Design Ideas from the Bellechasse in Paris

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Sara Bliss

3

When it comes to hotels, fashion designer Christian Lacroix is completely fearless, bold and experimental. His first venture into hotel design in Paris was the Hotel du Petit Moulin, a favorite for the design obsessed like Anne & Suysel from Tilton Fenwick who recently reported back on their stay for Hotel Chic. His newest hotel, the 34-room Bellechasse in Saint Germain, sports the same trippy, dreamlike approach to design with pattern on pattern and bold color everywhere you turn. Dragonflies fly up the wall, while butterflies cover the ceiling, and giant fish swim across walls. It’s not your average hotel. If you want to have a little more fun with design, there are so many amazing ideas here. Here are three of the best.

4STRIPES ARE THE SOLUTION: For so many problems, stripes are you answer. This hotel room is teeny, the ceilings don’t look particularly high, and I’m guessing it doesn’t get a ton of light. Stripes in bold orange and navy give the illusion of higher ceilings, and totally distract from the size of the room and lack of light. It would be a fun, easy look to recreate in a teen’s bedroom, a mudroom, or bathroom, even a mancave basement. Love how they added more stripes to the bedding.

2ART ON THE CEILING: When you think about it, it really makes perfect sense to have something interesting on the ceiling in a bedroom. After all, it is what you’re staring at when you first wake up (or when you can’t sleep). A butterfly mural is painted on wood-paneled walls and ceiling. I love the idea of doing this in a bedroom with wallpaper. 

5 bellechasse5

CREATE YOUR OWN WALLPAPER: The wallpaper was custom designed by Lacroix and printed by Clipso, a very cool company that does digital wallpaper. You can give them a photo or a drawing and they can turn it into wallpaper for you. Ideal if you are artistic, or just a great photographer.

1

Have fun: At the core of the hotel is a sense of fun, of not taking design too seriously, of really enjoying the spaces you are in. Nothing feels too perfect or precious, but unique. If you take one thing away from the design of the Bellechasse, it should be to be creative and make sure the spaces you live in are reflections of you.

all photos courtesy of Bellechasse

You Might Also Like:

Posted in Design Lessons, Paris | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Seaside Chic at Capo la Gala in Sorrento, Italy

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Sara Bliss

2631759-Capo-La-Gala-Hotel-and-Spa-Guest-Room-3The striped floors at The Mark, reminded me of some other fantastic floors, these groovy zig zag versions at Italy’s Capo La Gala. Done in orange and blue tile, the provide amazing inspiration for a tiled bathroom or kitchen floor or a painted porch, mudroom, or foyer floor. So fun.

_ran1175_8a019d9aaba4c5442b2bcf7b67f081ca

The 22-room hotel is built into the cliffside with every room overlooking the water. The design is clean and crisp and beachy. Lots of nautical blue and white and stripes galore. Pics below!

_ran1143_d3a118d89abc24fb57681f0556b7ddd9

2_300ed8f49e5b7688cdbb4ecee780750c

Zig zag pattern in blue and white

_ran6227_f1c727d9acbace473c5d7f3bee3c375a

Each room has its own terrace

_ran1062_3e26c86fdd70569397dbeb2e4bf2e7eb _ran1063_5cb4defb356460db9c5b7d25bd1b8acf

3_19a83f2ce0a2e34f28f21455ed81c766 1_20eb471e1f6faf4399cd25eb0d786ae0Photos courtesy Capo La Gala

You Might Also Like:

Posted in Chic Ideas, Italy | Tagged , | Leave a comment

New Sponsor Jamie Herzlinger Checks Into The Mark Hotel

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Sara Bliss
Jamie laughing in front of drapes at Federico
So happy to welcome Hotel Chic’s newest sponsor Jamie Herzlinger.  It is amazing how many new discoveries you make through blogging and that is how Jamie’s chic interiors came on my radar.  With offices in Scottsdale, Arizona and Manhattan, Jamie helms a thriving  design business and has been featured in Traditional Home and lonny. On her Jamieshop site you can score to-the trade furniture and fabrics at below retail prices. Jamie often uses travel to inspire her work, whether it is using the color of the Caribbean sea to inspire a beach house, or a New York City hotel bathroom to influence a master bath project. In that vein, Jamie shared with us her favorite design hotel, The Mark in New York. I am obsessed with their striped floors and wrote about how to use them as design inspiration.  Read on for Jamie’s interview about the fab Mark Hotel:
86_img_37

the-mark-hotel-_1348237231

What is your favorite hotel in terms of design?

JH: My favorite hotel would have to be the Mark Hotel in NYC.

MarkHotel

MarkHotelRoom

86_img_10

What is the vibe like?
JH: The vibe is chic, hip and very LA.

the_mark_hotel_new_york_mark_bar_2_via-MocoLoco
When did you go and who were you with?
JH: I was there just last week, by myself. Enjoying myself, dining with a Grey Goose extra dirty martini paired with my favorite black truffle pizza.

the-mark-hotel-_134748389786_img_03
What was your favorite space in the hotel and why?
JH: I am in love with the lobby. I am amazed by the graphics, regardless of what someone is wearing, they look fabulous sitting in a chair on a bold black and white floor.

Markbath

86_img_28 86_img_27
Is there a space in the hotel, or a design idea that you would recreate for yourself or a client?
JH: Absolutely, the bathrooms are simply perfect! The floor is black and white graphic, the cabinets are glass faced with edged banded in chrome.

86_img_39

Insider tip? What do you wish you had known before you stayed?
JH: I wish I would have booked here a long time ago. I will definitely be going back.

Photos courtesy of the Mark Hotel

You Might Also Like:

Posted in Jamie Herzlinger, New York, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Design Inspiration from the Hotel Verneuil in Paris

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Sara Bliss

Hotel-Verneuil-Saint-Germain-library

On the Left Bank of Paris, down a quiet side street is the chic and discreet, Hotel Verneuil which has just been revamped. New owner, Nicolas Nonon has given the hotel–a favorite with designers–a sophisticated, fresh update. There is so much design-inspiration here, especially for those with small spaces. Ideas below, along with a few sources for getting the look:

002-13627

The Perfect Palette:
Rich gray walls paired with playful pops of color–bright blue and orange–is a fresh take on the gray trend. The fun hues add some levity to the sophisticated backdrop, and provide palette inspiration for a living room.

003-13627

Matching your sofa to your wall: If  you are in love with your wall color, upholstering your sofa in a similar shade works well if you want to be bold elsewhere. It means less visual competition for the colors you want to stand out.

bcec9d489392f1ec515f0d5ed772b2f2

Detract from your flaws: This top floor room is awkwardly shaped and like most rooms at the Verneuil, quite small. But color and design are used here to distract your eyes from the room’s imperfections. Molding brings immediate charm in a taupe shade that is similar to the floors and the curtains, so your eye is immediately drawn to the orange accent wall and the cozy nook. Funky chairs upholstered in cheery hues keep it playful.

c3ac92a1236cb94fc10deed464b3d4ec

Lighting is key: People who are lighting obsessed say it makes all the difference. I am always so focused on color in a room it isn’t something I really pay attention to, but clearly that’s a mistake. Great lighting is like a great pair of earrings, it just pulls it all together. The Verneuil has no shortage of amazing lighting choices, from vintage inspired to this AJ Floor Lamp. I love it paired with the more classic wall sconces–black shades link the contemporary light with the more traditional fabric shades.

71b5f3b897be1d36906b13b9dbd9754f fcffee01fcaa0aeefa8d67c16c8bee46

Calming Neutrals: The smallest guest rooms had previously been swathed in toile wallpaper, floral prints, and lots of color. After the hotel’s update, these rooms are now very neutral with taupey grays being the only hues. The rooms look more masculine now, perfect inspiration for a guest room or a bachelor pad bedroom. 

GET THE LOOK

7413a765-3de1-40e9-96c8-04f91e4d2ab8Arne Jacobsen’s AJ Floor Lamp through Discover & Deliver
bell_rectangle_sting_silkcut_corner_square_string-blackBlack cut corner silk string lampshade from the Oriental Lampshade Co
XXX_DSC_0068
1950s blue velvet lampshades from 1st dibs
a0c48fa64eb6897be2bd8bcef3f1697b
Jonathan Adler Lampert Sofa
HC-169
Coventry Gray Benjamin Moore
CorlsbudCanyon-7-1009-de-1
Corlsbud Canyon by Benjamin Moore

You Might Also Like:

Posted in Design Lessons, Paris, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Miami’s Latest Hotspot: The SLS South Beach

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Sara Bliss

Villa with view- Not Villa Penthouse

Every few years a new hotel rules the scene on South Beach. There was a time that it was the Shore Club. The Raleigh held court for a bit. Recently it was the fab Soho Beach House. But right now, the it-hotel is the SLS.

Guest Pool West - Duck_by Skott Snider

I toured the SLS South Beach when I was writing my Miami hotel write-up for Refinery29. I thought it was amazing. I really think the best hotels are all about transporting you to another world, giving you a totally new experience. This SLS does that times 10. Philippe Starck was inspired by his dreams and the result is that every space feels totally different. You have a completely different vibe in the Madame du Pompadour inspired guest rooms than you do at the retro 70s surf shack inspired club, Hyde Park. Ditto on the 1950s camp-themed reception area. If you are a hotel design junkie you will go crazy for all the distinctive, unbelievably original spaces. It is also fun to see what a total departure it is designwise from the Delano which Starck designed forever ago.

Villa Balcony- Not Villa Penthouse

If you want to be at the center of the buzz when you visit South Beach, this is definitely the place to stay. If you need to relax and go to bed by 11…this is probably not the place for you.  There are hotspot restaurants, chic cabanas, a lively outdoor bar or two, and a rock & roll penthouse designed by Lenny Kravitz. I have several of the hotel’s stock pictures, but then a few of mine t00 which I posted below. Lots of great design ideas to boot. Enjoy!

Signature Suite - Living Room_by Skott Snider Terrace Guest Room_by Skott Snider

The Madame de Pompadour inspired guest rooms are amazing. Starck tried to channel a cheeky take on French chic with the design. If you look closely you will see that the headboard and the architectural details are all painted onto tapestries that aredrawn with a loose hand. It is an idea you could crib and make your own. The best part is, unlike wallpaper, you can swap out your design as often as you like.

Villa Bathroom- Not Villa Penthouse

The tiniest little tweak to an all-white bathroom makes it that much cooler. Pink glass and shelves, and a pair of pink mirrors add a rosy cool to the space.

Tower Penthouse Dining area_hi res Tower Penthouse Living Room set_hi res

Lenny Kravitz has enjoyed a second career as an amazing interior designer. His spaces are confident, masculine, and very sexy–a total reflection of the rock star himself. The SLS penthouse is a great example of how very talented he is.

IMG_2857 IMG_2858OK so here are my totally not-professional shots. This is reception. Note the upside-down canoe chandelier, tricked-out sawhorse desk, and the 1950s black and white camp-themed photos. Totally throwback, fun vintage vibe here.

IMG_2864 IMG_2861

Inspired by chef José Andrés’ grandmother’s designing room, Starck managed to make a buzzy restaurant feel warm and cool. He did the tapestry trick again here, this time with painted faux bookshelves. Mantles are stocked with family photos, pearls like the ones his grandmother used to wear, and handpainted ceramics. The giant shell chandelier has something like 50,000 shells.

IMG_2865The outdoor bar for Bazaar. Note how the ceiling repeats the colors and motif from the art inside.

IMG_2868The pool. It was a totally cloudy and cold day so the pool scene is subdued (for the moment).

IMG_2871 IMG_2872 IMG_2877Right off of the pool is Hyde Park. Starck has set up  ”carpets” with Colombian handpainted cement tiles. I love how they don’t quite match.

IMG_2880  The living space paired with the table and seating makes it cool inspiration for a small apt. Since they don’t have a traditional lobby (you walk right into the restaurant) this is sort of a defacto one upstairs. Cozy and mod.

SLS Suite Balcony_by Skott SniderPhotos courtesy SLS South Beach & Sara Bliss

You Might Also Like:

Posted in Miami, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment