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[Oznell]

Have long followed Alessandra Branca, a terrific designer, originally from Rome, now Chicago.

One of her trademarks is her enjoyment of color, and one of her favorite colors is red, especially as a punchy accent.

Her book is an interior design classic.  It's been a while since we've seen much of deep red walls, but it all rolls around again....

In her portfolio, she doesn't usually tell you where the houses are from, but groups them according to whether they are in a city, or by a beach, etc.  So that's how I'll show them.

City houses:

Love the mix here of more casual, banquette-like seating, with venerable antiques like the two spoon back chairs. The art and the pillows bring life, and yes, I'm a minority who loves the bold branches--  more life, and evidence of the outdoors.   And they're not blockiing anyone's sight lines in the conversation area.

Chicago kitchen.  Interesting modern steel-and-wood island.  The contemporary Italian light fixture, not my favorite.  But it's a nice, bright city kitchen with good light, gorgeous finishes, nice crown molding, beautiful chevron floors--  

Very dynamic combo of contemporary magenta couch, marble table, and antique, heavy gilt mirror.  Cheerful, sophisticated eating spot.  Thinking this is in the same house as the kitchen above, due to the same rich chevron flooring-- 

A polished urban living room,  the colors veering toward magenta, with accents of Delft blue--

This living room below has reds that lean a brilliant flame color, toward orange,  bright against the yellows and golds. 

This palette is so outside my comfort zone!   Not for me, but I can admire her skill.   The room glows.  

Now here below are a few of her rooms for "Beach Houses":

Neutrals, creams, wicker and wood come together in a stunning but calming room.

 

Harmonious blues, in a bedroom.  The sisal rug grounds the almost double height room and gives a sandy warmth.

Khaki bedroom spiked with red/orange:

Casual sand and turquoise living room--

This kitchen has a breezy, island feeling, and some 'glam' with its studded white leather counter stools!

Finally, she has a section of outdoor spaces she's designed, that she calls "Gardens":

And this stunning outdoor space below, has to be in Rome!   Is that St. Peter's Basilica in the distance?  The whole thing is so timeless, and dreamy...

Even when her colors are very different from mine, love Alessandra's exuberance and charming European sensibility.

[LTT1]

@Oznell 

She is certainly masterful at design. She must feel very competent at her art.

The outdoor designs really impress me.

The beach rooms! Ah how masterful she is with high ceilings and huge, sunny windows!

[Oznell]

Hey, @LTT1 ,  those are my sentiments too about her!  Her confidence and bold strokes in working in a variety of applications is part of the appeal.

[Bonkers1]

I could be wrong but most designers seem to lead to the cluttered look.

[wagirl]

I do like her use of color--but let me tell you--that stainless steel island in the kitchen-----is amazing!!! Gimmee!!!!

[Imaoldhippie]

I like all the color, good for her!

[shoptilyadropagain]

She's very hit or miss for me. I don't mind her use of color, in fact, I really like it but it's just the prints she uses and the furniture styles that don't work for me. My favorite room is the khaki bedroom which is probably one of the least colorful rooms posted but I like it because it has clean lines more so than a lot of the other rooms. I also really like the wood and steel kitchen as it leans very modern for me but when it comes down to it I would never want the steel Island as it seems very impractical and would show every smudge of a fingerprint.

[SactoSue]

I like most everything that has blue in it, but not the rooms with red, like that bedroom.  

I don't care for that metal island.  I'd never be able to keep it clean or smooth.  I prefer a surfacee with more interest.   The kitchen layout is OK, but it doesn't do much for me. 

[AuntG]

She is very talented.

[kindred cats]

The kitchen and the neutral living room are my favorites.  I'm not real big on lots of color.