Entertaining friends and family over during the holidays can be a joyful experience.
Bringing a large evergreen tree inside, covering it with a bazillion lights and filling it with ornaments, helps to transform a home into a magical setting for entertaining – add a fire and everyone is truly transported!
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I LOVE books, especially inspiring books on design and design history!
And I love to give books to friends, clients, family and my staff in the holiday season.
My own library was started in earnest over 30 years ago – and now includes many books in my office, my apartment in Brooklyn Heights and at my still-pretty-new-very-old house in Connecticut.
I looked through my library to find eight books – new, not-so-new, and old – that I think are true gems that would make excellent gifts!
In this large apartment in New York City, a large round table was selected for its ‘democracy’ (i.e. no heads of the table), and for how it compliments the nearly square shape of the room.
The 72″ diameter inlaid Pearwood table custom-made by Holly Hunt can seat 8 people without putting in either of the two 18″ leaves, when the table can comfortably seat 12.
The chairs were a customized version of the “Russell” chair from Dessin Fournir, upholstered in a Jerry Pair leather called “City Slickers“
The custom area rug was made by Tai Ping in a pattern and density to accommodate very regular use, and to help camouflage any stains if they occur.
The antique cabinet circa 1927 designed by Gio Ponti is made of Italian Fruitwood and has understated neoclassic elements including bronze details.
The chandelier was custom-made by Lorin Marsh on the islands of Murano, in the lagoons surrounding Venice, Italy. The fixture was made using traditional techniques in the manner of a 1940’s original Venetian glass.
The curtain panels were tailored from a Holly Hunt wool satin; the tailored Roman shades in a sheer fabric from Rogers & Goffigon called “Romance”.
The pair of painted portraits are of family relatives long past, and the ink drawing on the Gio Ponti server is by Louis Bourgeois.
