Elizabeth Sesser’s soothing selection of vanilla onyx, silk wallpaper and straw marquetry
What I Love | May 13, 2024
In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.
Elizabeth Sesser has been immersed in the design world for as long as she can remember. Her father was an architect—with an office on the top floor of the Chrysler Building—who schooled her on the importance of well-designed spaces at a young age. “I learned early on that interiors should be comfortable and functional, yet also visually engaging,” she tells Business of Home.
Today, the New York–based studio director of Kligerman Architecture & Design spends her days crafting distinctive interiors that strike a balance between classic and contemporary. “Our designs are rooted in tradition, but modern in sculptural forms, taut detailing, glass expanses and often a touch of whimsy,” says Sesser.
Her current flay lay—filled with soft hues and sumptuous materials—provides an excellent example. In addition to a bluish-green hand-knotted wool rug and a rose-colored alpaca-linen throw, she employs everything from an antiqued mirror finish to a silicon-bronze-clad coffee table to create a sophisticated scheme that transcends aesthetic styles and eras. “This design exudes a quiet luxury that feels calming yet elevated,” says Sesser. “The textures and colors could work in a room in the city or by the sea.”
Here, the designer breaks down the details, from a nubby celadon-hued fabric to a hand-glazed bluish green tile.
1. VUELTA DINNER PLATE IN NORI BY JARS
“I have always loved Jars’s dinnerware. They recently introduced this gorgeous green colorway into the Vuelta line, and it’s perfect.”
2. FLUTED CONTRAST MUG IN ROSE BY ROYAL COPENHAGEN
“My morning coffee is the first thing I reach for when I get up, and this mug is both beautiful and so satisfying to hold with its colored silicone sleeve.”
3. SANTORINI RUG IN CUSTOM COLORWAY BY CROSBY STREET STUDIOS
“This custom carpet from Crosby Street Studios is playful and sophisticated. I love the mix of colors, and the hand-knotted wool is top-quality.”
4. VEIN-CUT ONYX SLAB IN VANILLA EXTRA BY ARTISTIC TILE
“This stone is subtle and stunning with its clean veining and consistent color—beautiful for a powder room vanity.”
5. DURAN COFFEE TABLE SAMPLE WITH SILICON BRONZE FINISH BY KGBL
“The combination of cast glass and silicon bronze [on this coffee table] is super luxe and refined. Available in custom sizes and configurations, it is so easy to incorporate into a room—and it’s gorgeous!”
6. ANTICO NUOVO MIRROR FINISH SAMPLE BY GALAXY GLASS & STONE
“This antiqued mirror adds character without being over-the-top.”
7. HERRINGBONE FIREBOX TILE IN OASIS BLUE AND IVORY STONE BY RUTH FRANCES GREENBERG
“Glazed firebox tile makes for a stunning fireplace that everyone will ask about. I really love the herringbone pattern this size tile creates.”
8. LOUISE CABINET ORIGINAL MICA FINISH SAMPLE IN SILVER PEARL BY BARN IN THE CITY
“Barn in the City uses the most amazing materials to create custom furniture, and this [mica-based metallic-finish] is no exception.”
9. LUANG DOUBLE FABRIC IN WHIPPED CREAM BY SOIE DE LUNE
“A perfect drapery textile, this wool-silk blend is hand-woven in Laos and has a subtle sophistication that is like no other.”
10. SWEDEN FABRIC IN 21-31B BY CHAPAS TEXTILES
“All of Tara Chapas’s creations are perfect. You can custom-color any pattern and even change the content. This cotton-linen blend is made for the yummiest upholstery pieces.”
11. PHINDA RÉ FABRIC IN CELADON BY TOYINE
“I love the combination of the green and bronze in this soft, nubby textile—perfect for throw pillows.”
12. WATERCOLOR THROW IN BRONZE ORCHID BY ROSEMARY HALLGARTEN
“I love all of Rosemary’s throw blankets, especially the watercolor design on this hand-dyed alpaca-linen beauty. It’s super cozy and sophisticated.”
13. ESSENTIAL WOOL TURKISH KNOTTED MODERN RUG IN GREEN/BLUE BY KEBABIAN’S
“I have always been attracted to this shade of green-blue, and the variation in the yarns of this carpet is beautiful.”
14. BABINDA WALLCOVERING IN HAWKING BY FROMENTAL
“This hand-made silk wallpaper is hand-painted and embroidered. The craftsmanship and detail are pure magic.”
15. CUSTOM CHEVRON STRAW MARQUETRY SAMPLE BY ATELIERS LISON DE CAUNES
“The creations that come out of this Paris-based studio are unbelievable. I love the warmth the bronze color adds to this mini-chevron. It can be used for wall panels or furniture pieces.”
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