Art in the Bath

/ September 7, 2011
Photographs are always good bath art, although I would not put my vintage Steichen in there. Humidity could create havoc with the fragile print.

Photographs are always good bath art, although I would not put my vintage Steichen in there. Humidity could create havoc with the fragile print.Slideshow

Steven Gambrel has used small scale prints to decorate a bath. Colored tile frames the installation.
This entire space is traditional and tidy. The 2 pictures over the tub draw your eye to the wall and convey a message that this is a traditional space.
Last week at one of the antiques malls in Stamford, CT I saw a painting reminiscent of this. It was not precious but was bold and good subject matter for a bath.
3_1285706121_ED_0508_Tworkowski_13
Lots of random art and color makes this a fun installation.
Not only is the bathtub sculptural, but the art adds another large scale presence to the space.
This is a good example of a piece of sculpture over a tub. It is not too precious yet it adds dimension to the space.
This is an Edward Weston photograph. It is obvious what it is but think of it as a piece of sculpture.
clef
A Calder mobile would look great in any bath. I love the color and the wire form.
A John Chamberlain of small scale would look beautiful on a pedestal in the bath. It is indestructable.
A charming mobile that adds a great color accent to an all white space.
In a moden bath, this would be an ideal art piece either on a pedestal or on the wall.
Art in the form of font and words. Small space, big impact!
This is a great word, especially in bright lights!

I have wanted to write this post for a while but I thought I should do a bit of research first. There is no question that art in the bath looks great. However, steam, water and humidity can deteriorate the integrity of a picture over time. So I would not recommend hanging your most precious and fragile art on the walls. But, pictures add charm, personality and dimension to any space so finding the right art for a damp environment is an important final step in completing the design process.

Full post →
  /     /  
2

Inspiration: LongHouse, East Hampton

/ August 24, 2011
A view of LongHouse across Peter's pond. The perimeter is dotted with wonderful works of art.

A view of LongHouse across Peter's pond. The perimeter is dotted with wonderful works of art.Slideshow

The 1993 Gateway Bell, by Toshiko Takaezu greets you at the entrance. Standing behind it set in light colored sand is a Dale Chihuly bright blue glass sculpture.
The reflecting pool just behind the house in a refreshing clear blue.
L1020683
When we were there in July, the staff was preparing for a gala honoring Dale Chihuly. This glass ball is by Dale Chihuly, part of a group of three.
L1020682_2
L1020656
L1020684
A gigantic chess set designed by Yoko Ono.
Another Dale Chihuly glass sculpture. The bright blue looked fabulous against all of the dark green plantings.
You can perch in any one of the dozens of places available. Each bench is different but of a grand scale.
Sol LeWitt's Irregular Progression High #7, 2006, concrete.

Jack Lenor Larsen, the internationally known textile designer, author and collector is the founder of the LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton. He acquired the 16 acres in 1970 and has been shaping and sculpting the property ever since. You enter the property through a drive, lined with giant cryptomerias in the most divine shades of green leading to the visitors’ entrance. Robert and I were in EH recently on a quick overnight to go to the beach with a detour to this fabulous property.

Full post →
  /     /     /  
0

Accessories: The Privet House

/ August 17, 2011
The charming entrance to the shop. It has a great front porch and welcoming ambience.

The charming entrance to the shop. It has a great front porch and welcoming ambience.Slideshow

Here is the assortment of apothecary jars that I love. They will look so decorative in a bath.
A close up of those great apothecary jars.
Bottle brushes, feather dusters, pastry brushes and every kind of brush you can imagine looking so appealing that you want to buy them all.
Hotel silver is always useful and practical.
I liked this group of objects.
This is a lovely vignette. The dark textured containers against the light toned picture make a wonderful composition.
A collection of clear glass both useful and pretty in the bath or kitchen.
Colored glass containers could be just the splash of color that is perfect in an all white bath.
Candles always add ambience to the bath environment. Placing pillar candles on platforms gives them presence.
Vintage ribbons stuffed in a glass dome were pretty and felt like a modern approach to a Victorian object.
I loved this stool. It had a nice splay to the legs and good color on the wood seat.
Kitchen goods and cloth napkins in a variety of colors makes any meal festive.

On one of our weekend adventures we decided to revisit a shop that is just a bit off the beaten path (maybe only 3 miles or so on a country road). It is called PRIVET HOUSE in the hamlet of Warren, CT.

Full post →
  /     /     /  
0

A Great Bathroom in Paris

/ August 10, 2011
The water closet and bidet sculpted out of the same hauteville as the rest of the suite.

The water closet and bidet sculpted out of the same hauteville as the rest of the suite.Slideshow

A large and luxurious bathtub carved from a single block of French marble with a magnificent bas relief as its background. We often talk about texture on the wall and this is a remarkable example.
The well-formed pedestal sink with storage in the background with glass front doors. Mirrors were used to visually expand the space.
Bronze fittings throughout the space with a beautiful green/black patina.
The detail is remarkable on this animal imagery. This particular one is a mount on a mirror.
Mme Lanvin's boudoir that is adjacent to the bath. Note that the walls are reminiscent of the detailed clothing she designed.
An example of the type of dress she designed for very fashionable women in the 20's. The design is consistent with inspiration from the Art Deco period.
Another great dress from the collection of Mme Lanvin. Elegant shapes and refined detail.

The bath pictured in this post is one I visit nearly every time I am in Paris. The renovations and additions to her newly purchased house on the very fashionable Faubourg St. Honor was designed for Madame Jeanne Lanvin in 1924 by Armand Rateau, one of the fashion assistants in her atelier. These images are part of a suite that includes not only the bathroom but also an adjacent boudoir that is on permanent display at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs. As a friend said recently, it is a bit of a hike to find this hidden gem, but well worth the effort.

Full post →
  /     /     /     /  
0