There was something really sexy about the Industrial-Victorian Era.

We’re not sure if it was the laced corsets, the candid facial hair, or perhaps simply the excitement of an ever-evolving world, but there was something attractive about this period of constant discovery. Turn-of-the-century science-fiction novelists capitalized on the rapid pace at which society was transforming and so descriptively gave life to visions of “the future,” we are still intrigued– 100 years later. Our generation seems to have tapped into a nostalgia for the futuristic devices and aesthetic of the 19th century, a nostalgia that has seeped into all aspects of modern design. In the spirit of H.G. Wells and H.P. Lovecraft, the style of “steampunk” (also referred to as the New Victorian) celebrates the Victorian Era on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution. This romanticization of the era is evidenced in reinvented turn-of-the-century fashions, retrofit electronics, and interiors with gizmos and gadgets a-plenty.

One such interior is the converted-warehouse Chelsea loft of American Filmmaker, Jeremy Noritz. Inspired by his own research into the birth of photography and aviation during a time when “strange blimps floated gently through the sky against early industrialized landscapes,” Noritz created a zeppelin-inspired world all his own. Described as having a Jules Verne meets Tim Burton sensibility, the apartment’s main features include a 32-foot long technicolored zeppelin suspended from the ceiling and a green deep-sea submarine entry door. Lining the walls are gears, gizmos, and gadgets, some decorative and others functional– like the intricate pulley system that lowers a Murphy bed from the wall.

While we admire his enthusiasm — and without question, would love to rock out in a space that cool– we also appreciate steampunk in smaller doses. Industrial statement pieces can be just the thing to contrast a clean and modern look; The raw materials and machine-forged detailing from eras past stand out against a polished contemporary backdrop, casting them as both functional and sculptural elements. Pieces such as a Dickensian drafting table or copper wash tub could stand alone as art, their intricate and whimsical  mechanisms speak for themselves.

We adore Madame Voila’s (Katrien Van Der Schueren) “Handelier”, an avant garde chandelier handcrafted from perforated vintage aluminum glove molds. With a 12″ old-school Edison bulb suspended inside, light sparkles through the punctured holes in the aluminum and dances around the room. Completely genuine, there is nothing else like it– both because it was made from reclaimed materials and because, well, only Madame Voila could pull it off.

Therein lies the beauty of the Industrial Age: it was an age of exploration, invention, and experimentation that was reflected in the advances in machinery, making the impossible, possible. Man had only dreamed of such crazy notions as flying, or exploring the ocean floor, and here was a time where these dreams came true– it’s easy to see why we’re homesick for a time where such “magic” took place.

 Sarah Pytlik. HighStreet. Cincinnati.

Can design have “integrity”?

We think so. It might not be easily defined, but it’s clear to us that the work of Texas-based firm Lake | Flato has something that many firms lack. A genuine sense of responsibility towards the environment perhaps. Or a refreshing respect for the traditions of art and craft akin to those embodied in the celebrated work of Frank Lloyd Wright. Maybe it’s their transparent use of materials in their designs that allow us to observe and understand the system and the spaces as a whole, that makes us believe that they are creating something more meaningful than architecture alone. Whatever it is, Lake | Flato has it.

Evidence that we are not their only admirers, the firm has a long list of major awards under their belt, including three national awards received in 2011 alone. “Their work is a transparent and powerful affirmation of the proposition that architecture is more than a gravity-defying plan,” comments former AIA President Eugene Hopkins, “more even than the genius of inspiration.” Still, genius seems like an appropriate way to describe the firm’s approach to green design. Founded in 1984 by David Lake and Ted Flato, the company was built upon core principles of craft, connection to site, and environmental consciousness that have clearly remained a part of the firm’s vision over the years. We love the stunning simplicity of this pergola constructed from overhang, pipe and wire that takes advantage of the empty space between two buildings.

It’s hard to say what first caught our eye– HighStreet has been a long-time fan of Lake | Flato’s work. We were recently intrigued by El Cosmico, a collaborative project between Lake | Flato and Liz Lambert, along with Jack Sanders of Design Build Adventure and a creative team of artists, builders and students. Lambert, the creative force behind this one-of-a-kind communal project, describes it as ” part vintage trailer, yurt and teepee hotel and campground, part creative lab, greenhouse and amphitheater.” Renovated trailers, eco shacks, and traditional teepees offer a variety of lodging options that collectively foster a sense of community and encourage a unique opportunity for creative exchange.

Similar to Pacific Northwest firms like Miller Hull and Olson Kundig Architects, Lake | Flato’s enlightened sense of design translates into an equally enlightened work environment. “People are down-to-earth and enjoy what they do because they are designing buildings that give back to society, in a respectful and encouraging environment,” offers Kendall Claus, one of the firm’s newest interns. “Their intentions are genuine– they make living green a priority, in the office and out.” Cool people, great design, and good practice — what’s not to love?

Sarah Pytlik.HighStreet.Cincinnati

Moooi horse lamp via mmdesignassociates.blogspot.com

Do it. Go ahead. You know you want it.

That 1960’s psychedelic print vintage upholstered arm chair. You’re not quite sure why, but it’s been calling your name. You can’t get it out of your head. You know you love it, but you find it intimidating. “What will I ever do with it? Where will I put it?” you keep asking yourself. We know what you can do with it. Feature it. Be proud. Make it the focal point of your room.

Jean Paul Gaultier for Roche Bobois armoire via dailyfix.interiordesign.net

At HighStreet we believe you should love your things. We encourage people to let themselves fall in love with objects, and make them work within their homes. Walking into your living room does not have to remind you of flipping the pages of a designer furniture catalog. Not everything has to match. Personal style begins with working with the things you feel a strong connection to– and then filling in the blanks around those things. Find those items that you love and build your room around them.

If you are feeling a bit apprehensive about bringing an attention grabbing object into your home, play down the pieces around it. The moment you start feeling overwhelmed by your space, start taking things away– let your star item breathe. All it needs is a little room to shine. We can just about guarantee you can find a way to make the piece work if you really love it. Your attention grabbing piece of furniture or decor just needs the right backdrop.

ornately guilded sofa via livingetc.com

Flower of Life Chandelier via willowlamp.com

Here are some to-die-for feature feature furnishings we’ve stumbled upon…

• Limited edition Jean Paul Gaultier for Roche Bobois armoire. Its digital print tattoo design definitely makes it a statement piece.
• And who wouldn’t love the life-size horse lamp by Moooi keeping them company in their living room (square footage permitting of course).
• This lovely ornately gilded sofa gets a modern twist upholstered in black patent leather.
• Intricately beaded and designed around the flower of life geometry, this stunning chandelier by Willowlamp Studio is sure to stop your visitors in their tracks.

Decorating your house should be fun– don’t let yourself shy away from something that’s a little indulgent, avant-garde, or even childlike. You should enjoy your pieces, be courageous and try something bold. Your dinner guests will no doubt be impressed.

HighStreet.Cincinnati

After browsing through the Fall fashion issues of some of our favorite magazines, we stumbled upon an indulgently luxe New York interior space featured in Harper’s Bazaar. The Upper East Side apartment belongs to Jimmy Choo stiletto shoe founder Tamara Mellon, a recent London transplant who had a very distinct look in her mind for her new space. She hired L.A. Based interior designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard to revamp the old school-house-turned-residential apartment. “What I like about Martyn is that he can take your look, digest it, and then magnify it by a hundred,” she explains.

The image that caught our attention in this feature was the sitting room. Six heavily saturated large scale photographs of coiled, exotic snakes by Guido Mocafico hang framed above her modern white tufted leather sofa. The image is striking; perhaps a slight bit disturbing, but indubitably sexy at the same time. Deep shades of saffron, chartreuse, burgundy, and goldenrod are grounded by black and white– a palette that can be a bit on the masculine side is femmed up with luxurious fabrics and sparkly lighting. We find a great balance in Mellon’s house, something she calls “[her] own signature look, something that is both modern and old and glamorous, a bit of ‘70s but a bit minimal.”

Another one of our favorite spaces in the apartment is the entry which features an original work by Terence Koh. The piece was commissioned by Mellon at a dinner party and consists of a series of neon lights that read LOVE FOR ETERNITY.

Quite an avid art collector, Mellon has a Basquiat hanging in the kitchen, a Warhol in the sitting room, and framed photographs by Nobuyoshi Araki and Jim Lee displayed throughout the home. She explains “I never plan to buy a piece of art. I buy it in the moment. When you get divorced, you have to go through this awful thing of listing everything you own. When you actually sit down and write the list, you realize that the only good investments are art and property.”

We found these images of Tamara’s new home a great inspiration for transitioning into Autumn– the colors and textures are deep and sumptuous. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Katherine Tyznik.HighStreet.New York

It’s summertime and all we wanna do is spend lazy days outside, enjoying the warmth of the sun, amongst the beautiful seasonal flowers and fresh greenery. And once we’ve reached our limit of UV rays, we can’t think of anything better (within the tri-state area) than finding refuge under a big, shady tree… and if we’re lucky enough, catching a cool breeze through the leafy branches.

There are some people on this planet that are a step ahead of us when it comes to taking advantage of what Mother Earth has to offer. Baumraum or ‘tree-room’ is a German based studio that specializes in sustainable, livable, amazingly sturdy tree houses. The firm consists of architects, landscape designers, tree experts and craftsmen who make each client’s ultimate childhood dream a reality. We mean really, can you imagine how much fun having your own, functioning tree house could be? We are giddy thinking about the possibilities. Our inner seven-year-old is itching to come out and play.

Each Baumraum project is approached uniquely, taking the client’s wishes and also the tree into consideration. One of the firm’s major objectives in their designs is ensuring the protection and preservation of the trees where they build these livable dwellings. It is ensured that no damage is done to the trees chosen for the project.

The structures are typically built off-site and are then put together in the tree, held up by cables, textile belts, and the natural sturdiness of the tree. Each project is different, but some of the tree houses they’ve build feature kitchens, heating, insulation, bedrooms, sound systems, glass windows, lighting, storage spaces, and plumbing.

The Baumraum group doesn’t prefer any one wood in particular, they use different types depending on the project and the chosen tree where the home will be built. Each creation is designed in a way to embrace and enhance the environment it is built into. The structures have many windows and outdoor seating, so you can have as much interaction with the tree as possible. Some signature design features include skylights, curved windows, wood paneling, aluminum cladding and railings, decks, and built-in seating, beds, and storage.

We’ve got to say, they’ve thought of everything. It’s not just a novel idea, it’s an actual functioning house. In a tree. Maybe we should rethink that house on the lake idea…

HighStreet.Cincinnati

Raising children is an experience that warrants many joys– and one of the joys that particularly excites us is the aesthetic kind. (We bet you didn’t see that coming). But yes, not surprisingly the design opportunities that come along with children fill us with all sorts of fun ideas. Letting your imagination run wild results in delightful spaces for your happy little youngsters. You don’t have to restrain yourself like you do in the rest of your house.

Children love color. Experiment. There are plenty of fun wallpapers out there. Try one. Let your kids write on the walls; paint a wall with chalkboard paint.

Kids also love little cubbies or hiding spots. Create a cozy nook for them to nuzzle up with their favorite book. Build an indoor tree house. Make a teepee. Create a forest canopy.

It’s easy to get clever with storage and organization too. Use colorful bins for toy storage on a bookcase. Build a cupboard that looks like a miniature sky scraper. Display toys like pieces of contemporary art on floating shelves.

We’ve gathered some inspirational photos for you to flip through. Have fun. That’s what your kids would want you to do anyway.

HighStreet.Cincinnati

Refreshing. Stimulating. Uplifting. Witty.  Native New Yorker Hester Diamond had a serious art collection, but was afraid of it being taken too seriously. She was determined to create a design for her Upper West Side apartment that accomplished showcasing her impressive art collection in an approachable way.

Hester Diamond is the mother of Michael Diamond, otherwise known as Mike D of the “Beastie Boys”. Little did we know, she is also an original, a talented interior designer and quite the visionary. Seeing the fresh approach to this interior, you can see now where Mike D got his ground breaking style.

Hester and her late husband Harold began collecting art in the 50s and became addicts. She continued her art habit after becoming a widow and then remarrying the former Dean of New York University in 1982. Their collection grew to consist of Mondrians, Kandinskys, Picassos, Veroneses, Brancusis, Pontormos, and Legers. She and her now-late husband got to the point where they started trading some of their other possessions for iconic works of art they fell in love with. They were in fact, serious about collecting their art.

After years in a career of social work, Hester decided to take a shot at interior decorating. Not surprisingly, with her innovative taste, she was a natural. After retiring from the industry in the late eighties, she came to a place in her own home where she wanted a change. She then evolved through phases of Mid-Century Modern and Neo-Classical/Renaissance styles in the home. She felt compelled to be, at regular intervals, refreshed and inspired. A few years ago she decided to again take on the redesign of her home and called on the assistance of her son’s friend Jim Walrod, a New York based interior designer and art consultant. Mike D referred to Jim as his ‘furniture pimp’ in a Rolling Stone article in the 90s and the nickname stuck.

Walrod co-owned the modern lifestyle store Form and Function in the 90s, specializing in Mid-Century Modern furniture with Fred Schneider of the B-52’s and song writer Jack Feldman. Jim has collaborated with designers and hoteliers on innovative interior concepts for hotels and restaurants such as The Standard in Los Angeles and The Park and The Thompson LES in New York. Hester hired him to help her bring her growing Renaissance art collection to life in a vibrant, modern setting.

The two collaborated and came up with a fresh, colorful concept. The look is totally original. Hester’s big drive was to find a color palette that was inspiring and happy, and brought her artwork to the forefront. Walrod and Diamond chose modern furniture pieces from Marcel Wanders, Tord Boontje, and Dune, setting them against citron painted walls and a candy colored patchwork carpet. The result is lively and cheerful, yet refined. In Hestor’s words, “It’s the most joyous place to live. It’s impossible to be depressed in this room.”

We’ve never seen anything like it, and that’s a quality we love. Pushing boundaries always results in something extraordinary, and kudos to Hester for being fearless. We have to say, she’s crafty. Enjoy these sumptuous photos filled with light, color and culture.

HighStreet. New York

Dark walls are an inexpensive way to bring sophistication, drama and warmth into an otherwise stale, stuffy room.

Painting the walls of an otherwise unspectacular space ebony, navy or charcoal adds depth and substance to a room that a lighter shade could not achieve. Therefore, you may want to consider transforming your comfortably traditional space into a dark, luxurious retreat.

The key to making this look work is to have enough light in the room to balance the dark. Strangely, this is not at all difficult. Working with a room that has at least a small amount of natural light can be helpful, while too much may ruin the effect.  Investing in quality lighting from multiple angles will allow for a very particular, almost contemplative ambiance. Strategically placed lamps create a soft glow that balances the masculine with the feminine. Floor lamps, pendants and halogen track lighting can highlight accessories or art hung on the walls. Which brings us to your art and accessories…

Dark walls do wonders for your prized and even not-so-prized possessions. Anything that is light in color, (which is alot…) will look downright elegant on your deep, dark canvas.  You can have so much fun with color against a dark palette because the groundedness of the backdrop balances perfectly the frivolity of exuberant color.  A world of color opens itself up to you in a new, reasonable way and accessorizing a room such as this becomes a sincere and easy pleasure as opposed to what can be a sometimes difficult Math equation.

Conspiring what to place against your dark walls can be liberating, and a real thrill if you are into the aesthetic rush.

If you decide to pursue the temptations of the darker side then consider also covering your ceiling or floor a light shade if this is not already the case.  Lighter, neutral colors and patterns moving through the dark space is another great way to balance and brighten the room. And let’s not forget texture.  Texture in design is always good but against the dark backdrop texture takes on a whole new level of excitement much like it’s colorful counterparts.

So consider wielding some sexy dark paint. Experiment with the reaction when you use white, yellow, fuchsia or cobalt.  See for yourself how almost all vibrant colors look terrific against espresso brown, dark navy or complex charcoal. It’s hard to go wrong here.  At HighStreet we painted our long, concrete hallway and the ceilings a vibrant, true yellow.  This gives our black offices a lift and glow that makes everything feel and look terrific and, I have to say, I do enjoy coming into my office each day to find that my work space is not some stale little box, but instead a sumptuous, infinite, warm and comforting environment that inspires me to settle in and conjure some serious creativity.

Leah Spurrier. Katherine Tyznik.  HighStreet

Otto 82 Daybed via bedzine.com

Italian-born designer Paola Navone always seems at ease and relaxed as she travels the world. Juxtaposed with her calm, beautifully refined presence  is a turbulent, visionary mind chewing up expected notions and banal convention.  She fluently morphs from architect, designer and art director to interior decorator and exhibition and event organizer. Through it all, her visions remain reflective and uncommon.

Born in 1952 in Balzona, the southern portion of Turin, a young girl quickly grew to learn the value of creation by handcrafting her own dolls and treasures. She rejected traditional paths that were envisioned for her by her parents. Constant were her environmental explorations in order to satisfy her self-described compulsive and all-consuming curiosity

Ms. Navone studied architecture at the Turin Polytechnic. Her early professional career was devoted to breaking through functional boundaries with her pieces. She gained widespread acclaim for her work with the Alchimia group, which opposed the structural design identity of that time by placing emphasis on colors, textures and decorative elements. Such avant-garde work was honored in 1983 by the reception of the prestigious International Design Award of Osaka. For the past thirty years, she has been an refreshing figure in the male-dominant Italian design scene.

Metal Garden Chair via marieclairemaison.com

Ms. Navone holds exceptional knowledge of a vast array of worldwide materials, whether Indian textiles, New Zealand wool, Moroccan fabrics orAsian stones. She is a true citizen of the world, dividing her time between Milan, Hong Kong, Paris and Greece. She envisions herself as an “enlightened and enlightening ethnic nomad’. She is known as an “objet magicienne”. She strives to create design mongrels by mingling modern brilliance with traditional handcraft, placing value on artistic conceptions born almost by mistake.

Over her long and prestigious career she has developed an immense client base and collaborated with pinnacle companies such as Abet Laminati, Armani Casa, Knoll International, Alessi,  Oltrefrontiera, Casamilano, Swarkovski, Dada and Poliform Egizia. Her expertise in exhibition design is evident in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. In 1988 she created the Mondo brand together with Giulio Cappellini. Movements credited to her intuition brought about large, assymmetrical lounge furniture as well as the shabby-chic look. Paola’s Gingerbread Collection for Lando is the pinnacle of creativity. Her recent works of interior architecture include the restaurant “Pane e Acqua” in Milan, the new Art Trading Office in Moscow and a new collaborative series of bathroom products with Viva Ceramica entitled “Drops”. She has designed her own home in Greece overlooking the Aegean Sea. Ms. Navone has been the art director of Gervasoni since 1988.

Paola Navone is a quixotic genius. Her soul overflows with flavors, textures and colors from the East contrasted with forms and structures of the West. Mechanized industrial steel outdoor furniture can be humanized with vintage German knit fabric cushions.  She jolts old-world craftmanship against new age industry. She believes the future look to be about many different styles unabashedly pieced together. The staff at HighStreet totally gets this and encourages such an approach for any homeowners looking to stylishly personify their own spaces .

John Patrick Shanley Apartment Wall

American playwright John Patrick Shanley loves to throw down lavish dinner parties. Guests are greeted by bold, unabashedly colorful walls in his Manhattan apartment. Mr. Shanley has had a lifelong fascination with color and its ability to elicit responses and reminiscences. He is particularly drawn to green, a constant aesthetic in his homes throughout the years. The specific shade he chooses is closely tied to his emotional state-of-mind at the time, be it an unsettling acid green or a vigorous kelly green. He correlates the particular success of a recent gathering at his Gramercy Park apartment to the living room walls, which are painted with a peppermint leaf green. “I find that green is comforting to people,” the award-winning stage director recently told The New York Times. “It makes them want to stick around.”

Green is much more than a relentlessly raging marketing catchphrase. Green is abundant and plentiful, conceptually possessing more tints than any other color — from sea-foam to emerald to viridian. Green represents tranquility, fertility, financial vigor and growth. Conversely, it describes jealousy, illness or inexperience. Not unremarked by Mr. Shanley, it is also the national color of his ancestors’ Ireland. Green owes its strongest identity to nature; however, in particular the seasons of Spring and Summer.

As the earthy crispness of fall approaches, we should rejoice in the virtues of green as they fade. Take time to appreciate the calming and centering effect on our psyches during your time outside. You will not witness its natural grandeur again until next year. Unless, that is, you are inspired by Mr. Shanley to pick up a paint brush.

HighStreet.Cincinnati