A lighter shade of pale - Using White to Make a Statement

Icon-Baby, the Blog /// White LIGHT

A Monochromatic white palette is always in style. But what exactly is white? Is white a color? 

Yes, white is a color and is described as the sum of all the 

colors of light. No other color has the range of moods 

that white does. It can be warm and embracing, crisp 

and clean, or change its character according to the time 

of day or the time of year. 

I'm not a huge fan of 'All-White' interiors. To me they 

appear sometimes too simplistic, minimalistic and one-dimensional. Try it, it is really a challenge to find all white rooms that really keep you interested.  But, spanning the whole range of design sensibilities, white is one of the most versatile 

color and can be used in countless ways.

Icon-Baby, the Blog /// White LIGHT

White is flexible and forgiving 

and allows you to up-date a room easy and quick. You can 

freshen up a white room just by swapping pillows or rugs.

White acts as a blank canvas 

and can easily be modified as your personal style changes. 

An all-white decorating scheme lets you move furniture 

around. A chair pulled from the bedroom easily works 

at the dining table or in the foyer.

TRENDING /// RAFFIA AND STEEL

Icon-Baby, the interior design blog. 70/80th Interiors

1/// Ello Travertine and Polished Steel Credenza

2/// Chevron Front Chest by Ello

3/// Glazed porcelain whippet from Live.Like.You.

4/// Large Cowhide ottoman with metal base from St Barth, Australia.

5///  White Foo Dogs from Live.Like.You.

Ello Furniture, Chicago produced furniture in a very recognizable style that I love for its stylized classic shapes covered in mirror, Travertine stone or stainless steel. I especially love their Chevron patterned surfaces. The company was founded in 1955 in Chicago, IL and manufacture home furnishings in a "Contemporary Style" which was at that time not available from the then leading Furniture Manufacturers in the U.S.A.

Holland & Sherry - Collection

Designer - David Whitcomb, 1970

Valentino’s NYC apartment
 THE NYT BOOK OF INTERIOR DESIGN AND DECORATION -1976 

Not everything has to be a million dollars. If you have good taste, you can find good things anywhere.

Mica Ertegun and Chessy Rayner, known as MAC II 

The elegant interiors of Mica Ertegun and Chessy Rayner, known as MAC II are associated with chic New York apartments of the 1970th. Billy Baldwin, a friend of Chessy's, had a simple but sophisticated style and he was the first to use raffia or straw on furniture. The team started putting it on walls and on tables.  

Mica Ertegun and Chessy Rayner, known as MAC II 

Chessy Rayner was quoted saying "We like to mix things up... Our rooms don't have a period look, and not everything has to be a million bucks. What the rooms typically do portray is a simpler, cooler way of looking. They're not too frilly or busy... The less you have, the better good things look. "  In an 1997 interview Mica Ertegun said "If you have good taste, you can find good things anywhere. The Internet has made it so much easier. You can get things quickly and inexpensively. But I would never buy something special, like a carpet, on the Internet. You have to see it in person." Mica prefers when clients take an interest in the design of their home. Only they can give their home a personality. "Everybody has taste. Sometimes it's good; sometimes it's bad. If it's bad, I try to change it a little bit." These two started their business in 1967, working out of Mica Ertegun's house. Today Mica carries on the work, having lost her beautiful and talented business partner Chessy Rayner to cancer over 10 years ago.

Ertegun with her husband, Ahmet in 1975

MICA ERTEGUN's social circle has encompassed the Kissingers, Oscar de la Renta, and the likes of Aretha Franklin to the Rolling Stones whose careers were set ablaze by her late husband, the music mogul Ahmet Ertegun. But interior design is where this style-setter has left her most definitive mark. Her style: Laid-back elegance combined with ethnic touches.

Mica was born in Romania, but in the 1940s she became a refugee and ended up on a chicken farm in Canada. Even poor, she tried to make her home attractive. "If you have taste, you can always put something together." she said. Mica moved to New York after marrying her husband in the 1960s. She enrolled in decorating school and met her good friend Chessy Rayner, who had worked for Vogue and they started MAC II together. 

Following are photos from a project of the late Chessy Rayner. She did up Mrs. Nan Kempner's wardrobe. 

Nan Kempner Closet. Design Chessy Rayner, 70s

Nan Kempner Closet. Design Chessy Rayner, 70s

The curtained closet is opened with italian stringing, a chaise covered with an Indienne print, a Nogucchi lamp combined with a Russian chest and a French Aubusson carpet.

Nan Kempner Closet. Design Chessy Rayner, 70s

Nan Kempner Closet. Design Chessy Rayner, 70s

A chinoiserie desc is draped in jewelry.

TRENDING - Raffia, Lucite and polished steel ////////// A Classic Combination!

Icon-Baby, the interior design Blog /// 70th Interiors

01//  Large Venini Chandelier, Italy 1970's at Craig van den Brulle.

02//  Wallpaper from a selection at Philip Jeffries available in Australia via The Textile Company.

03//  Reef Lamp at Domayne, Australia BEST DEAL $179 .

04//  Delilah gold leafed sconce from The StyleProject, Australia.

05//  

DIY – Make your own Pop-Art artwork with ‘Paint by Numbers’ DIY Art Kit Here  .

06//  

Briana Siphia kaleidoscope print. Made from damaged butterfly wings that create patterns of kaleidoscopic beauty available at Natural Curiosities.

07// 

The centerpiece: Lucite bed with chrome and brass details by Karl Springer, 1970.

08// 

Klismos Chair in mirror polished stainless steel by John Lyle Design, via Studio LW, Australia.

09// 

Natural Rattan Blanket Box available at st-barts, Australia.

10// Round side table in polished stainless steel, Australia. BEST DEAL $998 Contact me for details and availability.

Trending /// Straw covered walls & steel - Designers: Mica Ertegun and Chessy Rayner - 1970

Lift Lobby 1977 - World Trade Centre

The legendary living room of Syrie Maugham

TRENDING /// GLOBAL CONTEMPORARY

Icon-baby, the interior design blog /// Trending: INDOCHINE

1//  Venetian gilded mirror – Nicholas & Alistair, Australia. 

2//  Console with bronze base and marble top, Hall Istanbul – via Studio LW, Australia (to the trade). Please contact me for more information. 

3//  Maison Accent Chair - Domayne, Australia.

4//  Solstice Silk wall covering - PhillipJeffries

5//  Lucretius console from Inox New York - via Studio LW, Australia (to the trade). Please contact me for more information.

6//  Chinese Art Deco rug – Stylists own.

7//  Faceted glass vase – West Elm, Australia.

8//  Tiger print cow hide rug – ZohiInteriors, Australia.

Sem Cephas - Javanese Woman

Pioneer photography from the Dutch Indies. Portrait of a Javanese woman, circa 1900 by Sem Cephas (1870 - 1918). National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. Sem (1970-1918) was the court photographer for the Sultan of Yogyakarta. I'm fascinated by these photos and will investigate more into the history. Keep updated.