Name: Bill Baccini & Stephen
Location: Graduate Hospital Area — Philadelphia
Size: 1,400 square feet
Years lived in:
Walking into William and Stephen's home I was immediately able to identify the terrific merriment of colors in their home. Their artistic abode is full of one of a kind textiles, paintings, objects and pieces of furniture throughout — due to many years of traveling all over the world to find the most unique and desired treasures.
William traveled throughout Europe while working for Milliken & Co. for 18 years and was able to meet many artists and acquire pieces that truly tell a story. Since then, William has been working as an Interior Designer in the Philadelphia through Washington, DC areas &mdash specializing in color. He's also a professor at Philadelphia University as well as the color expert for Modernism Magazine. Looking at his home, you can appreciate the livelong journey he has taken to fully appreciate color and how to bring it into his home.
Walking through his home in a somewhat guided tour, I was able to learn about each and every custom piece in his home. From the Mira Nakashima coffee table &mdash the wood hand picked by her father, George Nakashima, the two cabinet pieces in the dining room by Michael Iannone (made from sustainable materials), the copper pieces that adorn the shelves in the office by artist Rebejes, to the custom designed tapestries by Jonathan Adler.
The first floor of the Artist Abode has a calming and comfortable effect with the subdued colors and comfortable furniture. The home was remodeled in 1988, long before the couple first moved in. Upon moving in, William custom designed the built in shelving unit in the living room. Since then, the Artistic Abode has been a project in the making with the kitchen and bathroom next on the list (which is why they are not pictured). The second floor is more eclectic and displays whimsy and history all the while working well together.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My/Our style: Comfortable elegance – I like to mix various unusual elements (classic, ethnic, mid-century modern, and present day) and textures in one space. I link them by color and the mood they project, always paying special attention to detail and craftsmanship.
Inspiration: Honestly, my inspiration is the quiet joy that my spaces can bring to people who inhabit them &mdash a respite, a shelter that has connectivity so others can connect, share and grow. I suppose my inspiration is to create inspiration – other then that, I would say unpretentious, beautiful and generous design.
Favorite Element: The way my home welcomes me every time I walk in the door, with its color, art and soothing textiles.
Biggest Challenge: The next projects (bathroom and kitchen) …and occasional water in the basement!
What Friends Say: Restful, cozy, elegant, organized and they love our art collection throughout the house.
Biggest Embarrassment: I have none ….now about me &mdash that’s a different story!
Biggest Indulgence: Having a Nakashima coffee table made specifically for us by Mira, it took almost a year! Also the two dining room pieces by Michael Iannone.
Best advice: Don’t do everything at once &mdash let pieces lead to other pieces. Do not fill the space with over sized furniture &mdash People and furnishings need room to breathe.
Dream source: My 30+ trips to Europe, I traveled for work when I was in the textile business in New York.
Resources of Note:
Furniture: Varied &mdash Mostly custom. Coffee Table: Mira Nakashima, Two Cabinets in Dining Room: Michael Iannone . In Philadelphia –Twist Home, Usona, Reform Vintage Modern
Appliances: AIRS Appliances
Lighting: OLC, Ligne Roset, Arch Street Lighting
Rugs and Carpets: Material Culture, Dada Rug and antique sources
Window Treatments: Avalon and custom
Artwork: In Philadephia; Pentimenti, Artists House, Nexus, Proximity Gallery, PAFA and University of the Arts student shows
Paint: Benjamin Moore
Thanks, William & Stephen!
Images: Kristen Lubbe
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Comments (33)
I love your folding screen. Where is it from?
that entryway with the bench is a dream for me. simple but unique, unobtrusive, functional!
I think my favorite is the dining area. I love the combination of the blue/grey cabinet and the warm, almost orange tone of the table. And then to have dishes that blend the 2 together. Really great!
I love that entryway. I had no idea that 1. There was such a thing as the Color Association of the U.S. and that 2. One could work there. What exactly do you do? Do you decide what colors are 'in'? I'm not being cheeky, I seriously don't know! :) Educate me please.
Love love love the church pew in the entry. And it's always a thrill to see a Philly house tour.
love the whole calm beautiful home.
cosy, unpretentious and timeless. Nice home.
I love the painting above the bed and the bed linens.
All the right touches. Every piece has a place.
I really enjoy your house, but sadly, the thing that I LOVE is the linen closet. Every towel is perfectly folded and placed. I try, but no one else in the house keeps it up. Can I come live with you?
Love it. I especially love the entryway mirror, the consoles and the overall tranquility of the space.
I like the doubled-up rugs in the living room. They provide the best of both worlds - the base rug by itself would be too bland and amorphous, but the feature rug by itself would look lost. Together they look just right. It's an idea we should use more.
Points off for the "dream" cliche in the bedroom. But other than that, it's a stylish and elegant design.
I've walked by this house before and loved the colors on the outside, such a pleasure to see the wonderful interior as well.
love the entryway!
I love the understated elegance of this home!
I love how serene the space feels. I can feel the calm and love throughout the home.
Wow...I am awed. Like nikko said, every piece has a place--as if the piece was loved so much that you took care to find a place for it. I especially like your furniture.
How inspirational--to take all sorts of themes and to link it by mood and color.
I absolutely love this house! I lived in a South Philly row house for several years, and always love to see how people work with and decorate the lovely narrow houses there. I think what I like most about this house is the contrast between the stark white walls and the gorgeous colorful art and furniture. It's something I think I'm going to incorporate into my own home to really allow my Turkish carpets stand out. Thanks for making me realize this!
Oooh! My neighborhood, how exciting.
Love that they incorporate locally made (but internationally known) designers like Iannone and Nakashima. The Nakashima studio is a 30 minute drive from Philadelphia.
I love the bee piece. It's fun without being over-the-top whimsical.
I LOVE the bench. The rest of it feels really dated to me. And for having the money to buy custom furniture, why not get rid of the old carpeting? It feels very 90s to me, like Fraiser's apartment.
GIRL! i walk by your house regularly because your street is one of my favorites in the hood & always wondered what your interior looked like since your home is the cutest from the exterior. Also noticed those great light fixtures & knew the place had to be fab inside. Did not disappoint! love the Russel Wright collection.
It's like a big color explosion! Colour Spécialiste extraordinaire!
Wow! Love seeing a Philadelphia House Tour. Really love the feel of your home. I especially love the painting above the bed. Could you tell me the name of the artist or which gallery it came from?
Wow! This is gorgeous! The entryway is fab! It's always exciting for me to see a lovely Philly home featured here.
Great to see your house online it looks great, just thinking about you shoveling some snow today...Dec 18th...
Seth and Rebecca
Your home looks museum-like. I looked for the cosy in it but only found a brief hint of it in the towel exhibit.
I feel a can of colored paint would do wonders for the bland walls...I was a little underwhelmed by this tour.
I love this home - surprised no one asked about or mentioned the fabulous china cabinet...I must know where it came from. And I love the selection of china and the artful placement...better yet composition. Cheers to meticulousness.
http://www.designformenmag.com
Thank you so much to everyone for your generous and wonderful comments - as for the negatives, I don't really get the point. I will try and speak to all your questions;
The screen is from Hydrangea in Lambertville (no longer exists) and is mid century from the far east. I was a member of the Color Association not an employee (has been corrected in write up). The walls are actually a bit deeper then they appear (pale yellow in LR, pale gray in BR, and a taupe in the Den - actually, the only white walls are in the hall. The painting above the bed is by Karen Gibson, a Philadelphia artist. Thank you for the kudos on the doubled up rugs - nice you noticed ( a sort of signature of mine as an interior designer). The wall to wall was installed in 2001 and Wormy you cannot come live with me but I am very flattered!
Gorgeous home - well done! I'm surprised by the "museum-like" critique above because to me that's exactly what it's not - except in the sense that it is well-curated. But I find it warm, inviting, and beautiful. And your china cabinet - is that Fiestaware? I'm a white china kind of girl, but still - swoon!
The china is by Russel Wright, is mid century and is called American Modern - I have been collecting it since the early 80's ... you might like this link
Cheers,
Bill
http://www.russelwrightcenter.org/redesign/home.html
I am starting to think the house tours are a form of torture - I can't think after I view one that hits all the right notes and makes me want to chuck everything I own out the window. Very nice place.
Hooray for Philly, and hooray for your home! Everyone has already said the other comments I thought of, with the exception of commenting on the bars outside the house. (I almost hate to bring attention to them because I know there's a group of "hostile-to-Philly-readers" out there in AT land, and mentioning the bars would just be fodder for their cause.) You've really done so well at making something functional and something that is often a necessity in a large city into something of beauty that transcends the original purpose. With the waves and the great color choices, they work seamlessly into the design of the building and they actually add character and charm to the front of your home. I think people will see them first as a design element, and only as security bars as an afterthought. Bravo for such a job well done! I wish I had seen your place when I lived there.