The French Way

I’ve been working on a fun project for a favorite client on the North Fork, in Southold. We’ve been working to transform the basement of their house, which is a stone’s throw from the beach. My clients wanted to turn the basement into a playful, dynamic space where their elementary school-aged  kids can play, move French mattresses around to create forts, and put artwork on the walls. Above we mixed textiles from Pierre Frey, Kravet and Kristy Stafford on a set of interchangeable floor cushions.

The French mattresses serve as guest beds, too–all the better for slumber parties. The hand-stitched rolled edge is a distinct detail of French mattresses. It creates a handmade feel. They’re thicker than most seat cushions and have buttonless tufting along the top.

We added a cork wall for posting artwork in another corner of the basement. We restored these Thonet chairs–they were lacquered in a high gloss and upholstered with faux leather from Knoll for easy cleaning. The shelving on the right is from Vitsoe.