Art-filled Chelsea Apartment

Allan Schwartzman, 54 is an art collector. Even before owning a space to that could display his art, Schwartzman amassed exactly the right pieces that he'd need one day in his dreamed-of New York apartment. He explains "before I started buying art I thought I'd collect it. I knew someday I would move, and just hoped it fit whatever place I moved to."

When Schwartzman found his luxury Chelsea high-rise 11th Avenue Residence designed by Jean Nouvel, he started over with all that he had in storage - modern Brazilian furniture and his collection of art. What was originally a three bedroom apartment was converted into what he calls "a deconstructed one-bedroom."

The windows within the apartment which are of various size and are strategically positioned offer a panoramic view of the Hudson River and cityscapes to the North and East. These windows dictate how the furniture and objects were placed.

Despite the density, the apartment is not the obstacle course that it first appears. Thanks to Schwartzman's installation skills, the eye can easily take in the whole or focus on one object without another intruding.

All photos by Jason Schmidt and found here.

Re.Cover

Illustrated by Brazilian Interior Designer Ana Strumpf for an art exhibition in Sao Paulo, these fashion magazine covers have been cleverly electrified. Each cover is created unique, using DecoColor pens and sharpies. 

Click here to see them all...

Tales You Lose

Often Instagram supports a self-obsessed type of world where people share an ideal picture of themselves for the world to see. Some accounts however are such a relief from this, like @zhion. This account features Brazilian designer, Andre Levy's ongoing art project Tales You Lose. Levy paints coins collected from his travels and turns them into tiny little treasures. He explains "I'm into painting coins and designing imaginary friends for myself." 

Aren't they awesome!!

Oscar Niemeyer's LA House

In the early 1960's, Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer was commissioned by filmmaker Joseph Strick to design his Santa Monica home. Positioned on the architecture-packed La Mesa Drive, the Strick house was the only house Niemeyer designed in America. In fact, the whole process took place via post as Niemeyer never set foot in the US due to his 'leftist political associations'. 

What is also interesting is that during construction Strick and his wife divorced. The property was sold and later forgotten, and almost demolished. Around 40 years later Michael & Gabrielle Boyd found the forgotten masterpiece and restored it to its mid century modern charm.

Photos found here

JZ Tea Trolley

Jorge Zalszupin was a Polish architect who moved to Brazil after World War 2. He began designing furniture for his architecture clients and in 1955 he started L'Atelier, a furniture design firm, along with designers Julio Katinski, Oswaldo Mellone and Paulo Jorge Pedreira. 

Like most furniture manufacturers of the time, L'Atelier started as a small company, producing made-to-order furniture of the finest craftsmanship. Today, Zalszupin's designs are known internationally as hallmarks of modernism. Graceful lines, strong use of local woods and a combination of impeccable woodworking and classical detailing mark Zalszupin's furniture. 

One of my favourite pieces of Zalszupin's is the JZ Tea Trolley. The combination of a steel frame, brass wheels and stained wood shelves creates a beautiful, modern design.

Photos found here and here.