Quality, Visual Interest, and Editing

In the apartment’s entryway, an arresting painted-wood Lanna Thai Buddhist manuscript holder, which once held contemplative texts, now provides a surface to display an ever-changing montage of books, flowers, and object d’art. The ink-on-newspaper drawing above is by the Vietnamese artist Dinh Y Nhi.

In the entryway to a collector’s apartment we designed, an arresting painted-wood Lanna Thai Buddhist manuscript holder, which once held contemplative texts, was part of the homeowner’s collection. It now provides a surface to display an ever-changing montage of books, flowers, and object d’art. The ink-on-newspaper drawing above is by the Vietnamese artist Dinh Y Nhi.

Photos by Gross & Daley

When potential clients approach us, they have ideas about how they want to live in their new (or newly renovated) home. In a series of phone calls and meetings, we work to understand that vision, paying close attention to detail. 

Next, we work to discover deeper information such as specific color preferences, how they imagine entertaining guests–and how often, and their relationship with the art they already own.

This interview process is vital for understanding a client’s needs and aspirations long before we consider any structural changes to their space, furniture plans, textiles, or lighting. 

Occasionally we are approached by clients who have collected furnishings, object d’art, and decorative artifacts from traveling, as was the case with our Bachelor’s Apartment. The homeowner has spent decades traversing the globe–zealously discovering and collecting from newly explored cultures. He asked that we incorporate some of his collection into our new design.

“We want to give clients a new home with carefully edited pieces that reflect their lives in a way that brings joy.”

– Glenn Gissler

For some decorators, this creates a challenge because they strive to control the entire creative process; wherever possible, we take a more relaxed approach.

But we have been hired to give them a “new” home, not just a rearrangement of their existing furnishings, which means change. So we study existing pieces, focusing on their quality and visual interest to see where they can enhance a new scheme. We want to give clients a new home with carefully edited pieces that reflect their lives in a way that brings joy.

A Chinese scroll painted by Shanghai-born, Singapore-based artist Hong Zhu takes pride of place above an expansive four-seat sofa in the style of Jean Michel Frank, which is upholstered in lush velvet.  Framed and hung in landscape format, the work creates a horizon, establishing a dialogue with the striped club chair seen to the left. The small Isamu Noguchi lamp enhances the linear motif. The Choros Chandelier, designed by Barry Goralnick, strikes a serpentine counterpoint.

A Chinese scroll painted by Shanghai-born, Singapore-based artist Hong Zhu takes pride of place above an expansive four-seat sofa in the style of Jean Michel Frank, which is upholstered in lush velvet.  Framed and hung in landscape format, the work creates a horizon, establishing a dialogue with the striped club chair seen to the left. The small Isamu Noguchi lamp enhances the linear motif. The Choros Chandelier, designed by Barry Goralnick, strikes a serpentine counterpoint.

Another critical consideration is the sentimentality connected to belongings. We try to be particularly sensitive to deeply personal pieces–like an object handed down through generations. 

In Carl Dellatore’s book, Interior Design Master Class, I wrote about my views on design alchemy, “Alchemists have existed in every major civilization—along with great artists and artisans— all engaged in an attempt to transform base metals into gold. Similarly, a good designer possesses a knowledge of elements that, when amalgamated, create magic in an interior.”

So when a client brings objects to the table, we study them to see where we can create an alchemical spark by mixing them with newly acquired pieces–establishing a moment of excitement larger than the sum of a room’s parts.

A pair of Korean blanket chests, one taller than the other, serve as bedside tables in the master bedroom. The walls are sheathed in muted sapphire and are complemented by the terracotta-toned pic-stitched bed cover. A seagrass area rug and a canvas by Southeast Asian artist Eric Chan anchor the room.

A pair of Korean blanket chests, one taller than the other, serve as bedside tables in the primary bedroom. The walls are sheathed in muted sapphire and are complemented by the terracotta-toned pic-stitched bed cover. A seagrass area rug and a canvas by Southeast Asian artist Eric Chan anchor the room.

 

One final advantage to incorporating vintage and antique furnishings in a new design is that they lend a historical narrative. That has immense value because successful rooms appear collected over a lifetime of experience and adventure versus spaces that feel “placed” there on the installation day. 

The intricately painted surface of a table purchased on vacation to Thailand, several toss pillows fashioned from a centuries-old Persian Suzani, or a pair of Chinese urns repurposed as lamps: these historical notes that you won’t find in a space principally populated with newly manufactured pieces.



Glenn Gissler Design In The Press

Grateful for every book feature, press article, and award nomination. Here’s what’s been happening lately with Glenn Gissler Design.

Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Interiors

Glenn Gissler Design is incredibly honored to be featured in
William Norwich’s new book. 

INTERIORS: THE GREATEST ROOMS OF THE CENTURY

A project we completed more than 20 years ago, photographed for Interior Design Magazine by Peter Mauss ESTO, has been included.(and no, we don’t mind sharing the spread with Hubert de Givenchy!)

Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Interiors Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Interiors

Glenn Gissler Design was anonymously nominated to submit a comprehensive portfolio for the 20th Anniversary of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards.

The award was established as a vital humanistic tool in shaping the world, and to honor excellence, innovation, and lasting achievement in American Design.

And while we did not receive the award, it was an extraordinary honor to be nominated!

Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Interiors

 

Glenn Gissler Design is honored to be featured in 
Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Interiors

Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Interiors Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Interiors

Many thanks to John Smiroldo and writer Marianne Litty at  Antiques & Fine Art / InCollect for including Michael Kors’ apartment in this story on the enduring power of black and white for interiors.

Click through to this link to see the entire press feature.

Glenn Gissler Design in the Press

Glenn Gissler Design is honored to be Featured in 

Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Press Features Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Press Features Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Press Features

“A new house that reflects the strong vernacular traditions of downeast Maine but in a modern enough way that you know that it is of now, not then.”

Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Press Features Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Press Features Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Press Features
Click through this link to see more images from the
projects and to read the feature.

Photography by Jonathan Reece

 

Glenn Gissler Design is honored to be Featured in 
Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Press Features
blank.A West
“A Westchester, New York home that blends Art, History, Architecture, and Furnishings into An Awe Inspiring Interior that Transcends Trends”

Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Press Features Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Press Features Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Press Features Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Press Features

Click through this link to see more images from the
projects and to read the feature.

Photography by Gross & Daley

 

And finally, Glenn Gissler Design is honored to be Included in Brownstoner Magazine’s list of TOP LEADERS in Brooklyn Design 2019 

Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Press Features Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Press Features

Selected by a panel of judges comprising principals from Brooklyn Heights Association, Brooklyn Historical Society, CPEX Real Estate, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Flavor Paper, Komaru Enterprises and Prospect Park Alliance, as well as Brownstoner, Glenn Gissler Design was honored at the Brownstoner RADD Awards on Thursday, March 21 at The Brooklyn Historical Society

Luxe Red Reader’s Choice Award

Glenn Gissler Design is honored to have 2 projects nominated for the

2019 LUXE RED Reader’s Choice Awards!

First in the Contemporary Interior Design Category;
And Second in the Landscape Design/Outdoor Living Category.

Click through the links below to see more images from the projects, and to vote for Glenn Gissler Design!

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Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Luxe Red Magazine - Readers Choice

Contemporary Interior Design

Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Luxe Red Magazine - Readers Choice

  VOTE HERE!  
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Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Luxe Red Magazine - Readers Choice

Landscape Design/Outdoor Living

Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Luxe Red Magazine - Readers Choice

  VOTE HERE!  

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BROWNSTONER Magazine

Glenn Gissler - 2018 - Blog - Brownstoner

We’re thrilled to share our inclusion in the second issue of Brownstoner Magazine.
Brownstoner, originally a blog which then developed into a highly successful and widely respected digital publication, focuses on the rapid evolution of Brooklyn from an “outer borough” to a culturally rich and exciting destination. Last year, in a move that belies the general trend towards digital, away from print, Brownstoner began a beautiful print magazine

In this issue, Glenn Gissler’s own Brooklyn Heights duplex is featured in an editorial titled ‘Maximum Glamour‘.

Glenn Gissler - 2018 - Blog - Brownstoner Glenn Gissler - 2018 - Blog - Brownstoner Glenn Gissler - 2018 - Blog - Brownstoner Glenn Gissler - 2018 - Blog - Brownstoner Glenn Gissler - 2018 - Blog - Brownstoner Glenn Gissler - 2018 - Blog - Brownstoner

If you’d like to read the entire article, you can follow this link to our website.

Enjoy your summer!