Tag Archives: Design

Stone Fireplace

/ September 14, 2012
elle decor_8.3.12_2

Slideshow

This is a wonderful room for many reasons, but I have focused specifically on the fireplace. Rarely do I see a fireplace using directional stone and one that is so bold. The gray and white marble, called Zephyr, is quarried in Turkey. Rather than just face the firebox with a ubiquitous stone, this installation shows how slabs have been layered for a simple but architectural installation. The fireplace, along with the modern furniture, choice of paint and objects makes this focal point of the space well integrated into a holistic design.

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Classic with a Twist

/ September 7, 2012
Magnificent Baths bathroom spread

Slideshow

New York architect, Thierry Despont, is a classicist with a twist. In his own bath he selected aggressive black/gray and white marble for texture and pattern. The flat black counter creates a calm oasis in the midst of the active material on the wall. Carefully chosen accessories, neatly corralled on trays, keep the space tidy and functional. A magnifying mirror a must, so is a clock and an attractive tissue holder. The unusual lights and appropriate Deco Astoria lavatory faucet complete is elegant and very decorative space.

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Remembrance: Peter Shelton

/ September 5, 2012
The charming, professorial Peter Shelton.

The charming, professorial Peter Shelton.Slideshow

The asymmetrically shaped .25 tub with its generous proportions and fluid lines.
The .25 fitting designed by Peter Shelton and Lee Mindel. The graceful quarter radii merge with technical innovation to deliver water in the most modern way possible.
A double wall mounted Corian lavatory.
The elegant and classic simplicity of the Opus fitting creates an easy transition form modern to transitional. The sculptural form and technological innovation appear effortless yet are extremely complex.
The Opus crystal towel ring.
The double Opus sconce is modern, linear and unadorned.

All of us at Waterworks were deeply saddened to learn that our friend and long time collaborator, Peter Shelton, had died. In June he traveled to France with my husband, Robert, and several other members of our team to continue the development of the second phase of .25, a fittings line we first launched in collaboration with the firm Shelton Mindel & Associates in 2005. Peter with obsessed with the smallest details of a project looking for both design and technical innovation. Together Peter and Lee Mindel were great design communicators; Lee was expressive with his romantic descriptions of form and proportion while Peter was quietly working in the background blending the clean lines and less-is-more sensibility with engineering expertise.

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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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