Schafer & Bielecky

Architecture
July 15, 2015

Good Morning Lacquered Lifers … and good morning Gil Schafer. As most of you are aware, I have always been a fan of architect Gil Schafer’s work. He does a beautiful job renovating historic houses, as well as building new “old” houses. Case in point, this stunning “great camp” inspired Lake Placid house. Gil, if I ever owned a lake house, I would imagine it to look just like this one. While the design and architecture of this home are phenomenal, something else caught my attention … the rattan furniture on the porch.Bielecky Brothers. Manufacturing wicker, cane, and rattan pieces in Queens since 1903, Bielecky Brothers is the industry leader in natural woven furniture. Famous designers such as Billy Baldwin have designed pieces for Bielecky Brothers. And frankly, if one were to ask what I wanted the piazza at New Street to look like (whenever we actually get to the point in the project when we’re doing furniture) I would paint to this photo – no question. So thank you Architectural Digest, and thank you Gil Schafer.

Photos via Architectural Digest

Building with Blue

Architecture
July 7, 2015

Good Morning Lacquered Lifers. Villa Templa Mare, Ravello. I just want to dive into this floor. Built in the 1920s by architect Giulio Barluzzi on the ruins of a nineteenth century church as his family’s summer residence. The tiles on the floor are from Vietri sul Mare. These particular tiles are called pennellato, each tile is hand painted with large brushes in order to evenly spread the color. These tiles are actually not original to Barluzzis design, but he replaced the floors throughout with them in the 1940s. I love how the tiles mimic the turquoise of the mediterranean in the distance. While we all may not be able to import tiles from the Amalfi Coast for our homes, we can use paint. Below, one of my all time favorite paint colors, Benjamin Moore’s Caribbean Blue Water, which will make you feel like you’re floating on the Mediterranean everyday.

Photos of Villa Templa Mare via World of Interiors

Someone’s In the Kitchen with Martha

Architecture
June 11, 2015

Good Morning Lacquered lifers! Just an inspiration shot from me today, Martha Stewart’s kitchen at Skylands. Located in Maine, this home was completed for the Edsel Ford family in 1925, and the family occupied the house until 1980. When Martha purchased the home in 1997, it came complete with furniture, linens, and china. And look at all that china! And the sinks. And the walls. And the floors. For someone who appreciates historic architecture like Martha Stewart does, this home is something special … it’s her favorite.

For more photos and the full article about Martha’s Skylands Estate, visit architecturaldigest.com