Amy Hirsch - Page 44 of 90 - Greenwich CT Interior Designer

Favorite Things: Desks

A desk can be very practical or more streamlined; it all comes down to how the piece will be used.

I recently went on a scavenger hunt for a desk for a client. This endeavor got me thinking about desks in general and how the choice of a desk is very personal. Individual people have different needs and, like people, desks come in all manner of shapes and sizes. A desk can be very practical or more streamlined; it all comes down to how the piece will be used. For example, if the desk is in a room custom fitted with plenty of storage, then it can be minimal as opposed to something with a variety of drawers and shelves. Men and women tend to have distinct preferences as well. Here are some of my favorite examples of desks:

1. Ana Casa Interiors: Yves Desk by Baxter

2. Big Boss Desk by Piergil Fourquie

3. Homework Desk from Design Within Reach

4. Lacquered Linen and Brass Desk

5. White and Walnut Desk, cm studio

6. Jobs by Poltrona Frau

7. Aerial Desk, Dering Hall

8. Louxor Desk by Nicolas Aubagnac

9. Antoine Proulx from Dennis Miller Associates

10. Bureau Plat Desk from Mortice & Tenon

Design Dose

Capture the sunlight — simple beauty.

Meyer Davis Studio

I really identify with the true quality of design shown by Meyer Davis Studio and appreciate how they take time for details.

Founded in 1999 by Will Meyer and Gray Davis, the New York City based firm Meyer Davis Studio has established itself at the forefront of luxury design for home, retail, hospitality, and office. Using “space, form, texture, and light, they develop a visual experience that seeks to compel and inspire.”

Taconic House Meyer Davis — Taconic House

Prominent projects include the design of hotels such as 1 South Beach Hotel in Miami, Four Seasons, the Ritz Carlton, and W Hotels. Their work on Paramount Hotel in New York City was also recognized by Boutique Design’s 2014 Gold Key Awards. Their restaurant designs have been widely recognized by various award groups, making them highly sought after by some of the world’s leading restaurateurs. Meyer Davis also designed Oscar de la Renta’s worldwide boutiques.

I really identify with the true quality of design shown by Meyer Davis Studio and appreciate how they take time for details. I love design that is simple and streamlined, but also crave more decorative, well appointed items. So many of their projects are just perfection to me.

Tennessee Farmhouse Meyer Davis — Tennessee Farmhouse

You can see more Meyer Davis projects on their website. They are also on Facebook.

Windsor Smith Collection for Arteriors

Earlier this year, Arteriors debuted a collection by Windsor Smith.

Earlier this year, Arteriors debuted a collection by Windsor Smith. Featuring Windsor’s iconic style, a luxurious blend of traditional and modern sensibilities, the collection is comprised of items that are as functional as they are sophisticated. Windsor has created a line with the goal, as she states, “for…each piece [to] engage conversation. I want these to be well loved now and heirlooms tomorrow.”

I love the geometric look of the pieces Windsor Smith designed for Arteriors. Each item looks very chic; you can see the influence of traditional aesthetics and classical Greek and Roman design, although the overall look of the line is quite modern.

Another great aspect to this line is the mix of materials found in many of the pieces. This blending of textures and finishes lends to the line’s elegance and timelessness.

You can see the full Windsor Smith Collection on the Arteriors website.

Design Dose

Always create a perch when you can.

1 Hotel South Beach

1 Hotel South Beach is a gorgeous beachfront hotel in Miami.

1 Hotel South Beach is a gorgeous beachfront hotel in Miami. Throughout the interior, natural materials such as stone and curving driftwood create a reflection of the stunning ocean view, all the time maintaining a look of luxury. The neutral palette is accented by subtle nods to the water with pale blues and hints of green in the guest rooms. Water views are the artwork of each room, while the public areas of the hotel are warmed up by different types of wood and thoughtful lighting choices.

Originally, the building was a hotel called the Gansevoort, but when the building was taken over by a partnership between Starwood Capital Group and LeFrak property, the hotel was gutted and completely revamped. Meyer Davis Studio created their designs with an eco-friendly focus, using reclaimed wood as well as wood from trees felled by mountain pine beetles. Other “green” touches include filtered water in the rooms rather than plastic bottles, mini chalkboards in guest rooms instead of notepaper, low flow water fixtures, hangers and key cards made from recycled boxes, and guest access to Tesla vehicles for local travel. Even the hotel greenery is less wasteful, consisting of terrariums rather than cut flowers and a massive living wall in front of the building.

The New York design firm Meyer Davis Studio created the breezy look of the hotel’s guest rooms and public areas, including the restaurant. Called Beachcraft, the restaurant is overseen by chef Tom Colicchio. Nikola Gradinski of NGNY designed the stunning rooftop area. The overall look of 1 Hotel South Beach is very organic and not what you might expect in a posh place like Miami. I love the idea of something like this nestled in the city — natural, peaceful, and serene, but also luxe and beautiful.

Exterior Furniture: Janus et Cie

Janus et Cie is one of my favorite sources of exterior furniture.

Creating an outdoor oasis for relaxing with family or entertaining friends is an important way to extend your home’s interior to the exterior. Exterior furniture should be a comfortable reflection of the interior, making it possible to enjoy a seamless transition from the living room to the patio or poolside without sacrificing comfort, luxury, and style.

Janus et Cie is one of my favorite sources of exterior furniture. Many of the pieces are essentially functional sculpture, as substantial as they are beautiful. Others feature a great mix of material, such as resin with teak or elements of stone. I love this kind of mixing! The overall feel is urban and relaxed, not something formal. I am over the moon for the Hopper table — genius, and it’s available in different finishes.

Many of the Janus et Cie pieces are perfect for clients who come to me wanting something simple for the outdoors. Choosing items without cushions allows for less maintenance, and I really like that Janus et Cie has these options without compromising looks or comfort.

With the various thoughtful accessories also available from Janus et Cie, it’s easily possible to create an entire environment. Textiles, planters, and other details add the finishing touch to an exterior that is as carefully curated as any room inside the home.

Design Dose

Infuse a whimsical touch – bring the theater to you!

Eskayel

Eskayel is an innovative Brooklyn, NY based design studio founded by artist and designer Shanan Campanaro.

Eskayel is an innovative Brooklyn, NY based design studio founded by artist and designer Shanan Campanaro. Along with her partner Nick Chacona, Shanan designs print-to-order fabrics and wallcoverings. In addition to their hundreds of colorways and patterns, Eskayel can provide custom designs or adjust one of their patterns to suit your needs. They have a strong focus on sustainability, using eco-friendly materials and practices. Eskayel is a fabulous textile company.

What I find interesting about Eskayel is that they have put a twist on the traditional, like a modern form of tie-dye. It’s very fresh and versatile — the fabric can be applied to anything from pillows to poufs. Eskayel also produces wallcoverings. I love that one pattern can be generated into so many things. You can use this as an accent or an all-over application.

I’m working on a project for a client’s Montana home and am using an Eskayel pattern to cover an accent wall in a bunk room. I’m so excited to use this product in an environment that is expected to be rustic — the scale is so big and blown up. Eskayel also offers more traditional styles for safer, less risky options.

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?