Animals in the Home

Animals being featured in homes have been around for as long as homes has, to say the least. Historically, only horses and the occasional dog were painted and proudly displayed in rooms to impress their guests, but now a variety of animals are on display in homes and they are a great way to add personality to the space. With the addition of an animal portrait or statue, it keeps a traditional design in perspective. I especially love unique and unexpected animals, like the peacock below, or metal pig statue in Nate Berkus' Chicago apartment. However, I think the classic oil paintings of horses are so amazing, they give the space a sense of old world charm. Below are some of my favorite ways animals are featured in different decors. 

New York City Family Room

Chicago Three-seasons Room

Nate Berkus' Chicago Bathroom

Brook Astor's Country House

 Hanging Picture on Bookshelf 

Kips Bay Decorator's Show House

Ralph Lauren's Bedford Dining Room

Top photo: New York City Apartment Entry Way

Anna Wintour on Long Island

 

The Editor-in-chief of American Vogue, Anna Wintour, has quite the reputation, but her collection homes give her a reputation of being warm, casual, and comfortable. Ms. Wintour obviously lives in Manhattan in a historic Greenwich Village townhouse, but she also maintains homes in Connecticut, as well as on Long Island. Below (and above) are a collection of photos from one of my favorite design magazines, World of Interiors, which did a huge spread of the home Ms. Wintour's Long Island summer home. The article for the magazine is written by Sally Singer, who is actually an ex-patriot of Vogue, and was extensively featured in The September Issue. Ms. Wintour's home(s), and office are designed by the folks at Carrier and Company, which get country-chic down to a science and will make any room feel as comfortable, or as uncomfortable as the owner wants it. 

Beautfully Lacquered

William Waldron

Eric Piasecki

Simon Upton

Pieter Estersohn

William Waldron

Miguel Flores-Vianna

Thibault Jeanson

Steven Gambrel's New York Townhouse

The townhouse dating back all the way back to 1827 of Steven Gambrel has the look of a vintage row house, but the modern quality of one of his own projects for one of his many clients. The four-story house was a nightmare to begin with, but Mr. Gambrel and his partner were able to work over the complete interior, just like they have done to many other houses, and their home on Long Island.  Mr. Gambrel designed most of the upholstered furniture, including the suite of deep sofas and armchairs in the second floor's blue-on-black living room, which spans the full width of the house. Steven Gambrel has a wonderful career as an interior designer and carries over his passion into his own life, which is clearly evident in his own personal homes.

All photos by William Waldron

Super Luxe Mad Men

As embarrassed as I am to say, I am not the biggest fan of the TV show Mad Men... I know, it's a sin, but I've never really got a chance to watch it, but I feel like it's too late now. One thing I can agree on is that the sets are amazing. The set design of the whole show is to fantastic, they designers have the time period down to a tee. Take a look at some of the screenshots below; I especially love the orange sofa and chair in the second picture, I love a bright color in one item of the room, not to be too over-powering. 

All images courtesy of Elle Decor

Eclectic in Paris

Occasionally homes in Europe can be a bit stuffy and very formal, but not when you take a look into the Paris apartment of interior designer, Olivier Gagnère where you are blasted with color and personality in every corner. The persian apartment, located in 7th arrondissement of the posh Left Bank, is filled with sofas draped in exotic fabrics, an array of different and unique tables, chairs, and stools, and an abundance of artworks on the walls. And something very unique about the space is that Mr. Gagnère removed most of the doors, creating an open feel, but with an intimate surrounding. Looking at the pictures make me swoon over Paris, and make me want to plan another trip back.

Images Courtesy of Elle Decor