Reconstruction and repair of a private house

Reconstruction of a private houseWhat can you say about Mr. and Mrs. Krakoff?Oh, they are the most demanding, the most discerning, the most discerning connoisseurs of the worst reality shows on television. But we will come back to that. For now, let us discuss their all-consuming passion for design. Husband and Wife Are One Satan Coach President and Creative Director Reed Krakoff is best known for turning a godforsaken handbag company into a thriving fashion brand with annual sales of two billion dollars; he is also a fanatical admirer of decorative arts, an influential collector, and, more recently, an avid photographer (it is his photo shoot you see on these pages). As for Delphine, she is one of the most sought-after decorators in New York. Her recognizable style is reminiscent of the work of Eliza de Wolfe and David Hicks. Her clients belong to the highest echelons of the business world. In addition, our heroes have three small children, and at the same time they still have the strength and time to preside over charity events and antique salons. Incredible!

Photo 1. The pool and the adjoining pavilion were built in the 70s. During the reconstruction, the new owners had to undergo a major renovation.
Photo 2. Pavilion by the pool.In the foreground is the Pippa bench by Hermes. Behind the wicker sofa from the 1950s, the floor lamps by Saladino Furniture rise. In the background are a couple more lamps: these plaster objects were created in the 1930s by Serge Roche. The chandelier in the form of cherry blossoms is a design by Tord Bontier for Swarovski.
Photo 3. A pergola covered with wisteria is the little that remains here from the previous owner.
Photo 4. The design of the area adjacent to the house was developed by Pierre Guillot. Not far from the greenhouse, he settled bronze Lalanne sheep.

Advice and love One and a half hectares of land withReed and Dolphin bought their two-storey house in Southampton five years ago. At the time, the 1970s modernist mansion was a sorry sight - it had never been renovated in thirty years. The new owners had to carry out a major renovation - as a result, all that was left of the building was a shell, to which an additional wing was added (it housed bedrooms and a playroom for the children). Now - attention! In the process of improving the house, Dolphin and Reed never quarreled even though everyone knows that renovation is the most fertile ground for family conflicts. Especially when such authoritarian personalities take on the job. How did they manage to avoid the trap that absolutely everyone falls into? When I raise this question, both spouses roll their eyes, as if they were forced to take part in a banal TV show in which married couples are forced to solve pressing issues while hanging wallpaper. The answer, as Reed claims, is obvious: “We never buy something unless we both like it.” However, in practice, working together is much more nuanced. And perhaps the key to the Krakoffs’ success is that they know how to play on each other’s strengths and weaknesses. “I am greatly influenced by the origin of the object,” Reed admits. “Dolphin is more critical and indifferent to big names.” Delphin envies Reed’s intuition in a good way. “Sometimes I get stuck,” she admits, “and then my husband comes to my aid. He unmistakably chooses exactly the thing that we cannot do without in a few years.”

Photo 1. The sofa for Lily's room was designed by Delphine Krakoff. Next to it is a chest of drawers painted by Pierre Le-Tan.
Photo 2. Oscar bedroom. Bronze and steel couch by Jansen, oak chest of drawers hand painted by Pierre Le Thant. The cover and mirror, decorated with a meander, were half a century ago designed by designer Piero Fornasetti for his son Barnaba.
Photo 3. Fragment of the office.The Louis XVI Duchesse chair is upholstered in platinum satin. In the foreground is the Orgone table by Marc Newson. Under the ceiling is the famous lamp with lampshades in the shape of a woman's breast by Serge Mouillat and Alexandre Noll. The wall is decorated with works by Kenneth Noland.
Photo 4. In the kitchen, a vintage table from Knoll and a plaster lamp by Olivier Gagnaire sit next to Louis XV-style chairs covered in ostrich leather.

Let's be friends as families!From the point of view of Southampton residents, accustomed to grandeur, the house of Reed and Delphine looks very modest (its area is only 400 square meters). But if you delve into the history of the things that fill this house, then a walk through the family nest of the Krakoff couple will last for an eternity. Take, for example, the life-size figures of sheep grazing on the green carpet in the living room. Created in 1965 by the artist and designer François-Xavier Lalanne, they were very popular among French fashion designers: there is a photograph of Yves Saint Laurent riding on such a sheep. As for Coco Chanel, she kept hers in the living room. As if continuing this tradition, Delphine and Reed met François-Xavier and his wife Claude. Reed even co-authored a book about the work of the Lalanne family. In return, Claude made plaster casts of Reed and Delphine's lips and printed them on bronze apples (they are displayed in the master bedroom on a 1970s table by Guy de Rougemont). While all the houseDrawings by Jean Cocteau and hand-painted furniture by French illustrator Pierre Le Tan, textiles by David Hicks and objects by Piero Fornasetti… You will find the full list of rarities in the captions to the photographs. And now a few words about what is definitely not in this house. Reed and Delphine are afraid of designer cliches and tried and tested solutions like fire. In general, there are very few replicated objects here - much more often you come across things whose true value is understood only by true connoisseurs. But the main thing is the light ironic atmosphere that reigns in the house. A detailed discussion of the merits of an antique table can easily turn into a heated argument about which reality show is cooler: Unan1mous (where contestants locked in a bunker choose a winner by voting) or Flavor of Love (rapper Flavor Flav is looking for love)? As a result, you leave the Krakoffs’ house confident that it is leisure time in front of the TV that contributes to mutual understanding in the family. You feel that as soon as the door closes behind you, Reed and Delphine will rush into the living room to enjoy the next episode of America’s Next Top Model, and the ghosts of Jean Cocteau and Christian Berard will quietly chuckle along with them.

Photo 1. François-Xavier Lalanne's sheep are grazing in the living room. A Hermеs scarf is thrown over the back of the Louis XVI sofa.
Photo 2.Reed and Dolphin's bed is covered in a black fox bedspread by Coach. The ottoman and metal lamps are by Karl Springer. Above the lacquered cabinets are vintage mirrors by John Dickinson. In the fireplace mantel are crystal obelisks by Pamplemousse. The bag is by Coach.
Photo 3.The living room sofa is by Pamplemousse (the house's owner) and is upholstered in Artigny cotton by Boussac. On either side of the Garouste and Bonetti mirror table are 1940s velvet armchairs by Carlhian. The rug is by David Hicks. The abstract paintings are by Ludwig Sander. The cushion covers are made of Pucci fabric. The coyote bedspread is by Coach. The ostrich sculpture is by Giacometti.
Photo 4. Fragment of the master bedroom.On the glass table Nuage by Guy de Rougemont are bronze apples, into which the lips of Delphine and Reed are imprinted. On the wall is a painting by Christian Berard. In the background is a “hairy” sculpture by Harry Bertoia.

Text: Simon Doonan Photography: Reed Krakoff Producer: Anita Sarsidi These items will help you create an interior like thisIn the next article you will find a master class on weaving