Details matter. Details are what separate a mansion from a mcmansion, a generic box from a lovely structure, a house from a home. They need not be as ornate or historic as those at the
Musee Nissim de Camondo in Paris but any good architect or designer will fill a home with lovely touches that will separate the wheat from the chaff.
The stairhall that I mentioned yesterday
HERE features this lovely plaster painted to appear as limestone blocks. Notice how each individual block, separated by the thin white 'mortar' lines, is a slightly different tone of French gray? This adds depth and texture to the walls and adds to the illusion of real stone walls.
The lovely tapestry above is delicately designed into the treatment of the wall -not simply hung above the stair as an after-thought.
I warned there would be many light fixture photographs -here is one of them! These Classical gilded sconces line the stairhall.
The above image captures the curtains in the main salon and the boiserie. Notice the many different subtle shades of color picking out the detailing. Nothing high contrast mind you -
subtle.
The boiserie in the dining room are also picked out in many colors. The color is softer in real life and less 'lettuce'.
The relatively simple iron railing leading up to the private 2nd floor is probably my favorite.
The perfect sconces line this intimate stair.
The interior halls on the 2nd floor which don't benefit from windows still are flooded with natural light from skylights. Notice how the chandelier is hung from the lay-light.
I love the worn finish on this simple door on the 2nd floor corridor with such elegant minimal hardware. Now you have to visit the museum yourself to pick out more lovely details to share!
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9 comments:
Wow, the design and the craftsmanship is amazing.
Stefan you have helped me to fine tune my "eye" so much. The subtle paint changes and the first sconce, just fabulous!!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Featuring:Turquerie
Refreshing too see the worn painted finish of the door in your last image...I recall in the early Late 80s, in a home I restored, I used an artist who worked with Movie Studios and Decorators to 'age' freshly painted doors around the doorknobs mimicking decades of use...he was asked by others to to paint 'water damage' in corners of plastered ceilings with waterlines dripping down the walls...in old Hollywood Hills homes of Spanish/Italian Architecture of the 1920s this was quite an effect in setting a period tone. Of course, no one today would desire this - with the same homes being gutted on the inside to be devoid of all vestiges of Architectural style to create white plain boxes to house Design Within Reach styled rooms.
Lovely. Just... lovely. : )
There's a great place just outside of NYC called Lyndhurst that has that amazing painted faux stone too. I was so miffed they wouldn't let me take pictures. One of the things those of us in the design trade love to do is get closeups of details (like your fixtures). If you can't take a picture, you are stuck with overview pics that other people take-- not nearly as good.
Can't wait to see more.
I would have loved to have watched the painter of the faux sandstone — it's very convincing. You've caused my bucket list to expand yet again!
The painting of the plaster is genius and the tones of French grey allows for the nuances of real limestone .... fantastic! I am so happy to find another masterpiece to visit in Paris!
Absolute agree that fine design is in the details, which is also where the craftsmanship can shine the brightest. The balustrade on the stair is incredibly beautiful.
I hadn't realized the block work was painted until you pointed it out. How wonderfully deceptive! I've never visited this museum, but after your many posts on its charms it is definitely on my must do list whenever I next find myself in Paris. DLC.
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