Using the homeowner’s collection of antique wooden panels depicting the 12 zodiac symbols, designer Sam Ciardi created a Southeast Asian designed dining room. The room is a warm and cozy space, according to Ciardi with Samuel Robert Signature Spaces, who chose to center the room around a custom dining table.
Every inch of the zen-inspired room breathes life into the space, from the abundant green plants to the dark, earthy ceilings, to the bespoke credenza painting. The “deep bold, ‘Palm Frond'” transports you to the perfect paradise that encompasses a tropical, tranquil elegance.
For more information on the ASPIRE House Princeton Designer Show House, click here.
Sam Ciardi
Samuel Robert Signature Spaces
Rockaway, New Jersey
973.376.770
signaturespacesnj.com
Instagram: @samuelrobertsignaturespaces
Photography by Mike Van Tassell Photography
Zany patterns. Punchy palettes. Combinations of materials from the concrete to metallic.
As Claire Elsworth of Claire Elsworth Design notes, the eccentric spirit of Maximalism is both magical and rebellious. It encourages traditional rules of design to be broken and conventional boundaries to be overstepped. From patterned wallpapers and dark paint to a velvet sofa with an eclectic mix of textures pillows, the goal is to be courageous in your design, and to love the “more” aesthetic.
“‘More’ is a love and appreciation of pattern, color, collection and curation,” Elsworth notes, “with a sheer joy of fusing, contrasting, styling and layering all that gloriousness together.”
Sasha Bikoff
Photos courtesy Sasha Bikoff.
Maximalism has been embracing “the more” of design since the 1980s with the creation of Memphis Milano in the 1980s, a legendary postmodern design group that championed the style and made it a staple in the industry. Author and design journalist Claire Bingham notes in her book, More is More: Memphis, Maximalism and New Wave Design, that after experiencing the “riot of color and pattern” indigenous to styles like Memphis, the 90s saw a rise of Minimalism, a stark contrast with designers such as John Pawson and Calvin Klein focusing on purity and simplicity.
“There has always been minimal versus maximal throughout time, but the rise of the Memphis/80s style was a kickback from the elegance of mid-century design and a desire to rethink how objects could look,” Bingham writes. Although minimalism has been an ever-developing presence in today’s world, the Memphis style and Maximalism as a whole has found its way back into the hearts of young impressionable designers looking to become expressive in a more vivacious, free-spirited way.
In More is More, Bingham spoke with a host of contemporary designers, as well as Peter Shire and George Snowden, some of the original founders of the Memphis group, who truly embrace and understand the spirit of Maximalism. “It’s not so much to do with a style,” she says. “Maximalism could look like anything — romantic and frilly, graphic patterns, disco … It’s like playing dress up for the home.” To quote the vivacious Iris Apfel, “more is more and less is a bore.”
Famed New York designer Sasha Bikoff was dubbed the “interior designer for the young and wealthy” by The New York Times. Bikoff affirms that she was at the forefront of Maximalism’s revival when she started her firm seven years ago, a revival she credits to the growing millennial culture. She says that like anything in history there’s an action and a direct reaction. Instead of creating simplistic looks that can be easily replicated for the masses, younger designers and people want to create spaces and live within spaces that are unique, that share a likeness of themselves, a desire that has stemmed such creative outlets as Instagram, Pinterest and other social media channels.
Claire Elsworth
Photo courtesy © Claire Elsworth 2017
To heighten the effectiveness of Maximalism, Bikoff says that one of the most important aspects of this style type is the use of color, noting that in her own designs color helps bring out an emotional response. She notes that it’s important to surround yourself with colors and objects, patterns, and textures that make us happy and bring life into your home. “The same way I dress with fashion — as my fashion choices are bold and confident — is how I want my rooms to feel,” she says.
Just like personal fashion, each Maximalist designer and design is different and based on both creative taste and what each designer finds inspiring. For example, Bikoff’s aesthetic can be derived from 18th-century French Rococo, 1960s Space Age Modern, 1970s French Modernism and 1980s Italian Memphis Milano. An affinity for new experiences, her love of travel helps add to her ever-developing color palette, which you can see in her projects. “Marrakesh is a place I travel to all the time, and the colors of the spices you find there are so amazing you can see them all in a color palette, from bright turmerics to smoky paprikas,” Bikoff says.
Photo courtesy Claire Bingham.
Elsworth’s firm focuses on luxury wallpaper and home décor, and is known for intricate yet bold Maximalist features in every design. She hand sketches her designs, which are inspired by her short concept stories about an imaginary Duchess called Violacea Macrobothrys and her beautiful old aristocratic house — “a Maximalist treasure trove paradise!” she says. These stories weave through six collections of wallpapers and cushions, displaying both Elsworth’s love for drawing as well as her favorite aspects of Maximalism.
“I’ve always been drawn to anything ornately detailed, whether it be textiles, interiors, art, or historical architectural details,” Elsworth says. “So, I was naturally drawn to the Maximalist style long before I even knew there was a name for it.”
To embrace Maximalism in an everyday space there is a variety of ways one can incorporate aspects of the style. Bikoff says that some of the best Maximalist interiors are just showing off pieces from trips you’ve taken all in one space, even if they do not particularly go together. “The whole idea of Maximalism is that it’s the kind of space for a true collector, a space that tells a story.”
Photo courtesy Sasha Bikoff.
Photo courtesy Claire Bingham.
With a view of the beach and plenty of bedrooms, this Panama home is the oasis of your dreams.
On the idyllic island of Saboga, in the Las Perlas Archipelago in Panama, this three-level, five-bedroom, five-bath house is surrounded by tropical plants and trees and overlooks a gorgeous beach. “The islands that make up the archipelago are one of the very last undeveloped island chains in the world,” says listing agent Stephanie Villarreal of Your Panama Real Estate Connection.
Conveniently located, the island has a heliport, there is a daily ferry service to Isla Saboga from Panama City, and the neighboring island of Contadora has an airstrip.
The home, which comes fully furnished and is listed for $850,000 USD, was “custom built to provide the very best in island living,” says Villarreal.
The lower level of the house has two bedrooms, each of which are small studio apartments with full kitchens — and decks and patios overlook the beach just 26 steps below. “Perfectly situated, you can enjoy a perfect balance of indoor/outdoor living,” says Villarreal.
The main level has one master bedroom, kitchen and living room and a large open deck with a pergola overlooking the beach and ocean. From here, “you can enjoy the spectacular views of the beach and ocean,” says Villarreal. “Imagine waking up in the morning, sitting on the deck and enjoying coffee — listening to the birds.” Or at the end of the day, “enjoying a fresh coconut or cocktail —and watching the sun go down.”
The upper level of the house has two bedroom suites with a shared kitchen between them. Each upper bedroom suite has a deck overlooking the beach. “This beautiful house is a perfect fit for a family looking for a change or adventure — or is well suited for anyone wanting to start a sport-fishing lodge, as the area boasts some of the best sport-fishing and an abundance of marine life,” says Villarreal. “No matter where you are in the house or the property, there is no forgetting that you are on one of the most beautiful islands in Panama.”
For more information, visit the link here.
Cuba’s capital, Havana, is celebrating its 500th year anniversary in November this year, a legacy that has led to a delightful cultural atmosphere, one that has drifted into the design sector. The style of Havana decor is a wonderful, bright and fun, as well as easy to replicate with a few simple touches. Here are some key trends that easily bring Cuban decor into your home.
Cuban decor is nostalgic and charming — a trend that is likely here to stay. With a few easy touches, a room can be transformed into a bright and fun haven to enjoy a mojito in as if you were in Havana!
In Sarasota, Florida, this home is elevating the standard of luxury, waterfront living.
1309 Vista Drive in Sarasota, Florida, is a gated French Country private estate located right on the bay. It was built in 2015 on the 1.5-acre-plus property.
Located in one of Sarasota’s most coveted neighborhoods, Harbor Acres, the property is just as close to the bay as it is to the bustling downtown district filled with restaurants and retail stores. The perfect blend of old-world charm and modern Florida luxury.
The interior of the home includes a La Cornue gourmet kitchen, imported French stone floors and cabinetry. But the quality doesn’t end inside — with over 244 feet of direct bayfront on the property, you can enjoy the water every day of the year.
1309 Vista Drive in Harbor Acres, being a perfect blend of French charm and modern style, is the quintessential home of the neighborhood and surrounding area.
Photos courtesy of 1309 Vista Drive.
Saying goodbye to bright colors, bold patterns and traditional island-style design, homebuyers are beginning to revive the trend of tropical modernism.
Creating a seductive, high-end feel while still drawing inspiration from local traditions, tropical modernism puts a spin on traditional island-style décor. Many buyers are paying premium prices for this trend, which calls for clean lines, a muted color palette and the use of exotic woods and stone.
Hoping to gain the attention of buyers, these Hawaiian homes are bringing back tropical modernism:
Kukui’ula
Kauai, Hawaii
This resort and real estate community on the sunny south shore of Kauai embodies the trend of tropical modernism through various custom homes, bungalows, villas and cottages. Celebrating indoor-outdoor living, Kukui’ula’s home design features breezy, open floor plans with a minimalistic approach to let the outdoors in. Highlights include floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor showers in glass covered bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes with lush greenery.
Photos courtesy of Kukuiula
Hualalai Resort
Kailua-kona, Hawaii
Furnished by award-winning designer, Gina Willman, 72-3548 Kulanakauhale features contemporary interiors and clean lines complemented by natural materials. With versatile indoor-outdoor living space, the views of Hualālai Volcano, Mauna Kea and the Kohala Mountains are as spectacular as the panoramic Pacific Ocean views.
Photos courtesy of Hualalai
Montage Residences Kapalua Bay
Maui, Hawaii
Residence 2604, a sleek residence designed by Bassman & Blaine, offers a relaxed, yet luxurious feel that pairs well with the world-class destination that is Kapalua Bay. The muted color palettes are highlighted with a pop of color to draw the attention to the scenic ocean background and provide a timeless, high-end feel for even the most discerning of buyers.
Photos courtesy of Montage Residences Kapalua Bay
Luana Garden Villas
Maui, Hawaii
The residences at Luana Garden Villas are thoughtfully designed for island living and combine tropical palette colors with sleek angles and geometric patterns. With residences available in two distinct color schemes, Vibrant and Serene, the interiors at Luana reflect the exterior natural landscape through a contemporary lens. The Serene scheme is inspired by the rare Hinahina (Silversword) plant that grows on the slopes of Haleakalā. This plant is believed to evoke serenity and peace and its soft greyish-white color informed the color palette for the Serene scheme. Characteristic of tropical modernism, Luana features wide, open spaces throughout each room and the expansive lanai at each villa.
Photos courtesy of Luana Garden Villas
Photos courtesy of Nic Lehoux
Ward Village
Honolulu, HI
Ward Village honors the rich culture of Hawaii’s past while transforming the destination into a model 21st century sustainable community, epitomizing tropical modernism by truly building a city of the future. Waiea, the first residential tower to be completed at Ward Village, has a sweeping, unparalleled glass façade and spacious view-oriented interiors. The interior, designed by Tony Ingrao, complements the building’s exterior with refined, exceptional detailing throughout. Ingrao embraced a clean aesthetic, keeping the design elegant and streamline — from sleek marbled bathroom walls to the clean, effortless lines of the kitchen and living spaces.
