Interiors: A Modern, Organic Beach House

After commissioning Kelly Wearstler to renovate her New York City loft, an "anonymous, A-list actress" tapped the designer again to revive a 70's-era beach house just south of LA. While many would regard its wood paneling as an eye sore, both the designer and home owner embraced its natural beauty. Using a neutral palette, Kelly added her usual glam along with contrasting textures of the rough and refined.

The two-story, carved ceramic fireplace, by local artist Stan Bitters, is flanked with 1960’s Italian alpaca chairs. An Italian brass-and-gunmetal chandelier hangs from above. (Below) A study in varying textures and finishes.

More mid-century modern touches can be found in the dining nook, with its classic Warren Platner chairs. Of the warm, honey-colored wood paneling found throughout, Kelly muses, "You feel like you are on a boat or the set of a James Bond film." See more pics after the jump.

Images: Grey Crawford, Rhapsody

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Interiors: Athena Calderone's Brooklyn Penthouse

I’m sure you've seen them floating around by now – pics of Athena Calderone’s Brooklyn Penthouse courtesy of Harper's Bazaar. With its soaring ceilings and windows overlooking the East River, the architecture alone is enough to cause palpitations. Add Athena's unique approach to decorating this contemporary space, and you have pure magic. Eclectic, organic, modern, and glamorous—it all works.

Intrigued by Athena’s POV, I headed over to her blog, EyeSwoon, for a better sense of her style and sources of inspiration. The mood board for this design includes many images that I have posted on Sukio or elsewhere. She, too, is all about incorporating edge and mixing things up. "I’m always seeking that balance….a little bit of glam and a little bit of grit."

As you can tell by her super cute Peter Pilotto dress and decked out closet, Athena is a total fashionista. "I feel like I can't live without my Susie Homemaker side, baking and cooking, but I also can't live without fashion." I can dig it. Oh, and I’m diggin' those shoes, too.

Images: Christopher Sturman, Harper's Bazaar

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Interiors: Paula Martins' Sao Paulo Retreat

I've decided to dedicate this week to lush, international locales. Next stop: Brazil and the Sao Paulo home of Paula Martins, co-founder of the fashion blog Look of the Day. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, Look do Dia.

Paula’s favorite part of the house is the library and with good reason. It features floor-to-(very high)-ceiling, ebonized built-ins. The two-story focal point is flanked by an equally stunning wall of windows.

Lots of sunshine, wood tones, organic shapes, and natural textures provide warmth and balance. If you're missing the glamour, please refer to the library’s low-hung chandelier. It’s been in Paula’s family for years and adds a glitzy counterpoint to this very modern retreat.

 Images: Casa Vogue

ADE: Designing for Productivity

A few months ago, I read an article on one of my favorite websites, The 99 Percent, about the cognitive relationship between your work environment and work activities. In short, the article suggests that, to improve productivity, designate locales for specific types of tasks:

When you leverage the fact that you have emotional and mental responses to specific places, you can dramatically increase your productivity.

Days later, I came across two beautiful work spaces by designer Daniel Romualdez. Each vignette is simple and serene - perfect for brainstorming, journaling, or sketching. It underscored the lack of such spaces in my own home. Though itty bitty, my condo must accommodate varying environments to facilitate creative thinking. I just hope they’re equally tranquil.

The idea of multiple work spaces also challenged my notion of the “home office” that many clients, and their designers, try so desperately to perfect. We attempt to design one room, or space, that can accommodate every possible activity. Perhaps, we should rethink this tradition and design for the way our brains work. Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a designated letter-writing space vs. an internet research desk vs. a business planning nook?

It’s just a thought. Still mulling it over.

Images: Architectural Digest

A Designer's Eye (ADE) focuses on training and refining my artistic eye; developing my instincts; learning to trust them; and sharing what I find.