READ THIS: A 21st Century Palace by Geoffrey Bradfield
As we've said in the past, there are two types of interior designers in this world: Mover and Shaker Geoffrey Bradfield, and everyone else. Be certain to click his name and read his interview! Since we were previously blown away by Ex Arte:
...there was a danger that at his next book launch, Peachy Deegan would immediately become so entranced with A 21st Century Palace, that she'd sit in a corner and read it during the party, but then she considered how fantastic his soirees are:
To know Geoffrey is to adore all of his talents from the proper smashing soiree to the top-notch book, which is where we bring you to today.
A 21st Century Palace is distinguished by the singular sensation that Geoffrey Bradfield is, and is a mirror of his work which clearly is a genuine passion. Like he says, the writing was on the wall when as a child he instructed the staff to rearrange furniture. (See interview...) Though we are not living in the age of the Renaissance, if you want to arouse envy among the citizens he is the designer that you go to, if we may paraphrase and modify the preface. As the Billionaire's Designer, Bradfield shares our belief that quality is never an accident, and his deliberate execution of stunning page after page of this palace will astound you. If you don't know Geoffrey, you will become well-aware that he takes interior design to a whole new level once you open this book.
Specifically, this book chronicles a modern palatial residence overlooking Chapultepec Park in Mexico City. 1920's Turquoise lacquer doors are of course the piece de resistance as they are the cover of the book. The use of color is totally relevant throughout, and of course it is tastefully placed where it makes sense. Geoffrey is careful not to overwhelm or overdo and we applaud that. Also, he has an innate unique ability to put together forms that you may not have thought of, achieving an extraordinary look. This residence trumps many museums and defines pure luxury as from room to room, you'll see artists featured that surely you did term papers on going through school.
Geoffrey is the kind of designer that can request a color change in chairs of Hermes: see page 144-he was looking for a deeper gray-washed mahogany color of crocodile hide rather than tan. We bet you did not know that Hermes crocodiles are bred in Australia, and the finest leather comes from the belly...
Be sure to read the dialogue Roric had with Hermes.
Personally, Peachy loves the watermelon repetition, and the sink on page 195. She is just crazy about the Oenophile's Lair. There are lots of rich neutrals that we recall seeing in Ex Arte. Through the looking glass in the dining room was particularly impressive, especially with the photographed blue sky in the background. We only have one question: what does the garage look like?
Congratulations to Roric Tobin too, and Mr. Willoughby we are sure played his own role in this as well.
Geoffrey Bradfield's knowledge is so potent and its effect is ubiquitous on every interior that he interacts with. His sensitivity and attention to detail is in a class by itself: he notices nuances that most would miss. Finally, y
ou should read this book if you believe that risk is part of the creative vocabulary of being alive - precisely because you share Bradfield's philosophy.
Whom You Know Highly Recommends A 21st Century Palace by Geoffrey Bradfield. Live like a King or Queen!
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A 21st Century Palace
Geoffrey Bradfield, Text by Jorge S. Arango
ISBN: 9780917841033
Publisher: Smallwood + Stewart
Territory: USA & Canada
Size: 9 in x 11.75 in
Pages: 236
Illustrations: 175 color
Hardcover
