A FLOWING FLORAL CHANDELIER

I've been spending time the last few days searching for some spring installation ideas for a project I have up my sleeve, when I came across this stunning floral 'chandelier'...

It was part of the San Francisco Decorator's Showhouse back in 2009 - I had one of the images saved in my inspiration files, but did some digging and found out a little more...

The designer for the entryway, Nicole Hollis, commissioned artist Yedda Morrison to create this stunning centerpiece to the hall, setting the tone for an indoor/outdoor feel. The framed butterfly art adds perfectly to the botanical feel, and the natural linen drape does the same.  Now I'm curious how hard this would be to pull off on a smaller scale for an intimate spring dinner... hmmmmm....

*images via yedda morrison, anh-min, and flickr

Chic and Colorful and Art Filled

The calendar says spring but the temperature says winter. Makes me wish I had a conservatory like Alexis and Trevor Traina in San Francisco. Vogue featured the home in the December 2009 issue and just posted some party pics online today.  It was fun to see the dining room set for a chic lunch to celebrate the new Balenciaga exhibit at the de Young Museum and a visit from Hamish Bowles who curated it. 

The Trainas renovated the home and added the conservatory by Amdega. The furniture was designed by Ann Getty who collaborated on the interior design with the couple and interior designer Thomas Britt.

The dining room set for lunch.

I love the pop of pink stemware against all the green in the room.

The chairs were designed by Ann Getty and Andrew Fisher designed the abalone topped tables.  The chandelier was found at Coleen & Company.

The entrance hall is perfect for tricycle riding.  The artwork is Studio Wall Drawing: 13th May 2004 by Keith Tyson.

Another Keith Tyson painting, History Painting (Baden-Baden, 1942) hangs in the entrance gallery.

Thomas Britt thought the red velvet by Sabina Fay Braxton would be the perfect backdrop for Trevor Traina's photography collection.  Queen Elizabeth II, 1999 is by Hiroshi Sugimoto.

Alexis and Trevor Traina with their children in the drawing room.

Thomas Britt also designed the Lucite banister which adds a modern touch to the old house.  Hanging on the stairs is Walking Cake II by Laurie Simmons.  The artist's daughter Lena Dunham wrote, directed and starred in an independent film Tiny Furniture which is also worth checking out.  Hope this colorful home brightened your day!

Photos by Andi Hatch and Francois Halard

At Home at Sarlo

I love stores that look like homes. I think it makes it so much easier to picture how something would look in a room which is especially helpful for non-designers. They also look like places you would want to hang out in all day and Gabriella Sarlo's shop/showroom Sarlo is no different. The space was co-designed by Stephen Shubel who I featured last week and Sarlo represents his French antiques, as well as new furniture from Pieter Porters and Astier de Villatte among others. Gabriella is also friends with interior designer Grant K. Gibson so it seems that all the talented designers in San Francisco know each other. I definitely can't wait to plan a trip to visit them all. And if the weather in New York doesn't warm up soon, I might just be joining them for good!