DECORATING WITH STRENGTH AND SERENITY

This small apartment (600 square feet) featured in The Washington Examiner is the par excellence example of streamlined elegance. The svelte color palette and architectural furniture, not to mention the columns outside the window, have an Architectural Digest vibe (although, frankly, I doubt AD has ever featured a bathroom as small as this apartment). The space was designed by Michael Franck, of DC firm Franck and Lohsen Architects, with many decorative pieces chosen by the owner.

Check out the view! That's the masonic temple outside the windows. The owner collected the architectural drawings displayed on the left prior to moving into the apartment, but it's a fabulous combination. Design note:  coordinate your art with your view!

The kitchen. Notice we haven't moved very far - the couch/window view are still visible on the left. This is the perfect compact kitchen; it looks like a million bucks, and has fridge, dishwasher, sink, and stove/microwave in one unified piece of cabinetry. (Note the wonderful greek key detailing on the back of that chair.)

The dining table/library area (as seen from near the front window). Wonderful - simple doesn't mean simplistic. Both architect and resident must have incredible self-restraint! Bonus:  can you find the TV? 

A fuller view of the kitchen, dining, living room area, and front entry way. There's a lot going on under those low ceilings, but the effect is one of strength and calm. 

/All images/ Washington Examiner/

To see the full tour, and read the article, visit The Washington Examiner story here.

THE QUIET OPULANCE OF MAUREEN FOOTER

In 2011, House Beautiful featured the New York City apartment of designer Maureen Footer. An opulent, french-inflected space, Footer's apartment is actually a one-room studio. At a mere 650-square feet, her home, adorned with chinoise Gracie wallpaper, an antique commode designed by Madame de Pompadour's cabinet maker, Migeon, and a 17th century tapestry, is layered with rich decoration, and reminiscent of a time when attention to detail was the crowning glory of decor. Let's stroll into the Orient Express of apartments:

How fabulous is that apricot and lime green combination? These photos are from New York Social Diary, not House Beautiful; the HB photos had a much less washed-out quality and I would imagine are closer to the actual hues.

The HB story:

HB photo of the same vignette (and yes, that's an iPhone photo of a magazine - sorry folks): 

A commode worthy of Madame de Pompadour.

Wonderful interview with Maureen Footer over at the New York Social Diary HERE. Below are a few images from her portfolio. I love the luscious color parings and luxurious materials; it's rare to see work of Footer's style where spaces are fine without being fussy. And, while I don't imagine they could ever be mistaken for "democratic" (i.e. inexpensive), her rooms don't proclaim:  I Have Money And I Spent It. As Auntie always said, quality speaks for itself.

Vestibule

Kipps Bay Show House

Park Avenue Duplex

Executive Office

/Images/ New York Social Diary unless otherwise noted/ Footer's portfolio images from her website, MaureenFooterDesign.com/ 

STACKING UP

Aside from rather reminding me of Diana Vreeland's fanciful red living room, which she referred to as a "garden in hell," I was rather taken with the ivory nesting tables stacked along the wall of this red-on-red room. Ming nesting tables have been in vogue so long they're now elevated to the status of a classic, but these sets are less often seen piled up as a makeshift etagere. I love the look!

This set is so sculptural, it barely requires decoration.

Lilly Pulitzer Home Collection features the pagoda stack on the right. I don't know if it breaks down into individual sections, but it's charming. 

Let's go shopping, shall we?

Beautiful etagere from Highland House with nailhead detail.

Modern stackables from PB Teen. 

Another sorbet shaded option from Home Decorator's Collection.

How glamorous would this gold set look stacked high? From Z Gallerie.

Or, take this mini set of mings and make a short etagere on a table top.

/Images/ Domino Magazine/ unknown/ Lilly Pulitzer/ all products, as attributed above/

P.S. This is a great small space solution, especially for those awkward corners or alcoves where normal furniture is too large, but a little visual pizzazz would go a long way (and let's not forget you can store things on them).