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Gorgeous Design at L’Hotel in Paris

Leslie Fine — Thu, 10 May 2012 06:50:12 +0000

Ahh . . . Springtime in Paris – what could be nicer? Unfortunately, Paris is not on my schedule for this spring, but I’m starting to plan my next excursion there and hopefully soon! I’m thinking about the beautiful City of Light - and about L’Hotel in particular!

This hotel is just what I would conjure up as a chic, classically Parisian retreat. The Left Bank hotel exudes Old World charm with a sophisticated Parisian twist. It’s seen many celebrities and dignitaries walk through its doors, including Salvador Dali, Princess Grace and Elizabeth Taylor. Oscar Wilde even took up residence there when he claimed to be “living above his means.”

The hotel was lavishly renovated by French designer Jacques Garcia who won many awards for his work on the project. Mr. Garcia is also responsible for renovating other venerable French hotels, such as the Costes Hotel and the Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière. These are some of the gorgeous scenes from L’Hotel . . .

A charming entrance to a decidedly grand hotel.

This is what I would call the wow factor!

Lush color and rich textures abound in the bar.

Which bedroom would you choose?

The private pool and steam room are available to hotel guests.

I can easily see myself enjoying my morning coffee on the deck.

Have you been to L’Hotel? I would love to hear about your experience. Please leave a comment or send me a tweet.

Boston Design Center Pick – Lee Jofa’s Cooper Bench

Leslie Fine — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:40:18 +0000

Lee Jofa is one of my regular destinations at the Boston Design Center. Not only do they have wonderful fabric lines, but their furniture pieces are also beautiful, comfortable and functional. One of my favorite selections is their Cooper Bench. Fun, functional and well made, this bench works in a variety of spaces and is a great investment. I love the bench’s clean lines and sophisticated styling. The bench, as shown here in this photo, can be upholstered in any fabric or leather, and it can be ordered in a wide range of finishes. You can even choose to have the perimeter of the bench upholstered with nailheads (as shown below) or with a fabric welting.

I recently used the bench in my clients’ living room. They love the versatility – it can be moved around easily for extra seating wherever they may need it.

Wouldn’t you love to have this bench in your home? This item is available “to-the-trade only,” a term you often see in the resource guides of design magazines. Available only through interior designers and architects, we can purchase it for you through a trade showroom. If you’re interested in enjoying this bench in your home, contact Leslie Fine Interiors - I’m happy to help bring these exclusive products to Boston homeowners!

Efficiency and Beauty in Contemporary Kitchen Design

Leslie Fine — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 21:42:43 +0000

Functionality in kitchen design is key. After all, it’s a work space. But, as we all know from our inability to disperse our guests to other parts of the house, the kitchen is a place for entertaining as well, so aesthetics are quite important too. As a designer, I love the challenge of combining efficiency and beauty in these spaces. I enjoy working with all the materials, textures, surfaces, features and amenities that go into making a fabulous contemporary kitchen. Simplicity and clean lines are the very essence of contemporary kitchen design, but that doesn’t mean that the space has to be stark. This streamlined kitchen is from my own portfolio. The metallic surfaces and hard edges are balanced with the organic warmth of the hardwood floor and textured cabinets.

Design by Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc.

In this kitchen from my portfolio, dark lower cabinets contrast with the light colored upper cabinets, while the granite floor and the mosaic backsplash provide texture. There’s plenty of room in this kitchen to cook, with more than adequate space for guests to help with the prep work or just sip a glass of wine and enjoy.

Design by Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc.

One way to achieve a clean lined, uncluttered look is to provide storage space to hide away kitchen countertop appliances and other items. Partners 4 Design achieved this with a hidden baking area, fold away spice racks, and tambour doors to conceal appliances.

Design by Partners 4, Design, Minneapolis, MN

I’d love to create a showcase kitchen for your home. Call Leslie Fine Interiors in Boston at 617-236-2286.

Partners 4 Design photo via HGTV.com

Beautiful Etched Glass Shower Doors by Vitrealspecchi

Leslie Fine — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 04:00:36 +0000

If you’ve been a regular reader of this blog, you may know that I love designing bathrooms! A well designed bathroom has so many wonderful amenities and so many sensory cues – the warm bath water, the soft, fuzzy bathroom mats, the cool, the hard touch of porcelain, and the soothing sound of the shower. Texture is also an important part of a bathroom, and I love how Italian glass maker Vitrealspecchi creates products that add this element to the space. These etched glass shower doors seem to give the space a new dimension. The patterns available range from the very bold to very subtle and almost ethereal.

Fili Maté by Vitrealspecchi

Here, the etched pattern suggests the tracks of water drops from the shower.

Fili Cristalli by Vitrealspecchi

This Japanese-inspired pattern looks almost like fog.

Kimono Cristalli by Vitrealspecchi

Vitrealspecchi also makes scratch proof glass countertops that complement the look of the shower doors.

Fili Cristalli countertop by Vitrealspecchi

Non-scratch glass washbasin by Vitrealspecchi

Take a look at the Vitrealspecchi website for many more inspirational photos of exquisite glass doors, partitions and countertops for every room in the house. Some of the products are so beautiful, I could imagine starting with a glass pattern and designing the room around that piece! I’d love to create beautiful spaces in your home. Give us a call at Leslie Fine Interiors 617-236-2286.

Rattan Furniture from McGuire

Leslie Fine — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:26:42 +0000

Rattan is a very versatile and durable material that’s been used to create furniture and household items for centuries. Since it can be woven or bent and stained in any number of shades, rattan can offer wonderful possibilities for different looks to enhance the visual appeal of a room. McGuire has a beautiful line of rattan furnishings that are very attractive and well made. Here are just a few of the pieces: The woven rattan of McGuire’s St. Germain Lounge Chair has a mottled texture that adds an organic touch to the muted solid colors in the interior below.

St. Germain Lounge Chair by McGuire

The straight lines of the rattan Gondola Settee create a classic, stately look but with a less formal flair.

Gondola Settee by McGuire

The white rattan of McGuire’s Easy Lounge Chair is perfect in the bright and airy space.

Easy Lounge Chair by McGuire

The Rattan Target Young Love Seat complements the wood flooring and paneling in the interior below. The circle and X motif (the “target”) is a trademarked design by McGuire.

Rattan Target Young Love Seat by McGuire

What do you think of rattan furniture? Do you like its light weight, more informal aesthetic? *A special shout out to M-Geough, local Boston showroom extraordinaire, who carries the McGuire line!

The Foyer: The First Chapter of the Story

Leslie Fine — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 23:15:53 +0000

A well designed interior conveys a story about the home and the homeowner. The combination of colors, textures, furnishings and accessories can be weighty, whimsical, somber or dreamlike. And just as any good story needs a compelling opening chapter, a home needs a foyer that welcomes, sets the tone and then draws the visitor inside. I have collected a few photos of foyers which each tell a different story and show different ways of creating a good first impression. (Click on each photo to be taken to the online source.) The playful foyer shown below uses organic forms and defies expectations of scale and balance. The biggest surprise of all might be seeing yourself part of the decor as you pass your own reflection in the oversized mirror.

By Billy Blanco Designs via Elle Decor

The crystals you see in the photo below are part of a three story light fixture that draws the visitor’s attention to all of the levels of the home. The chandelier creates a warm, almost magical feeling with the interaction of light, colors and textures.

By William-Christopher Design via Elle Decor

This foyer is quiet and perhaps almost somber, but with the warm colors and reflective surfaces, it’s also thoughtful, full of life and quite sophisticated. Entering this home, I might anticipate good conversation about art (that’s a Picasso on the wall) or perhaps literature.

By Marie Burgos Design via Elle Decor

These last two photos are from my own portfolio. With this foyer, I wanted to create a sense of light and clarity. The angles of the entry way are softened with the use of varied textures. The mixture of materials creates an entry to a home that is lively, poised and elegant.

By Leslie Fine Interiors

This foyer is worldly and adventurous with its contrasts of color and texture. The repeated motif of blackened wrought iron grounds the space. This is a home that has many facets, and a place where one might expect to experience rather than merely to visit.

By Leslie Fine Interiors

What story do you want your home to tell?

Using the Fleur de Lis in Home Decor

Leslie Fine — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:33:16 +0000

I have a particular affinity for the fleur de lis, so much so that I chose it many years ago to represent my business and my brand, Leslie Fine Interiors. The ancient symbol is both elegant and decorative, and it continues to be a popular motif both in traditional as well contemporary interior design. The symbol is a stylized image of a lily and is most often associated with French royalty. It has a regal and timeless nature and even when used as a subtle element in decor, it has a big impact. I just love the carpet that I’ve used as a stair runner in my own home.

This copper bathroom sink vessel from Houzer’s Hammerwerks Series would certainly be beautiful without any additional embellishment. The rough hammered texture gives the basin a timeless, almost rustic look. But add the fleur de lis, and it’s instantly elegant.

Photo from Elle Decor

This pewter tile from Datile’s Massalia Series features a fleur de lis motif but in a slightly subtle presentation. But even in disguise, the fleur de lis shows its regal nature.

From Datile's Massalia Series

With a fleur de lis pattern, even something as small as the knob for a drawer can confer a grand feeling.

From Rocky Mountain Hardware

Other than many religious symbols, I’m not sure I can think of any other images that have such a strong decorative impact. Can you? Do you have a special symbol or motif that has a particular impact for you?

The Classic White Bathroom – Cool or Warm?

Leslie Fine — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:02:27 +0000

There is nothing more classic and universal than a white bathroom. Over the years, various other colors have come in and and out of popularity for bathrooms, but a white bathroom has thrived throughout. White is the color of purity and cleanliness, so it’s no wonder that ever since the advent of indoor plumbing, white has traditionally been the bathroom color of choice. Kohler, the maker of bath and kitchen fixtures, has an interesting article about the white bathroom. It points out that there is more than just one shade of white– you can have cooler whites with a little blue in them, or warmer whites that include a bit of yellow. So, a white bathroom could include several different whites-as long as they’re closely related temperature-wise. Plus, a contrast of textures and finishes can also add subtle variety in the decor. This bathroom featuring fixtures and cabinets by Arlexitalia, stays with a pretty consistent pure white scheme with many glossy finishes. The result might be a bit too stark for some tastes, but it certainly does create a very strong impression.

Photo from Arlexitalia

This bathroom by Kohler fixtures uses a warmer palette of white. The simplicity and symmetry of the design supports the intricate mirrors and chandelier over the bath.

Photo from Kohler

This bathroom by Kohler adds organic brown and gold elements to warm up the stark white. (Notice the indirect lighting in the shower.)

Photo from Kohler

This Kohler bathroom is primarily white but with a cool, blue-green tint.

Photo from Kohler

This white bathroom, seen in House Beautiful, combines both warm and cool elements, with a turquoise tile border along upper portion of the wall and wood accents.

Photo from House Beautiful

Take a look at additional bathroom decor ideas in the House Beautiful slide show as well as the Flickr slide show. While you’re at it, take a look at some of the bathrooms in my online portfolio under Rejuvenate 1, 2 and 3. I’d love to know what you think. I’d be very pleased to work with you to design a bathroom that will be your special place to relax and rejuvenate. Call Leslie Fine Interiors in Boston at 617-236-2286.

Amazing Porcelain Tile that Mimics the Look of Wood

Leslie Fine — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:56:28 +0000

I’m a problem solver. Yes, I also create beautiful, functional homes, but I also figure out the best solution for a particular challenge and how best to deal with certain unique elements in the interior design arena. At present, I’m working on a project in which the clients really want to have dark, wood floors on the whole first floor of their home. Unfortunately, the house is constructed on a slab, and wood floors are not feasible. So here’s a problem that needs a solution – how can we achieve this look using different materials that are appropriate for the situation? When does a material look like wood but is not wood? When it is made of porcelain! Success – I discovered a wonderful substitute with Ann Sacks’ Xylem line – a tile made of porcelain that comes in 35 1/2″ x 8 7/8″ planks. As the manufacturer states, “Xylem offers an understated interpretation of natural wood planking in a durable through body porcelain tile. The subtle wood grain texture and natural coloration add an organic element to any environment.” To give you an idea of the look of the tile when installed, I took a photo of an installation of the tiles in the Chestnut color – pretty nice, yes? Xylem is available in four colors– Beach, Chestnut, Wenge and Ebony. The subtle texture and color of the porcelain is quite remarkable. It really does look like wood. The plank shape of the tile supports the effect quite nicely. But the tiles are much more durable and easy to maintain than wood flooring, and they can be used in situations where there might be an issue with dampness or in high traffic areas. Because of advanced manufacturing techniques now available, this line is just one of the faux bois (false wood) tiles that are on the market. What do you think of this solution?

Five Celebrity Swimming Pools That Make a Splash

Leslie Fine — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:46:27 +0000

It’s summer time here in Boston, and we’ve been having some great pool weather. But, as we know, some pools are merely functional while others are extraordinary. What makes a pool extraordinary has everything to do with its setting – the home, the view and the landscape. Here’s a look at some magnificent celebrity swimming pools: The pool area at John Travolta and Kelly Preston’s Florida home is dominated by the beautiful curved wall of glass that encloses the home’s great room. The pool cabana features a large open area suitable for dancing according to Architectural Digest.

From Architectural Digest

Ben Stiller’s home in the Hollywood Hills features a lovely pool area that picks up on the home’s Moroccan style. Notice how all of the greenery makes the space seem intimate and secluded.

From Elle Decor

Cindy Crawford’s home in Malibu is right on the ocean. The infinity pool area takes full advantage of the spectacular view.

From Elle Decor

Lance Armstrong’s home in Austin features a beautiful cabana with a fireplace, making the space enjoyable nearly year round. Imagine the fun of taking a late night dip and then warming up by a fire.

From Architectural Digest

Of course, no review of celebrity pools would be complete without Jayne Mansfield’s famous heart shaped pool at her Beverly Hills mansion. Her husband at the time, Mickey Hargitay, placed tiles in the pool that read “I love you Jaynie.” (I believe that’s Mickey and Jayne standing on the heart-shaped islands in the pool.)

From Architectural Digest

What are the elements of your dream pool? A spectacular ocean view? A lush garden? An open space for parties? I’d love to hear your ideas!