WORLD’SAre these the
THE MODERN FAMILYCEO of fabric house Pierre Frey, Vincent Frey, with Bianca Lee Vasquez and their 10-month-old son, Vasco, Paris ‘This home is awesome!’ says Constance. ‘Vincent works in the family company Pierre Frey, and his apartment is full of the company’s fabric and wallpaper, and shows how traditional designs can work in a modern setting. The house is also a great mix of modern furniture with classic designs. To have a beautiful home full of colour and different textures is giving children an education about design.’
COOLEST FAMILIES?
112
RIGHT NOW families are the thing – the Beckhams and their fab foursome, Brangelina and their brood, Sarah Jessica
Parker and her girls... which makes The Socialite Family bang on the money. The blog, which gets up to 5,000 views a day, showcases cool folk and their equally cool kids in their fabulous homes.
The Socialite Family was started by Parisian Constance Gennari (above) after a light-bulb moment while on maternity leave with her second child. ‘I wanted to see how the new generation of contemporary families live, especially women,’ she says. ‘Most have time-consuming jobs, a busy husband or
WORLD’S
WEEK IN WEEK OUT
COOLEST FAMILIES?
Lifestyle envy alert! New blog The
Socialite Family is wall-to-wall
gorgeous mums, dads (particularly yummy) and children chilling
in their stylish homes. Grazia takes a tour...
The retro chair and quirky shelves create a cool corner.Right: the double-height dining room
The block colour of the orange
sofa looks great against the
black and white rug
WEEK IN WEEK OUT
In the dining room, a modern table is teamed with classic Tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen
Verner Panton chairs and an Ingo Maurer light in the
kitchen, with a mini Panton chair
in Lola’s room
THE HIPSTER HOMES RANGE FROM THOSE CHANNELLING A VINTAGE, FLEA-MARKET VIBE TO MID-CENTURY COOL AND SLEEK MODERN
partner, often more than one child, but still manage to have an apartment that reflects their style, and is a really creative space.’
Formerly a children’s fashion writer, Constance had a contacts book bulging with fashion-y folk, so she hit the phones. Today, while she still asks around, she is also approached by people hoping they make the grade.
So what makes her want to whip out the camera? ‘The feel of the place,’ she says. ‘I don’t need to see designer furniture, just that the personality of the people who live there is reflected in the home.’
The families she chooses, often dressed in boho chic and lounging casually, all look oh-so stylish, even those with toddlers in tow. The hipster homes, in cities around the world including Paris, London, New York, Milan and Los Angeles, range from those channelling a vintage, flea-market vibe to mid-century cool and sleek modern. For the interiors voyeur, this is through-the-key-hole heaven, and even though each home is guaranteed to provoke some serious lifestyle envy, we love that the blog is full of brilliant decorating ideas that anyone can take away, whether you’ve got kids or not. n
WEEK IN WEEK OUT
115
THE FASHION FAMLY PR for Dolce & Gabbana, Natasha Slater, and daughter Lola, seven, Milan ‘Natasha lives alone with her beautiful daughter,’ says Constance. ‘Her home is very simple and minimal. Her office is at home too, so her apartment is always very tidy and ready for visitors.’
Below: cool but comfy neutrals in the living room and hallway.Bottom: a collection of ceramics from Siv-Tone’s native Norway on a mid-century shelving unit
THE MUSIC FAMILY Music producer, and founder of children’s label Finger in the Nose, Siv-Tone Kverneland (top), husband Nathan and children Gaspard, seven, Selma, 10, and Gabrielle, 11 ‘Originally from Norway, Siv-Tone has kept her taste for Scandinavian design,’ says Constance. ‘The furniture is made of raw materials and simple lines such as the wooden dining table. Every detail is carefully considered, and everything is an inspiration.’
In Natasha’s period home with
its cool marble floors, designer classics are big
Pho
tos:
Luc
ie C
ipol
la, D
iane
Sag
nier
, Jul
ie A
nsia
u,
Rap
haël
Dau
tigny
, Mél
anie
Rod
rigue
z