Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1137964
Frank often designed standout fireplaces made from rich materials, and the Lafield house has a number of such beauties. A fireplace in a seating nook off the dining room is as chic as it gets, surrounded by Belgian black marble and black-plaster walls. In the great room, a massive blackened-bronze fireplace echoes materials favored by frequent Frank collaborator and furniture designer Diego Giacometti, brother of sculptor Alberto Giacometti. Minton visited Diego's studio in Paris in the 1970s while the artist was still working and became a lifelong devotee of his furniture. For the Lafield house, Minton referenced Giacometti's furniture with a pair of custom- designed blackened-iron tables and brought in a striking Philip Nimmo–designed dining table from Jean de Merry in hand-hammered and gilded iron. Minton, who worked in tandem with longtime design associate Paula Lowes, created sleekly furnished rooms with multiple combinations of sumptuous fabrics and finishes. In the great room, two Christian Liaigre chaises from David Sutherland are upholstered in Holly Hunt leather and mohair. Nickel-plated bronze armchairs by KGBL, sourced through Emily Summers Studio, are upholstered in Brunschwig & Fils platinum silk velvet. A custom rug by La Manufacture Cogolin from France derives its tonal, linear patterns from the way dye takes differently to the silk and wool yarns; it echoes the geometric patterns in the limestone floors. A team effort resulted in the exquisite paneled door covering the bar in the great room, made from dozens of individual stingray hides. A feat of engineering and design, the paneled door retracts into a climate-controlled area in the ceiling to prevent the hides from drying out. Top: Blackened-steel windows and doors throughout the house were custom-made by Critall, a 170-year-old company in England. Bottom: In the master bedroom, Joe Reihsen's Lunch with a Cougar, 2014. A. Rudin chairs and ottoman from E.C. Dicken. Holly Hunt table. Sconces from Ferrell Mittman. Opposite page, top: Christian Liaigre chairs, ottoman from David Sutherland. Reagan Hayes-designed tables from Jean de Merry. Teresita Fernande's wall sculpture Mirage (Horizontal), 2011. Opposite page, bottom: Anish Kapoor's wall sculpture Untitled, 2013. Lorin Marsh ottoman in Coraggio lavender mohair. 65 (continued on page 68)