Iris Apfel at Home

The fashion set knows her well, but her home is perhaps just as remarkable and unique as her attire. Brilliant and fearless, Iris Apfel has created a space full of her life's collections. This New York apartment clearly subscribes to an eclectic and layered approach, not one of rigid rules or prescribed formulas. She and her husband founded Old World Weavers, which explains at least in part the profusion of textiles. Beyond the multitude of patterns and prints, the lighthearted and theatrical nature of this space gives it a life and exuberance so rare in today's interiors. Bravo.

Top image from The New York Times. All other images from Architectural Digest.

Jacques Garcia at Home

A legend in the world of design, Jacques Garcia is perhaps best known for his contemporary interiors. So today I bring another masterpiece of his, but a much more historically-oriented one: his Paris residence as it was in the late 1980s following an extensive rehabilitation of the historic structure.

Located at 28 Rue des Tournelles, Hôtel de Sagonne was designed by Jules Hardouin Mansart (1645-1708), chief architect to Louis XIV, when he was just 28 years old. The mansion's construction commenced in 1674 but didn't complete until 1685 as Mansart was simultaneously working on other masterpieces including the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. When Jacques Garcia took hold of the property he performed extensive restorations to uncover the original ceilings and reinstate the boiseries and floorboards in a way that did justice to the original.

There are so many things I love about this space, beyond just the exquisite French antiques, many of which were royal pieces dispersed during the French revolution.

This former office of Mansart is intimate but also incredibly elegant with its original boiseries. The lit d'alcove looks like such a nice spot to do some reading, sheltered by the curtains and a warm space full of books.

The kitchen also serves as a dining room and features the original Delft tiles. This space is such a refreshing counterpoint to the enormous industrial kitchens so in vogue today, where everything looks as if it belongs in a car manufacturing plant. No enormous island. No stainless steel appliances. I'm really not sure where the refrigerator and range live and I rather like it that way.

Images from Private Paris by Marie-France Boyer.

Chateau de Montgeoffroy

Chateau de Montgeoffroy is located in the Loire Valley and dates to the 1770s when it was built for Marquis de Contades. The oval dining room was the first of its sort to be built in France and signaled a shift away from the mainstream preference of the French to dine in their salons. Notice the width of the Louis XV chair seats - these were designed to accommodate ladies' skirts, which were quite large at the time. It is speculated that this table may have been the first at which pâté de foie gras was served as the delicacy was invented by the Marquis' chef. I'm not particularly enamored with pâté de foie gras but this room is another story altogether.

Top image from Interiors by Min Hogg. Exterior images by Manfred Heyde.