Gorgeous Gucci

In 2009, Gucci moved their headquartes from Florence to Rome.  The offices are located in a historic building on Via del Banco di Santo Spirito.  The nine story palazzo was commissioned by Giulio Alberini, a wealthy merchant, and erected in 1515 and was designed by Raphael and his student Giulio Romano.  Gucci head designer Frida Gianinni told W magazine that she found the "palazzo through a family friend, it had just undergone a historical renovation by architecture firm Studio Gigli. Inside, new bathrooms and lighting fixtures had been added, and the frescoes were painstakingly restored. Outside, the facade had been scoured of all that big-city smog residue." The Ministry of Arts and Culture rules created a few complications for the day to day work at Gucci.  Soryboards and sketches that Giannini used to pin on her walls for inspiration have to lean on the floor due to the precious frescoes, “I can’t hang anything, let alone put lights up,” Giannini lamented.

The frescoed ceiling at Gucci.

Frida Giannini in her office.  I love the brass standing mirror in the corner!

I don't care for contemporary furniture when it's housed in a sleek interior but I do like the look juxtaposed with mouldings, boiseries and architectural details.  I always wonder if this is why Europeans love this type of furniture so much.  It always seems to look better in their older buildings. 

"For the decor, Giannini plucked furnishings from the blueprint she masterminded for the brand’s flagships in New York, Rome and Shanghai. Tables are crafted from shiny Indian rosewood, often bordered with rose gold–tinted brass; divans and chairs are made from mohair velvet; and smoky or clear glass inserts gussy up the doors."

Frida Giannini was also just interviewed by James Franco for the March 2011 issue of Harper's Bazaar that includes a look into her home in Rome.  After watching the Oscars last night, I do not understand his appeal but at least her house is interesting. I especially love the Fernand Leger painting behind them.

The living room was decorated with art-deco pieces.

Frida sits in an Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair in her study.

I love the railings along the stairs.

I love the simplicity of Frida's home.  Each piece of furniture becomes a work of art.

The kitchen is sleek and modern while the fur blanket softens the lines in the bedoom below. I know the Gucci office and Frida's home won't appeal to everyone but it really works for interiors in historic buildings in Rome.  More than I can say about James Franco at the Oscars.

Photos by Christopher Sturman and Douglas Friedman



Oscars Greenroom

Michael Smith must no longer be busy decorating the White House. He found time to design the official Architectural Digest Greenroom at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. The room was inspired by a 1940's library and even included Mr. Smith's own books. Since the Greenroom is the place where celebrities wait before going on stage, he thought that a library would be most relaxing.  If you watched the show, it seemed like all the stars were really relaxed so it must have worked. 

"It's terrifying to have to stand up in front of millions of people live," said Mr. Smith. "The most that you're going to spend in here is 15 minutes but I thought, everyone is comfortable in a library, right? It'll be a quiet place to collect your thoughts." 

“Having lived in California my whole life, I have always been thrilled by the movies, and the design and architecture that surround them,” says Smith. “I am always inspired by film. It is an honor to participate in the most prestigious of all Hollywood events.”

Photo by Roger Davies for Architectural Digest

Dakota Jackson at Sea

Since the Marina was fully booked, we were only able to see the designer rooms and suites while we were docked in Nassau.  Dakota Jackson designed a few suites and we peeked into two of them.  We weren't given any specific details about the rooms but I assume much of the furniture came from Dakota Jackson's own line.   It was interesting that many of the suites had their own work out equipment even though there is a gym on board.  Enjoy!

Dakota Jackson

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Chic Sleeps: Lit a la Polonaise

I grew up with a canopy bed so I've had an aversion to them ever since.  If there was any bed that could make me change my mind about them, it's the 18th-century painted Louis XVI style bed above that is currently for sale at Le Louvre Antiques in Dallas.  It can also be called a lit a la polonaise (Polish bed) which is a bed that has uprights that support the canopy with curved iron bars hidden by curtains. The curtains in this case are a beautiful toile de jouy. It had me at goodnight!  Of course, I couldn't post this bed without showing you some other beautiful examples of lit a la polonaise.  Enjoy!

Another look at the Le Louve Antiques bed.

Some of the most gorgeous examples can be found at Versailles.  I took this photo on my tour. 

World of Interiors

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World of Interiors

I was lucky to see this gorgeous lit a la polonaise in person at the Getty Center.

Le Petit Trianon photo by moi.

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And some lit a la polonaise aren't just for people!

The Chic Catroux

It's interesting how you see some designers all over the place and some nowhere at all.  I wish we could see more work of the interior designer François Catroux.  Maybe staying under the radar and a lack of self promotion is a French thing or a European thing.  It's certainly, as we all know, not an American thing.  I think it's even more interesting since François Catroux's wife Betty was a model and muse of Yves Saint Laurent who was has more than her fair share of publicity.  The scarcity of published projects makes it that much more exciting when you do come across one and especially when it's their own home.  Enjoy!

Betty and Francois Catroux, 1970