Some photos will be forever associated with historic events, meetings, gatherings, war and peace, beauty and ugliness, right or wrong, but for us, they convey a reflection some of the best design work, and we’ve picked some iconic photos of interiors by some of the best interior designers with exquisite contemporary interior design ideas:

Hotel Marignan by Pierre Yovanovitch This stunning interior combines a black and white floor with a red sofa that seems out of this world. There’s a touch of surrealism and the overall effect is that of a place where dreams are made. A beautiful effort by Pierre Yovanovitch. Hotel Vernet by François Champsaur A reconverted 19th-century building, Hotel Vernet’s contemporary interior was designed by François Champsaur using ultra-modern furniture pieces inside a Victorian interior architecture. The result is a delightful contrast between old and new that looks absolutely stunning. Red Valentino Store by India Mahdavi When we think about iconic contemporary interior design, India Mahdavi always comes to mind. She seems to be right all the time with different styles and combinations that will feel sharp and modern for years and years to come. On this detail from the Red Valentino Store, the look is light and soft with pink and salmon tones combining with a glimpse of gold.

Manhattan Apartment by Jacques Grange For the Manhattan Apartment of cosmetics guru Terry de Gunzburg,  a tryptic of contemporary paintings serves as the background and every other detail in the room seeks to enhance, not to overshadow it. A beautiful exercise in restraint. Fifth Avenue Residence, by Jean-Louis Deniot An interior tailored for Wall Street’s Larry Creel with a contemporary interior design by Jean-Louis Deniot that makes us think of what the French have in special, as there are a lot of elements that are able to combine and still make the room feel spacious. Paris St. Germain, by Dimore Studios We don’t even know how to start describing this wonder. There’s a luscious lip-red sofa that someway feels connected to the gorgeous curtains, a touch of yellow and natural blue all the way to the ceiling. Perfect. Unknown, by Jonathan Adler In a picture that promotes his flawless center table, we can see some of Jonathan Adler’s contemporary interior design genius. It’s classical, it’s modern and it’s definitely iconic. Residential Loft by Rafaél de Cardenas On this loft design by Rafaél de Cardenas, we can see how detailed an interior designer’s vision can be, where every perspective and detail is thought to the smallest detail. 79th Street Apartment, by Steven Gambrel There is a lot going on this modern living room, with a tufted grey sofa, colorful spots here and there and an exquisite use of pieces and styles that blend together for a surreal and beautiful contemporary interior design. Knightsbridge Home by Todhunter Earle A beautiful living room design with modern lines, strict shapes and a few antique pieces that highlight the vision behind the interior.

Aquazurra Store on Madison Avenue by Ryan Korban A store that transposes to a fantasy world, this flawless contemporary interior design brings pink, gold and black and white together over the gray earthy tones. Upper East Side Residence, by Billhuber and Associates A colorful living room by Billhuber And Associates that’s a beautiful example of color use in contemporary interior design. There are classical pieces, but the way they are placed and combined is beautiful and requires remarkable taste.

More Inspiration:

30 Sharp Center Tables for Contemporary Living Room Design

Texas Design Guide: Smiling Interiors by Mary Anne Smiley

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