Interiors: Bold in Bel Air

With the help of Tichenor & Thorp Architects, Kelly Wearstler completely revamped this Bel Air mansion, stripping the place right down to the studs! After seeing Kelly’s work, the homeowners decided to take a leap of faith and let the style maven exact her magic on their newly-purchased estate. "We knew from Kelly’s house and her books that we’d end up with something totally unique." The results speak for themselves – a very Kelly aesthetic mixing natural stone, metals, and vintage furnishings.

The pièce de résistance might be the master suite, which Kelly fashioned out of a former guest room. The striped vestibule leads to the sleeping quarters as well as ultra glam baths and apartment-sized dressing rooms for him and her (That's right. They each get their own baby apartment for getting dressed, chatting with besties, or whatever else. Kelly calls them "hangout rooms").

In perhaps the most glamorous moment of the home, the wife's dressing room features gold-leafed wood paneling, inset with antiqued mirrors and trimmed with antiqued brass. I'm in love.

Of course, Kelly didn't limit the luxe to the estate’s interiors. She also helped design the landscaping, new swimming pool, and a swank pool pavilion (below). Its herringbone floor is stained walnut (magnifique!) and the striped bath is equally stunning. Poolside or bedside, there’s never a dull design moment when Ms. Wearstler has her way.

Images: Roger Davies

Interiors: Jackie Astier Tops Elle Decor Faves of 2012

Indeed. It’s hard to let go of the past, which is why I’m taking one last romp through 2012. I think you’ll find it worth the effort.

Recently, Elle Decor enlisted several designers and bloggers to choose their favorite rooms from the pages of its 2012 issues. Rising to the top of the list was Jackie Astier’s Manhattan apartment. Of the final 30 rooms, Jackie can claim 4 – more than any other home. Here’s why:

The space is gorgeous – so gorgeous, in fact, that I’m shamelessly posting it almost a year later.

In another design intersection, Jackie undoubtedly relied on her daring fashion sensibilities to decorate the apartment’s interiors. Lacquered walls, shining surfaces, and natural textures set the backdrop for vintage furnishings and lots of bling. "I wanted the place to have an easy glamour about it, more Paris in the 1970s than the '40s..." Forties, seventies, two-thousand-teens… This place is fabulous no matter the decade.

"I’d rather die than do anything typical." - Jackie Astier

Jackie's design mantra is all about personal style and bold choices, which may be why her home is so popular among design aficionados. Personally, it reminds me to not hold back – be a rock star. I invite you to do the same in 2013!

Images: Eric Piasecki

Interiors: Emilio Pucci's NY Flagship

The house of Emilo Pucci tapped French designer Joseph Dirand to create a perfectly glamorous retail destination in the heart of Manhattan. Located on Madison Avenue, the flagship store proves why retail design is so awesome. 'Over-the-top' has no meaning here - the more decadent, the better. From the brass fixtures to the gold Art Deco mirrors to the marble cabinets, it’s all good.

It’s glamorous and sensual, but has a pulsing energy that speaks to something modern and new. It is more than just a store to sell clothes, it is the essence of the Pucci girl herself coming to life. – Peter Dundas, Creative Director, Emilio Pucci

See Tory Burch’s stunning Madison Avenue flagship.

Images: Adrian Wilson

Interiors: L'Wren Scott's Paris Apartment

In honor of L'Wren Scott's new fragrance launched earlier this month, I dipped into the archives for this Vogue editorial featuring her Paris apartment.

As a stylist and fashion designer, L'Wren is no stranger to mixing and matching beautiful things, whether furniture and accessories or the notes of her perfume. "Patchouli, tuberose, leather, moss, Absinthe, rose—there are all kinds of things in there, but it’s about how you mix the elements." Similarly, she combines mid-century furniture, antiques, and family heirlooms to create the perfect Parisian pad.

Despite sharing the home with her long-time partner, Mick Jagger, L'Wren injects glamour and feminine touches throughout. In an intersection between décor and fashion, she had the taffeta curtains dyed by the same silk manufacturers used for her signature evening dresses.

As for the wildly glamorous glass bath, that can be credited to Mick, who bought the Art Deco ensemble back in the 70s. L'Wren had the collection of door panels, mirrored cabinets, and tiles retrofitted for the apartment. Yeah, it’s pretty amazing.

Images: François Halard

Interiors: A Contemporary Update to a Melbourne Home

Lately, I’ve been completely smitten by design from down under (like this project by David Hicks). Australia has some super-serious modern glamour going on! Today’s post features a Melbourne residence by Mim Design. Contemporary furnishings and finishes update a classic Art Deco home. Perhaps most striking is the dining room, with its dark tones and lustrous touches.

The interior of this Art Deco home features original period embellishments that have been accentuated with dramatic monochromatic tones... Deluxe furniture and accessories were specially selected to contrast with the moody tones of the interior. - Mim Design

The floor and walls of the ensuite were lined with straight cut Ocean Blue Travertine adding to the premium feel of the bathroom. - Mim Design

Images: Derek Swalwell