The chances of any of us being invited to stay at Valentino's fabulous flat or chic chateau are slim to none, but that doesn't mean we can't experience a Jacques Grange designed interior. The French designer completely overhauled The Mark Hotel on the Upper East Side and now that the new The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges has just opened in it, you can eat as well as sleep as chic as Mr. Valentino! Pugs sold separately!
You really didn't think I would post about Valentino without also posting photos from one of his fabulous homes did you? I've been saving images of his Jacques Grange designed London home for a while and was delighted to find even more on Studio Annetta. The home was originally published in the UK edition of House & Garden magazine in January 2006 which makes me wonder how it's changed over the years. A few other photos were seen in my favorite book Jacques Grange Interiors. While the apartment is the epitome of elegance with it's 1930's furniture and Francis Bacon art, it also looks surprisingly comfortable. I hope those pugs appreciate living in the lap of luxury!
You may not be able to stay at Jacques Grange's Portuguese retreat but you can buy the furniture he owns! I got a lovely email today from John Himmel who produces the wonderful handwoven rope furniture that is not only popular with Jacques Grange but also interior designer Michael Smith. The Rope Collection was inspired by the French designers Adrien Andoux and Frida Minet who's rope furniture was woven from the fronds of palm trees in the South of France. John Himmel grows their palms in the Madoura Islands in Indonesia where is it hand braided into a flat rope and woven onto their hardwood frames. They are available through John Rosselli in New York and Florida; Holly Hunt in Chicago; David Sutherland in LA, Houston and Dallas; and Webster in Boston. Makes me want to get to work on buying and decorating a Caribbean retreat!
Art Moderne Style Three Seat Sofa
Art Moderne Style Sectional Pieces
A John Himmel chair in private home.
Art Moderne Style Loune Chair
Art Moderne Style Lounge Chair Ottoman
A John Himmel in a Michael Smith interior.
Art Moderne Style Bed
Art Modern Style Bed with Footboard
Speaking of Jacques Grange, maybe instead of stalking him in Paris, I will stalk him next August at his house in Portugal. Actually, it's not a house but four traditional thatched roof cabanas that line the dunes on a remote stretch of the coast. Grange says the "landscape, furnishings, carpets, and cushions exert an exotic, African pull." Some of these photos were taken in 2004 for a W magazine spread and attest to it's timeless design. He calls the straw house "chic rustique." I call is perfection. 
Photos by Thomas Loof and Martin Morrell
