Inspiration: something other than a boring thing of wood.

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The staircase  rails of this recent project were inspired by the stunning staircase of Liane Bettencourt's 1951 built French Villa.

The Villa at Neuilly

The Staircase of the Andre & Liane Bettencourt House in Paris designed and built in 1951. The Villa's  stylish interior design was directed by Mme Bettencourt who grew up in a Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann designed house. Her father was founder of the L'oreal cosmetics-and his daughter inspired by Ruhlmann- moved to hire Serge Royaux when she began to embark on some redecoration in her home.

 The Villa Interiors from International Interiors- AD

Our staircase of wood-rather than grand marble indicates the more relaxed vibe of my project. Other than the iron grills of the stair-little else resembles the Bettencourt residence-however I was struck when recently leafing through the Architectural Digest International Interiors pages dedicated to the Bettencourt interiors- how there are similarities in today's project and the clean lines executed in the  1950's Villa.

Words like- Cool, Calm, Collected-come to mind- and these are the catch words I always referred back to when mulling over ideas and concepts for my project. They reflect the intent of the house and the makeup of my client.

A stair not worn hollow by footsteps is, 
regarded from its own point of view, 
only a boring something made of wood.  -Franz Kafka 

There are many vivid  and lively accents...(from AD's International Interiors on the Bettencourt interiors)

...there is a feeling for quality and disdain for the superfluous. (from AD's International Interiors).
 

the Master Bath walls are covered with a handpainted shagreen paper- above

while the walls of the entrance hall are covered with a horsehair paper-below,

Without being in the least somber, the house maintains the dignity that relies of pure quality and not passing fashions. (from AD's International Interiors)

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