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Design Log
Autumn 2009
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Sumptuous Carpets—like walking through leaves year-round
Oftentimes, what lies beneath our feet gets very little notice, but it's certainly not the case when we're talking about fine antique rugs. Whether the setting is classic or modern, we feel these venerable, handmade carpets add undeniable allure and luxury to any room lucky enough to hold them.
Photo: Ben Cohen
For the best of the best, our favorite source is Doris Leslie Blau, and we were thrilled when this renowned purveyor of handmade carpets recently asked us to collaborate on a very special project. To commemorate some of the finest pieces in their astounding collection, they invited a handful of designers to select a favorite piece and use it to create a mouth-watering inspirational vignette. With the rug as our muse, we each created our own tableaus, which DLB subsequently photographed and assembled into a gorgeous coffee table book.
We fell in love with this amazing Persian KirmanSince the thirteenth century, when Marco Polo admired their skills while traveling through Southeast Persia, the weavers of Kirman have been highly respected. During the sixteenth century, Shah Abbas I reportedly gave antique Kirman carpets embroidered with gold and silver thread as tribute to the Ottoman Court. The fame of these weavings rapidly spread across Western Europe. From the mid sixteenth century through the eighteenth century, the city of Kirman was celebrated for 'vase' carpets, a term deriving from the depiction of vase motifs in many examples woven there. By the nineteenth century, Kirman was recognized for exceptional carpets in the best Persian tradition. Antique Kirman carpets of this period, especially the Lavar group woven in the town of Ravar, are known for fineness of weave, delicate drawing, an incomparable range of varied colors, and are still much in demand today., which dates from the early 20th century. Depicting the tree of life and rendered in a mixture of subtle, golden earth tones, rich teals and muted greens, the rug inspired us to create an homage to the wonders of nature and life. Fresh flowers and rock crystal speak to nature's bounty while an antique engraving and a gilded Italian urn express man's fascination with capturing and displaying the natural world. Finally, we completed our tribute to nature with an exquisite piece of chocolate cake as we both feel that life would not be worth living without the finest of Mother Nature's confections!
Ultimately, this stunning antique carpet took us on a flight of fancy. We can easily imagine a spectacular room built upon this old Kirman and the collection of ideas and objects we scattered
upon it.
Designing for the Dogs
Designing rooms and furnishings for humans is what we do, but we often give our clients' furry companions some stylish attention as well. Since several of us in the office have pets, we are thrilled to make them part of our design considerations. To show off a few of our favorite dog beds, we've called in two real supermodels ~ handsome Holden (a dachshund who lives with Matthew) and fabulous Fanny (a French bulldog who lives with Tanya).
Photo: Tanya Jonsson
Fanny currently sleeps on a bed that Tanya designed when she entered a competition for Janus et Cie, the illustrious garden furniture showroom. Janus et Cie asked designers to create a dog bed using their outdoor fabrics. This modern patchwork cushion by Tanya was among the winners and was exhibited at their glamorous NY showroom. Obviously Fanny finds the bed to her liking because, like Tanya, she has a rather restrained yet forward-looking sense of style.
Photo: Matthew White
Holden, on the other hand, is a bit of a traditionalist. When he's in the city (and is not in someone's lap), he houses himself in a canopy bed designed by the master upholsterer and drapery maven, Michael Tavano. In the country however, Holden hangs out in the kitchen under a breakfront cabinet that Matthew designed. The arched niche creates a theatrical proscenium arch of sorts, in which Holden's handsomeness is fully on display. Not that he needs any help, but this dramatic backdrop absolutely ensures he'll be invited into someone's lap.
Photo: Matthew White
The first pet bed we designed is actually a part of our Intaglio Collection. To get a glimpse, click here.
If design is in the details, these canine castles prove the point perfectly.
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Alert the Media (room) !
In our Autumn 2008 issue, we introduced the ultra-controversial topic of TV placement (The Great TV Debate – Show or Stow?). Feedback from our readers indicates that many of you have very strong opinions on the matter, but we're still happy to play Switzerland between the warring camps. While we can be fairly neutral about TV placement, what we can't abide are ill-conceived, characterless media rooms. Since most families spend significant time in their media room, it stands to reason that it should be one of the most comfortable, inviting, beautiful, and functional rooms of the home. Granted, it's all about the TV, but it doesn't have to look like it.
Photo: Art Gray
For this large-scale media room in Southern California, we wanted to make sure it worked well for big Super Bowl parties, as well as intimate nights with Netflix. Ample, overstuffed upholstery provides great comfort while strong colors, exposed wooden beams and rich fabrics lend warmth and character to the space. When the TV is off, the star of the show is the Renaissance-inspired frescoes that depict local flora and fauna within the design – just one of those special touches that turn a house into a home.
Photo: Matthew White
For this more modern media room in upstate New York, we designed custom seating in a large U to provide optimal TV viewing, expand the sense of space, and foster great cocktail conversation in the round. The sectional makes for the perfect place to curl up with a book or the latest flick, while the rough-hewn coffee table serves double duty as a footrest or a place for snacks. The custom cabinet (below) has simple bi-fold doors that make the TV elegantly invisible when not in use.
Photo: Matthew White
No matter where you choose to put your TV, great comfort and great style should always go hand in hand in the media room.
Country Pursuits—Houses of History
by Matthew White
In August I helped organize a Historic House Tour in my favorite town—Hillsdale, NY. Hillsdale was founded in 1788 and was (and largely remains) a farming community. It was famous for its dairy farms, providing much of the milk and butter for New York City in the 19th century. Hillsdale's amazing history extends far beyond bovine concerns, however, and remains a Hudson valley hamlet surrounded by lilting, rural beauty and dotted with architectural treasures.
Photo: Sabina Curti
Recently, thanks to the work of the Hillsdale Preservation Committee, an effort was spearheaded to make the hamlet of Hillsdale a State Historic Site. Thus the house tour. The event provided an opportunity to show off a handful of wonderful old houses while increasing awareness of Hillsdale's important architectural legacy. Oh yes, and raise some money to help advance local preservation efforts.
Endless meetings, exhaustive planning, a hard working committee, and a legion of volunteers later, and VOILA! House Tour! In spite of the rain, the turn out was nothing short of stunning. Guests happily paid to enjoy a yummy picnic with live music followed by a tour of three historic houses, a church, and a special exhibit displayed in a fabulous (and currently uninhabited) 18th century brick house, known to many as the former restaurant, Aubergine.
Everyone was in great spirits and received personal tours by the justifiably proud homeowners, who shared the secrets of their story-filled houses. The following night, I hosted a patron's party for the Patron's and Sponsors of the event. The party was to honor those who generously opened their homes, making the event possible.
To contribute to the beautification and preservation of Hillsdale, make a check in any amount to: HECDC, with “House Tour” noted clearly on the check. Mail your tax-deductible contribution to: PO Box 305, Hillsdale, NY 12529.
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Matthew's Likes:
For an inspired and intelligent look at style, visit: An Aesthete's Lament.
More is More, the new book on Tony Duquette is an inspirational feast. (I got a sneak preview and it's fab!)
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Frank's Likes:
The Alpha Workshops pursues a noble social mission while producing some of the most beautiful decorative finishes, wallpapers and home furnishings.
Going native ... at least when it comes to plants. Learn more about the value of native landscaping from Peter Muroski, of Native Landscapes.
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Acknowledgements:
We want to thank our clients for their generosity in allowing us to show their projects. Each one represents a wonderful experience for us. Thank you!
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