Art Inspired Update
This home’s story starts in Hoi An - a small, artistic beach community in Vietnam. This is where, in the summer of 2015, our client fell in love with a painting she saw there while on a day trip. It was huge, and a major investment for them at the time, but after two days of deliberation, she drove the two hours back to the seaside community and scooped it up.
At the time, the family was living in Singapore, but now they and the painting have traveled halfway around the world and have settled into their stateside home. They knew they wanted the painting to become a focal point, and as art lovers, they wanted a home that exuded that passion and creativity.
Hand sculpted porcelain butterflies made in France
For the living room, the homeowners wanted a space that was welcoming, but sophisticated and adult-centric, as their kids had already claimed the family room. In their words, they wanted the room to feel like “a trip to someplace new and exciting.” There was no question that the beloved painting would take center stage and the design would flow from there.
We started, quite literally, from the ground up with a custom 100% wool rug from India that pulled in colors from the painting just like the sofa’s chartreuse piping. Above the mantle, custom handmade porcelain butterflies in various stages of flight flutter up and across the wall, creating movement and dimension.
Custom designed pelmet above extra long window seat
But the most popular part of the room is the window seat that was custom built to run the entire length of a large bay window - and also provides its occupant with the best view of the artwork. The window seat is ensconced by a pelmet window treatment that gives a nod to Asian Pagodas, and the interior woven shades provide light filtering and privacy.
Every seat in the space was chosen and designed to feel like a sophisticated, comfortable lounge where you can settle in and sip a dirty martini, which is exactly how the room has been used. Our clients say this space is now the chosen happy hour and pre-dinner spot with friends, and it has a gravitational pull on people when they come to visit who immediately want to know the stories behind the art, the fabrics and the decor.
Cheers to happy hour!
Upstairs our clients’ bedroom was an expansive suite that included an oversized bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, storage area, entryway and sitting area. While the space was nice to have, our clients were struggling with finding a layout that made sense and utilized the different areas as best as possible. They wanted it to feel like their favorite hotel - Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica - a California meets Mediterranean upscale escape.
An expansive primary suite with plenty of natural textures
We started with space planning, dividing the room up into zones and giving each area its own focus and feel. After colors and fabrics were chosen, they were sent off to artist Whitney Alyssa, who began a commissioned piece, sewing together hand-painted and handmade strips of paper to create a double wave design on the artwork above the mantle.
Custom designed headboard
Other custom work included the headboard with curled flanks around a raised center, reminiscent of an Asian pagoda, and the window nook cushions with a poppy pink and orange circular pattern inspired by the Ottoman Empire as well as automatic woven shades to ensure privacy.
The sitting area, with spacious seating and a rattan wrapped bookcase, is the perfect place to read a book with a cup of coffee or glass of wine, which can be conveniently acquired thanks to the room’s kitchenette which features glossy zellige tile and exotic forest wallpaper inspired by artist La Douanier Rousseau.
Floating shelves were built as an extra storage area, perfect for extra blankets, towels and pillows.
The room also has its own entryway which provides a stylish moment where you can have a seat while you wait for your spouse to finish getting ready, or to set your things down before entering into the sanctity of this spacious retreat.
