I’m elated to be mentioned in this really cool article!

When our clients were touring the home they ultimately purchased, they noticed a wall in the basement covered in graffiti. After doing some research, they found out that a famous graffiti artist, Warren Lotas, had lived in the home in the 1970s. How fitting that, as avid art collectors themselves, they had been looking for a home that they could turn into a canvas for artworks.

The clients wanted their home to become a sanctuary for both relaxation and contemplation of their art collection. We were careful to honor the historic aspects of the Rational Revival home, such as the wide casings around the doors and windows (which had to be completely rebuilt after lead paint was discovered), the hardwood floors, and the restored, original radiators throughout the house, while creating a clean, airy space for featuring the artwork as well as the sculptural furnishings. The clients were moving from a home that was very dark, with natural wood trim, and they wanted their new home to have a bright, energetic feel. They asked us to incorporate colors, but not so much as to distract from the artworks, They asked us to incorporate colors, but not so much as to distract from the artwork, so the living areas are clean and white, while the bathrooms and kitchen all have bright, colorful tiles and cabinets, and both offices have bold, colorful elements such as the rugs and draperies. In addition, the thin, black-framed windows were intentionally chosen as a contrasting architectural feature against the white walls and wide, painted white wood trim.

The primary materials used in creating our vision were the artworks themselves, which were the inspiration for many of the design elements, beyond the building itself. For example, the open, airy chairs in the dining room are meant to evoke the thin curves of the horse’s legs in a painting next to the table, and the chandelier mimics a “nest” for the stork who is about to land in another. The living room is meant to be a “fun” playroom, and the bold, primary colors of the painting are captured throughout the furnishings. A realistic painting of burnt matchsticks gives a nod to the fireplace below. The clients are passionate about mid-century design, so we used a Saarinen tulip dining table, a Noguchi coffee table, and Herman Miller chairs, along with contemporary designers such as USM Modular, Cedric Ragot, Foscarini, and Hay.

Before working together, our clients went searching for inspiration for their new kitchen and found little other than white or gray painted cabinets. They knew they wanted something unique, so as part of the design process, we explored several colors before settling on Benjamin Moore’s Sea Star for the custom cabinets, made by Grusby Woodworks. They loved the color so much that we wound up painting the adjacent office walls and trim to match. We also incorporated bespoke elements into the kitchen, such as the custom walnut interiors on the kitchen cabinets and drawers (a surprise behind the clean, painted cabinet doors), and in other areas of the home, such as the bright orange sound-proofing draperies on the music room walls.

The article mentions this amazing music room as a “surprising gem”, but doesn’t show it:

The primary design challenges were the awkwardly shaped rooms in the original layout of the house. For example, a chimney in the middle of the kitchen could not initially be removed due to upstairs tenants, so we had to design around it. Eventually, it was able to be removed, and a large wine fridge was put in its place (the clients are also wine collectors). We also had the challenge of adding an en-suite bathroom for the master bedroom, so we captured space from a small nursery room to turn into a bathroom and laundry area, complete with a back-to-back TV wall/vanity in the center of the open-concept space. 

Artwork by Fabian Jean

The reorganization of all the rooms also resulted in a long hallway, which became a perfect gallery for the clients’ rotating art collection, including works by artists Shaun Downey and Steven Assael. Additionally, the fireplace in the living room is in the corner at an angle, making for a challenging layout for furnishings, but the issue was solved by creating a focal point for socializing with views back towards the central dining room.

The article doesn’t show the works of two notable and highly collectable artists, so I couldn’t resist:

Here is Steven Assael’s etching of a lounging naked woman with feathers.

Artwork by Steven Assael

And, a couple of works by Shaun Downey; an oil painting of a woman with a floral headpiece…

Artwork by Shaun Downey

and another of a woman standing at a sink.

Artwork by Shaun Downey

A personal favorite room of mine is the dining room because, as the heart of the home, amidst all the surrounding bright colors, its earthy tones are integrated and grounding.

I also love it because the light, airy modern dining chairs are a perfect contrast with those in my favorite painting (of the Louis XV Chairs by Jacque Payette).

All photography work was done by my fabulous photographer Lara Kimmerer.

Please contact me if you’d like to create something special.