Paris

Ah, the expanses of white wall. I've run out of wall space long ago, but keep on buying art...

from Freunde von Freunden

Art on a black wall

from Frédéric Vasseur

Too much art?

I love these pictures of artist Nick Cave's art-filled apartment. I seem to have once again went out and bought more art, even though I long ago ran out of wall space (unlike Cave, I don't live in a 3,500-square-foot loft). I've reached the point of having to take something down to put something new up, and as I have a sentimental attachment to almost everything, it's damn difficult (none of the art is financially valuable). I tend to be super pragmatic and sensible about buying anything else for my apartment, but art is my weakness.

Silly decorating problems.

from T Magazine

Art wall

from Fritz Hansen, via Solid Frog

Istanbul, hotels and shopping

I received a request this week to say a little more about the "commercial" aspects of my May trip to Istanbul (see previous posts here and here), and I always meant to do so, I'm just a little late! I stayed in two different hotels, in two very different neighborhood, and at different price ranges. First I stayed at the Hotel Nomade in Sultanahmet. And this was my view at breakfast every morning (OK, I took these photos at dusk, but you get the idea). From the rooftop terrace I had a beautiful view of the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya and the Sea of Marmara beyond. I think just about every little hotel in Sultanahmet boasts a similar rooftop terrace and that was a major reason I wanted to stay in the area. I can't tell you what pleasure it was to sit down to breakfast every morning and drink it all in (the breakfast itself was pretty great too!).

While the common areas of the hotel were very nice (they have redecorated since the web site's photos were taken), the little room I stayed in felt very much like a budget hotel room (which in fact it was). But the staff was helpful and all the major sites were just steps away (as were all the tourists and all the touts — the drawbacks of this neighborhood).

After five days at the Hotel Nomade, I crossed the Golden Horn and moved into the House Hotel Galatasaray. This neighborhood had a completely different feel — all galleries, antique shops and stylish little cafes. Very few tourists. The hotel was housed in a gorgeous old building that had been lovingly restored. Given that some of the area's noble structures were literally falling down, it was nice to see something preserved.

But the real draw for me was that the hotel was designed by Autoban, the genius design team behind this apartment and some amazing, expensive furniture (some of which is available stateside at De La Espada). Seyhan Özdemir and Sefer Cağlar are major players in the city's design scene and have designed a whole series of cafes (I ate at the one in Ortaköy) and hotels around the city. Needless to say, this place cost double the Hotel Nomade. (This picture is of the entryway. The chandelier is an Autoban design. I had two of them in my room!)

All of the rooms in the hotels are "suites" with an inner and outer room. I was just in a "junior suite," so both my rooms were pretty narrow, but I must confess, I thought the division of the space added some intrigue and glamour. As you can see, all the furnishings are super neutral, and the color palette is strictly limited. This is not a look that I would want in my home, but I def appreciate it in a hotel. It's a stylish cocoon.

There was also a shower in the bedroom. I don't really understand why having baths and showers outside of the bathroom is considered a luxury, but that's clearly the way of the world now, so I guess I have to roll with it.

And once again, there was a great view at breakfast (that's Galata tower in the distance). BUT, some caveats, considering the price of the hotel... First, the windows in my room looked out on a brick wall. I figure only two rooms in the hotel are so situated, so it's possible to avoid this when you book. Second, there was an outdoor cafe abutting the back of the hotel that was quite loud at night (the Hotel Nomade also overlooked an outdoor cafe and was equally loud). And lastly, there is no elevator in the hotel and the breakfast room is on the top floor. But I'm not too fazed by view-less rooms, noise or steps, so none of these things was a dealbreaker for me.

A brief word about a hotel I didn't stay in: the Splendid Palas in Büyükada (a view from the front porch in this post). The exterior is postcard perfect and the interior has this bygone charm that's been atmospherically preserved. Hercule Poirot would have stayed here. After I poked my head in, I told my friends, "next time I come to Istanbul, I'm staying here!" Büyükada would be a great place for an overnight escape from the city.

The reception desk.

Wrapping this up! Shopping! Go to Istanbul Modern! It's a great museum with a great gift shop, full of local products and interesting posters.

Before I left for the trip I toyed with the idea of buying a carpet or suzani, but ultimately I bought what I usually do when I travel: art! It's lightweight and flat! And I bought a piece at the Grand Bazaar. That turned out to be a much more low-key affair than the guidebook had warned about, but I think it's the carpet sellers who are really aggressive.

I'm very happy with my drawing (seen here in the gold frame on my art wall). I can walk by it everyday and remember a wonderful trip.

We now return to our regularly scheduled interiors blogging.

Berlin style

I'm loving the laid-back chic of this apartment. I suppose I just can't resist the charm of low riding bookcases (in red!) with an art wall above them.

I also like this chunky lacquer coffee table. Yay color! But note the herringbone floors. Once again, can't resist...

And in the kitchen, what do you know? It's one black wall. This place is hitting lots of marks.

from Freunde von Freunden. More at the link!

Apartment update

It's remarkable how easy it is to fall out of the blogging habit. Sigh. I'm going to try to get back into the swing of things, because really — obsessing over interior design is no worse than a lot of the other ways I can waste time on the internet.

So... here's my new bookcase! Picked up on the street! Regular readers know that I'm a little obsessed with the idea of finding great things on the curb (which explains why I have a thing in my apartment). The sad truth is that I've always been very snobby about this type of bookcase — "books aren't meant to the stored on their sides!" — and yet here we are. The fact is that my existing bookcase was already completely double-layered and I hated that half my books were hiding. (Now I know I could get rid of some books — but I have bit of a hoarding problem, I think.) The opportunity of bringing my books back into the light, while not taking up much room in my little apartment, FOR FREE, was too much to pass up. Plus red lacquer!

The bookshelf was so heavy I had to carry it home in two trips (one for the base, one for the shelves). Aside from a big scratch on the foot, it's in pretty good condition. Still, I was nervous about it holding too much and so I just put my travel books (which are mostly paperbacks) in it. Art books would be prettier, I know.

Does anyone know who makes it? Is it from IKEA? I was completely stumped by these holes in each shelf, since they don't seem to correspond with any support mechanism inside. I just have to take comfort in the fact that I've had it for nearly a month now, and it hasn't collapsed.

Now that I've got my long-sought floor lamp, I've realized that the next big thing my apartment needs is a paint job, which is very hard to get excited about. People tend to talk about painting like it's the easiest thing in the world, but in a studio apartment that's packed to the gills, it's an intimidating proposition. If I ever paint (or get it painted) then maybe I'll finally rearrange my art wall.

Epic post over.

Art wall inspiration

I need to tackle the intimidating task of rearranging my art wall. The good ones always look really spontaneous, but in my experience, it takes a lot of maneuvering to get everything balanced just right.

from Hallie Burton

Blank canvas

One thing about having white walls is that there's nothing to compete with your art. Lots and lots of art, in this woman's case. A look that combines a sophisticated art wall with a spontaneous inspiration board. Probably "too much," and yet the neutral walls and furnishings make it work somehow.

Another space in the same home. More scaled down and sophisticated.

from Bolig Magasinet

Art-filled

Living in a small apartment, I tend to think art is that one thing I can buy with abandon — after all, it's flat! But I find myself now reaching the point where I seem to have more art than wall space. I've concentrated my small pieces onto an art wall, and I wonder now if it's getting too crowded and hectic. But then I look at a picture like this... Admittedly the art here is of greater value than mine, but it still looks quite lovely, and most importantly, personal, which is what one should want from her art collection, I think. Also of note, the elegance and sparkle of the old gilt frames.

Another image from the same home. Man, I love the frame job on both these pictures.

And yet another. No framed art, but I adore the look of that built-in bookcase with the natural wood. Homey and high-end, elegant and cozy. Very good.

from World of Interiors, November 2009

Art question

So, on my epic trip to Buenos Aires, I bought some original artwork (unframed) in a gallery. It's a pencil drawing and a portrait, but upon getting it home, it looks very pale to me. In the gallery, the artist's works were all set in white mats in white frames. They looked airy and beautiful. However, I've pretty much made a commitment to black and dark wood frames in my home (an outdated photo of my art wall here). So should I go with a wood frame and a brown/beige/taupe mat? A black frame with a white mat and a black bevel? A black mat? Decisions, decisions. It's a quality piece and I want to frame it right. Any thoughts?

Photo above is not my home, unfortunately, but it does have some pale artwork. (And what looks like a Christian Dell lamp over on the right.)

from Patric Johansson

Monochromatic art

I like how this luxe, formal room is given a dose of irreverence by the art wall. The art itself all seems to be black prints (rather Hugo Guinness-like), but there is a wonderful assortment of vintage frames.

from François Halard

Bravura performance

That is a smashing piece of art, and it's looks great leaning up against some subway tile all casual like. And once again, a preserved aged wall lends a bit of grit and history to some midcentury standards.

This is a wildly creative apartment in Istanbul, which I previously posted here. They've got quite a collection, but, as always, an incredible raw space helps!

from Yatzer, photos by Richard Powers

Art wall

I think I've seen this image quite a few times now, but I came across it again recently and have to post it. As an art wall, it's notable for the very tight spacing of the pictures. I also just love those darn French cafe chairs.

from James Leland Day

Sunny

A bright, modern space. Love the art wall! And that bench!

from Joe Schmelzer

Art wall!

Feels like a while since I've posted an art wall. This one is quite expansive and looks great (although the super-high ceilings help). I also like what looks like an extra-long red lacquer sideboard (I'm a sucker for red lacquer). On the other hand, I've never warmed up to Panton chairs; they just look so plastic.

from James Merrell

New antiques

I've bought two antique frames!

Here's a clear picture (I just liked the color quality of the flashless shot above). I replaced the photo that came in the frame (not as old as the salesman said, I'd wager) and with a picture from the bottom of a cardboard box of old family photos. My mother (owner of the box, pulled out of basement storage) isn't sure who the men in the photo are, but she knows the dog's name is Shep.

Here is the second frame. I slipped in a little print I'd bought from Nigel Peake. I like the combination. This frame has no glass or back, however, so I have to decide exactly how much I want to spend on this little project.

I'm predicting big changes in my art wall. Woo!

The magic factor

Know what makes this space?

No, not the art wall (and that's a shocker, coming from me). Not the Ant chair. Not the Random light. Not the task lamp (although it's a pretty great-looking task lamp). And not even the dog.

It's the rug. The way the rug balances the other elements, warms them and humanizes them.

I'm so serious.

from Patric Johansson

Art shelf, no art shelf

There's a lot I like about this kitchen, but I'm especially noticing the art wall (surprise, surprise). There's a combo of art that's hung, and art that's leaning on a shelf. Great look!

via A Cup of Jo

Detox

Isn't this room, like, really pure? Probably too clean and pure for me. But, um, there's an art wall!

from Jason Loucas