Covid Strikes

When the Covid virus made its unwelcome appearance in the world, something had to give. Personally, I think the world was saying, “People, you need a BIG Timeout! Go home and think about what you’re doing to me. It’s unsustainable! Things have to change!” For me, the new dynamic forced me to rethink how I was going to earn a living. What if I couldn’t deliver my furniture, or secure raw materials? This weighed heavily on my mind. None the less, it forced me to reconsider my sources of income and ponder new ones. As a result, My Covid Inspired Trays came to life.

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First One, And Now There Are Two.

Three years ago,  when I did the Architectural Digest Design Show The Architectural Digest Design Show Has Come my Perfume Bottle Lamp A New Direction received a lot of attention.   People loved the smooth white surface and thought it was porcelain.  They enthusiastically commented on its thinness and said,  “Perfect for a New York City apartment.”  But I have to admit, it’s a bit large and commands quite a bit of attention.  Maybe too much.

So, at the behest of a visitor, I decided to make a pair of Miniature Perfume Bottle Lamps. They could be used almost anywhere: Night Stands, End Tables, Etc. Their diminutive nature adds a bit of elegance to a space yet doesn’t shout, “Look at us!”  Perfect for the homeowner who is seeking something different. Continue reading →

Lamp Magic

Good Ideas Stick Around

One of the items I wanted to create prior to the Architectural Digest Design Show was a Round Tray. I thought it would be great way to demonstrate some of my other creative skills by displaying it on top of my credenza, yet time was not on my side. My schedule was jam packed and showtime was coming up fast. It simply had to wait.

Once I did find the time, I needed an idea. Here’s the inspirational photo I came up with from a Crate and Barrel catalog. For whatever reason, the stacks of dishes and the white background caught my eye. So, please read on and find out what’s involved with creating a round tray. Something I have never done before.

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Three Part Dining Table

What happens when a couple wants to create a dream getaway out of their Tuscan style home and then realizes they aren’t so enamored with the old world Italianate interiors?  No problem says Penny Drue Baird of Dessins LLC., a friend and colleague of mine. Penny has a reputation for her architectural detailing and for finding rare objects of art. And because of this talent, has developed a devoted international clientele.  And if she can’t find it, she often seeks out talented crafts people to create the things she desires.  Kind of like the three part dining table shown in this article which I was asked to build.

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Inspiration for My Mosaic Tile Cabinet

The inspiration for my mosaic tile cabinet came while sitting in slow traffic on the Queensboro Bridge heading into Manhattan.  I had a chance to study the elegance of the United Nations building and noticed it’s white exterior “framing” the stacks and stacks of mottled green windows.  As someone who’s intrigued by structure, I often wonder if the design elements of a building, like the UN tower, could be scaled down and re-imagined on a piece of furniture. What would it look like and would it be pleasing to the eye? Continue reading →

My White Perfume Bottle Lamp

2017 was a very creative year for me as I began to explore new areas of furniture making. It was during this year that I was given a book on the history of the perfume industry and was inspired to create my White Perfume Bottle Lamp.Within this encyclopedic source, I found so many outrageous examples of creativity and say more about it in my Gold Leaf and Mahogany Barpost.

So, with this new source in mind, I sought to create something polished and refined. A lamp in my parents’ home came to mind and featured this large glossy white porcelain egg held in place with a gold metal cap and base. Unfortunately, these aren’t materials I work with, so I did the next best thing. Improvise.

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Inspiration Can Come From Anywhere

Shortly after I was accepted into the Architectural Digest Design Show Addesignshow.com for the spring of 2018, I found myself in conversation with my friend and fellow artist, Janine Lambers http://janinelambers.com.  She wanted to share this beautiful book on perfume bottle collections with me. Masterpieces of the Perfume Industry, was written by an acquaintance of hers, Christie Mayer Lefkowith, and it highlights the origins of perfume, it’s history, and it’s unique role in French culture. It also shared how the industry blossomed into a burgeoning creative force and how Paris became the epicenter for all things fashionable.

As the two of us slowly wandered through the pages, we were stunned by the intricacy, and attention to detail that each fragrance container received, as well as its packaging. Those who came up with these insanely gorgeous designs knew that presentation was nine tenths of the game. One bottle in particular stood out, and became the inspiration for my Gold Leaf and Mahogany Bar because of it’s outrageous gold and black exterior. I must confess, the doors for my piece are quite similar, so the original idea belongs to someone else. None the less, Janine’s talents and expertise brought my gold leaf and Mahogany bar to life!

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