Designer/author Nicole Sassaman’s book explores her project in the old penthouse of Barbie creators and Mattel co-founders Ruth and Elliot Handler.
We all come at designing and decorating our homes from different perspectives. For some, it is an opportunity to let our imaginations take flight, and be daring enough to choose colours and furnishings that might not suit everyone. Others love the attraction of staying true to the architecture and age of the space, and make every effort to keep history alive. Still others decide that a full-on renovation is the only path to creating the home of their dreams.
Star designer Nicole Sassaman manages to encompass all of these viewpoints. Her ability to celebrate the historical meaning of a place with fresh ideas is stunningly displayed in her recent project. Sassaman bought the Century City penthouse formerly owned by Ruth and Elliot Handler, founders of Mattel Toys. Their Barbie Doll, now a cultural icon, was introduced at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959. Today, over a billion dolls have been sold around the world.
In Sassaman’s book, Barbie Penthouse, we are given a tour of this fabulous space, now resplendent with a classiness and style that honours Ruth Handler’s ideal of Barbie and all she can and should strive to accomplish. Walls came down, oversized windows and doors were added, space reconfigured to open up the home’s magnificent views, top-quality materials and magnificent art and objects fill the rooms.
FULL STORY HERE