DESIGN FOR MEN

One redeeming quality about winter is the gear – layered looks, warm sweaters, scarves and other accessories.  Being stylish this winter does not have to break the bank.  Check out these great affordable looks.

Layered in Gray
Coat  from Zumiez
Black skinny tie from Target
Gray dress shirt from Zara
Black  jeans from G-star
Black belt from Guess
Model: Kenny Leddy (also pictured above)
Photography: Jay Fuertez

Splash of Color
Great look for New Years
Black Velvet Blazer from Macy’s
Plum Dress Shirt from JCPenny
Model: Seth Travis
Photograpy: Jay Fuertez

Military Inspired
Field jacket from the model’s wardrobe
For alternative try Fatigue jacket at JCrew
For Dog tags, consider David Yurman
For cord pants, JCrew
Model: Seth Travis
Photograpy: Adam Medders

Sophisticated Urban
Great outfit for a night out
Plaid jacket from Express Men
Black velvet vest and
Purple tee from Target
Model: Seth Travis
Photograpy: Adam Medders

Special thanks to On Display Men for providing these exclusive photos of Seth Travis of New York.  Check out the On Display Men website for Seth’s image gallery and an interview with the up and coming model.

To see more work from the photographers, check out their sites at JayFuertez.com and AdamMedders.com

Gates Chair Modern take on the wing chair. Available at West Elm for $699.

Milo Baughman for James Inc Lounge Chair simply WOW…difficult to get a Baughman piece for an affordable price but someone on Ebay is selling this stunning lounge chair and ottoman combo for $650. Image from Ebay.

Modern Leisure Chair A great knock off of the RL Cube Chair at a fraction of the price.  Available at Macy’s for $799 on sale ( originally $999)

Knoll Pollack Chair (r) working well as a desk chair and lounge chair.  I love mine!   Available for vintage for $200 to $1000 on Ebay and at a retailer near you.  Image from Garage

Petrie Chair (l) a throwback to the 1960s, this chair hits the mark.  The sofa from the collection is also great.  Available at Crate and Barrel in a variety of fabrics for $899 and don’t forget the matching ottoman

Norton Leather Chair The mid-century modern inspired piece is casual and streamlined for small spaces.  Available in leather at Room & Board for $799

Eames Molded Plastic Rocker (l) Original pictured above available for $1000 at Reside, reproductions available at Design within Reach

Gus GT Rocker (r) Sleek, modern rocking chair with light steel base, Available at Mod Livin’ for $1050 (a hair over budget but worth it)

Starwood Hotels star lodging concept, the W hotel, landed this summer in the capital city.  The collaborative design effort of BBG-BBGM and Dianna Wong Architecture + Interior Design Inc is simply enchanted.  Located a hop, skip, and a jump to the White House, the 1917 building, formerly the Washington Hotel built has been revived with an energy that is simultaneously modern and traditional.  The fantasy begins at entry with the Living Room (the W’s more loungey version of a lobby) featuring updated 1920s chaneliers with LED lights and modern furniture mixed with historic reproductions.

Creating spacious and spa-like guestrooms proved to be a challenge working with the existing structure.  The building is made of clay preventing the movement of walls.  So rooms were gutted and re-envisioned to create the illusion of space.  The bedrooms all are composed of similar ingredients including historic details, shiny white built-in furniture, and clever use of mirrors.  The bathroom vanity areas flow from the bedroom area.  Suites feature more spacious floor plans and luxurious elements such as double vanity sinks and soaking tubs and views of Washington’s historic monuments.

One of the most spectacular spaces is the POV lounge and terrace which was specifically designed to take advantage of the city’s views.  Successful hospitality design always includes a true destination and the POV hits the mark.  Guests can enjoy cocktails at the super chic ultra lounge and then take them outside on the rooftop terrace which looks out onto the magical White House gardens.

The W design team successfully breathes new life into this historic hotel with an infusion of modern sophistication.  For more information on the hotel, check out this article in Contract Magazine.

IMAGE CREDITS: Images 1, 3, 4, 7, 9 from Contract Magazine, Image 2 from JetSetGirls, Images 5-6, 8 from Starwood Hotels

I am so thankful that I am able to spend another Christmas with my family in New Orleans.  Before I left I snapped this shot of a townhouse in  Boston’s South End.  I was struck by how coordinated the decor was and I became excited to come home and decorate for the holidays. Design For Men will be back on Monday – I wish all of you a wonderful holiday with family and friends!

Vote for Design for Men on Apartment Therapy for The Homies 2009.  Since starting this blog in August, I can appreciate the passion and hard work that goes in to blogging.  So give your favorite blogs a holiday gift of voting for them by clicking here.  Happy Holidays!!

Yesterday I flew home to New Orleans for Christmas. My journey was typical, filled people curious about the city.  The cab driver asked about the situation in New Orleans post Katrina.  A flight attendant, proclaimed her jealousy about my trip all while constantly mispronouncing the city’s name. For the record, it is pronounced New Or-lons not New Or-leans as it is spelled. A bit of a surprise was that I picked up the in-flight magazine only to discover New Orleans Rebirth is the feature.

I realized instantly that I sometimes forget how incredible my home town is.  The spirit of this city, the culture, the people continues to go strong despite considerable adversity.  While I was reading, images came to mind of some of my favorite areas in town,  the Garden District, the French Quarter, Algiers, Metairie.  I fell in love with architecture here and started my path into the design profession because of this stunning city.  I love the following photographs by West Freeman.   The photo on the left is a shot of the french quarter featuring world renown restaurant, Galatoire’s.

Oddly, the Keyes house above is the first building I ever drew.  It would be awesome if I still had that old sketch book, curious to see what it will look like now.

The Historical corner of Royal & Dumaine St and the captivating St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, the oldest cathedral in North America

Wall Detail at the Napoleon House

Gallier House Back Porch and Home interior at 623 Bourbon Street

Lafitte’s Blacksmith in the French Quarter

And there is so much more – Big thanks to New Orleans for being such an inspiration.

Photos from West Freeman

Design is really in the details.  Completed almost ten years ago, this private residence designed by Cary Bernstein is no exception.  Featured on the Contemporist, I was drawn in by the timeless and clever architectural details.  Bernstein’s team added a third story to this 1908 cottage in San Francisco.  The stairwell is the focal point in the design, transitioning open risers until the landing where the stairs becomes solid spilling into the supple dark chocolate wood floors.

The steel clad fireplace is a bold statement and I love the use of simple upholstered ottomans in front – makes for a cozy evening by the fire.

I am inspired by the railing at the bedroom serving as a banquet which becomes the headboard.  This kind of continuity and seamless transition between spaces makes this home so cohesive and efficient.

I always struggle with people being timid about having windows in bathrooms.   This light filled bathroom has to be incredibly energizing when beginning the day.  I also love the elegance and functionality of this space – the mosaic tile is nicely warmed up by the wooden elements.  For more images and information, check out the Contemporist.  Also check out Cary Bernstein online for more exciting projects.
Images from Contemporist

Inside Out Iron Designs specializes in the design and fabrication of high-end contemporary furnishings.  Predominantly the company uses iron in their products which include cabinets, beds, seating, and lighting as well as architectural elements including gates and doors.  Inside Out also designs custom pieces for designers and architects for use in residential, hospitality, and commercial design projects.  The following are pieces are some of  my favorites.  The above table is made of steel and birch with veneer.  You can choose from their selection of 100 different veneers.

Pharmacy Cabinets Inside Out offers a wide variety of storage solutions including these pharmacy cabinets, contemporary interpretations of designs from the 19th century. All are made entirely of coated steel and can be painted to match your kitchen or bathroom.  Pricing starting at $1300

Low Storage Cabinets These low cabinets with matching mirrors are great solutions in bathrooms or entry ways and pair well with the pharmacy style cabinets shown above. Starting at $1700 (with mirror included)

Casual Seating I love the ottoman and stool above, featuring custom upholstered cushions with stunning steel bases.  You can choose the fabric from their collection or provide your own.  And the upholstering is done in house! Starting at $325.

Industrial Side Tables Inspired by 1900s French industrial tool chests.  Can’t find vintage ones – these are great contemporary alternatives. These tables are great for nightstands in the bedroom or side tables in the living room.   Starting at $700.

A couple of other pieces I love are above, the steel shelf and C table with veneered wood top. All of the furniture at Inside Out is custom made and in some cases designed for the customer.  So you or your designer plays a key role in the fabrication of your piece.  Check out the Inside Out Iron Designs website for more information.

Images from Inside Out

This Beautifully Made editorial from Rake magazine blew my mind.  Business attire for the daper professional with a retro spin. I am feeling the throwback to the fabulous 50s illustrated in one of my favorites, the Godfather.  Thanks to the incredible styling by Mark Anthony they had me with the first look – I need that heavyweight herringbone wool coat and hat.  Oh and the gloves too.

Images 1 and 3 from stylecrave, collaged image 2 from statu-esq style. Photography by Derrick Santini

While looking for a place in Washington, DC, I came across a listing for a loft condo unit for rent on Dwight & David, a local real estate firm.  Often people ask me what really defines a true loft space as the term is used so loosely now in development. Originally popular with artists, lofts are adaptable living spaces created by converting industrial buildings such as a warehouse or factory.  This type of conversion is a form of adaptive reuse.  The interior architecture of lofts should retain elements of the building’s history such as exposed brick, exposed ceilings, hardwood flooring.  The plan layout is open with flexibility to frame out kitchens, living, dining, and sleeping areas.  Due to the popularity of lofts, many developers have removed the element of designing your own space by creating standard layouts.

Walnut Street Development’s conversion of the former Rainbow Auto Body Shop in Logan Circle into loft  condominiums is a great example of adaptive reuse. The units feature twelve-foot-high ceilings, large windows and open floor plans. Exposed concrete ceilings and ductwork, steel beams and other industrial finishes occur throughout.  While these lofts have been designed by an architect, I would essentially gut the unit and start from scratch.  I have so many ideas already on how to make the space sing.  The unit shown is currently available for rent at $2195.   Not really looking to rent at that price, so I will certainly keep my eye on the building for a future purchase.

The one element that I like about the interior design of the units is the industrial sliding doors on the closets, mimicking industrial elevators.  Although the placement is awkward.  The previous inhabitants had an interesting sense of color.  A good tip for using color in spaces – keep it simple…multicolor schemes can work but make sure the colors work together and are used in a way that forms transitions between spaces.

Rainbow Lofts are located on Church Street, N.W. between 14th and 15th Streets.  Interested?  Go to Dwight and David Real Estate for more information on this apartment.