Category Archives: Uncategorized

Travel: Italian Hardware

November 6, 2013

Doorways of all kinds host lovely knockers to announce visitors. This charming and welcoming doorway is in Bologna.Slideshow

Last May I posted my photos of door hardware in Paris. I recently returned from Italy and have more photos to share. Not only is the hardware beautiful, detailed and well crafted–the textures of the doors themselves add to their charm.  I was drawn to the patina of rich colored woods and the peeling paint as well as the tarnished brass and corroded iron door knockers and pulls that have softened with age and environmental conditions. Each one reveals something about the style of the building and the taste of the owners. Clearly, they are all “vintage,” but I know nothing of their actual age. Somehow it doesn’t seem to matter.

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Details: Scale and Proportion

November 5, 2013

Slideshow

I am most certainly not an expert on the architectural implication of scale and proportion in a building or room. What I do know is the most satisfying proportions follow the golden mean, which is the basis for traditional composition and modern asymmetrical design. Pleasing proportions are created as much by intuitive judgement as by strict calculation. It is difficult to illustrate this concept, but I have a few images that will make the point.

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Nostalgia: Retro Baths

November 5, 2013

Square tubs were all the rage in the small baths of the 30's. This one in mint green with a built in seat was quite fancy. Matching green tile with pink trim is very much of the period.Slideshow

Recently, I went to a wonderful 1920’s Tudor style house situated on a golf course in Westchester County, NY. The rooms had gracious proportions, the interior details original and the condition perfect.  That is, except for the bathrooms. They too were original and untouched but certainly not attractive. It was hard to imagine a time when a lilac colored floor and mint green walls would have been considered pretty.  Or, bubble gum pink fixtures appropriate for the master suite  bath.  The tiles, no matter what the color, were 4 x 4 with huge grout joints. The most redeeming feature of the 4 baths was the use of technical tile trim pieces installed to go in, out and around corners, finish walls, and frame inserts.

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The Duke of Windsor's Bath

November 4, 2013

Slideshow

The always well dressed Duke of Windsor had an equally well appointed bath. The over arching statement in this space is the use of elegant materials; the glorious figured Arabescato marble clads the walls and floor, beautiful and decorative Art Deco chairs upholstered in white leather encourage visiting, the long and comfortable bathtub urges soaking . You can imagine the Duchess sipping tea, or champagne, having a conversation about their next travel destination while the Duke  is buried in bubbles. Or perhaps they discussed  the next piece of jewelry he was going to design for her.

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