Gorgeous Gucci

In 2009, Gucci moved their headquartes from Florence to Rome.  The offices are located in a historic building on Via del Banco di Santo Spirito.  The nine story palazzo was commissioned by Giulio Alberini, a wealthy merchant, and erected in 1515 and was designed by Raphael and his student Giulio Romano.  Gucci head designer Frida Gianinni told W magazine that she found the "palazzo through a family friend, it had just undergone a historical renovation by architecture firm Studio Gigli. Inside, new bathrooms and lighting fixtures had been added, and the frescoes were painstakingly restored. Outside, the facade had been scoured of all that big-city smog residue." The Ministry of Arts and Culture rules created a few complications for the day to day work at Gucci.  Soryboards and sketches that Giannini used to pin on her walls for inspiration have to lean on the floor due to the precious frescoes, “I can’t hang anything, let alone put lights up,” Giannini lamented.

The frescoed ceiling at Gucci.

Frida Giannini in her office.  I love the brass standing mirror in the corner!

I don't care for contemporary furniture when it's housed in a sleek interior but I do like the look juxtaposed with mouldings, boiseries and architectural details.  I always wonder if this is why Europeans love this type of furniture so much.  It always seems to look better in their older buildings. 

"For the decor, Giannini plucked furnishings from the blueprint she masterminded for the brand’s flagships in New York, Rome and Shanghai. Tables are crafted from shiny Indian rosewood, often bordered with rose gold–tinted brass; divans and chairs are made from mohair velvet; and smoky or clear glass inserts gussy up the doors."

Frida Giannini was also just interviewed by James Franco for the March 2011 issue of Harper's Bazaar that includes a look into her home in Rome.  After watching the Oscars last night, I do not understand his appeal but at least her house is interesting. I especially love the Fernand Leger painting behind them.

The living room was decorated with art-deco pieces.

Frida sits in an Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair in her study.

I love the railings along the stairs.

I love the simplicity of Frida's home.  Each piece of furniture becomes a work of art.

The kitchen is sleek and modern while the fur blanket softens the lines in the bedoom below. I know the Gucci office and Frida's home won't appeal to everyone but it really works for interiors in historic buildings in Rome.  More than I can say about James Franco at the Oscars.

Photos by Christopher Sturman and Douglas Friedman



At Home in Rome

When I first found the image of Cy Twombly's bedroom in Rome, I was hoping that I could find photos of the rest of his home.  Some continued sleuthing has unearthed them and they were definitely worth the search.  They were taken by Horst P. Horst in 1966 and most appeared in Vogue's Book of Houses, Gardens, People published in 1968.  I've also included two photos taken during a photo shoot for Vogue magazine from 1968.  One of the models looks to be Marisa Berenson.  The interiors are probably the most drop dead gorgeous that I have ever seen.  The antique furniture including Egyptian revival period pieces mixed with the graphic floors and Twombly art is pure perfection.  One of my dreams is to meet Cy Twombly, preferably at this home, but just looking at these photos makes me feel as if I already know him.

Photos by Horst P. Horst via Mondo Blogo

Roman Flair

Not that you need another excuse to go to Italy but just in case, Flair, my favorite store, just opened a new outpost in Rome. Unlike their stores in Florence, Milan and Capri that have the signature black walls, this one has a lighter color scheme but don't worry, the furniture and art will remain a mix of old and new. I might have to plan a trip soon but until I do, I will continue to visit their only American shop on Grand Street in Soho. And no, they didn't pay me to write about them! Although, I think they did give me one of their fabulous smelling candles once. Ciao!

Flair Roma

Via Margutta 55b

oo817 Roma ITALY
+39 06 32652067

Carlos Souza Part Deux: Rome

Do you hate Carlos Souza yet? If not, you will after seeing his Rome apartment located in a historic 1860's building in Piazza Vittorio. This apartment was designed before his New York apartment and is surprising in it's modernity but not in it's mix of personal mementos.

In the living room above, a Mies can der Rohe Barcelona daybed and stools share the same space as a Chinese daybed and chair in perfect harmony, proof that you can really mix any style and period and make it work.

I'm also happy to see that Souza has a well stocked library seen below, an aspect that all my favorite interiors share. The floor lamp is by Mariano Fortuny from Ecart International.

A vintage Le Corbusier chaise lounge is draped with a sari from Jaipur below.

Souza designed the marble island in the kitchen and added Hi-Pd stools by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini and Romeo Moon light fixtures by Phillippe Starck around it.

The dining room is starkly modernand white, a huge difference from his later New York apartment's interior. If you look close, you'll notice the Perry Ogden photo of Francis Bacon's studio above the dining table, will end up in the warmer New York apartment's foyer. The table and chairs are A.G. Fronzoni for Cappellini.

No suzanis in this bedroom below, instead there is a stark platform bed designed by Fabien Baron for Cappellini is dressed in Bellora linens while a 1978 Joe Eula portrait of Souza hangs on the wall.

I think it's always fun to see how one's style changes over the years and which objects and art get moved around or in this case moved from one city to another. It's pretty clear that where ever Carlos Souza lays his handsome head is going to be ridiculously chic and stylish, but then what else would you expect from Valentino's main man?

Photos by Fernando Bengoechea