space. The cover story of the Design Issue focuses on the three residences created by the Swedish painter Carl Larsson and his wife, Karin, located north of Stockholm. Their first house, Lilla Hyttnäs, has been maintained by their descendants since the 1940s, with parts accessible to visitors and others remaining private. This home, more than a century after the Larssons' passing, continues to preserve their artistic legacy, furniture, and overall spirit, while also adapting to the improvisations and additions introduced by subsequent generations. This longevity and evolving nature of the Larsson home exemplify a living history, where a residence becomes a vessel for enduring family heritage and creative expression. The Larssons' original vision for their home was revolutionary for its time, rejecting the perceived monotony of bourgeois design characterized by dark furniture and neo-Renaissance styles. Instead, they championed folk art, craftsmanship, vibrant colors, and a sense of coziness. Their intention was to create an environment that felt inherently like a 'home,' rather than merely a 'house.' This distinction underscores the emotional and experiential qualities that define a true home, emphasizing comfort, personal expression, and a departure from conventional, often sterile, architectural norms. The article concludes by reinforcing the idea that a home is not just a structure but a dynamic entity shaped by personal histories, family connections, and artistic values. #HomeDesign #FamilyResidences #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalStyle #BrazilianDesign #VenetianApartment #SwedishArt #MultiGenerationalLiving