Curve-alicious

Kelly Wearstler.

Often times experts claim that fashion leads interior design, or interior design lead fashion and I think in this case, the latter is true! Curves are fantastic and not only are they IN, they've always been in! A beautiful curving winding staircase is a very classical element that can be adapted in many different ways. For some reason curving staircases have always caught my eye.

Marie Claire Maison. The winding staircase has been adapted for a contemporary setting using glass and steel.

James Huniford. I am dying to see this foyer from the other side. Two winding staircases? Could you ask for anything better?

Living etc. These are a tad more industrial. Check out that railing slithering up the stairs.

James Michael Howard. Double staircases. Gawgeous.

This staircase is very nice but what makes it stand out is the way the ceiling curves around it at the top. By Jan Showers.

BCV Architects. I think i might cry tears of joy at this picture. SO beautiful and simple.

Another genius staircase by BCV Architects. This is a wine stockroom for a restaurant that they designed.

Not loving the drapery choice but the architecture here just blows me away. I love the way the light from the doorway shines on the underside of the staircase. Austin Patterson Disston clearly has this down.

Austin Patterson Disston. I've posted this image before but it's so perfect that I don't think it could hurt to post it again.

I grew up with a regular staircase with two landings, but no curves. Certainly not complaining, as my sisters and I used to spend hours on end having jumping contests on those poor stairs, but maybe that's why I love the curving ones so much.


Alicia B.

Eliza Gatfield's Oyster Bay Home

I have always admired the architect/design firm Austin Patterson Disston, so when I opened up my brand new Traditional Home, I knew why. This home in Oyster Bay, NY is simple beautiful. Combined with Stuart Disston's excellent classical architectural sensibility and Eliza Gatfield's fun, but still traditional design, this home is a real visual treat.

Apparently no two fabrics are the same on these chairs, yet they all work with each other.

Ms Gatfield has a ten year old daughter. What a lucky girl!

I'm someone who completely falls in love when they see wire in the cabinets, but then, when there is fabric behind it as well...? It takes away from what could become really bulky and overpowering cabinetry.

Have you ever seen anything more graceful? The small porthole window on your way down must look out onto one of the many great views of Long Island Sound.

This is quite a large kitchen but Ms Gatfield loves to cook and bake with her daughter so they need room for all the necessary accouterments. She has custom refrigerators and freezers too and wanted white appliances so that the kitchen was updated but didn't look too industrial.

The subway tile extends all the way down to the baseboard and up to the ceiling. HOT.

Here is another great use for wallpaper if you have a ton of it around your house (like me!). Instead of painting the back of a bookcase, you could line it with different wall papers. Each space is a different little moment.

Disston made sure that there were plenty of windows throughout the house so that you didn't miss any of the great view. I love the color scheme in the master bedroom. The blues, reds, and creams are so endearing and comfortable.

Pretty faded rugs sit on top of her well worn hard wood floors.

Don't you all just love that chandelier? I wish I could see how the light hits it in person.

This room has a soft mossy feel to it.

Another great view, inside and outside!

If you read this blog you know I love traditional design so of course I love this home. I think it has a fresh updated look without looking forced though. I think it is important to see that in terms of fabrics geometrics are not the only way to liven up a traditional style. As much as I love the green trellis pattern that we see everywhere, these fabrics accomplish a similar goal. I was also happy that simply because this home was by the water, it wasn't covered in grass cloth and sisal (I probably would have loved it just the same though!). What do you guys think? Love? Hate? (All images are from Traditional Home.)


Alicia B.