Observations: Public Bathrooms Again

/ May 16, 2012
The ladies room in the new Ralph Lauren women's store on Madison Avenue and 79th Street is signature RL. The use of a Cararra marble counter top on washstand legs, a mosaic floor and beautiful black and white photographs is always classic.

The ladies room in the new Ralph Lauren women's store on Madison Avenue and 79th Street is signature RL. The use of a Cararra marble counter top on washstand legs, a mosaic floor and beautiful black and white photographs is always classic.Slideshow

Any public bath benefits from fresh flowers. These were at the restaurant Rouge Tomate in New York.
I believe that this is the Ladies Room at the Berkely Hotel in London. It feels a little 70's but it is clean and very functional.
The original flush levers in the V&A baths function and look great. They add design integrity to the architectural heritage of the building.
The original voluptuous sinks and separate hot and cold brass taps in the Ladies Room adjacent to the cafe at the V&A are great. Even the Victorian tile looks appropriate in this space.
The simple but functional bath at Dalesford. It is constructed of the same Cararra marble that clads the entire store.
I have included this photo for Dalesford Grocery on Pimlico Road as context for their bath. I love the design compatibility between the space and the bath.
I love the dressing table with an assortment of fragrances and a magnifying mirror at the Connaught. The attendant is very kind even when you don't have change.
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This is my favorite image! Robert took this photo of the elegant installation of urinals at Claridges. Orchids, art and marble in the men's room!
The classic black and white bath at Claridges is just what you might expect. The original spout is still on the sink and the valves are in the spirit of the Art Deco originals. The sink is a generous size and the towels a lovely terry.

I haven’t written about public bathrooms in a long time, probably because most of them are abominable. But on my recent trip to Europe I saw several WC’s that merited photos.  Here are a few things that make a public bathroom worthy of this blog; of course, they must be sparkling clean, there must be a relationship between the design of the bath and its’ adjacent space (the lobby or restaurant), the fixtures should be in perfect working order and the lighting good for a makeup refresh. It is always nice if there are fresh flowers or a fragrant candle and, it goes without saying, the space needs to be visually pleasing.

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Paris: Door Hardware

/ May 11, 2012
Similar to another knob, but this one appears to be made of iron. It is prominent against the unpainted door.

Similar to another knob, but this one appears to be made of iron. It is prominent against the unpainted door.Slideshow

This pull is clearly a different aesthetic from many that I photographed. It feels more Art Deco.
I guess it is hard to polish brass pulls; this like many has been painted to match the door.
More blue doors with a large brass pull. Usually the pulls fall within the panel but this one hangs over.
A large scale single brass knob nestled in a raised panel feels like the right scale.
The filagree escutcheon for the door pull is so beautiful. It is just barely visible; painted the same color as the door.
Not only is the door hardware very decorative, but it is installed on a faux marble painted panel.
An elaborately detailed and decorative handle, left to tarnish, looks great against the bright blue door.

No matter where you look on the streets of Paris, there are beautiful things to catch your eye and record with your camera. I became obsessed with door hardware on my last trip, probably because it relates so closely to the fittings that drive our business. There are examples of fine craftsmanship, centuries old, softened with age and polishing.  Even the examples that have been painted still have beautiful silhouettes and create wonderful shadows on the aged and painted wood.

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Travel: Morocco

/ May 9, 2012
Nuts, spices, dates, oranges; so much to see, smell, touch, photograph and experience.

Nuts, spices, dates, oranges; so much to see, smell, touch, photograph and experience.Slideshow

I loved the multi colored beads. I meant to buy some but ran out of time. Just a good excuse to go back!
Arches and domes are typical architectural features of Moroccan architecture. Often the doorways are embellished with tiles or other forms of decoration.
Yarns ready to be made into blankets and woven into rugs. Madder, indigo, dried figs and other natural plant material goes in to producing these saturated colors.
Jars and sacks of natural pigments are ready to go in to boiling caldrons to dye beautiful Moroccan blankets.
An intricate geometric zellig pattern with bright colors and great texture.
Ancient zellig tile work on the graves of the wives and children of Moroccan rulers. The small pieces of red body ceramic tile are fitted to perfection in beautiful patterns.
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More fabulous blue at Majorelle. Blue is associated with the sky, heaven and water in Moroccan culture.
The electric blue created by French painter Jaques Majorelle was inspired by the color of the French workers' overalls. He created the beautiful Majorelle Gardens that Yves St. Laurent and his partner bought and later restored. YSL's ashes are scattered in the garden.
Slow transportation.
Brilliant, saturated colors even on this woman cracking Argan nuts to make essential oils. This is one of my favorite images.

Morocco has long been one of my “bucket list” destinations. Of course, I was delighted when I learned the Design Leadership Summit was going to be in Marrakech.  I couldn’t wait to pack my bags (note the plural for one who swears by the one bag only rule). And it did not disappoint!! As expected, it is exotic, historic and romantic. Women in headscarves, donkey’s a primary mode of transportation, camels on street corners, snakes in the main square and an abundance of opportunities to bargain for anything from beads to boxes, scarves to slippers, and rugs to lights.

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A Wonderful Bath

/ May 4, 2012
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This master bath in Fairfield County, CT published in atHome Magazine could have been quite sedate even though beautiful materials were selected. However, the installation of flamingo wallpaper adds a bit of humor, texture, pattern and a little pop of color to a very muted palette.

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