suzy steps up (design blogger's challenge)

m21 knew the latest participant in our design blogger's challenge wouldn't disappoint- after all studio annetta has never posted anything less than completely tasteful on her blog, and with her incredible knowledge of classic 20th century design, we also knew that when she posted her entry, it would be gorgeous and refined. it is. (the floors, the floors, the floors!) go see suzy's vision in black and white here.

designers are like snowflakes... (design blogger's challenge)

no two are alike! lana, the sweet and talented blogger over at topsy turvy style, has accepted the design blogger's challenge and created a luxe garden folly around our moscow mafioso chandelier. go see the results, including this over the top stag's head sculpture, here.

this challenge has been more fun than m21 could ever have imagined when he threw down the gauntlet and challenged himself and everyone else to follow the example of the house of beauty and culture and design a fantasy room the now infamous moscow mafioso chandelier. we'd like to sincerely thank everyone for playing- the results have ranged from the hilarious to the sublime, and far, far, FAR exceeded our expectations. all the different visions and tastes have been so insightful and varied. if you haven't composed an entry yet (and we're talkin' to you, studio annetta), there is no time limit and no winners or losers- just fun for all- so get started now!

high voltage! (design bloggers challenge)

we have our latest participant in the design blogger's challenge! the talented illustrator, patricia van essche, over at pve design has put her own artful spin on our "moscow mafioso chandelier", and has designed an entire sparkle-y event experience around it- compete with a dress code! go check out "le voltage" here!

oh no she DIDn't (design blogger's challenge)

the amount of incredibly talented people out there is amazing.

how could someone take this:
add in this:and get chicness as the result?

well, katie DID.

design blogger's challenge- new entry!

we have yet another participant in the design blogger's challenge, from a new to maison21 blog: charm hill interiors- and this upstart has taken on maison21 at his own game by designing an imaginary entry hall, to compete our own- the nerve! (just kidding, charm hill- there's more than enough room in this world for TWO completely over-the-top and fabulous entry halls, and m21 completely approves of your choice in doors, and that black and gold wallpaper is kinda hot too).

go check it out here.

thanks for playing, charm hill, and welcome to the world of design blogging!

GO, GO, GO!

we have another participant in the "design blogger's challenge"!

the ever delightful mrs. blandings has created the most sophisticated gentlemen's club, using our beloved moscow mafioso chandelier as inspiration- lots of pretty pictures (again, none posted here lest the surprise be spoiled). when you visit, make sure not to skip all the pesky words that we bloggers sometimes insert between those pretty pictures, as mrs. b's lovely writing style is NOT to be missed- always warm, educated and informative, just as m21 imagines mrs. blandings would be if he were lucky enough to meet her in person.

so GO, GO, GO see mrs, b's fantastic take on "bordello chic"!

(btw, this game is getting SERIOUSLY fun- we can't wait to see what our other fellow bloggers come up with!)

design blogger's challenge 1st entrant!

ladies and gentlemen (i guess means you, easy), we have our first respondent to our recently issued design blogger's challenge- to design a room around the now iconic "moscow mafioso" chandelier- and boy, is it a doozy.

we're not going to post any pictures, as we'll let the splendiferousness of the ever-hilarious tobi et al's moscow millionaire bathroom speak for itself. m21 will say that he thinks tobi tobivitch has a future as the official interior decorator to the russian mob (and saudi royalty and dictators everywhere... )

put on some sunglasses, and go check it out HERE.

putting lipstick on the pig...

one of my esteemed fellow bloggers, the house of beauty and culture (who also provides the best music playlist to pair with each of his posts), recently took the "moscow mafioso" chandelier of my recent post, and designed a stunning room around it- literally, as he put it, making a silk purse out of a sow's ear.


the room he designed includes the above classic regency recamier chaise- a piece of furniture maison21 has always coveted, but never, ever had a spot for. you NEED to go check out the stunning imaginary room he's designed here.

maison21 thought that hobac is on to something here, and thought this might be a fun idea for a "design blogger's challenge"- take the overblown monstrosity, and try to chic it up. so here's our own effort- not quite as tasteful as hobac's room for a robber baron, as m21's magpie-like predilection for all things shiny naturally renders his room more "robber" than "baron" (think scarface):


we're picturing using the chandelier in an grand scale entry hall with red lacquered walls like this steven gambrel living room (via studio annetta).

we'd tile the floor in camel colored parchment leather from costello studios, inc.- michelle costello does the most exquisite leather and parchment floors, walls and furniture.


we'd toss in a zebra skin on top of the leather (responsibly culled, non-endangered, zebra skin, via the trophy room).



add one of these fab heathcote center tables- grrrr! (jamb, via 1stdibs).



we'll need a pair of these chic black lacquered karl springer-esque console tables (sydelle & jay livingston, via 1stdibs)


above which we would hang these goatskin mirrors, bringing a bit of the floor up on to the walls. (craig van den brulle, via 1stdibs)



we'd also need to add in some antique elements, like these gilt bronze wall sconces, to bring the modern down a notch, as things really are getting a little too scarface in our imaginary entry hall! (antiques on old plank road, via 1stdibs).


last, even robber barons need a place to throw their bag when they walk in the front door (filled with $100 dollar bills and blow, no doubt), so we'd add a pair of these mastercraft side chairs along a wall (talisman, via 1stdibs)

so is anyone else up for a design blogger's challenge? all are welcome to play! mrs. blandings, you commented that a romp with the chandelier in a bordello could be fun- up for it? katiedid, you mentioned you thought it could work in the right setting- care to share said setting with us?

c'mon bloggers, let's rise to the challenge, and put some lipstick on this pig: