“Left Bank Loft” Wins Designer Showhouse Award

This Paris apartment-inspired space got tops votes at the Mansion in May...

Left Bank Loft
One of the coolest elements of this chic, open-concept space is the rotating television in the wall.

If you love interior design, you might have toured this year’s Mansion in May Designer Showhouse and Gardens. While there were decorated spaces aplenty, only one room and one garden won the coveted 2017 Tulip Award, voted on by thousands of mansion visitors.  This year, the collaboration of Curren Design Associates and Plumbery Designs created the winning interior design space, Left Bank Loft, with the top landscape award going to M.ERBS Fine Gardens for their Meany’s Northumberland Parterre.

Katie Nolle, General Co-Chair of Mansion in May, says, “We are most grateful to all our interior and landscape designers who contributed their time and talent to create the most magnificent spaces and gardens at Alnwick Hall – The Abbey.”

I must admit that, after exploring every square inch of the mansion, I walked away with three clear favorites. And Left Bank Loft was one of them.

“Once we saw the room with its exposed brick and high decorative ceiling, we knew our design inspiration — a loft apartment with an industrial flare. Many of our clients are empty-nesters thinking of downsizing or purchasing a pied-à-terre, or younger clients designing a small space,” says Michael Curren of Curren Design Associates. “The Left Bank Loft gave us the perfect opportunity to show how you can live comfortably and elegantly in 460 square feet. A strong use of color, and mid-century modern furniture mixed with industrial elements, created a sophisticated yet functional space, essential in a studio apartment. Add a taste of Paris to the mix and hopefully we have created the perfect urban escape.”

“The old adage of ‘less is more’ is truly evident in our space,” says Richard Barr of Plumberry Design Inc., who collaborated with Curren Design Associates. “As our generation is starting to downsize, I wanted to ensure that everything in the kitchen is easily accessible as we ‘age in place.’  The table and cabinets are movable and can be relocated, repurposed and built upon as needs may change. Simple accessories can be added to open cabinets with a single touch and have the entire contents at your fingertips. Being on the ‘Left Bank’ gave us the freedom to express our artistic nuances throughout the room.”

Mansion-goers especially loved this engaging space because it adeptly worked as an open-concept living area, bedroom and kitchen. A real show-stopper was the clean-lined partition dividing the lounge area from the sleeping quarters. There, a rotating flat-screen television was mounted, viewable from either space. (Take a look at the main image above to see smart design.)

The Left Bank Loft was one of many decorated spaces at this spring’s Mansion in May decorator showhouse and gardens. Sponsored and operated by the Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center, the fundraiser garners support for the hospital. It is the preeminent designer showcase and gardens in the New Jersey-New York area, attracting 25,000 visitors to tour the area’s most unique and historic mansions, redesigned by top interior and landscape designers.

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