A serendipitous visit to The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art in Ridgefield, CT (encouraged by a friend who is a volunteer in the education department there) reminded me that wonderful exhibitions can hide in plain sight — in this case, practically in my backyard.

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I can remember when Waterworks re-introduced 20’s and 30’s black and white marble basketweave patterns to accompany our Edwardian style pedestal sinks. They were a fresh reminder of a retro design and seemed to be the perfect solution for countless traditional small bath floors. They were an instant hit! The demand for them has increasingly escalated over the years.  I am now wondering if it is time to move away from the expected basketweave designs to experience variations on the woven theme. For inspiration, we have looked at the tradition of basketweaving and loom woven fabrics and rugs for pattern and texture.

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Only a dozen years ago, waterjet mosaics were the new shining star in the marketplace. Today they are simply everywhere, in countless patterns and colors. The technology behind them has advanced, too.  Initially, automotive factory machines were used to cut marble into shaped pieces. This has given way to special CNC computerized equipment, designed to cut stone into patterns that have been programmed into the cutting machine. That level of precision allows pieces to be assembled quickly.

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I am honored to serve on the board of the Sir John Soane’s Museum Foundation. For those of you who have not taken the opportunity to experience the museum in London, run, don’t walk, to have one of the most enjoyable and informative visual treats in the city. The museum was established in 1833, and opened to the public upon Soane’s death in 1837.

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