Carlyle Hotel

Carlyle Hotel, New York

The lobby at the Carlyle in New York is, I think, one of the most sophisticated spots in the city. The off white/black/yellow-gold color combination is really punchy, so it probably wouldn't work for a living room or bedroom, but it's great for a lobby or foyer--a place where you only pass through for a few moments. The two Calder paintings on the far wall go perfectly with the sentiment of the room--modern, bold, and rich. The real crown of the room, however, is the translucent Waterford blown glass chandelier. It's a really genius solution for a slick marble and lacquer-clad room with a strict color palette--and it is also just really beautiful. A chandelier like this would really work well in almost any double-story room with a modern decor; I think it really speaks for itself. I know two designers, Thierry Despont and Alexandra Champalimaud, collaborated on the Carlyle interiors, but I'm not sure if they were responsible for the lobby. Whoever did it, it works.