Holiday House 2012: Paula and Martha

Martha & Paula

Welcome! Let's meet Paula & Martha.

The bi-coastal design team that shares a passion for art, and met at their time at Retail design firm, Naomi Leff Interior Design.

In 2005, the partnership between Paula & Martha began:  

Martha Angus leads the San Francisco office, while Paula Caravelli head the New York team.

They make the bi-coastal relationship work!

With backgrounds and experience, both in art and interior design, both commercial and residential, their projects are varied and have received much recognition of the years.

In this year's Holiday House they took charge with the "Winter Solstice" themed entrance, allowing the art to help introduce elements of color and texture to the strong interior architectural details that exist in the house.

The strong octagon shape, which repeats in the flooring and ceiling, was used as inspiration for this custom area rug in Hemp and Silk which I really thought was very well placed within this space and helped create a central focal point for the French steel center table by Briggs House Antiques with the Baccarat Crystal chandelier from the Tom Thomas Gallery above it.

Another custom rug - *Ribbon Rug* design by Paula Caravelli, both made by Doris Leslie Blau for this space while custom pillows, and soft fabric details, such as the fur throw, added the extra touches to the space that make it feel more inviting.

Donghia / Larsen pillow fabrics; 

Soft textures, and warm soothing colors are key to this design scheme, slightly different than choice of palette by both Tobi Fairley and Geoffrey Bradfield of the last two posts.

Custom design fireplace screen - William H Jackson Co

Custom Ron Gorchov paintings (via Cheim Read) in Pink

Two custom pieces of art by Ron Gorchov represented by Cheim Read gallery, flank the Evelyn Lauder entrance hallway. Ron Gorchov is American artist, born in Chicago in 1930 and by 1959 had already been awarded the Ingram Merrill Award. Since then, Gorchov has been recognized several times, with honors as prestigious as the John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship Award for Painting in 1994 and now lives in Brooklyn, NY.

So this was a real treat to have 2 special pieces for this exhibition!

Custom Ron Gorchov paintings (via Cheim Read) 

Another important artist Jacques Jarrige's art free form piece lays above the mantel, sourced through the Valerie Goodman Gallery breaks the hard edged lines that repeat throughout this entrance, with it's fluid and organic form.

As we walk into the house, we are reminded of the sacrifice and life long dedication of the late Evelyn Lauder, and what Holiday House really is all about....
contributing to the overall awareness of Breast Cancer, for both men and women, of all ages and race.

Leather console: Gerald Bland

A TRIBUTE TO EVELYN LAUDER

A Portrait of Evelyn Lauder and Photo via The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
"In Great Taste" - Fresh Simple Recipes for Eating & Living Well by Evelyn Lauder

Evelyn Lauder (1936-2011), for over 50 years, was the Senior Corporate Vice President and Head of Fragrance Development Worldwide for the Estée Lauder Companies Inc, but perhaps was really best known for her work in bringing global awareness to women's health issues, such as breast cancer. After her personal experience with early stage breast cancer in 1987, led her in 1992, to co-create, with Alexandra Penney of SELF magazine, the *Pink Ribbon* which is recognized as the worldwide symbol of breast health.

Mrs. Lauder was also Chairman of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), which she founded in 1993, and which is the beneficiary of all proceeds from this year's Holiday House. Among her many passions, Mrs. Lauder was a dedicated photographer represented in many public and private collections, such as The Whitney Museum of American Art & two photography books published of her own work, "The Seasons Observed" and "An Eye for Beauty".

Evelyn Lauder Photography with J.Pocker & Son frames - Curated: Alice Momm

Portrait of Evelyn Lauder with jacques Jarrige sconces
above an antique settee and tree form side tables - B4 20th Century Design

So if you have a second, please head over to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation site, and if you can donate, that would be wonderful... if not, please at least be informed about this disease and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

Off to see the Boston Showhouse tomorrow, so will do my best to continue my Holiday House coverage.. stay tuned and have a nice weekend.