On an unassuming street in the heart of Chelsea, sits the beautiful new Walker Tower, in which the seventh annual Hearst Designer Visions Showcase is located. No doubt inspired by the building’s gorgeous architectural details and unparalleled views, this year’s three designers have created the most luxurious and alluring apartments for their respective magazines. ELLE DECOR‘s sophisticated global perspective is well represented by Alessandra Branca. With her signature mix of old world elegance and relaxed modern living, she has designed a a chic duplex apartment full of color, comfort and craft.
Alessandra had existing upper east side clients in mind when she designed the space. A family with children in their teens and early twenties, they love the uptown legacy of their family heirlooms but are interested in collecting contemporary art and intrigued by the downtown vibe – the perfect formula for Alessandra’s talents. Above, modern art mixes effortlessly with new and antique furniture, upholstered with her gorgeous new fabric collection for Schumacher.
The spectacular prints from Lawrence Beck are of Villa Borghese in Rome, but that is not the only reason the designer chose them. She sees them as contemporary vedute, representing a melding of modern medium with classical subject. They add not only scale and depth but anchor the space with a sense of timeless beauty, offering a dreamy respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Alessandra is obsessed with craftsmanship, whether from old world or modern masters and the space features stunning examples such as sculptor Silas Seandel‘s cast bronze Frames coffee table above or the Regency mahogany center table from Gerald Bland, one of the client’s favorite shops.
And of course it’s all about the mix. Here a contemporary Christopher Spitzmiller lamp sits on a mid century James Mont style cabinet from David Duncan Antiques, another of the client’s frequented sources.
By the floor to ceiling windows, Alessandra created a memorable moment.
And while the large space is dramatic it’s the smaller moments that tell the story
Stop by over the weekend as we look at the other rooms in Alessandra’s Hearst Designer Visions apartment.
I wish!!!! franki
Really like your blog always a very good inspiration, hope you keep doing this for a long time to come, thank you very much. Hope you like my blog as well.
So many beautiful details to take in. We especially love the play of pattern and color and of the old with the new. We’ll have to free ourselves up for a day in the city!
xxoo
C + C
Great post. What is the address of the show house and the dates it is open?