Architecture, Design, Ruminations
WELCOME to LITCHFIELD COUNTY
Make no mistake, I have no intention of becoming a ‘Litchfield County Gentleman Farmer’, however there is a delightful gang of baby goats and a bunch of chickens at the local (and locally owned) service station; a stop there to say hello to my new friends is one the first things I do when I go to my new very old house.
I am anxious to spend the night in the country, but before I move anything into my new house (including me) I am refinishing the floors. However, refinishing the floors is not a matter of a simple sand, stain and polyurethane. The floors are not the tongue-in-groove floors I typically see in my New York City projects, there are an entirely different animal. I need an expert… (more…)
Architecture, Design, Ruminations
Don’t be fooled by the calm and serious look on my face, after dreaming, yearning and fantasizing about a ‘place in the country’ for nearly three decades I am now the (seriously) proud, totally excited and somewhat overwhelmed owner of an 1835 Greek Revival farmhouse in Litchfield County, Connecticut.
I closed on this property last week.
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Architecture, Design
While I do not think that we just experienced “the worst Winter ever!”, or the “longest Winter ever!” – I likely share this sentiment with others – ENOUGH ALREADY!
And while I deeply love the infinite possibilities of interiors, I am very ready to get outside, and more importantly get out-of-town!
There is a very special place only 50 miles from New York City – yet is worlds away – a rewarding destination at the home and studio of Russel Wright, one of the most influential and successful designers of the 20th century.
As with life itself, enjoying the journey is as important as the destination itself… (more…)
Architecture, Design
Some years ago I made a ‘design house-call’ to the apartment of an ambitious and very busy young man who lived at The Normandy, a 1938 Art Deco apartment building designed by the esteemed architects Emory Roth in 1938. The building is a full block long on Riverside Drive between 86th /87th Streets with almost every apartment having a view of the Hudson River.
The landmarked structure still retains many of its original details, including round apses at each of two entrances, original Art Deco terazzo floors, and a large lobby that is very much like the lounge on a period cruise ship …
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Architecture, Design, Printed Matter
Last Friday I was quoted in The Wall Street Journal, in an article written by David Colman about the new book Mies, which chronicles the career of design legend Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
Colman asserts “the book is most intent on reasserting Mies as a focal player in the International Style movement that revolutionized industrial architecture in the ’40s and ’50s, ushering in the reign of glass-and-steel boxes.”
The article goes on to sheds light on the 85 year history of the iconic and ubiquitous Barcelona chair.
Celebrated interior design Matthew Patrick Smyth, architect DD Allen and I all give our personal perspectives on how to best specify the classic piece in interiors today. It’s quite an interesting piece.
Miss the article? Follow this link to read the entire post.
