Fantastic Abodes Interior Design

Diamond Baratta Design is a fantastic interior design

firm based in New York City.  This post shows selections

of their work in New York City from the magazine New 

York Spaces.  For those of you Turquoise, Teal or Blue

lovers, this is a great post for you.

Such a gorgeous rug and carpet!

Beautiful blues.

Pattern on Pattern.

Perfect way to match wall art to hardware 

(in this case the pendant light fixture.)

A pop of turquoise with brown.  Not a color combinaton

one would normally think of but it definitely works.

I’m a big fan of using photography as wall art.

This could have been such a drab space but 

Diamond and Baratta did no neglect it - 

instead they really dressed it up with glass

panel walls in blue.

If you like the aesthetics of Diamond Baratta designs,

you’ll really enjoy this book that has great samples of

their work.

So what was your favorite item or room?

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Isn’t that a wonderful collection on the wall with a fantastic paint color for

the background?  This is Ben Brougham’s studio in New York City.  Ben

is from over the pond (the UK) and is a prop stylist who moved to the Big

Apple 5 years ago.  He now also helps curate for Jonathan Adler stores.

Wall Paint = Benjamin Moore’s Surf Blue

Notice that he did not paint all the walls in the room Surf Blue.  This

is the other side to the bedroom.  As you can see Ben is quite the collector

with all sorts of collections from pillows to wall art, glass and much more.

You can see his mirror collection on this wall.

A wonderful image of the opposite wall

through the view of one of his mirrors.

Ben also collects all sorts of rugs which he uses to completely cover

the floor of his studio.  He scours Ebay among other sources to purchase

his rugs.  Exceptions are the Union Jack and Zebra rugs which are from

Jonathan Adler.

Ben has some fantastic tips for collecting that he follows.

I love that the kitchen and hallway are painted in a dark color.

It really brings out the color of the paintings and other items

and fabric in the room.

Ben hangs his prized Liberty print bike on the wall.  You’ll notice that his drapes

are from IKEA but customized with vintage fabric.  That’s a great tip right there on

a super economical way to dress up any window on a budget.

His collections are curated and displayed in groups.

Midcentury Modern Glass (which I collect as well)

Colored glass bottom vases and a vintage yellow straw phone.

Just a few of the types of items that Ben collects.

I love the different tiered night

stand and portraits on the wall.

I hope you enjoyed Ben’s apartment and gleaned some

ideas for collecting and displaying collections.  I do

interiors or chic but fun at the same time.

So do any of you have collections?  I think I’m addicted

to collecting things (not good since I’m probably a hoarder.)

What sort of items do you collect?  I’ve dabbled in everything

from vintage Christmas ornaments to mercury glass, midcentury

modern glass, vintage costume jewelry, tea cups, Fireking… I

wonder of shoes, clothes and books also count as collections…

I just fell in love with this image.  What a way to make 

the outdoors like a fantastical and wonderful place! 

Dining outdoors under stringed lights and candles?  Can 

it possibly get any more beautiful and romantic?

The countryside in England and the Cotswolds are definitely not overrated.

Who can resist the gorgeous country side and quaint villages that come 

straight out of history?  Many of the wealthy and stars like Madonna have

homes in the Cotswolds.

What a wonderfully plush and feminine room.  Beautiful

lighting in the room with gorgeous hardwood floors.

Who can resist a bed in a nook?  Not I…  When I was young, I loved

building tents indoors to sleep in.  This bed in a nook is absolutely

gorgeous.

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Continuing off inspiration from Lonny magazine, there

is a section in their latest issue on flea markets and

antiques.  I don’t know about you, but I am totally a 

self professed flea market, antiques and thrift shop

addict.  I can spend literally hours or a whole day 

shopping at an antiques or flea market. 

If you’re in London, there are some famous streets for 

antiques shopping.

Cath Kidston’s suggestion above which names the

most well known antiques shopping arcades and

open air antiques and flea market on Portobello

Road.

Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic gives

her tips for shopping on Portobello Road.

It seems to be a unanimous tip to shop 

there on Friday and to avoid Saturday.

Rachel Ashwell navigating Portobello Road.

If you’re going to be in London any time soon and 

you’re interested in visiting antiques stores, this book

is a great book that gives good details to the flea and

antiques market in London.

Any of you have gone antiquing or flea market shopping

around the world?  If so, where have you gone and where

are your favorite places?

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Cath Kidston is a textile and home accessories mogul from London. 

She is well known for her vintage inspired floral prints and polk-a-dot

textiles and accessories.  In the most recent issue of Lonny magazine,

she opened her London home up and it I must say that it is a very fun

home filled with all the items she loves.

She is not shy when it comes to using bold colors.

I love the chartreuse fabric on the chair.

Her home is very much a home that is lived in.

Classic Cath Kidston styled pillow.

You can tell that Cath loves to scour flea markets

for many of her treasure and inspirations.

Cath had a small toilet room done up in a collage. I 

suppose one certainly wouldn’t be bored in this bathroom…

Cath Kidston started her line with exactly this type of floral

designs and motifs – around the door and inside the room.

The floral pattern is not dense and it is tempered 

by a white floor and white accessories.

The bathroom is classic white and has a 

very clean and comfortable feel to it.

Of course paired with Cath Kidston toiletries…

Cath Kidston plate.

Now that is one expansive dining room - 

one could definitely hold a party here!

She has a gorgeous backyard and a large one at that for being in town.

Cath Kidston has a number of books in print but I think

this book of hers fairs better in my humble opinion. 

Here’ a sneak peak into her book.  She has great ideas

and inspiration for what to do with vintage fabric.

I personally would have trouble doing up an entire room

in floral patterns, however I do love having a touch of

floral here and there.  Cath Kidston has a wonderful and

fun home.  I hope you enjoyed the tour of her home as 

much as I did.  

Thoughts?  Opinions?  Could you do an entire room in

floral patterns?  

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I couldn’t resist sharing this rocking office space on Apartment

Therapy.  This work space belongs to Blend Studios that is 

located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The 1,300 sq ft space is 

designed is custom designed and takes the style of industrial 

design to the max.  Very cool and in very good taste.  The wall 

treatment is spot on.

Metal, wood and brick always pretty 

much fit in with this type of style.

Very fitting the architectural style of the building which 

was probably an industrial building to begin with.

A steel look and glass give it a modern and updated look.

The office has great natural light coming in from the windows.

But you can tell at night, it still has great ambiance.

Spotlights and open light bulbs really help 

give a thoughtful moodiness to the space.

Lighting is such an important element that many 

people overlook when designing their spaces.

Just because it’s a hip and cool industrial space 

doesn’t mean you can’t use a damask pattern.

The space looks cool with light or with the shades drawn.

I hope you liked the work space as much as I did and that 

you were able to get some good creative ideas from it.  In 

the mean time, I’m always interested and envious of people 

who work in those famous corporations known for their 

wacky and cool office design.  This book (I Wish I Worked 

There!) showcases many companies that are considered to 

have very creative and offbeat offices.

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You might think this is an artist’s rendered image but it’s not.  This is a real 

Stone House home located in Guimarães, Portugal.  Isn’t it fantastic?

Here’s the entrance.

This is the Crooked House in Sopot, Poland.  It’s a tourist attraction that has
 restaurants, shops and bars in it.  The architect, Szotynscy Zaleski drew
inspiration from children’s illustrations by Jan Szancer.  The Crooked House
has become the most photographed building in the country.

Isn’t that trippy?  It’s like a real version of the buildings in Toon Town Disneyland.

I got confused when I was trying to figure out where this library is.  This library

is in Kansas City, Missouri.  I was thinking Kansas the state, but nooo…The
shelf on the building showcases 22 titles as voted on by Kansas City readers
and then selected by the Kansas City Public Library Board of Trustees. 
Pretty cool isn’t it?

Very cool indeed!

This housing complex is called Habitat 67 and it is located in Montreal, Canada.  

Can you believe that it was built in 1967?  I thought it was built more recently.

It was built for the Expo of 67.  Now that’s what I call a condo complex!

And a closer look at the complex.  Cool isn’t it?  It’s like Jenga for architecture.

Now that’s an office building that reflects a company’s business!  The
Longaberger Basket Building is in Newark, Ohio.  The company
manufactures hand crafted maple wood baskets and other home and
lifestyle products.  Funky isn’t it?

House Attack!  The house is an outdoor sculpture at the 

Museum Moderner Kunst (MuMoK) in Vienna, Austria.

This building is in the amusement park Wonder Works located in Pigeon Forge,
Tennessee.  The park features over 150 interactive exhibits.  It’s certainly a
way to make a grand entrance into a park!

Nuts huh!

Last but not least in this post is the Wooden Gagster House that was

located in Archangelsk, Russia.  The house was started in 1992 but

pulled down in 2008 – what a shame.  It was a 13 story home that 

was at one time, Russia’s tallest wooden house.  It was constructed

by Nikolai Sutyagin and his family for over 15 years without formal

plans or a building permit.  Nikolai ended up spending a few years in

prison on racketeering charges and in 2008, it was condemned by the

city as a fire hazard and the courts ordered it to be demolished.

I hope everyone enjoyed this post today, more to come on strange

and creative buildings.  In the meantime, for any of you who live

in the bay area The Trove in Berkeley is having a fantastic sale on

What: Sale at Trove (Indian Shopping Soiree)
(Extra 15% off John Robshaw pillows and Bedding, 

10% off entire store, raffle prizes, small bites and cocktails.)

When: August 12 from 5-8PM.

Location: 1310 10th Street, Berkeley

Website:  www.trovehome.com

If any of you are interested, please RSVP to rsvp@rubypr.com 

and let them know that you were referred by Alkemie blog. Trove

has a great selection of items for the home at great prices to begin

with.  I just wanted to pass this opportunity on to my readers.

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I recently came across a chic “Lifestyle Designer” named Maria Gabriela Brito.

Maria is originally from Venezuela and her firm is in the Big Apple (New York

City.)  She gave up a corporate law career to do what she loves which is art, 

interiors, shops and showrooms.  

She helps clients in not only designing their home spaces but also tutoring them

about wine, how to purchase art and finding an individual sense of style. (It doesn’t

hurt that she’s married to a Brazilian wine aficionado.)

I especially liked her choice in art in her own home.

And what she’s done for other clients.  Love the image on the 

wall and the Union Jack chair.  As many of you know, I’m a 

sucker for the Union Jack and art that features the Queen… And

no I’m not English ^_^

I love how she has pops of color in the room but it’s not 

overwhelming either and still keeps its sense of poshness 

(probably not a word but oh well.)

Definitely can’t afford that bag but it certainly makes for a great photo shoot.

Love the scarf.

I’m a magpie at heart so I have to say 

the shoes definitely caught my eye.

As with most New York condos, the kitchen is not large but
the space is used cleverly while still leaving one side open
so it still feels airy.  Very functional.

Love her outfit in this photo!  Super Chic, although
it’s not what the main point of the photo is…

Another fantastic choice in art work.

 This looks like a homey and lived in room. 
The wallpaper is a lot of fun.

I love that the floor of her nursery is made up of all carpet

tiles.  Because the colors are pastel, it’s still cute but oh

so functional.

Hope you enjoyed a taste of Maria’s style 

and gleaned some ideas for yourself.

If you are interested in seeing more New York spaces, I highly

recommend this magazine which I subscribe to:  New York Spaces.

I have a link to Amazon so you can find information about the magazine

but I would not recommend buying it from Amazon.  For some odd reason

the subscription fee on Amazon is unusally high.  You can usually get a 

subscription for much less (I don’t remember exactly but in the $10-$15 

range.)

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Vanessa de Vargas is an L.A. based interior designer who has fantastic taste.

Her sense of aesthetics is right down my alley with her emphasis on using

vintage furniture and accessories.  She gave her home a makeover which I

have to say looks fabulous.

I adore Chesterfield sofas and I love what she did with her living room. The

style of her home makes me want to dub it as Hollywood Regency meets Palm

Beach cottage style.  Super chic and love how all the different styles of furniture

and textures are blended together. 

The white washed floors give the home a cottage feel.  Vanessa has touches

of Asian accessories throughout as well.  She really is so good at blending

different styles together.  This kitchen nook is the perfect example, French

styled chairs with a midcentury modern styled dining table, an Asian lamp

with a couple of Asian panels on the wall and a contemporary black and

white rug.  Definitely eclecticism at it’s best.

Vanessa also redesigned her entrance way and had 

a pair of dressers painted in this super bold green.

This was the bedroom before.

But I gotta say I absolutely adore the way it looks now even better.

She painted her end tables white and chic cottage by the ocean.  Love

it!  Especially the hue she painted the room and her lamps are to die for.

A super clever user of a mirror to bounce off more light is the

long mirror used right next to her lamps in the corner.

This isn’t exactly to the style of Vanessa’s home, but I do

really love this book on Waterside Cottages.  The images

in this book are great ideas for anyone who wants to feel

like they’re in a cottage by the sea. 

I hope you enjoyed Vanessa’s home as much as I do and

that you were able to glean some ideas from her design.

Any favorite ideas or items from her home?  Would love

to hear your thoughts.

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I really love the way earth tones are used in this apartment.  Brad Ford is a New 

York City based designer whose Manhattan apartment is showcased in this post.

The natural light coming into the apartment is just fantastic.  

There is really no substitute for natural sunlight in a home.

I love the interesting image on the wall and I adore

the velvet covered modern styled Scandinavian chair

even more.

The organic looking wood pieces of furniture in the living 

space really helps the place feel more homey and inviting.

Super adorable child!

Space is a commodity in Manhattan and this is a nicely laid

out open floor plan for a modest kitchen and a great dining

space.

What a fantastic table setting.  It has a very natural and organic

vibe to it – the aesthetic reminds me of a lot of ceramics and table 

settings that are used in Japan.  Understated elegance in a natural and 

organic sort of way.

Another interesting photo at the top of the kitchen cabinets 

and having a lower table in the kitchen area is always useful

for keeping an eye on kids or chatting with company while

tinkering in the kitchen.

I’m a sucker for sheepskin and soft materials.

Bet most of children’s rooms don’t look like this.  

But it’s fantastic isn’t it?  Elegant, cozy and simple.

Convertible crib into a miniature bed and a fantastic map of the world

above.  I grew up with a map on my wall as well and loved it.  It helped

me greatly improve my geography and since I love travel, I love sticking

pins in the places I’ve been and look forward to new places to visit every

year.

A great angle for the bedroom.

Here you can see how minimalistic it is – but the bed looks comfortable.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this house tour.  What did you like best about this

apartment?

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