Dream Home | Raven Row

Well it turns out my dream home is actually a non-profit contemporary art exhibition in Spitalfields, London. The property, known as Raven Row, was built in 1690 and later transformed into luxury shops in the Rococo style by Huguenot silk merchants.  In 2009 gallery owner Alex Sainsbury hired 6a architects to meticulously renovate and restore the eighteenth century domestic rooms and add two contemporary galleries. The grander rooms pictured above house the gallery's offices—can you even imagine going to work there everyday? Sigh.

The architecture is a celebration of the imperfect.  Every room has a story of its own, a story told through the enduring detail—some of it left, some of it restored, some of it reclaimed, some of it lost.  It's the perfectly imperfect details—like the original pine floors that were cleaned, not stained, and the intricate paneling—that literally take my breath away.  My mind is overflowing with ideas about how I would decorate the space...I'm thinking cool and contemporary with touches of brass.  What would you do?

(Images via 6a Architects)

Inspired Interior | Brooke Shields

If you don't have a subscription to Architectural Digest then I suggest you run to the closest bookstore and pick up a copy of the March issue stat!  The entire issue is filled with inspiring interiors but it's Brooke Shield's home, designed by Made NYC and David Flint, that has officially shot to the top of my Favorite Homes Ever Published list.  The Jansen chairs and Zuber wallpaper in the dining room were enough to send this home to the top but what I really love is high-low mix of both modern and traditional accessories. 

The Chelsea Gray-painted living room is my absolute favorite – the inexpensive jute rug from pottery barn grounds the space and lets the French Empire commode, Hunt Slonem Bunny art, large ceramic lamps, lime green lamp shade, John Robshaw pillows and fabulous 1970s lucite-base cocktail table take center stage.  This interesting combination of french antiques, linen textiles and modern lighting continues through out the house giving each room a completely original feel.  Below are a few elements to help you achieve this look at home:

Camel Back Settee / Jupiter Chandelier / Boston Terrier watercolor by Meg Biram / Decorative Bust from Pottery Barn / Andes Jute Rug from Kohl's / Gilded Laurel Mirror / French Empire Commode

(Images William Waldron for Architectural Digest and Made NYC)

I'll Take it...

Um how amazing is this kitchen? I spotted it on Christine's always glamorous blog Bijou and Boheme and instantly added it to my dream home file. Quadrille's Bali Isle wallpaper is one of my favorites and I just love how designer Jill Unger paired it with Quadrille's Petite Zig Zag fabric, a Madeline Weinrib Mandala flatweave rug and Restoration Hardware's rustic Trestle Salvaged Wood Table.  Blue and white is a classic color combination but it feels so modern here with the different shades and patterns. 

My only question...who is Jill Unger? Because I don't know about you but I definitely want to see more of her work!