Decorating & Design
September 30, 2015
10 Fashionable Spaces By Anna Wintour’s Interior Designers
With high-profile clients like Vogue’s Anna Wintour, actress Jessica Chastain, designer Jason Wu and photographer Annie Leibovitz, the husband-and-wife duo behind the New York City-based design firm Carrier and Company Interiors are a favorite among the fashion set. Here we share some of the most beautiful interiors from their first book, Carrier and Company: Positively Chic Interiors (which has a foreword by Anna Wintour herself). See the stylish spaces that prove luxury and livability can work together in harmony.
Carrier and Company Interiors principals Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller are known for their tailored and timeless spaces, but that doesn’t mean they sidestep bold pops of color, like the zesty lemon and marigold accents in this living room. “For us, this tailored approach honors the beauty of restraint, the pleasure in the perfect fit, and the appreciation of subdued polish,” says Jesse.
This particular client wanted an updated take on an old American house. “We thought there was no better way to do that than by honoring — and updating — the tradition of blue and white,” says Mara. The dining table feels equally old-meets-new with its rustic wood base and weathered zinc top. Blue stemware and vases echo the cool tone of the zinc and the color scheme.
In this sophisticated space, hand-marbleized wallpaper by Calico, a 1950s “Calla” torchère, mod carpet by Doria Leslie Blau and a painting by Natasha Law complete the look. “The mix works because it is so distinctive and individual, with nothing at all generic. That is what bohemian glamor is really all about,” says Mara.
In this Hamptons living room, Jesse and Mara selected a striking wallpaper to act as a contemporary backdrop for their client’s historic maps. “By and large, our clients come to us with the oddments of their lives so far — pieces from both spouses that they want to honor and use,” says Jesse.
This converted loft had a challenging layout. “The home office has one wall that is double height; it reads as a library, so we double-dared it with a photographic trompe l’oeil wallpaper of bookshelves by Tracy Kendall and pulled the room’s happy color palette from the ‘book’ covers,” explains Jesse.
This sitting room was lacking in natural light, so Mara and Jesse opted for a powder blue lacquer on the walls to mimic the reflection of a blue sky. Underfoot, a hooked cotton rug introduces an abstract pattern, while the faux-bamboo bench and weathered chest keep the glamor of lacquered walls from feeling too over the top.
This Florida front hall makes a great first impression. “The desired goal here is rooms that are urbane and sophisticated, yet comfortable and welcoming too,” says Jesse. Antique Oushaks add welcoming warmth to the space and a pair of fig trees are a breath of fresh air. Nautical accessories add personality, offering a subtle nod to seaside life in this coastal home.
In this library, a paneled bookshelf displays the client’s collection of antique expedition journals and travelogues. “Hanging a Perle Fine painting in front of the books adds just a touch of irreverence,” says Jesse. Striped upholstery and warm wood accents complement the library’s traditional feel.
On this upstairs landing, a large painting by Hugo Guinness is a fresh contrast in size to the small Swedish chest of drawers. “Unexpected choices in scale, material or placement, a daring use of bold color or finish, may arrest the eye and stop time,” says Mara.
In this dining room, a floating fireplace wall painted in a dark hue allows the artwork and sunburst mirror to shine, while feeling subtly modern.”In our version of modern, the silhouettes are strong. There is an overall boldness and graphic clarity to each of the room’s elements and to the decor of the room as a whole,” explains Mara.
Photography reprinted with permission of The Vendome Press
Carrier and Company: Positively Chic Interiors