Tag Archives: antique

Home Tour: Alex Papachristidis’s New York Wonder

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Suzy Q

Another New York designer to grace our website this month (it’s not intentionally!) is Alex Papachristidis who grew up on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. This super outgoing designer was a born artist – his default playground used to be the grand halls of the Metropolitan Museum of art, where his mother brought him for his weekend entertainment. Accompanying his mother to many operas in New York, Paris, and Italy probably explains his vast décor ideas when designing for himself or for clients.

His New York home is stunning and features a lot of custom pieces such as the sectional in Schumacher velvet which can retail for $1,000 a yard! The exquisite flooring is what caught my eye; which looks to be regular strip hardwood with a hand painted design. Definitely something to keep in mind the next time I decide to re-do my flooring!

Posted in Bedrooms, Hallways, Living Rooms | Tagged Alex Papachristidis, antique, apartment, better decorating bible, blog, chair, fabric, floral, hand painted, hardwood, home, living room, louis xvi, new York, Schumacher, sofa, suzy q, upholstered, velvet, wallpaper | Leave a comment

Guess What’s Back in Style? The French Bistro Chair!

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Suzy Q

Who knew such a design favorite could make a splash in 2013! The No.14 chair also known as the bistro chair makes a stylish and classic choice of seating for your home, garden, and patio. I’ve never come across a piece of furniture that brings with it such a European aroma that instantaneously flips a modern decorated home to a Parisian café fantasy.

The chair was originally designed by Michael Thonet and introduced all the way back in 1859, that’s 154 years ago! He used a unique steam bending technology that required him years to perfect. The affordable price and simple design became one of the best-selling chairs ever made and even won a gold medal at the Word Exposition in Paris. Now a favorite among designers the No.14 is showing up everywhere, take a look:

Ashley Whittaker Design

Schranghamer Design Group

Marcelo Brito

Kate Michels Landscape Design

Roy Campana Photography

Posted in Dining Rooms | Tagged affordable, antique, better decorating bible, bistro, blog, café, chair, european, french, furniture, no.14, paris, Parisian, suzy q, tuscany, wooden, woven | Leave a comment

2013 Decor Trends – Homey Kitchens

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Suzy Q

The design of kitchens is moving away from an over spotlessly clean look towards a more comfortable and cozy feel. Kitchens are getting to be the most popular gathering places in our homes and making them feel homey and warm makes them ideal for socializing with family and friends. Reclaimed wooden floors and aged tiles give a lovingly lived in look while large kitchen islands provide a place to gather around and enjoy meals together. To give your kitchen a vintage, hand done appearance try switching up your backsplash with crackle-glazed tiles or tin paneling. You can buff up your cabinets with warm glazed colors and shabby hardware to give a lovely timeworn look.