There are moments where you look at one photo of a design project and think: “that is the winning shot.” Those are the pictures where you can sense the ambience, feel the texture, and imagine yourself living in that space. It is a space that is overwhelmingly chic, yet incredibly inviting. This is precisely the type of atmosphere that designer CeCe Barfield Thompson creates. The only difference is it isn’t captured in just one photo. Instead, it is the entire house.

While CeCe has the ability to create a home with a seemingly effortless charisma, you can tell that each detail is well executed and thoughtful (she previously worked under Bunny Williams). You immediately feel invited looking at these photos. In her design, you see the sincere use of color, the purposeful display of pattern, and the welcoming format of furniture. If you are serious about chic design, CeCe is a name you must know. Lucky for you, you can get to know her more in my interview below.

Photos courtesy of CeCe Barfield Inc.

 Where are you from/live currently?

I am originally from Texas and my heart is still there in so many ways! I currently live in New York City with my husband and our two little girls.

How would you describe your personal design aesthetic?

As a designer, I am constantly exploring and finding new inspiration that influences my style.  If I had to choose a few words to characterize my aesthetic they would be: livable, elegant and collected.

Best advice you ever received about designing?

Bunny always asked, “have you seen it, have you sat in it and have you measured it?” These three questions are fundamental to any good design!

What current trends are you embracing?

Maximalism! I am so thrilled that the world is embracing layers once again. Collections have an amazing narrative quality that give spaces unique character.  I always hope to create one of a kind interiors for my clients that reflect where they’ve been and who they are.

 What are your design pet peeves?

Ubiquitous interiors. In the digital age, there are so many resources that make design almost too easy.  It is always obvious when a designer hasn’t spent the time sourcing unique pieces – it’s a shame because “the hunt” is the most fun part of the job!  You can learn so much from dealers about periods, provenance and materials.  Also, they always have best stories! Experience has in a lot of ways been much more valuable than my formal training.

 Who inspires you?

My favorite interior designers are Bunny Williams, Daniel Romualdez, Paolo Moschino and Jeffrey Bilhuber. I am also very lucky to have an amazing team that inspires me every day. My firm is extremely collaborative. My team and I have “pin-ups” every week just like I did in design school. Everyone brings ideas and the hope is that we are all inspired to do the very best work possible!

What is on your nightstand?

Our nightstands are tiny Sheraton tables so there isn’t room for much! On mine are two photos in silver frames (one of my children and one of my husband), a cased brass Tiffany’s alarm clock, and a huge stack of books! Right now the stack includes Bunny Mellon by Meryl Gordon, Tubes by Andrew Blum, Ma’am Darling by Craig Brown and Preservation of What, for Whom? by Michael A. Tomlin

I had to do a double take when I heard that terrazzo floors are coming back in style. I am immediately brought back to a time when I was younger, looking at homes in Florida with my parents. Older seventies ranch homes on the water with small bathrooms and….terrazzo floors. I have distinct memories of my parents looking at each other in disgust about another case of old Floridian terrazzo floors. So you must understand, it is a little hard to digest when I hear that terrazzo flooring is back.

That being said, I have seen some recent examples of terrazzo that is not fit for your grandmother’s house. After all, everyone deserves a come back.

Terrazzo floors in black inlaid with brass. I love this look. Via Chicago Curbed

Amazing terrazzo backsplash gives something more unique to the eye than your average subway tile. Via Apartment Therapy

Gorgeous hallway of terrazzo floors. Love the look against the white walls. Via Pinterest

A chic display of terrazzo floors by Renzo Mongiardino via AD

Fabulous terrazzo with industrial windows. Via Pinterest

An interesting mix of terrazzo floors and contrast. Via Apartment Therapy

Martyn Lawrence Bullard creates an amazing striped use of terrazzo floors in his Palm Springs home via AD.

Chic terrazzo floors in a modern ambience via Elle Decoration UK.

I adore this terrazzo backsplash and counter top. A fun twist on traditional marble. Via Pinterest

Happy Friday! A friend asked me to share some non-traditional round dining table inspiration, which proved to be a little more complicated than it seems. I think you can use a traditional wooden table in a modern setting and make it updated and fresh with chic chairs and a sleek light fixture (see yesterday’s post). While trends are leaning towards more exposed wood, even painting a table a dark color could add to the ambience.

Upon delving deeper, it is evident that using glass and metal elements can really give a fresh and more open feel to a dining space. In fact, a glass table with an interesting brass base may be the best setting to add sophisticated chairs and a dramatic fixture. Hopefully these images will bring about more round table suggestions. If you know a round table image you love, feel free to send it my way!

Have a fabulous weekend! XO Christina

Jean Louis Deniot uses a metal base and chic wood to make a phenomenal dining room. The art and the light fixture add to the ambience. Notice the rug under the table, so often they are left out of dining rooms. Via AD

This substantial table provides a natural and eye-catching centerpiece. Via Veranda

An oblong can fit a comfortable mix of chairs. Via Elle Decor

A fabulous and sophisticated look by David Kleinberg via AD. Gorgeous glass and timeless leather create the perfect contrast. Via House Beautiful Meg Ryan’s dining room table makes a bold, yet subtle appearance against the dark hardwood floors. Via AD

Hard to see this dining table, but I love the shiny base and glass top.

I love the look of this Silverado table from CB2.

A lovely play on neutrals that is anything but boring. Via House Beautiful

Strong statements are made in a room full of light and dark. Via Domino