location: Key Biscayne, FL | interior design: Geoffrey Bradfield with Roric Tobin – B&T Global | architecture: Don Goldstein | photography: Sargent Photography
Geoffrey Bradfield was born in East London, South Africa and initially worked with Rae Hoffenberg, and later Selwyn Levy and Brian White at Studio Henri VII and Guilds in the ‘70s. This was an iconic era in Johannesburg – the birth of contemporary interior design in South Africa – of which Bradfield was very much a part. He subsequently moved to New York joining Jay Spectre and eventually taking over the company. Today his work is globally renowned.
- © Kim Sargent
- In the dining room are a pair of Zaha Hadid Liquid Glacial dining tables. Chairs are carved mahogany / ivory by Ruhlmann. Art includes: Fernando Botero sculpture (opposite top) and a Jean Dubuffet oil on canvas. Objet d’art includes 19th century Cloisoné (above & opposite bottom). © Kim Sargent
- In the foyer an Art Deco, hammered silvered metal mirror hangs above an Edgar Brandt console. Ceramics: Jeff Koons; Alabaster benches by Rick Owens. © Kim Sargent
Bradfield continues to champion the importance of art – a virtuoso hand – using paintings not only as cultural accessories but as dramatic focal points, which impact directly on the interiors. Most of the canvases and sculptures are so large, and images so demanding that they draw one in irresistibly, upon this visual feast.
The design inspirations are aquatic and explore the depths of the ocean floor, evidenced by the living room rug resembling an abstracted Jean Cocteau seascape. The custom furnishings determine inviting islands of seating in the immense living space where the furniture is sensually shaped and finished in shades of soft grey and ice blue. The volume is anchored on either side by two major works in white metal: Valdes’ extraordinary flutter of butterflies and Otterness’ affectionate embrace.
- Living room carpet designed by Geoffrey Bradfield; Lalanne Crocodile Bench; Edgar Brandt iron and marble side table; corner tables by Jean Royère – both circa 1930s; custom coffee table and end tables in white gold cast glass. © Kim Sargent
- In the library the carpet is custom designed by Geoffrey Bradfield; original art by Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Mangold. Low tables include the cradle table by Giacometti and the Lalanne monkey table. © Kim Sargent
The collection includes some of the most important contemporary atists of our time. Of special interest, the dining room showcases an organic exuberance of acrylic; a masterwork by Zaha Hadid, comprising interlocking dining tables. This Liquid Glacial design with its surface complexity and refraction emulates a vortex of water frozen in time. Bradfield surrounds these with 18 Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann chairs from the 1930s. To this wealth of modern refinement, he added fascination and intrigue with an exotic collection of museum quality 19th century Cloisonné. The effect of the mix is audacious and seamlessly pairs past with present.
- © Kim Sargent
- © Kim Sargent
- In the main bedroom the headboard, cabinet faces and chair exteriors are in ivory shagreen. Carpet by Geoffrey Bradfield. © Kim Sargent
For the full article see Habitat #259 May / June 2017 | Subscribe now