As one would imagine, working with designers often means, “Here, build this, but change the color and shape to fit the client’s needs.” In late 2015, this little kitchen banquette project came my way and I was asked to copy something I had done several years ago. But the more the designer and I looked at the previous project, the more we realized it needed some changes. And so that’s what we did.
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I’ve been toiling away for 30 years now and it’s kinda fun to think that my creations are all over New York City. They’re uptown and downtown. Eastside and West. A few months ago, this curved desk landed on the 43rd floor of a glass tower overlooking Times Square. Guess this is the “loftiest” piece I have in town! Ha! What a view!
In the spring of 2016, my client, Dessins, LLC asked me to design and build this piece. We knew early on that it would be made of rift white oak, but weren’t sure what the finish would look like. After a summer of working on my own projects in Beacon, it was time to bring this piece to life. I presented a variety of drawings, showing the desk in relationship to the space, but they could only convey so much. So it was necessary to create a life-size cardboard mock-up and deliver it to the space. I wanted the person actually using it to see how it fit in his office. Within a day or two, I was asked to trim a couple of inches from the length and width. Then get busy.
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“What is the roll of a frame?” To me, a frame is supposed to focus the eye on the art within. But I ask,”Can a frame be just as interesting as the artwork and not create a contentious relationship? We’ve all seen great paintings hanging in museums with spectacular frames, and I often find myself asking, “Does that frame help, or hurt the piece that it surrounds?” Most of the time the two are well paired, but, on rare occasions the two form a relationship that exceeds expectations. In my opinion, a great piece of art can withstand the challenge of a great frame, so long as the relationship of the two has been well negotiated.
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Within the very first issue of Galerie Magazine, we find this article and my piece of furniture in the front hall.
My colleague, Penny Drue Baird of Dessins http://PennyDrueBaird.com was asked to transform a six bedroom Park Avenue apartment in association with the architectural firm Ferguson & Shamamian. Together, they took on the challenge of converting this space originally designed by Sicilian-Amercian architect Rosario Candela in 1931. As Baird says in the article, the building’s exterior remained the same, but the interior was “ripped back to the steel” and all original materials were replaced by 21st century concoctions such as elaborate moldings, reclaimed wood floors and gold leafing on the living room ceiling. As she says, none of this would have existed in Candela’s original plans. Working with the architects, as Baird describes, the entrance gallery received a patterned marble floor, “a modernist take on a classic design,” wall niches received tufted fabrics and miles of linear trim. She didn’t just add the decorative touches, she actively participated in the design of this 6000 square foot space.
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In 2010, my wife and I had the great fortune to travel to China to adopt our beautiful daughter. While we got to know her, our guide took us to this amazing museum called the Chen Clan Temple in Guangzhou. A hundred years ago, it was a school for the children of the Chen clan, but today it had been turned into a museum with some beautiful wares for sale.
As we wondered through the various rooms, each specializing in different art forms, we came across a dimly lit space that housed silk tapestries. I was instantly drawn to the brightly colored orange kapok flowers glowing and shimmering in the light. They were electric. I continued moving around the room and saw others of equal beauty.
Being that we weren’t going to be back anytime soon, I suggested we bring one home. “But they’re all so beautiful,” I thought. “How does one choose?” So we considered our options and then decided on this little song bird. Continue reading
Several years ago, a client of mine from West Palm Beach, Florida asked me to design a whimsical bookcase for his new residence. He was very much enamored with the work of French designer/architect Charlotte Perriand, whose aim was to create functional living spaces. In doing so, she believed that better design would lead to a better society. So I began to explore her work and saw how she playfully incorporated color into her pieces, which is what my client was seeking.
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One of my long time designer friends, Trisha Reger http://TrishaReger.com, asked me to build an armoire for her client who lives high above the treetops overlooking the Central Park reservoir. Apparently this person needed a place to hid her paperwork, yet have something elegant to go with the other attractive furnishings in her lofty penthouse. The space is beautiful with windows on all sides and a color scheme based on muted grays and khaki greens. So, as you can imagine, my piece had to follow suit.
My colleague, Penny Baird of Dessins LLC ( http://PennyDrueBaird.com)asked me to create a storage console for her clients’ Bridgehampton home. They had asked her for something that would act as a storage piece, yet remain elegant in their new entertainment room. So I pitched two different woods for this console: Burled eucalyptus and figured English sycamore. The latter won the day because the veneer was long enough for the piece. Continue reading
While traveling in Australia, a client of mine, fell in love with the unusual way a restaurant displayed its floor to ceiling wine collection. Their idea was imaginative, so I can’t take all the credit for the design, but I will say that I pushed their concept a little further and provided my client with some additional benefits.