Behind the Scenes: Apartment Foyer

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The 1940’s closed console with cerused oak frame and parchment marquetry door panels from Pascal Boyer Gallery is attributed to the French designer Jean Pascaud; it confidently anchors one end wall of the hallway in a large New York City apartment.

The hand forged oil-rubbed bronze ‘Stiges I’ wall sconces with stitched silk shades were designed in 1960; they are from Roman Thomas.

The pair of c.1900 patinated bronze organic root candlesticks designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany are from Ophir Gallery, and the bulbous ‘Granny Smith Green’ 1950’s vase from was an eBay find.

The paneling and walls are painted in DKC #9 from the Donald Kaufman Color Collection .

And finally, the c. 1970 framed artwork is by the artist Harvey Quaytman; it is quite unique in that it is two sided with another complete drawing on the reverse side.

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Before & After: A New Chapter in a Chelsea Loft

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I really like this image – it is anchored, balanced, and includes some treasured objects and artwork – but it represents much more.

Five years ago, after many years together, my wife and I decided to separate; I needed to create a new home.  I moved into what was a loft apartment with a layout that suited my needs and a two year lease. But it needed some changes before I could call it ‘home’.

The ‘before’ pictures in this post were taken after the apartment had a fresh coat of paint, but that was just the beginning….

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Holiday Entertaining Magic!

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Entertaining friends and family over during the holidays can be a joyful experience.

Bringing a large evergreen tree inside, covering it with a bazillion lights and filling it with ornaments, helps to transform a home into a magical setting for entertaining – add a fire and everyone is truly transported!

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8 Outstanding Design Books – Holiday Gift Ideas

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I LOVE books, especially inspiring books on design and design history!

And I love to give books to friends, clients, family and my staff in the holiday season.

My own library was started in earnest over 30 years ago – and now includes many books in my office, my apartment in Brooklyn Heights and at my still-pretty-new-very-old house in Connecticut.

I looked through my library to find eight books – new, not-so-new, and old – that I think are true gems that would make excellent gifts!

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Behind the Scenes: Manhattan Dining Room

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In this large apartment in New York City, a large round table was selected for its ‘democracy’ (i.e. no heads of the table), and for how it compliments the nearly square shape of the room.

The 72″ diameter inlaid Pearwood table custom-made by Holly Hunt can seat 8 people without putting in either of the two 18″ leaves, when the table can comfortably seat 12.

The chairs were a customized version of the “Russell” chair from Dessin Fournir, upholstered in a Jerry Pair leather called “City Slickers

The custom area rug was made by Tai Ping in a pattern and density to accommodate very regular use, and to help camouflage any stains if they occur.

The antique cabinet circa 1927 designed by Gio Ponti is made of Italian Fruitwood and has understated neoclassic elements including bronze details.

The chandelier was custom-made by Lorin Marsh on the islands of Murano, in the lagoons surrounding Venice, Italy. The fixture was made using traditional techniques in the manner of a 1940’s original Venetian glass.

The curtain panels were tailored from a Holly Hunt wool satin; the tailored Roman shades in a sheer fabric from Rogers & Goffigon called “Romance”.

The pair of painted portraits are of family relatives long past, and the ink drawing on the Gio Ponti server is by Louis Bourgeois.

#TBT – Michael Kors – Seventh on Sale – 1990

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SEVENTH on SALE 

1990

I designed this temporary Michael Kors booth for the first ‘Seventh on Sale’, an initiative  to raise money for HIV and AIDS created by VOGUE and the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America).

The large photo, an ‘abstracted’ Christy Turlington, was part of their advertising campaign.

Michael’s concept for the opening of the sale was that everything in the space be shades of silver, grey, white & black; although it appears otherwise, this is a full color image!