Modern Masterpiece

My biggest issue with modern and contemporary clean lined architecture is that people usually fill it with furniture of the same style.  The best example I've ever seen of decorating this type of space is interior designer Michael S. Smith's new modern home featured in the Wall Street Journal Magazine this weekend.  He's filled it with a mix of antiques from his old Bel Air home and even a few new pieces from CB2. The new cement coffee tables from CB2 share the same space as Tang Dynasty horse purchased at Christie's and an 18th-century painting among other things.  Modern masterpiece indeed. 

Photos by Francois Halard

Palate Cleanser

UPDATE: The photos from this post are now gone because I was contacted by somone who claimed to own the copyright.  After receiving several rude emails from them, I decided to take them down.  I apologize for the inconvenience.

I think we all know by now that I like stuff.  I like homes filled with collections and curiosities picked up along a lifetime spent traveling the world.  But every once in a while it all becomes a bit too much and you need a palate cleanser.  Think of it as a bowl of clear broth soup after a gluttonous Thanksgiving. I saw a few of these photos from the apartment of Wolfgang Benkhen in Hamburg, Germany on tumblr but it wasn't until today that I saw the entire space.  I don't love it all.  I'm not a fan of the kitchen or bedroom but I do love the herringbone floors, leaning artwork, and the piles of books and magazines. I also like how much better modern furniture looks in European interiors.  Wish it looked that good here.