DESIGN FOR MEN

I had to post this great bachelor pad from Apartment Therapy. Two roommates create a simple and modern space on a budget in Manhattan.  The pair restored vintage pieces, mid century classics and mixed them with just some IKEA finds. I really love their ingeniuty with the artwork they created for the space.   And I was validated that they have the same television that I do .  Check out the full article by clicking here.

Images from Apartment Therapy

Sophisticated photography for racquet sports enthusiasts.  Often I suggest that men incorporate their passion for sports into their space.  These photographs by Elliot Wilcox are a great way to do just that.  Additionally, the abstract and architectural quality of the work makes it accessible to a much broader audience.  According to Danielle Frost of Bau-Xiphoto:

Elliott Wilcox is an emerging British photographer who has recently been the recipient of several awards including a Judges Award at the Nikon Discovery Awards, a New York Photo Award in 2009 and the prestigious Lucie Award for the Discovery of the Year at the International Photography Awards. Another exciting highlight of his career was being made a finalist in the BBC documentary show, School of Saatchi, following high-profile art collector Charles Saatchi on his quest to find the next big artist.

Elliott’s photographs empty tennis, racquetball and squash courts. In photographing them absent of the fast paced action we are so familiar with, these environments reveal themselves in a new light. The resulting images, with their bold colours and structural lines, recall abstract modernist paintings.

Real Tennis 11- Edition of 10 + 2 A.Ps (pictured above)

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Real Tennis 04- Edition of 10 + 2 A.Ps

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Real Tennis 12- Edition of 10+ 2 A.Ps

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Squash 01- Edition of 10 + 2 A.Ps

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Real Tennis 17- Edition of 10 + 2 A.Ps

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Special thanks to  Danielle for submitting this great work.  Each photograph is 30 by 40 inches.  For additional information, contact Bau-Xiphoto by clicking here.

Images from bau-xiphoto

Big Bambú, an installation of 5,000 interlocking 30- and 40-foot-long fresh-cut bamboo poles, designed for the Roof Garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The exhibit was created by twin brothers Mike and Doug Starn.  Telgraph.co.uk describes the monumental structure best as, “bamboo scaffolding mangled by a hurricane .”  The construction of the structure continues through the fall when the exhibit closes until the end of October.  You can purchase tickets to take guided tours to walk through the structure.  Without venturing up on to the paths, the bamboo poles creates a feeling of a forest through which roof garden visitors wind through.  The experience is fantastic and there are stunning views of the city.

For more information about the installation, click here.

IMAGE CREDITS: Image 1 from Telgraph.co.uk, Remaining Images by Design For Men

This  custom-designed 4,500 square foot house  is locacted in New York in an east Long Island community’s master-planned by Richard Meier.  The designers at architecture firm,  TsAO & McKown faced two major challenges: designing for an unknown concept client and rooting the home on virtually flat terrain in a young forest.   The design pairs the human need for both order and chaos while creating a onnection to the surrounding landscape.

The designers manipulated the topography and created the first level slightly below grade.   Providing a slight incline in the typography served as way to reduce the impact of the volume of the home and provide a private  outdoor spaces.  The interior design of the home also has an intimate feel with a warm color palette.  Shades of rust mix well with grays and mustard yellow adds an unexpected pop.  Dimension and depth is added with warm wood tables and built-ins.

The sensitivity to the human condition in the design  makes this home appealing to a broad audience.  Making me think whoever snatched this beauty up is quite fortunate.

IMAGE CREDITS: TsAO & McKown



ABC Carpet & Home is one of my favorite stores, just period.  Their fabulous stores offer beautiful vintage furniture and antiques as well as accessories.  ABC also provides several sustainable pieces from manufacturers and cooperatives around the world.   Not to mention their phenomenal collection of carpets from broadloom to area rugs of all shapes and sizes.  As I traveled from Boston to DC, I simply had to stop by their outlet in the Bronx, NY to check for deals.  I was in the market for a new sofa but didn’t see one that I liked.   I kept my wallet in pocket although there were quite a few tempting items.  I still need to spend time determining what the space needs.  On a side note, I strongly encourage you to not try to furnish or paint a place until you’ve lived in it for a bit and let the ideas flow.  Develop a design strategy or plan and then attack with a quality piece or two at a time.  This saves money and ensures that you don’t wind up with “filler” furnishings that you don’t love.  Back to ABC Home, I thought I would share a couple of items that I may go back for.  The above glass dining and side tables are incredible but were too pricey.  I may go back and grab the side table for my living room.  The cute vintage cart would be great as a side table in my bedroom – perhaps even two.  Alas at $695, I had to walk away.


Love the steel pharmacy style cabinet (l), also available in white.  The walnut veneered bookcase (r) would be a great accent piece for a larger space than mine.  The steel base makes the bookcase appear to float.

Sexy Steel Stools I absolutely feel in love with these solid steel beauties and wanted to walk out the door with them until I saw the price tag, $550 a piece  – yikes! And the sales woman scoffed at my $250 offer as they had just arrived.  I will check back later and see if the price goes down.

This antique Rosewood cabinet (l) provides considerable storage and works well both in modern as well as traditional spaces. This vintage Eames style lounge chair (r) with polished chrome legs sits low and definitely makes an impact.

Walnut Media Console  on stainless legs – low and sleek, great for the modern living room

First of all I am really digging Lonny, an online magazine developed by former Domino editor, Michelle Adams and professional photographer, Patrick Cline. The duo launched the mag in October with a wonderful fall issue. The winter issue is also great.  The Manhattan apartment designed by New York designer, Brad Ford was favorite feature .  The article is particularly compelling as Ford’s client is a long time friend who he had advised on furniture purchases for years before designing this space.  The selection of quality pieces in neutrals over time has certainly paid off.  The home illustrates that you can achieve a cohesive and sophisticated design without buying new.  And thanks to Lonny, you can find some of the pieces yourself by hovering over the furniture and clicking on the link.

This kitchen is simple and crisp in white.  The dining area is  furnished with a table from West Elm and chairs from Crate and Barrel.  I love the integration of high-end and more affordable pieces in the design.

The modern kid’s room is equipped with the most stylish crib and changer I’ve ever seen from Netto.  Consider this space evidence that a child’s room can be both adorable and blend in with the rest of the home’s decor.

The bedroom is serene and simple and feels just as inviting and natural as the rest of the home.  Ford feels strongly that all rooms of the home should relate to each other, thus creating a cohesive environment.  For more on this exciting project, check out the article in Lonny.  And also check out Ford’s blog, Design Therapy, which I also love.

Images from Lonny, photography by Patrick Cline

Interior designer, Ron Marvin recently decorated his friend’s renovated apartment in the meatpacking district. Marvin has a great sense of style which clearly comes from his experience in visual merchandising for brands like William Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and West Elm. What I love about this place is that it is approachable and masculine. Integrating furnishings from Mitchell Gold, Room and Board and Williams Sonoma Home with high end pieces, vintage finds, and custom details adds sophistication.

Marvin uses the same color scheme throughout most of the home alternating dark and light grays and adding punches of rust and salmon colors.  I love the Dean sofa from Room and Board , tailored and plush in a rich charcoal gray.

I believe that the bedroom should always be a retreat.  The dark charcoal on the wall makes the room feel inviting and cozy while the symmetry and veneered wood furnishings adds formality.

Did someone say grasscloth?  I love the use of this rich grasscloth in the den/study.  The texture adds a softness to the space that makes it inviting and I love the gridded artwork above the black leather sofa.

Marvin has a gift for making even small spaces feel spacious and luxurious.  He is certainly a designer to be on the lookout for in the coming years.

Photography by Patrick Cline.  Images from Ron Marvin

French designer, Valerie Pasquiou designs the homes of celebrities such as Lisa Kudrow, K.D. Lang and Ben Stiller. LoftLife Magazine featured her effortlessly chic New York loft and interviewed the designer.  My favorite room is also hers – the library shown above.  The books and cozy modern furnishings add warmth.

Pasquiou cautions designers against getting too obsessed with trends and playing the matching game.  The white color palette sets the tone and accessories and furnishings add color.  I love the blending of modern furnishings with antique, masculine with feminine.

It is refreshing to see a bedroom that is poised yet simple.  The bed is sans headboard – I have been doing this for years – who needs a headboard when one is surrounded by the texture of exposed brick walls.

Pasquiou in her cozy living room.  I love the mix of the organic in the lounge chairs and cowhide rug with the orthogonal coffee table and sofa.  A designer’s home often gives you the best sense of their style.  And I love that Pasquiou makes intuitive decisions that culminate in a sophisticated, yet approachable environment.

Images from LoftLife.

I just can’t seem to stop myself from popping in to antiques stores lately. Sometimes shopping for clients or myself or just getting inspired.  Last weekend, I made a lightning fast trip to New York but still managed to drop in to Olde Good Things in Chelsea. They were pricey but had some great things.  The above chair is a Marcel Breuer Wassily Chair in beige leather.

[Walnut Table] I drooled over this table and matching bench in black walnut with steel legs.  Similar to the dining tables from Hudson Furniture.

[Danish Modern] Set of 6 Cool Danish Modern chairs.   The back on these chairs is really interesting.

[Eames Era Fiberglass Chairs] The blue fiberglass shell side chairs would add a nice pop of color in an informal dining area with a Saarinen table.  And the arm chair on casters would be great at a home office…I would replace the cushion though.

[Reclaimed Urban] Urban farm table with industrial machine legs.  This table would make a great desk and I love the pairing of industrial legs with a reclaimed wood top.  I was digging the chairs as well.

[Polished Chrome Pendant] This pendant would work nicely over the Saarinen table and fiberglass chairs described earlier.

[More Industrial] Architectural Grill – I am thinking cool wall decor.  And vintage file cabinets for the office.  Why not new?  The patina and maybe I can make people think that I have been in business for ages.

[Leather Pillows] You will be seeing more of these in contemporary and modern settings.  I especially like the idea of pairing large woven leather pillows on an Italian style sectional.

On a recent trip to New York, I stopped in at the Ace Hotel in midtown Manhattan.   My jaw hit the floor – I had seen pictures and heard wonderful things about the hotel but the photos didn’t do the experience justice.  Kudos to owners, Alex Calderwood, Doug Herrick, and Wade Weigel and New York based design firm, Roman and Williams.   I ran into interior designer, Loren Daye at a party and she mentioned that every little detail was considered from the bar wood paneling to the wall covering.  She said that the owners were approachable and had a clear vision making the design collaboration more fluid.  Even with the extensive renovations at the Ace Hotel, elements of the 1904 building were retained including the beautiful mosaic tiled floors in the lobby and coffered ceilings.  The 179,000 sq ft boutique hotel features 258 rooms, a Stumptown Coffee shop, and a restaurant/bar called the Breslin, a nice nod as the building was formally the Hotel Breslin.   The prices are reasonable, starting under $200.  The rooms possess an understated sophistication and are luxurious but not stuffy.  Their rooms range from a bunk, perfect if you and a friend are hitting the town to a super deluxe suite.  The rooms feel like modern hotel meets college dorm room.  Where one would expect to see a typical built in closet, there are chic closet organizers and art comes in the form of murals or hung canvas paintings.

What I love about the design of this hotel is the cohesion of the entire experience.  Sleek, modern and bold graphic touches blend well with vintage inspired furnishings.  My favorite part of the hotel has to be the library inspired lobby, decked out with loungy sectionals, old factory carts as tables, sparkling chandeliers and yes, taxidermy.  The aesthetic of the hotel carries into the hotel staff uniforms as well, sort of hipster guy, even for the girls.  I grabbed a shot of Ben at the reception desk.  To create their off the street look, Ace teamed up with designers such as custom fitted shirts by L.Gambert, jeans by Levi’s, Chuck Taylers by Converse, and vintage Glen-check Coto tie.  For more images and info on their uniforms, check out Coolhunting.

The Ace Hotel  is located in the not so hip yet up and coming NoMad neighborhood (north of Madison Square),  this fresh and youthful spot will no doubt help redefine this area…but there is competition nearby coming soon as the NoMad hotel opens this winter.