Carissa Gallo Photography / Interiors

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Fading History / Ramy Fischer

Designer Ramy Fischler’s firm RF Studio has recently completed the refurbishing of a duplex apartment in a listed building on Place de Colombie, in Paris’ 16th arrondissement, France. Boasting its own garden and street entrance, this exceptional pied-à-terre is situated in the 1930’s Art Deco residential complex known as the ‘Walter Buildings’ (named after its architect Jean Walter). Like a skilful magician, Fischler’s artful transformation combines traditional elements with forward-thinking design interventions, creating a multilayered interior that reinvents the apartment’s history and original aesthetic, firmly rooting it into the present day, as a result.

On the residence’s upper level, the main living area, i.e. the living room, dining room and master bedroom occupy the front windowed part, while the remainder of the living spaces (walk-in wardrobe, kitchen, bathroom and water closet for guests) are situated at the back. This back-front dichotomy is reflected in the design aesthetic as well: the existing parquet de Versailles and period woodwork on the walls have both been preserved in the front rooms, while more contemporary materials have been used in those found in the rear. A staircase in the living room (its iron-wrought period railing have also been preserved) leads down to the lower level, which has been arranged as a guest suite. This space enjoys garden views and relative independence, with its own sitting area, bedroom, bathroom and walk-in closet.

Layering contrasts is perhaps the main tenet that runs through the apartment’s overall design concept, and examples of it are numerous: spectacular curtains made of lacquered plaster cover the entry hall walls and walk-in wardrobe, while prints of Baroque-era paintings have been applied on mirrors and other surfaces, some of which conceal closets, not to mentions a secretary desk. And in what is perhaps the residence’s most dramatic feature, white custom epoxy paint has been applied, by hand, on the woodwork in the living room and dining area to create a fading out effect, as if the ceiling is descending into the wall like a mist - with smoky bronzed mirrors in the dining room adding even more to the overall effect.

For Ramy Fischler, interior design should promote concepts such as creativity, experimentation and craftsmanship which is the reason why he likes to treat each and every project he undertakes as an opportunity to collaborate with other experts and try out new things. ''The Place de Colombie apartment,'' he says, ''is the result of a group of ideas and talents coming together as one.  For me, designing an apartment or house is like running a research laboratory, during which different expertise comes together in order to produce a singular piece that is the result of a collaborative process.'' This project clearly demonstrates the experimental and creative nature of Fischler’s work, for which he has designed a whole line of bespoke furniture, including the living room sofas and table, sleeping beds and more. via: yatzer

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Copan Apartment

Copan Apartment by Felipe Hess and Renata Pedrosa:

“The project involves turning the 140sqm apartment’s with original division (three bedrooms, living room, kitchen, laundry) into a contemporary loft with fluids and communicable open spaces.

The apartment in the original Oscar Niemeyer’s masterpiece was completely demolished remaining only columns and shafts which determined the new division.

A central block was built separating intimate from social area. Facing the intimate area, the block houses linen and closets. Facing the social area it contains kitchen and a concrete shelf (where the first shelf works as a bench) that contains the owner’s memorabilia, ranging from music to art, such as palymobil and awards in Cannes that he won at the advertising agency where he works.

Also in the social area, an island made of concrete work as bar and dinning table.

A large wooden bookcase designed to fit behind the desk houses a vast collection of CDs in the shelfs while the drawers holds the collection of LPs, since the owner also dj, whether at home entertaining friends for parties, with a view of São Paulo’s skyline at the top of the 31 th floor of the iconic building, whether in clubs in town.

Large raw steel doors separating the bedroom from the social area may remain open to enlarge the space, or closed when privacy is needed.

Behind the bed comes a concrete wall of the original building with scars of more than 50 years standing. A diptych of the photographer Roberto Wagner tops the bed.

The bathroom has a toilet enclosed beside the shaft, a sink for open space and a large glass box houses the showers and an old bathtub.

During the demolition, the original beams and slabs were discovered and kept exposed. A plaster white ceiling appears in some parts of the flat bringing more warmth to those areas.

A concrete device under the back windows works as a cabinet in the bedroom and laundry and as a bench and in the kitchen also housing a wine refrigerator and niches for bottles, that he can grab anytime, put on a Mile’s Davis Kind of Blue, and watch the sunset trought Oscar Niemeyer’s “brise soleil” in a comtemporary apartment almoust without walls.”via homedsgn

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In Brooklyn a plant filled loft

Textile artist and designer Shabd Simon-Alexander has lived in this airy Williamsburg, Brooklyn loft for the past five years and has had a studio in the same building for six years. Since Shabd is surrounded by so much color in her professional life, she tries to make her home a reprieve, by choosing furniture with clean lines and modern features: white, wood, chrome and glass. By the looks of her plant and textile-filled home, it appears she can’t completely extricate herself from her love of color. Those modern, minimal aspects of her home are just a quiet backdrop to the riot of plants and colorful textiles and ceramics that are layered throughout the home. In addition to being a textile artist and designer, she is also an author and educator. Her clothing line, Shabd, is produced locally in New York City’s garment district and her fabrics are dyed by hand in her Brooklyn studio. Her first book, Tie-Dye: Dye It, Wear It, Share It was released last June.  via design sponge

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