Cafe Clover

I recently took my team to lunch at Cafe Clover, a quaint restaurant in West Village, to see Steven Gambrel’s design and enjoy some down time and good food.

I have always been a big fan of designer and creative genius Steven Gambrel. I recently took my team to lunch at Cafe Clover, a quaint restaurant in West Village, to see Gambrel’s design in person and enjoy some down time and good food.

The interior blend of robins egg blue, iconic black, greige and white encompass the space with fabulous lighting fixtures throughout. The walls look amazing, featuring custom millwork inset with smokey antique mirrors with eglomise bordered detail. The curved upholstered banquette has a rolled detail at the back rest. There’s an echo of the bordered concept on the table tops which is also reflected in the ceiling. I love the play on geometric shapes – rectangular, square, and even circular in the oversized ceiling sculpture. Check out how the stunning bar!

From our table, we had a perfect view of the entire space. All of the doors and windows were open, making this great connection between the inside and out.

It’s nice to explore and appreciate places right in your own back yard. I’m so drawn to the idea of learning from interesting design and being inspired by what I see. What beautiful places are near your home?

Serendipity Design Market Digest

Each year, Serendipity magazine creates a special Design Market Digest to showcase the latest styles in textiles, products and interiors in the Westchester County area.

Each year, Serendipity magazine creates a special Design Market Digest to showcase the latest styles in textiles, products and interiors in the Westchester County area. I was happy to submit a Q&A for this featured issue and am pleased to be able to share it below. You can see the original piece in the recent Serendipity Design Market Digest, along with many other great products, projects, and designers.

Amy Aidinis Hirsch

For over a decade, Amy Aidinis Hirsch has been designing elegantly crafted interiors. Each design begins with a deep understanding of architecture and the history of each site and the ability to listen and understand a client’s needs. The resulting interiors are always sophisticated and original, and have been featured in magazines including House Beautiful, At Home, and New England Home.

What inspired you to become a designer?

My father works on high-end residential homes as a plumbing and heating contractor. As a young girl, I was fortunate to always see the floor plans and walk through impressive and large caliber homes designed by great designers such as Tony Ingrao, Thierry Despont, and David Easton. At the time they were under construction, but you could see the craftsmanship, reclaimed materials and history within the spaces. I fell in love immediately with the thought of collaborating and building something from the ground up.

What influences your designs the most?

Fashion is a huge influence. I love looking ahead at the color forecast an dhow pieces are tailored, and I appreciate the intricate attention to detail in couture pieces. I love the idea of curating collections.

What’s your design process like?

Honestly, I am a tornado. I try to bring in as much product as possible — carpets, fabrics, tiles, etc. — that I feel is appropriate for a project and then I begin to edit. I have to make sure I explore every possible element. I am constantly hunting, sourcing and reading to find out what is in the industry.

Any particular places you turn for inspiration?

The beach — it’s a safe heaven and peaceful. It recharges my energy and spirit and allows me to focus on what I am trying to create.

Do you have a design icon?

David Collins, S. R. Gambrel, Jean Louis Denoit, and David Kleinberg — gifted architects and designers who exemplify impeccable taste.

What colors do you love now?

Sultry, saturated colors that have depth and are rich in pigment, like persimmon, ink, plum. I am interested in integrating unusual colors together in a way that is unexpected and out of the ordinary.

What are three key pieces that every home should have?

Pillows, books, and artwork.

What are your top three design rules?

I honestly do not have rules. Rules can get tricky and establish a barrier. As a designer, my best tool is to listen to our clients’ needs and particulars.

What one thing do you always keep in mind?

Scale/proportion: It’s essential when making selections and pairing furnishings together.

What Inspires Me: Feathers

I love the look of feathers, especially how intricate and saturated the colors can be.

I love the look of feathers, especially how intricate and saturated the colors can be. You get such a sultry, silky feel with feathers. When I think of feathers, I think layers, texture, and tonality.

Imagine how thrilled I was when a client who is building a home in Montana brought up the idea of incorporating feathers into her interior! Sometimes it’s funny the way things come full circle.

Feathers can be present in small doses as an accent, such as a lampshade. It would make a dynamite back wall for a bookcase, or in a piece of art.

Method Monday

This design scheme came about while I was working with an existing client, brainstorming ideas for their dining room.

This design scheme came about while I was working with an existing client, brainstorming ideas for their dining room. I wanted to do something glamorous. The adjacent family room and kitchen included a lot of yellow, so for the dining room I decided to insert some brass for a touch of glimmer. The room is somewhat small and intimate, so I wanted to smother it in saffron. I thought of silk walls, saturated drapes, and a pure gradation of the same tone. The light fixture is something I really fell in love with. Because the plan for the walls and window treatments is monochromatic, the rug provides contrast. The resulting scheme has a depth of color reminiscent of summer and happiness.

Clifford Ross

When the latest copy of Architectural Digest arrived, the feature about photographer Clifford Ross immediately caught my eye.

When the latest copy of Architectural Digest arrived, the feature about photographer Clifford Ross immediately caught my eye. I am just fascinated with his photos of the ocean.

A New York native, Ross earned his BA in Art and Art History from Yale in 1974. He began his career with painting and sculpture, not turning to photography until the 1990s. His large scale black and white photos in the Hurricanes series from 1996 represent a milestone in his photography career. He captured these incredible shots during hurricanes by actually going into the water, keeping himself tethered to an assistant on land.

I have always been so drawn by the water and find Ross’s photos of rolling surfs and hurricane waves to be ridiculously beautiful. He really puts himself in harm’s way to capture these moments, creating work that is truly special.

Ross’s work has been exhibited widely in the United States, Europe, Brazil, and China. It can also be found in many public collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. You can see more of his work on his website.

Weekend Antique Shopping

This past weekend, I took a stroll through the Antique and Artisan Gallery and Hiden Galleries in Stamford.

This past weekend, I took a stroll through the Antique and Artisan Gallery and Hiden Galleries in Stamford. With over 20,000 square feet and dozens of prominent dealers, the Antique and Artisan Gallery is a treasure trove of incredible antiques. I could spend days browsing the various vignettes and never get tired of finding new items to love. Here are some of my favorite finds:

I also enjoyed a stop at Hiden Galleries, although covering 48,000 square feet and 250 dealers takes more than just a stop! Hiden Galleries features constantly changing collections of vintage finds and antiques. From furnishings to accessories and lighting to rugs, there are just so many incredible pieces to explore. I found a lot to love at Hiden Galleries!

Did you discover anything wonderful this weekend?

JL Rocks at Bungalow

One of my favorite shops to visit and explore is Bungalow in Westport, CT.

One of my favorite shops to visit and explore is Bungalow in Westport, CT. As soon as I step into Bungalow, I find myself wandering throughout the shop, visually devouring all of the beautiful items. From furnishings to jewelry, Bungalow has a wonderfully curated collection of pieces. Owner Wende Cohen launched Bungalow after moving from Manhattan to Westport and wanting to pursue a business that would incorporate her passion for travel, antiques, and decor. With sources ranging from local artisans to European craftsmen, it’s no wonder she has turned Bungalow into a vibrant success.

Bunglaow is one of the places I love to shop for furniture, accessories, and lighting for clients. I can find true one of a kind pieces here. Bungalow is a real gold mine! It’s one of the first places that comes to mind when I want to accessorize an interior.

Sometimes while shopping for clients, I discover other things to fall in love with. One of my favorite finds at Bungalow is the jewelry line JL Rocks. Featuring artisanal and designer jewelry, JL Rocks has a modern, but sophisticated, approach to jewelry design that is so appealing. Here are some of the pieces that really caught my eye.

Amy Judd

Amy Judd is a London based artist whose work is just spectacular.

Amy Judd is a London based artist whose work is just spectacular. Her work is represented by Hicks Gallery, Wimbledon. Amy’s paintings, according to her website, “are a collection of sensitive silent moments; some full of whimsical intrigue, others more surreal and seductive. These paintings draw inspiration from the enchanting and imaginative relationship between women and nature found in traditional mythologies and folklores.”

At first glance, Amy’s work looks like photography. The level of detail in each piece is so refined, it’s hard to visually categorize them as oil paintings. They feel sultry and a little risque. I love her saturation of color and the amount of sheer depth, but at the same time there’s a quirkiness that makes her work so memorable. One of her pieces would be a confident addition to a striking interior.

To see more of Amy Judd’s work, visit her website or the Hicks Gallery site. You can also find her on Facebook.

2014 HOBI Awards in CT Builder

The Winter 2015 issue of CT Builder Magazine recently came out, featuring the winners of the 2014 HOBI Awards.

The Winter 2015 issue of CT Builder Magazine recently came out, featuring the winners of the 2014 HOBI Awards. These awards recognize excellence in a range of categories such as new construction and remodeling. I was so pleased to see three projects I collaborated on receive HOBI awards, including the 2014 Custom Home of the Year as shown on the magazine cover. Built by Sound Beach Partners, this incredible residence truly deserves recognition. The home is a great example of a design that respects the home’s surroundings and makes the most of the stunning location overlooking Long Island Sound.

Dibico Construction also received two HOBI Awards. I’ve collaborated with Dibico in the past, including on these two award winning projects — one of which was my own studio and office. Congratulations to Dibico Construction!

Valeria Nascimento

Valeria Nascimento creates the most beautiful porcelain installations.

A native of Brazil, Valeria Nascimento creates the most beautiful porcelain installations. Her work is inspired by her love of natural forms and how these forms are a part of an urban environment. Valeria’s installations consist of dozens of hand formed ceramic pieces, combined to stretch across walls. Each piece takes months to assemble.

Valeria was originally trained as an architect, an aspect of her perspective that is visible in her use of repeated simple forms and patterns. Her work has been exhibited and commissioned all over the world. She’s also created designs for brands such as Chanel and Tiffany, and well as many interior designers.

I love Valeria’s work because it makes you want to go up close to examine it. The 3D aspect, gradation of a shade, and sometimes a zest of color make her work so powerful. I value the pure dedication to her art — you really can see her love for each individual piece in how it is crafted.

You can see more of Valeria Nascimento’s work on her website.