Gimme Shelter
by habituallychic
11 . 05 . 08
The dearth of American shelter magazines has forced me to buy from abroad…ok, no one was pointing a gun at my head but I do get withdrawal symptoms if I don’t have something new to flip through, so today I picked up the September 2008 issue of Maison Française. I wasn’t even convinced I was going to fork over $9.25 for it until I saw the photo above. I’m a total sucker for interesting interiors with fabulous art. It’s not my usual design aesthetic but I love all the interesting shapes and mix of furniture. Turns out the owner is William Sawaya, the co-principal of Sawaya & Moroni, a Milanese design and furniture company. The company produces his own designs which make up a lot of the apartment as well as works by Zaha Hadid and others.
The chair above is the Maxima chair that William Sawaya designed in 2002. I love it’s sculptural look and as an Aries, there is something about it that reminds me of a ram. A light by Toshiyuki Kita sits a top a table by Christian Ghion. The painting is by Luciano Bartolini.
I thought the living room looked familiar and then I realized that it is featured in the November 2008 issue of Metropolitan Home! I have to say that it looks better in Maison Francaise which could be do to the photographer or styling. There are no accessories on the table in the Metropolitan Home spread. The sofas are Happy by Paolo Moroni while the Flo tables and Maxima chairs were designed by Sawaya.
The painting above is by Richard Texier and the low benches were designed by Matt Sindall.
I’m not a huge fan of Zaha Hadid, although this weekend I am going to see the Chanel Contemporary Art Container that she designed, but the Moraine sofa above is growing on me. I think it has to do with the fact that it looks upholstered and most of the pieces of hers that I have seen have been slick and cold looking while this one has more warmth. She also designed the Vortexx chandelier which I could live without. The table is vintage from the 1950’s and I think the chairs were designed by Gio Ponti. My French is a little rusty so translating the article has been tricky!
Another view of the Zaha Hadid sofa in front of a Sabhan Adam painting and recycled plastic stacking chairs by Sawaya. 
The Liorah bed, Maxima chair, and “Blue Velvet” tufted ottoman were all designed by Sawaya. The side tables are by Christian Ghion. Metropolitan Home has a better of the beautiful paneling in this room. 
The dining table is another Sawaya design and sits under a chandelier by Hani Rashid. The dining chairs are vintage. Below is a detail of a crystal carafe that William Sawaya designed for Baccarat. 
I most love the quote from William Sawaya that ends the Metropolitan Home article, “We do not produce design because we have a factory output to consider. We do it for pure passion. A real gourmet will never feed himself only because he is hungry. He will always search for the best he can find, because he is convinced that he deserves it.” Amen!
12 Comments
fantastic apartment – i think maison francaise is a great magazine and generally features very interesting homes.
Maison Française is a fantastic magazine. A wonderful editor there, Isabelle Forestier, who is the wife of designer Mattia Bonetti.
I often buy Maison Francaise thinking I will practice my French with the cutlines. I’m too rusty even for that! But with images like these, words aren’t necessary.
The ceiling height and the artworks are stunning. I’d replace the Hadid Vortex chandelier with a loopy Murano glass fixture in orange or red. This post is a great burst of positive feeling that is especially nice on the day after the day after ….
I’m glad I’m not the only one addicted to magazines… it can be an expensive habit to feed at times… nevertheless, I love the orange! The maxima chair is wonderful! Great post!
Talk about two different styles! I really like Sawaya’s work. I really love his use of art… that it creates magic in the whole room rather than just filling holes. Thank you for featuring so much artwork on your blog — It’s a bright spot in my day since way back when you first started posting!
That first painting is insane!!!!!
Ohhh! Just love the touches of orange!! So great.
I weighed my luggage down with about a dozen British home design magazines.
The chairs in the top two photos are insane — love them!
Truly a unique and inspiring home. The Maxima chair is beautiful.
I love Maison Francaise and the way the French use color and how rarely ever do you see a generic interior. Refreshing. Love that quote by Sawaya – great!
It was the Met Home feature that got me interested in Sawaya’s designs. The Maxima chair and all its variations is a great recurring visual theme in a beautiful place. Thanks for blogging the Maison Francaise story as well.