Bonjour Y'all - Dreams Do Come True

Hi there and happy holiday season to you and yours.

Our Christmas present came a little early this year - and we're collectively pinching ourselves, high-fiving and feeling thoroughly humble and grateful for this gift.

What was in our stocking, you ask? A gorgeous, beautifully written and produced, ten-page spread in Milieu, one of the most elegant interiors magazines out there.

The feature covers a recent project in Florence that Ann and the Huff Harrington International design team undertook for a darling, creative and enthusiastic client - a client who is passionate about art, adores antiques and was happily game and ready to roll with all the design punches the team threw at her.

It all started when Ann was introduced to the client (who lives in Chattanooga most of the time) and they immediately began bonding over a love of art - specifically, a centuries-old Renaissance painting that became the cornerstone of inspiration for the project.

We haven't mentioned yet that the project was a 16th-century Florentine apartment in an old palazzo that Ann was tasked to transform into a warm, welcoming abode while still keeping its historical charm, soul and spirt.

Along with our Venice and Paris based designer/architect team of Chiara Zanella and Enrico Gandolfi, Ann set out to create a space that would feel like a home-away-from home (not far from the Ponte Vecchio) for the family and their frequent visits to Italy. 

While the project wasn't without its challenges (try replacing a centuries-old giant iron and wood window and reproducing a double-paned, sound proofed and historically accurate version!), it was mostly smooth sailing because Ann and the client saw eye-to-eye on just about everything.

Our design team drenched the apartment in rich, jewel tones, elegant but functional furniture and more than a few wow moments, like custom decorative columns, boiserie-like detailing and even brass-clad cabinet doors in a compact, but gorgeous, kitchen.

But, probably the most impactful element of design in this exquisite space is the art. Ann sourced a massive 19th-century seascape in Paris that found its way to the apartment's living room. An 18th-century triptych of three Italian saints are strategically hung in the kitchen. And even a modern, primitve figure painted by Huff Harrington Fine Art artist, Anne Darby Parker, looks right at home next to an ornately framed Italian landscape. Mid-century portraits, juicy still lives and conte pencil sketches all add artistic punctuation points.

We could go on and on about this project (so many funny stories, characters and adventures) but mostly we are so excited and grateful for the opportunity to work with this dear client and her family.

And we'll still be pinching ourselves long after Christmas. 

Grazie mille, Milieu!

(PS: snap this issue up at local newstands or by subscription at Milieu. The rest of the issue is just spectacular, too.)

Photography: Joan Porcel