Tag Archives: Design

Grand Central Terminal

/ March 20, 2013
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Elegant details everywhere. A visually inspiring space.
I probably stood under this light countless times (before ticket machines). It is a fabulous design hung on an ornate arm.
The decorative gate, unnoticed by most, at the boarding ramp on the first floor.
Beautiful brass hardware everywhere. I love the well used look that only time and use can create.
Beautifully carved marble simply for decoration.
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Take time to notice original details like this carving on the stairway I used to exit on to Vanderbilt Avenue.
My iPhone photo of the exterior from 42nd Street.
An iPhone view of the volume of space.
I love the grid pattern that is visible all over the station.
This fabulous tile ceiling is in the underground walkway. Simply look up to see this remarkable installation with its unique grout application.
Exquisite ornamentation is everywhere. You just have to take the time to look.

Several weeks ago, I had the privilege of participating in a tour of Grand Central Terminal with Francis Marrone, the noted New York architectural historian. After perhaps a thousand trips in and out of the terminal wearing blinders, he pointed out the richness of details, large and small, and the remarkable and enduring mystery and myth of the building that transformed New York in 1913.The impact of this landmark architectural treasure was by no means certain when it opened  since train travel was in its infancy nor were the changes created by the renovation anticipated.  It has become a hub for the comings and goings of about 750,000 people a day.

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John Derain’s Renovation

/ February 27, 2013
John Derian Bath_T Magazine

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We all know and love John Derian for his outstanding tromp l’oil objects from trays to paper weights and dishes. Recently we had a peek into his new loft in New York published in T Magazine. He refers to the work done in his space as the the non-renovation renovation. He said the changes he made were  a series of small tweaks. His goal was to preserve and revere the spirit of the artists and garment works who were his predecessors in this loft. He remarked that the work that has been undertaken is merely an exceedingly subtle face-lift. Preserving the old floor boards and patched tin ceiling, matching new walls to the old will keep the spirit of the place alive.

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Ceramic Tile

/ February 20, 2013
District Tile is inset into Moleskin marble to create panels. The glazes of District Tile are rich with dark pooling while the decoration is created by changing the grid pattern.

District Tile is inset into Moleskin marble to create panels. The glazes of District Tile are rich with dark pooling while the decoration is created by changing the grid pattern.Slideshow

Exceptional creamy white ceramic tile with a fine crackle is my personal choice for nearly every tile surface in my own house. Additionally, the molding is crisp and the one piece corner is a very polished detail.
Hand made ceramic tile often has a slightly uneven surface and gentle color variation. This wall is a good example of that but especially beautiful.
The slightly uneven surface of this handmade wall of tile is expected. The color has a gentle variation and the grout joints are very tight.
I am glad to see that Nate Berkus loves tile as much as I do. He installed a large scale glossy black ceramic tile with a lighter grout color installed floor to ceiling. The installation feels urban and sophisticated.
This is one of my favorite tiled bathrooms. The space is clad floor to ceiling with just the smallest detail of different size liners. Creamy white and watery green, classic and traditional but with a timeless freshness.
Luxe Interiors + Design, Winter 2013
A great deep blue bath tiled from floor to ceiling creates a memorable space. The crisp white floor tile anchors the bath and ties back to the white fixtures.
A dark blue panel of ceramic embedded in a wall of Bardiglio marble is simply stunning. The color variation of the tile, the vertical orientation of the material forms the perfect placement to highlight the shower fitting.
A full wall of tile in a slightly lavender toned gray. The 3x3 tiles set on the diagonal are framed by 6x6 tiles and a molding. A well shaped baseboard finishes the installation.
Crisp white tile for a kitchen backsplash is always in style. This one has been installed with a gray grout which accents the grid.
Laundry rooms are my new favorite spaces. Often they are relegated to the basement or a tiny closet. I like to celebrate clean clothes and the mindless chore of folding them, especially in well designed and lighted spaces with tiles walls.
Large scale blue tile, the color of the sky on a perfect day, is a great compliment to the Statuary floors. This is a great color and, despite its depth, is amazingly neutral.
A dark gray blend of penny round tiles makes an interesting backsplash.

It seems as if we are in a stone moment. Our overwhelming enthusiasm for stone should not eclipse ceramic tile as a fabulous material for backsplashes, fireplaces, kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and mudrooms. It is extraordinarily versatile, with unique palettes, easy maintenance  and architecturally as well as structurally interesting. Personally, I think there is nothing more beautiful than a wall of handmade tile. There are nuances of glaze variation, surface irregularities and artistic expression in each tile.

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The Lace Skirt

/ January 30, 2013
The Lace Skirt

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The only word I can think of to describe this delightful interpretation of a sink skirt is “confection”. It is both a fanciful and imaginative way to cover the bottom of a marble slab, create some invisible storage and make a design statement. The skirt follows the shape of the top, a lovely detail, and the lace is an inspired choice as a material in this setting. While the marble feels solid and heavy, the lace is ethereal and would blow in a breeze.

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