Maison de Verre (House of Glass) Paris

/ February 29, 2012
The elegant Annie Dalsace who collaborated with the architect to create this wonderful early 20th century masterpiece.

Slideshow

In one of the bathrooms, the bidet and the cupboard above it swivel. The exposed piping was deliberately left visible.
The sitting room or salon of Mrs. Dalsace, where she entertained her guests, overlooked the garden. The blue carpet and tapestry fabric on the upholstered furniture add unexpected color to the interior.
On an iron column at the house entrance were bells to indicate where you should go. We were told each bell had a different sound.
I love this kitchen sink. The walls are covered with 6 x 6 white tiles with very small grout joints.
This lovely small practical table in 3 parts was designed by Pierre Chareau. I saw another just like it for sale in Paris. It was great to touch it and see the clever design.
This is the main staircase sheltered by a perforated screen. One side folds back against the railing, the other slides back. The light filters through the screens and changes during the course of the day.
This is the fabulous 'great room' where the family entertained. The furniture would be pushed back to accommodate large groups. The opposite side of this room holds the floor to ceiling bookcases.
This industrial looking wheel controls the ventilating system. Its' handsome silhouette is enhanced against the glass blocks that form the exterior of the house.
The great bookcase with metal shelving accommodating 2 books deep. The ladder slides along the length of the shelves.

During our trip to Paris we were fortunate to visit Maison de Verre, a former 18th century townhouse turned into a modern dwelling by Pierre Chareau in 1928. There was no precedent for how he created this house considering that Chareau could not touch the top floor of the existing building. An “old lady” was living there who could not be moved. So he left the top floor intact and replaced the exterior of the lower levels with translucent glass bricks, completely re-imagined the interior space, installed remotely controlled swiveling windows, and divided the interior with perforated metal screens that either rotate or slide. There are no plastered walls in this amazing glass box.

Full post →
  /     /     /  
2

Lots of Dots: Damien Hirst in Paris

/ February 24, 2012
A Damien Hirst painting of "Spots" created on a circle canvas. Gagosian Gallery, Paris.

A Damien Hirst painting of "Spots" created on a circle canvas. Gagosian Gallery, Paris.Slideshow

L1030051
My family at the show in front of one of the Spot paintings with large scale dots.
Gumball spots at the candy vendor near the Odeon Metro station.
Dots on paper bags. Unlike Damien Hirst the colors here are repetitive.
Lots of Spots or, in this case, dots. A mime in front of Centre Pompideau.
L1030101
Dots of a different sort by Robert Delaunay (1885-1941). Clearly, color and clarity have always been on the minds of artists.
More dots from Robert Delaunay. These are more complex that those by Damien Hirst but spots nonetheless.

When I was in Paris I finally got to see one of the 11 exhibits of Damien Hirst’s “Spots” paintings at the Gagosian Gallery. The Complete Spot Paintings 1986-2011 was conceived as a single exhibition shown in multiple locations all over the globe. There are more than 300 Spot paintings, the spots ranging in size from 1/2″ inch to a monumental painting that has only 4 spots, each 60″ in diameter. It is said that there is no single color that has been repeated. The paintings were lent to the exhibition by public institutions and private collections.

Full post →
  /     /     /  
0

Handmade Tile

/ February 22, 2012
Steven Gambrel_HB_Architectonics

Slideshow

A lovely installation of soft green hand-made tiles with transparent glaze. The tile is complimented by the decorative mosaic border and the herringbone pattern on the floor.
Wet clay tiles being trimmed by hand.
Wet clay tile being transported to drying racks.
Prior to glaze application all tiles are dusted to remove impurities.
Setting racks filled with glazed tiles ready for firing in the large kiln.
Custom hand made tiles allow the client to select the color best suited for the space. These are buckets of glazes that have been developed over time.
Moldings being laid out after inspection prior to firing.
This table holds many of the test samples and experiments, some that eventually go in to production. The unsuccessful tests become scrap used finally in road beds.

I have written about handmade ceramic tile before and will probably do so again. I recently visited one of my favorite handmade tile factories in Southern California and remembered again why the material is so special. First, it is all organic. Next, there are countless opportunities for customization, from the color to the shape of the trim. It seems that we are in a stone moment, but I don’t want to forget about the beauty of ceramic tile.

Full post →
  /     /     /  
2

Glass Tile Installation: Guest Blogger

/ February 15, 2012
An early stage installation shot—a freshly grouted wall in the bathtub.

An early stage installation shot—a freshly grouted wall in the bathtub.Slideshow

A rough installation, only of plumbing and lighting.
The first glimpse of the wall tile against the glass mosaic tile on the floor.
A close-up of that shower wall.
Here is the soap basket, shower valve trim, and frameless glass door shower newly installed—things are quickly taking shape.
The final product for the bathtub surround. The valves, trim, and door are in place.
12.21.2011 088
12.21.2011 090
At last, the window treatment has been added, and now the bathroom is complete!

JILL LITNER KAPLAN of Boston, my guest blogger today, has been in the world of design for the past 20 years. An experienced professional, she has an exquisite eye for design, an understanding of client preferences, and a hands on style for managing her projects. I think you’ll love her Repose glass bath for two lucky little girls.

Full post →
  /     /     /  
1