Elle Decor Modern Showhouse: Study By Sara Story

I must confess I found the study by Sara Story to be weak. The Venetian plaster walls and ceiling were stunning with the addition of the decorative paint details but I found the space to be under utilized and therefore not at all functional...as a study. 


The main space had a daybed with occasional tables around it and the closet in the room was made in to a nook to do makeup...or serve drinks...sort of; which I'll explain soon. 


There was nothing functional to convey this was a study. The daybed made it feel like was designed for occasional guests to sleep over but there was nothing functioning to hold or place 'study' type things like bookcases/etageres etc. for books, files and no workspace for a laptop. 


There was a desk in the closet but it was styled for doing makeup, well it had a small mirror but then it also had a tray with aperitif crystal glasses and what looked like a decorative dispensor. As odd as the styling was, it was not at all suitable for doing makeup (inadequate lighting...an uplight...and red paint in the closet).


The room seemed it should be off of an ensuite bathroom or closet.


There was also the drapery which made the room unbalanced. They were beautiful lined golden dupioni silk but the left side of the room had them wrapping around a bulkhead, so at least 3 panels wide; however they were not meant to be closed. Then on the right side there was one panel which was not to be closed. 


Although the study had some really beautiful elements it fell short on meeting the design requirements. The other rooms in the apartment where cohesive and displayed a personality type that was very much *not* like the person Sara created the study for. So I was disappointed with the study.


However, do not take my word for it. Below are photos I took so you can decide for yourself. Please, let us know your thoughts! Yes, I'm *that* close to begging for comments ;)

Elle Decor Showhouse: Designer's Sketches

Marie Turner's Master Suite:

Aurelien Gallet's Master Suite:

I've an interesting story behind the art Aurelien selected and will dedicate a post to it.

Sara Story:

The other rooms I have sketches, by the designers, I could not get over all photos of because the rooms where so crowded. I do have some nice detail shots so if you'd like to see them let me know.

Oh The People You Will Meet: Day 1 of BlogFest2011

Without a doubt what made the Kravet - Lee Jofa BlogFest2011 event for me was the people in the design industry who I was fortunate enough to get to chat with. 


Highlights of Day 1 for me were:
Scot Meacham Wood

Scot Meacham Wood with Kravet's Jennifer Powell

I had the opportunity to chat with Scot a couple of times. He is so fun loving and easy going. Add to that his unbelievably diverse design talent and you've got one fabulous package! Scot was attending BlogFest2011 with us but I've got him on this list of Design Talent.

Karen Marx

Elle Decor's Karen Marx with Jennifer Powell

I hit the jackpot at Elle Decor's Modern Life Concept House. Editors, designers...I got some quality time with them all! I took the photo with Karen Marx from Elle Decor while we were chatting in the Office designed by Oliver M. Furth. We were loving the details of the room. To find out what those details are you'll have to come back and read my It's in the Details post. ;)

Marie Turner

Marie Turner in the Master Suite she designed

Marie Turner did an incredible job with the Master Suite in the first apartment at Elle Decor's Modern Life Concept House. The suite included the en-suite bath, walk-in closet as well as the bedroom. I could have moved in instantly! Turns out not only is Marie beautiful but also a very lovely woman who was excited to share her sources for the room. I was stunned when she told me she was only 26 years old. We will be seeing much more of Marie's work in the future as she is a very bright star in the the design universe.


Future post, It's in the Details, is where I will give you insight in to the rooms at The Modern Life Concept House...stay tuned for the deets on Marie's Master Suite!


Aurélien Gallet

Aurelien Gallet

Aurélien Gallet, formally trained as an Art Appraiser is originally from France. He came to the USA about 8 years ago. Aurélien has over seen huge projects around the world working for 2 of NYC's top interior designers, Juan Pablo Molyneux and Robert Couturier before finally deciding in the last year it was time to strike out on his own. He's already got 3 Showhouses (Elle Decor's The Modern Living Show house, Kips Bay Show House and he is the Hampton Designer Showhouse in Southampton! He's also on Elle Decor's 5 Designers to Watch list.



Aurélien has no fear of stepping out of the box. With The Modern Show House he was limited in what he could do with the existing features of the Master Suite. To compensate for the inability to rework the space he had the walls upholstered in velvet (Lelievre Paris' Yeti in Truffe & Trianon in Blue) to create a feminine cocoon. Ideally, he would have moved/removed walls.


I've got some insight to the unique selections of art and antiques Aurélien used so stay tuned to my It's in the Details post where I'll reveal Aurélien's inspiration and thought provoking selections! 


It was a pleasure chatting with him but because he was shy about having his photo taken...I forgot to sneak one when he was not expecting it. P.S. Fabulous french accent, funny and tall, Aurelien Gallet is one hot commodity...err, designer. =)


That's just the first day of the people I met!