Interiors

Modern Hieroglyphs

Man has been painting on walls, clothing, artifacts, and himself (or herself) since the beginning of time. Kids and grownups alike can’t resist the idea of a big blank wall and a crayon, even though their moms or the law have threatened consequences if they dare use those walls as big canvases. But these days, using almost everything as a potential canvas has not only become permissible; it’s become downright respectable.

Graffiti’s moment has come and designers are recruiting street taggers to customize even unexpected objects, turning them into functional works of art. Take a peek at how On Madison has paired ancient scripts with modern day items that are referencing these ancient languages in a fresh way.

Handwritten Japanese Katakanakatakana

Porter Teleo‘s “Signs and Signifiers” Hand Painted Wallpaperporter-teleo

Robert Loughlin‘s “The Brute” Chair via Casa Moderno

Laughlin-The-Brute-ChairPorter Teleo‘s “Tangled” Handpainted Wallcovering

Porter-Teleo-Tangled 1Ancient Pallava Script

Ancient-Pallava-Script

Kelly Wearstler & Shantell Martin Collaborationkelly-wearstler-+-shantell-martinEgyptian Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyphs

Los Angeles graffiti artist RETNA paints the Pasadena Museum of California ArtRetna-Pasadena

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In keeping on trend with the graffiti craze, On Madison has commissioned local graffiti artist Peter Lloyd Jones (aka GUTS) to customize a late 19th century Asian scroll table as well as a pair of mid-century French Bergere chairs. We’ll unveil the smashing results in a future blog post a few weeks from now. Stay tuned!

French-BergereScroll

 

 

Renaissance Modern

I confess I am attracted to that seemingly disparate combination of baroque architecture juxtaposed against minimalist modern furnishings and artwork. Something about the almost religious grandeur of frescoed ceilings and walls paired with modernism is quite irresistible to me.

Case in point is the fabulous transformation of a 16th century church in Milan into a home base for the international architecture firm of Massimiliano Locatelli. The timelessness of the architecture mixes with equally timeless modern design to form a simpatico that defies the centuries of time in between.

Massimiliano Locatelli offices

Massimiliano Locatelli offices

I’m loving the way Locatelli has carved work spaces amid the vaulted coffers and pillers of the church.

Massimiliano Locatelli offices Stark white walls and stone columns lend an almost monastic quality to a modern dining area where the staff convenes every day for lunch.

 

 

Village Vibe: Rafael de Cardenas

I admit that I am a groupie for a number of designers whose work consistently makes me swoon. Rafael de Cardenas is a New York based designer who is definitely on my rock star list. De Cardenas manages to combine uber-luxe materials, rarefied mid-century furnishings, and art, all without a hint of stuffiness.

Known for his love for and dramatic use of color, this New York apartment is a study in soothing but sophisticated neutrals. De Cardenas keeps boring at bay through the use of layers of texture as in the blonde herringbone floors and trompe l’oeil malachite ceiling in the same soft neturals. Of course, he can’t resist jolts of color, as in the fabulous electric blues in the Inigo Elizalde carpet and graffiti inspired Assume Vivid Astro Focus wall covering in the stairwell.

Photos via Architectural Digest

Rafael de Cardenas NY Penthouse Living RoomThe blonde herringbone floors and faux malachite painted ceiling is neutral done the right way.

Rafael de Cardenas Ny Penthouse Dining RoomCustom dining table and chairs by de Cardenas. A pair of Campana Brothers chairs in electric blue against classic lacquered paneling are the perfect foils.

Rafael de Cardenas NY Penthouse hallwayThe unexpected blast of color in this graffiti inspired wallcovering by Assume Vivid Astro Focus on the stairwell ceiling is totally fabulous.

Rafael de Cardenas bedroom sitting areaCreamy nude leather on the Joseph-Andre Motte armchairs against the electric blues and browns in the Inigo Elizalde carpet in the unbelievably chic master sitting area.

Rafael, consider me a groupie for life.

 

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