Tag Archives: Vintage

American Modern, Thomas O’Brien

/ March 13, 2013
A simple vanity with bracket feet is beautifully accessorized with personal objects neatly collected on a tray.

A simple vanity with bracket feet is beautifully accessorized with personal objects neatly collected on a tray.Slideshow

A dramatic serpentine front hand painted piece of furniture takes this all white bathroom to one that is truly exceptional.
A masculine bath using dark tile to make a dramatic statement.
The simple form of a wood washstand with its open storage makes a modern statement. The scale of this space is long and narrow, yet all of the elements seem to have enough space.
Vintage wire glass and hardware make wonderful accents in any space.
This is a well designed and practical bath. Clearly, there is adequate storage, a lovely place to perch and countless decorative elements. It is comfortable, white (my favorite bathroom color most of the time) sophisticated and refined.
The open shelves of the galley kitchen open ip the space . The 3 x 6 white ceramic backsplash tile have been installed with dark grout. That adds a bit of drama to the space.

Thomas O’Brien loves bathrooms. In each one of his baths there is a link between modern and traditional elements (traditional raised panel cabinetry and Aero fittings, for example). The spaces are comfortable and honest, highlight good structure and authentic details. He loves open shelves for the practicality of towel storage and the display of decorative objects as well as the appearance of open space. He is a great editor and taste maker.

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John Derain’s Renovation

/ February 27, 2013
John Derian Bath_T Magazine

Slideshow

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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A Classic American Bath

/ November 28, 2012
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Slideshow

A well done but very simple all white bath. This photograph is a great comparison with the one above to demonstrate the affect color has on a bath or any space for that matter.

Several weeks ago I published a post on a bath that had good bones but lacked a sense of style or a reflection of its’ owners personal taste. The bath pictured in today’s post was published in THE GREAT AMERICAN HOUSE by Gil Schafer and tells quite a different story. Unlike my comments previously, this bath not only has great bones and detail, but it also reflects a very sophisticated and stylish resident. Clearly, this bath is in a traditional house or apartment where the use of bead board is an appropriate material. The tall base molding with a distinct profile and a crisp chair rail confine the lower portion of the room and define the space. It is obvious that the tall window has well articulated moldings and the door has simple yet refined hardware.

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March: San Francisco

/ November 14, 2012
The refined graphics and the signature blue give a hint that something special is inside.

The refined graphics and the signature blue give a hint that something special is inside.Slideshow

Table linens and bags on an old drying rack.
Sorry this photo is so dark, but I want to show the scale of the pendant lights and the food art. You can tell the shop is long and narrow, very white and fresh.
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Sam is always searching for art that relates to food. This rather amusing piece is made of stuffed socks hanging on a pot rack.
A view out in to the courtyard and office behind the shop.
March offers custom islands crafted in metal and hand selected wood. They are practical for cooking and open storage.
Beautifully handcrafted there-legged stools. The seat appears razor thin.
I sent home an assortment of spices in perfect cobalt jars.
A tempting assortment of tableware.
A view of March from the front door. The space is white, crisp and a visual delight.

It is so exciting to discover a shop that is both original and inspiring. MARCH located on Sacramento Street in San Francisco is just such a place. MARCH is the brain-child of Sam Hamilton, a graduate of the Ralph Lauren enterprise. It has been my must-see shop in SF for several years.  In its’ first incarnation, MARCH sold European antiques and contemporary furniture; but not just any furniture. There was always something special about the pieces whether it was the finish, the scale or or the uniqueness of the design.

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