The best of both worlds
When it’s time to make plans for decorating, whether it is a small room or an entire home, begin by dreaming about what motivates you. For me, it’s old houses and ancient buildings. I am drawn to the history that survives and want to become part of it. But this does not mean that I don’t also clamber after bold new designs.
New and old can be great friends, as you will discover in From Classic to Contemporary: Decorating with Cullman & Kravis, written by Ellie Cullman and Tracey Pruzan, and published by The Monacelli Press.
In this book, homes vibrate with luscious furnishings, brilliant contemporary art, and design know-how that makes each room special and personal. “We believe in the alchemy that happens when old meets new and when new meets old,” observes Ellie Cullman, founder and principal of the venerable design firm Cullman & Kravis.
This is a gorgeous reference book for those who love interior design.
As life moves ahead with all its modern conveniences, our world is becoming streamlined. Design tastes today include a sleek, linear aesthetic. We are decluttering our interiors. “We want curtains without heavy valences, furniture without skirts and fringes, art displayed without heavy frames,” Cullman notes.
In the chapter entitled Southern Hospitality, a magnificent home demonstrates how a sense of place steers the architect and designer. Thirteen-foot ceilings ensure an airy atmosphere, with high windows that let the light flow from room to room. Cullman explains that the minimal palette of whites and refreshing sherbet tones helps maintain a good balance between the more formal architectural elements, the gardens, and