Anatomy of a Room: David Collin's Massimo Restaurant London

April 12, 2015 by Susan Jamieson in Anatomy of a Room

In this episode of Anatomy of a room we look at a commercial space in London called Massimo's in the Corinthia Hotel.

This space was design by the famed David Collins, who died in 2013 of cancer. He was an architect know for his brilliant designs.

To me restaurants are all about the experience of the atmosphere and the food. What makes this design so brilliant?

1. Scale - The height of the ceiling and the oversized lanterns give that sense of drama to the room

2. The Attention to Detail - Beautifully crafted custom mosaics on the walls and floor Notice how they are juxtaposed to the classical moldings on the walls

3. Reference to the Past - David was clearly inspired by Italian interior with the striped columns reminiscent of the Sienna Cathedral but also the touch of Art Deco seen in the clock wall and the use of brass. The mix of different styles is subtle but still budding with creativity.

Love the barstool triangular shaped backs!

4. Custom Touches - The light fixtures and the booth designs with the brass detail repeated through is lovely.

5. Sense of Textures - The shiny brass, black wood walls, tile, gloss striped columns, soft leather and the zinc bar. I love the mixture!

That fixture is to die for

Who every said you can't mix metals? This bar was killer!

The curved detail on the banquette.

Not to mention the beautiful tiled ceiling. It was a glamorous and handsome at the same time.

This was another of our stops in my tour through Europe.
Wait until we get to Italy!!

Anatomy of a Room: Part II

March 18, 2015 by Susan Jamieson in Anatomy of a Room

This mix of styles, textures and patterns in the Ham Yard Hotel in London completely intrigued me. No one can ever say that anything matches or is even in the same style. Brilliantly done.

Front Desk and Foyer
bold upholstery, Moroccan beaded vases, French limestone mantel

The Library off the Entry
patterned lampshades, wallpaper and upholster - all different

The wallpaper and the wing chair upholstery are repeated

Multiple hanging woven baskets made into lanterns

In the main dining room - egg shade pendants hanging in various heights as well as the roman shade behind them.

The main bar combines several wood in vertical stripes

On the ground level the hotel has a bowling alley, bar, dance space and spa.

Fabric Paneled Walls

Jungle themed back bar and dance area

The bowling area - notice the framing on the left. Creatively custom with more pattern and color.

Large posters in the conference room area - whimsical and fun!

Conference Room #1

Back upstairs to the main dining area and tea area

I loved the use of fabrics on the chairs - always the backs were upholstered in a contrasting fabric.

Loved our tea time treats!

Use of pebbles within the floor tiles - mix of Morrocan and French

Back drawing room - check out the patterns and even the secretary is painted.
I loved the niches in the main dining area.

Back Drawing Room

Main Dining Area

This wallpaper was really interesting - busy but solid at the same time. Great framing.

Bold upholstery choices with beautiful details around the edges.

Main hallways were filled with this botanical print wallpaper.

All the Art was clever and unusual. This was a collage in the elevator.

The use of wool fabrics and upholstery details were incredible. Solid fabrics with exposed stitching. Here is a room view of that wallpaper.

Brilliant use of boxes and tribal prints at the bar.
This was design treat to see how Kit Kemp works her magic.

Happy Travels ……

Anatomy of a Room: Kit Kemp Bedrooms

February 14, 2015 by Susan Jamieson in Anatomy of a Room

Having just returned from a fabulous trip to Europe, I stayed in some amazing hotels but The Ham Yard Hotel in London captured my attention.

As my New Years goal is details, this hotel was full of design surprises and curious choices. I loved her layering skills - mixed up, unmatched but not too juvenile or garish.

Here is her design philosophy from Lonny Magazine:

"My palette is diverse, but my style is about achieving a balance between what’s colorful and what’s neutral and restful. You need only one really inspiring piece in a room."

Let's see how she achieves this by examining only the hotel bedrooms.

This room seems fairly matched up but look at the turquoise stool. The bed comfort level is amazing. Bold pattern on the headboard mixed with the graphic curtain pattern.

The next room has a bold wallpaper with marbled headboard fabric and then a multi patterned bench

Then turn to the floral mixed with the yellow topped chairs with decorative flat braid. The artwork is interesting as well - unmatched to the room.

Grey walls, navy/pink dustskirt, orange red drapery fabric. Brilliantly mismatched

Again pattern upon pattern

Peak and Boo pleats on the dust skirt in contrasting colors.

Boiled wool was everywhere with contrasting cords and mixed stripes - see the bench

Stripes at the window but larger stripe on the chairs

I just used the fabric on the pillows in a guest room. I mixed it with a brighter blue but here she has mixed with dark navy diamond pattern with the petite floral design and another print on the window. Clever!

Wow - look at this sofa stripe. It really shows off the room and the art above. The other items in the room are more neutral but still mixed patterns

Even bolder here with floral headbaord, medallion bench fabric, striped chairs, and red and blue art work.

Red and pink striped draperies with a red floral headboard. A lime green bench to break up the hot colors and the neutral gray walls to cool it down and unify the room. Notice the floral on the side of the chair - that technique was everywhere. Even more pattern upon pattern.

The art was incredible too - perfectly picked and placed. Again mismatched and definitely original.

I loved the different headboard shapes in each room and how the design in each room is different. It makes me want to go back and stay in a different room.

Some rooms were simple but the attention to detail was the same - notice the upholstered door!

Gorgeous bird nest wallpaper and embroidered headboard fabrics - old fashion but at the same time modern.

Contrast that with a more modern bathroom - clean and sleek

She is master at the mix - her creative choice of fabrics, attention to every detail. It is Brilliant design work!

Did you notice the dressmaker forms in every room covered the fabrics?

Next time we will look at the more public room. You are in for a treat. They are definitely a WOW factor!

Bridget Beari in Tulum Mexico

August 15, 2014 by Susan Jamieson in Inspire Me, House Tours

I am thrilled to show you one of the most exciting Bridget Beari projects, Casa Yakunah. I designed the interior of this private home in Tulum Mexico.

The house is located 2 hours south of Cancun in the biosphere reserve called the Sian K'aan. This section of land is surround by the Caribbean on one side and the lagoon on the other. It is a stunning piece of property.

The house was designed by Mexican architect from Cancun. We had many challenges between the Mexican architect, the American designer and the Italian contractor plus most of the workers were Mayan so there were 3 different languages spoken most of the time.

Bringing containers of tile, furniture, lighting from the US and sourcing many things with local craftsmen created the perfect combination of modern comforts, unique design elements and organic pieces.

The main living area is a typical palapa design - beautifully made by the local workers. It is mesmerizing to just stare at its beauty. The Tucker Robbins bean chairs and sconces are incredible. The Teracea coffee table from the a single tree trunk is a beauty. ( no trees are cut down for the tables. They only use trees that have fallen naturally ) The Gaston y Daniela bird pillows bring in all the beautiful colors - turquoise, pinks, purples and blues. They were may inspiration piece. The handmade light fixtures in the center of the palapa create a dramatic and beautiful glow in the room. The front doors are also hand carved by a local craftsman.

The master tub is hand made from mahagony. It is extremely comfortable and required many dry testing lay downs for the perfect fit.

The roof top pool is a stunner. With Italian tile that I fought for and finally one the contractor over. The tile pattern beautifully plays off the blue green of the Caribbean sea.

The house is also self sustaining with its own water source, septic system and windmill. Not to mention its own jaguar and crocs and lizards!

Each of the bedrooms have wall treatments behind the beds - bamboo rods, wave patterns and coconut shells. Fabrics by Manual Canovas, Osborne and Little, Galbraith & Paul, and

The guest bathroom has a custom designed concrete sink with wave patterns.

The powder room has a onyx sink and Moroccan Walker Zanger silver tiles.

The dining room has a table by Teracea, a light fixture by Lepere, and chairs by Janus et Cie with fabric by LuLu DK

There is a dock on the lagoon side for fabulous fishing trips which on our last trip there my husband took advantage of. He caught tarpon, bonefish, snapper, and snook.

The staff is incredible - Antonio, Paula, Juan, Carlitos cater to your every wish. Prosecco by the ocean, dinner under the moonlight, massages with ocean breeze by Claudia - amazing!

I am so grateful to have amazing clients who give me such great projects and trust in my design vision. It is truly a magical place.

If you want to see more visit the house's website and like them on facebook! Casa Yakunah

Anatomy of a Room: #2 Daryl Carter

July 26, 2014 by Susan Jamieson in Anatomy of a Room

This is the second post in my series called Anatomy of a Room, where I break down a room to tell you why it works. This week we will showcase Daryl Carter, a DC designer. Daryl's tag line is the "new traditional" but I think he is the master of creating the unexpected in terms of furniture arrangements, mixing of styles and simplicity.

Look at this living room:

What works:

1. Simple Base of Black and White
Notice how he white washes the room in white - walls, ceilings, trim even the valances on the windows. This unifies the room. The accents of black - long panels, art, lamp shade and armoire help pull your eye from one side of the room to the other. This makes the room seem warmer.

2. Mixing furniture styles while keeping fabrics similar in color
Notice the 2 sofas are more of a contemporary style mixed with farm tables, pine coffee tables, planked armoire, Chippendale chairs. The fabrics are similar from piece to piece but the vary in texture from the sofa to the wing chair. Even the sisal rug and hide rugs are of similar color. This technique gives the room a softness in contrast to the black and white.

He is such a master at combining styles from animal heads and Early American art, textures of stone bowls against wood grains, black velvet and linen. His style is current but rooms are filled with antiques. It is just a brilliant mix.

3. Creating two seating arrangements in one long room
This can be difficult for most people but notice how Daryl's sofa choice of 2 low backed sofa doesn't stop the flow but allows the room to function as one. The single sisal rug helps unify the space as well but repeating 2 hides in the individual spaces keeps them separate. There are many pieces in this room but the similar color of even the accessories keeps it from looking too busy.