Palette Cleanser

I hope you all had a great holiday. A great last minute Christmas present for me was finding the new January/February 2014 issue of Elle Decor on the newsstand.  It's the International Issue and my favorite home featured was a 19th-century house in Normandy designed by Franz Potisek.  I won't ruin it by posting photos from that feature but I did find some pics from Franz's own apartment in Paris.  I think they are from a few years ago so I hope we see another look at it soon. 

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Parisian Chic at its Finest

Everyone is raving about the French apartment featured on the cover and inside the November 2013 issue of Elle Decor.  It's the kind of apartment Americans dream of when they imagine moving to Paris. It was designed by a slightly new firm Champeau & Wilde but the founders Kelli Wilde and Laurent Champeau previously worked for Tino Zervudachi where they were clearly well trained. The pair reconfigured the entire space for the owners who often entertain but also kept many of the beautiful plaster moldings and herringbone floors. It's filled with an enviable art collection too. I always think it's interesting that foreign homes often have such sleek and contemporary kitchens and baths.  That's maybe one thing I'd change if I ever did move to Paris.  You can read the entire story in Elle Decor or here. 

Photos with watermark are from Elle Decor.  All other photos are from Champeau & Wilde.

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Hearst Designer Visions 2013

The Hearst Designer Visions Showhouse is an event I look forward to every year.  The designers chosen to participate go above and beyond and this year is no exception. They used to choose a film as the inspiration for the spaces which I always loved but now they are asked to come up with their own muse.  Chicago based interior designer Alessandra Branca decorated a duplex apartment in conjunction with Elle Decor magazine and used current clients as her jumping off point. Of course, it's filled with her signature red color and amazing art. Alessandra grew up in Rome so there are also some Italian touches including a photograph of the Villa Borghese Gardens and marbleized leather. 

The Heart Designer Visions Showhouse is located in Walker Tower on West 18th Street and the floor to ceiling windows give expansive views of the city.  The duplex apartments feel more like a house than an apartment which is a rarity too.  Most of the events at the Showhouse are private but I will keep you posted if any public events are scheduled this year.  I'll also be posting more rooms and the other apartments so check back soon for more Designer Visions. 

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

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