Image courtesy nyc-architecture.com
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This image is not war torn Europe after either of the World Wars.
It is an image from 1965 of the demolition of the original Pennsylvania Station in New York City, designed by McKim Mead and White.
And here is an image of the magnificent space that was lost….
Sometimes we really just want to have some fun!
Two siblings, a boy and a girl, use this interior bathroom in a New York City apartment. While the public spaces of the apartment are understated, my clients and I decided to go for some hot colors in this bathroom.
I assert that “storage is a key to mental health” especially in New York City apartment, and to avoid any interpretation of favoritism with kids – everything needs to be absolutely equal! The vanity and medicine cabinets were designed to give both children equal storage, and lots of it. Outlets inside of the medicine cabinets power up electric toothbrushes out of sight, and the center drawer holds a blow drier that is plugged into an outlet underneath the counter so the unsightly cords are hidden when not in use.
The white subway tiles, and white penny-tiles are from Nemo Tile Company. The penny tiles on the floor have a dark grout to emphasize the shape of the tiles and camouflage the dirt that gets into grout.
The custom polished nickel ‘Sonoma’ wall sconces with glass shades are from Urban Archaeology.
The rectangular sinks are from Kohler, and the ‘Etoile’ low-profile faucet set with cross-handles is from Waterworks. The rectangular undermount ‘Iron Plains’ sinks are from Kohler; the countertop is Thasos.
A ‘Beach Street’ storage bench from Restoration Hardware provides storage for additional towels and tub toys.
Lets not forget about the colorful elements of this room – ihe inset panel on the vanity is Benjamin Moore Habanero Pepper # 1306, the wall color is from the Donald Kaufman Color Collection – DKC-63. The custom shower curtain is made from ‘ Granville Stripe’ from Hinson Fabrics.
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Now for the fish ‘swimming’ on the wall; they are vintage ice fishing decoys – used in an off-beat sport in the mid-west. The owners had a handful (that were supplemented by purchases on eBay), custom mounts were made to install them on the wall.
Framed drawings of fish and flower is by the children – one each – so everything is even-Steven!
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Madeline Weinrib was focused on her painting career during the 1980’s and 90’s, and then in 1997 she created a line of contemporary area rugs for ABC Carpets as a means of expressing her painterly sensibilities into a woven medium.
The rugs were a big success both commercially and with the design industry media; she seemed to have hit a sweet spot in the marketplace with her bold patterns and bright colors.
Now, more almost two decades later, and with a staff of over 30 people and a much more complex operation, Madeline began seeking support on running the business from someone inside the industry, someone who could understand and appreciate the creative process.
She found that person….
In the world we live in people often feel compelled to express grandiose reaction to things, experiences and people – resulting in the overuse of three words:
Is this grandiosity yet another effect of the celebrity-driven-reality-TV-selfie times in which we live?
Are people living their lives as if the cameras are rolling?
Or is it a devaluation of LOVE?
Shopping for clothes:
Looking at furniture:
After hearing a joke:
Perhaps this attention to the ‘meaning’ of words is due to the influence of my father, an accomplished journalist f0r whom words have real meanings, and should be used judiciously.
Having a strong emotional reaction to things, experiences, and people is something I understand. In fact, beauty, delight – and yes, even love – are essential ingredients for me in the process of living, and in the process of design; but I am seeking an enduring love, not a momentary crush. I have found that the novelty that can incite a crush rarely stands the test of time.
Sometimes the subject or object or person at hand is suitable, good, great, excellent, superb, perfect, incredible, even inspired; however sometimes it is just fine, the sensible thing, perfectly appropriate, in good taste, a great solution, but it doesn’t necessarily evoke “I LOVE IT!”
Whether it is my own reaction, or someone else’s, I am suspect of the immediate “I LOVE IT!” response. Will the feeling last? Or is it merely a novel rush of adrenaline? Never mind that these three words can sound disingenuous, if not utterly meaningless.
Much of what I do as a designer is to identify, and then solve problems, LOTS of problems requiring LOTS of solutions. Experience, logic and intuition play significant roles in this problem solving; and no I don’t LOVE every solution. I am in pursuit of a kind of alchemy. This alchemic phenomenon can occur when the cumulative effect of experience, collaboration, invention, a thoughtful approach and intuition are brought to bear in problem solving; where this combination of considered choices results in layered, nuanced, interesting, intelligent, subtle and maybe even sublime, spaces and experiences that can evoke a deep-seated LOVE, one that endures over time like a wonderful and satisfying personal relationship.
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A bold wallpaper called ‘Antinous’ designed by the Viennese designer Dagobert Peche in 1922 is the dominant element in this Central Park West Powder Room, and is available through the shop at The Neue Galerie.
The patinated bronze washstand was fabricated by Klaxto Vederstein with honed Uba Tuba stone top, while the ‘Aero Retro‘ lavatory fittings in satin nickel sink are from Waterworks.
The custom ‘Cay Lanterns’ with two candles and antiqued mirror backs are from The Urban Electric Co. The Arts & Crafts suspended ceiling light was found on eBay.
The custom mirror is patinated copper clad over a wood frame from Bark Frameworks. The photograph seen in reflection is by Emmet Gowin – represented in NYC by Pace/MacGill Gallery.
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I am on a continuous search for distinctive lighting for all of my design projects, and tend to avoid manufactured lamps, with the exception of Christopher Spitzmiller.
Crafted by hand and with heart, the lamps have been wonderful additions to a number of my projects (as evidenced in the image of a bedside table above.)
Who is Christopher Spitzmiller? What is it about his products that are so special? And what’s next? I decided to investigate…
