Elle Decor January 2014 Part 1

I do like an "international" issue.

Otherwise it ends up consisting mostly of Californian beach houses that most of us can't really relate to 

or poach any ideas to translate into our homes.

I love lucite.  

I never tire of it. But one does need to ration its use otherwise I have noticed it tends to look a bit gimmicky.

Who doesn't like Cartier?

They do have lasting workmanship and 

their objects get better with age and never date.

If you are in Paris, you should go to the exhibition at the 

Grand Palais that is until mid February.

I like the clean lines and neutral but defined palette of Tomas Maier.
Been a fan of his for a long time.
Bottega Veneta is for me the Italian Hermes.

It seems to be a great backdrop for all the objects.

This store is like the Four Seasons of boutiques with that central pool.

I love how Manuel Canovas let the objects speak for themselves.

On the other hand, Charles P Rogers has changed the angle of the bed. 3/4 profile is the most flattering for all objects right?

On to the editorials.

Here is the token house by the water.

It's in Denmark where it seems everyone has great taste.

Is it me or am I just so brainwashed with watching so much 

Nordic Noir that I feel like this is a crime scene?  

Apologies to any Scandinavian readers but 

this is why the media is so powerful!

But watch either the Killing or the Bridge and I am telling you that everyone has the most stylish homes!

This house is very streamlined.

No room to leave any evidence behind.

( I really gotta stop that.)

Can't tell if it would belong to the crime suspect or the police investigator who is typically anti-social and OCD.

Concrete is cool but also very cold.

I couldn't have it in my house.

To change the tone, they featured a lovely renovated 19th century farmhouse in Normandy, France decorated by Franz Potisek.

It has lovely comfortable tones and nothing looks too forced.

I really appreciate the simple way the red paint frames 

otherwise ordinary shelves.  

I could imagine a yummy Sunday lunch here so it is a success.

Sometimes I think people forget that decor is not about 

the actual style sometimes but if the room evokes 

the purpose it is meant to serve.

I love how wallpaper just lifts this room to something 

so sleek and interesting.

By the way, you have to check out the wallpaper 

Heidi chose for her Adelaide Villa here.

Ditto for this otherwise ignored loft room.

If there is a room that you neglect due to an odd shape - 

wallpaper it!

The power of paint is shown once again in the garden. 

Interesting that even in the exterior areas that the rich dark highly pigmented colors are being used.

If there is one place I would love to move to for a year or so is Marrakech.

I love pretty much everything about that place.

I would love to buy a riad and do it up. 

But with different builders of course...

I did a lot of riad hopping and loved the various way of refurbishing them.  One thing that really surprises me is how well riads suit sleek modern styles.

I would probably not include a kitchen because 

the food is fabulous and so cheap there.

I know I said I wouldn't have concrete in my home but for some reason I could handle it with this combo of riad structure, 

ornate traditional features like the doors, and a Venetian mirror.

But the star of the riad is always the central courtyard that 

is one of my favourite types of gardens and outdoor spaces.

Part two tomorrow!