Gunkelmans Interior Design Blog

I took some time off a couple of weeks ago and headed down to South Beach (Miami).  After a cool and rainy summer in New York, I got my dose of hot and steamy weather for the season all in one week.  The temperatures were in the high 80's every day, but combined with the humidity, it was enough for me to start anticipating the autumn leaf tour I've been wanting to take in New England.  

While the deco architecture is not my personal favorite, I enjoy taking it in and the cool colors that are so typical of that style works so well in the hot climate and tropical sun.   My time off quickly became an eating tour and it seemed I was planning my next meal before I was done with the one I was eating.  There were two terrific restaurants that I thought I would share; one was in the old Versace Mansion on Ocean Avenue.

The house is used as a small boutique hotel and restaurant now.  The food was really excellent and the service was stellar, but most importantly, I was able to satisfy my curiosity about the mansion that seems so closed from the street.  It was really fun to sit in the interior courtyard and imagine the parties Versace must have had in the house. 

The other was a restaurant called Prime Italian that's part of a group of restaurants owned by the Myles restaurant group.   The food, energy and atmosphere were really great!   We didn't have a reservation so we ended up sitting at the bar and had a great time watching all the action.

If you are ever in the Miami area, be sure to check these out.

 C.Z. Guest, a famous gardener and arbiter of good taste, once said all a wonderful bedroom needs is a “divine” bed.

 When it comes right down to it, I agree. Although we tend to add books,papers,carafes for water,chairs and the ubiquitous flat screen television equipped with TIVO, it really is about a good night’s rest! A beautifully made bed, a sense of order , and the job is done.

 Take notice,though. CZ uses the word “divine – a word defined as “heavenly, surpassing excellence”.

 A luxurious bed is the centerpiece. Here is where our design thoughts reveal a glimpse into our personal preferences. When one thinks about it, this should be the most personal space in our home. To me, this means the best linens I can afford,and I prefer white with lovely colored border details. I like cotton blankets and a duvet at the end of the bed waiting to be used on chilly nights. And I love old-fashioned blanket covers in seersucker or plisse. That is everyday luxury. There is nothing better than the first night of clean sheets.

 As for a bed covered in pillows,it becomes a matter of personal taste. If it doesn’t suit you to have layers of pillows, try placing two sets of sleeping pillows flat on the bed and use one larger pillow between the sets in a great print or accent solid hue. Simple and great-looking.

 Good night! Sleep tight!

by Mary Hickey

Here is something that caught my eye recently in the latest edition of Surface magazine. Parisian Jean-Marc Gady, former art director for Louis Vuitton’s window displays and special events, created this French Cancan Light Sculpture for a solo exhibit this summer at the Gallery R’Pure in New York City. Wanting to create a luxurious interpretation of basic lamp shades resulted in a luminous ring 6’ tall that looks at if it could kick up it’s heels and wheel away at any moment.

Submitted by Donneen Torrey