Amy Hirsch - Page 68 of 90 - Greenwich CT Interior Designer

Favorite Things: Console Tables

A console table is a truly versatile piece of furniture.

A console table is a truly versatile piece of furniture. In the entry, it creates visual interest and gives you a place to build a focal point by displaying art or other collections. You can place a console table behind a sofa as a base for lighting or to hold a stack of books, use it as a bar table, a dining room sideboard, a vanity in the bedroom, or even for extra desk space in a home office. With so many different styles and finishes available, there’s a perfect console table for just about any room. Here are some of my favorite examples of great console tables!

1. Orly Console Table: Sleek and modern!

2. Harwood Console: Classic design with a bottom shelf for additional storage or display space.

3. Single Peristyle Table: Great for a smaller space.

4. Stag Table: Love the curved legs!

5. Altar Table: Think about adding an ottoman beneath it.

6. Saltire Console: Weathered oak and concrete top — a great combination!

7. Museum Crate Console: So unique!

8. French Neo-Classical Console Tables: Could they actually get up and walk away?

9. Shanghai Rose Altar Table: Such a nice shape!

10. Regency Side Table: I used this console to create a custom sink basin.

11. Axel Console: A handsome combination of the industrial rivets and gray shagreen.

12. Hera Console Table: Gilt metal legs add glam.

Lobster and Shrimp Salad

Last week I wanted to make a light and simple meal and, not being able to find just the right recipe, I decided to make a dish using lobster and shrimp

I am always looking for new recipes for easy meals, especially in the summer. Last week I wanted to make a light and simple meal and, not being able to find just the right recipe, I decided to make a dish using lobster and shrimp. I put together a Lobster and Shrimp Salad that tasted amazing! When placed on a bed of lettuce, it is a perfect summer dish for lunch or dinner, ideal on those days when it is just too steamy for a warm meal.

To make this dish, I used lobster meat and shrimp that were already cooked. You can certainly cook the seafood yourself, either just before making the salad or up to a day in advance. Keep in mind that if you buy raw seafood, you will need more than the following recipe calls for. The amount of each seafood can also be adjusted to your taste; for example, I prefer more lobster than shrimp.

The olives I use are from Whole Food, though you can use any that you prefer. Using fresh herbs, whether you pick them from your own garden or buy them, will always give your recipes more flavor. I strongly recommend using fresh herbs whenever possible!

Lobster and Shrimp Salad

Serves 2 (or 4 as a side dish)

Ingredients:

1lb lobster tails, cooked

½ lb large shrimp, cooked

½ cup pitted Mt Athos green olives with Sicilian herbs, cut into quarters

½ cup pitted black olives with Herbs de Provence, cut in half

½ cup olive oil

¼ tsp coarse ground black pepper

½ cup finely chopped fresh basil and parsley (total, adjust to taste)

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

romaine lettuce leaves, optional

Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper, basil and parsley. Set aside.

Cut lobster tails and shrimp into small chunks and place in a medium bowl. Add olives to seafood, then pour on the olive oil mixture and toss to coat evenly.

Place salad over a bed of romaine lettuce and serve as a main course, or use as a side dish to compliment your favorite fish.

Enjoy!

Elle Decor: Riding the Waves

The July/August issue of Elle Decor includes a feature of a stunning home in California.

The July/August issue of Elle Decor includes a feature of a stunning home in California. The owners worked with architect Bob White of ForestStudio and mother-daugther design team Mary Lynn Turner and Marie Turner Carson of M. Elle Design to create a beautiful home that reflects the gorgeous cliff-side location of the property. The home, and it’s overall design, is a place where I can imagine myself living. I absolutely loved the article and the photos that showcase this incredible house. The one-storey home doesn’t compete with the outstanding view of Salt Creek Beach, but successfully combines a calming, elegant atmosphere with old-world charm. In addition, the landscaping seems mindful of the interior, making this a lovely home, inside and out.

Elle Decor: Riding the Waves

Text by Julie L Belcove with photography by William Abranowicz. Produced by Anita Sarsidi.

Tod’s Point Beach

My inspirational place to decompress is Tod’s Point Beach in Greenwich.

I think everyone has a special place they go to when they need a haven. My inspirational place to decompress is Tod’s Point Beach in Greenwich. Also known as Greenwich Point, this beach is a popular spot for locals to swim, sunbathe, picnic, enjoy water sports, and simply be with family and friends.

I grew up going to this beach with my family, so it is tied to many special emotions. It’s my place for reflection and healing, as well as a place of salvation. Spending time at Tod’s Point is about more than just relaxing or playing with my kids; it’s a reminder of what really matters in life and helps me to keep my priorities in focus. When I’m at the beach, I can completely unwind.

Great for a fun gathering or a morning run.

When I was younger, we’d sometimes anchor the boat off Tod’s Point. Other times we’d go directly to the beach to spend the day in the sun. I became so intimately acquainted with every part of the beach that it is truly special for me to now bring my own children there. I also like go running at Tod’s Point,which gives me extra time for reflection and to embrace everything around me. Depending on the time of day or time of year, the beach takes on completely different aspects. There is always something new to see and experience. It really is my favorite place on Earth!

An egret at Tod's Point. — An egret at Tod’s Point.

Early morning low tide, with millions of snails dotting the sand.

If you’re in the area and would like to visit Tod’s Point, keep in mind you’ll need a beach pass from May 1 to Oct 31. Visit the Town of Greenwich website for more information. To learn how to help continuing efforts to restore and preserve the beach and its structures, contact Friends of Greenwich Point.

Before and After

ne thing I’ve learned as an interior designer is that people love before and after photos! I am a huge fan of them myself.

One thing I’ve learned as an interior designer is that people love before and after photos! I am a huge fan of them myself. It’s always insightful and fascinating to see the prior space and compare it to the final product. Today I gathered together some informal before and after shots featuring a few of my own projects and hope you enjoy looking at these transformations!

This is a client’s entry before renovations started. The home is a 1920’s residence and some of the decor was rather antiquated.

To update this entry, we opened it up and brightened the area by stripping and lightening the woodwork. We maintained the entry’s architectural integrity but created a much more welcoming area.

In the same home, I also designed the dining room. It wasn’t a particularly large room and had a rather traditional decor.

To create the perfect dining room for this client, we enhanced the simple architecture with the kind of elaborate design the client loves. Replacing the wainscoting with mirrored fretwork helps make the room seem larger. The walls were covered in the same material we used for the window treatments.

In these next photos, you can see how a kitchen can be completely transformed without gutting the entire space.

The original kitchen had two different counter materials, which we kept in place. We added rustic pine beams on the ceiling, changed the back splash, and covered the walls in grass cloth. For the cabinets, we mostly kept the existing structures but painted them. It’s amazing sometimes what paint can do. The finished kitchen is so refreshing!

Also in this home, I worked with the client to redesign the family room. It was a big space with an impressive collection of tribal artifacts.

With the size of this room, we were able to create three seating areas and use the theme of the tribal items to create a comfortable retreat. This room is also a great example of how installing treatments high above the windows and doors elongates these openings and has a great effect on the space.

This last example shows how important a good architectural foundation is. When the client is willing to let the designer and contractor go back to the home’s architectural base and design from there, it makes the finished home look that much better. It’s essential to get those basic elements right, but then everything else falls neatly into place. For this project, we started with a kitchen and family room that were rather separate, but large and full of potential.

To renovate this area, I worked with the contractor to change doorways and openings, making a more open environment with better flow between the kitchen and living room. Now the homeowners can enjoy family and guests while cooking. The finished project makes ideal use of the home’s architecture to give the family their perfect living space.

What’s the most dramatic renovation you’ve done?

Wood

I love the organic rawness of wood.

I love the organic rawness of wood. It is so beautiful and can be used in its simplest, natural form. With so many types of wood, each with its own finish and texture, you have incredible design opportunities. Instead of assigning wood to the floor or furniture, consider using it in a more unconventional place!

1. Kona Wood Rug, Crate and Barrel

2. Arteriors Wood Chandelier

3. Olga Guanabara Coffee Table

4. Roost Wood Veneer Shades

5. Jil Sander Lizard and Wood Shoe

6. Divan Sofa from Hudson Furniture

7. Design by Habachy Designs and Design Within Reach

8. Wood iPad Case from Root Cases

9. Wood Cuff Bracelet by Kara Ross

Cover image shows coffee table design by John Houshmand and lighting from Clubcu.

Amangiri Resort, Utah

While doing some architectural research for a client recently, I stumbled across the website for Amangiri Resort in southern Utah.

While doing some architectural research for a client recently, I stumbled across the website for Amangiri Resort in southern Utah. Covering 600 acres in Canyon Point, near the Arizona border, the resort sits nestled in a valley with incredible views of the Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument.

I love how the architecture here works, with clean, modern lines set in this powerfully dramatic landscape. The architect’s thought process was clearly to preserve the beauty of the land and act as a counterbalance to the sweeping scenery. I immediately wanted to get on a plane and head to Utah!

Utah's canyon country, accessible through plane tours. — Utah’s canyon country, accessible through plane tours.

Nearby Lake Powell can be explored by boat.

At Amangiri, the pool alone is amazing enough to tempt me to Utah. It is so serene and allows the soaring plateaus to be the star of the scenery. The idea of going to rest in a place like this, miles from civilization, is so appealing to me. Amangiri Resort is uncluttered, natural, and simple, while still being posh enough for guests to feel luxurious.

I love unexpectedly coming across something beautiful like the Amangiri Resort. Have you discovered anything new lately?

Outdoor Furniture Options

Selecting outdoor furniture is a similar process to furnishing the rest of your home — you want to balance your particular taste with your lifestyle and needs.

Selecting outdoor furniture is a similar process to furnishing the rest of your home — you want to balance your particular taste with your lifestyle and needs. One important factor to take into consideration is the material the furniture is constructed from. Whether you prefer teak, aluminum, or wicker depends not only on aesthetics, but also how much time and maintenance you plan to invest in caring for your outdoor pieces.

Teak is a beautiful and popular choice. New teak furniture has a lovely honey color and is very durable. It’s also a rather forgiving hardwood, easy to treat for minor scratches and stains. Some homeowners prefer the grayed look of weathered teak as it ages, while others are willing to clean and seal their outdoor teak furniture each year in order to maintain its original color.

Datcha dining table from Sutherland Furniture features a teak base.

outdoor furniture 8 — Weathered teak dining table from Restoration Hardware.

Like teak, wicker is a great natural choice for outdoor furniture. You can go with real wicker or, for easier maintenance, a resin designed to look like wicker. Resin is a good option for homeowners looking for easy maintenance or longevity in an area where the weather can be harsh. Either way, the look of wicker has long been a popular choice for outdoor furniture.

Sag Harbor collection from Kingsley Bate, wicker over an aluminum frame.

Lucy Stacking Side Chair from Janus et Cie. The look of wicker, but made from aluminum.

Another choice for ease of care is aluminum furniture. With so many color options available for powder coated aluminum, this is a great choice for customizing furniture as well. Outdoor aluminum furniture is also easy to clean without worries of fading, rusting, or wear.

Lucca Chaise Lounge from Design Within Reach

Beaufort Club Chair and Ottoman from McKinnon Harris.

I also like unconventional choices for outdoor furniture, like this hanging lounger from Dedon. In a shady corner of the yard or next to the pool, this lounger is a relaxing environment all to itself!

No matter which furniture choice is best for you, it’s important to protect your investment by properly caring for outdoor pieces. During the winter, outdoor furniture should be safely stored in a shed or garage. Providing this kind of storage space isn’t always a consideration when designing a home or landscape, but it is important to keep in mind. If you don’t have this kind of storage option, many manufacturers sell covers specifically for their exterior pieces. If you buy your own covers, be sure to use a breathable material that won’t trap moisture and lead to mold or mildew. Taking these steps will let you enjoy your ideal outdoor furniture for many years!

Color Obsession: Navy, Vermillion, and Turquoise

This color combination is classic, sophisticated, and always stylish.

One of the things I love about being a designer is the opportunity to find inspiration anywhere. The other day, I was dressed in navy, vermillion, and turquoise and was struck by how great those colors look together. This color combination is classic, sophisticated, and always stylish. In design, these three colors together look bold, confident, and eclectic.

1. Ocean from Lulu DK

2. Colorful chic! Image via Breakfast at Yurman’s

3. Devon Leigh Turquoise Beaded Necklace

4. She’s Pampered from Essie: My go-to summer nail color!

5. Turkish Tulip. Image via Susan Fredman

6. Blue room design by Miles Redd via Elle Decor

7. Deep Royal from Benjamin Moore

8. Ohm Mirror by Bunny Williams

Cover image features, from left to right, Salutation III by Eric Zinner, Giorgio Armani for Elle Decor, and Abstract 116 by Kris Carlson.

New Office/Studio Update!

While we still have plenty of work to do, I thought I’d take the time to post an update on how the office is coming along!

A few months ago, I shared the plans for my new office and studio space. Since then, a lot of progress has been made! While we still have plenty of work to do, I thought I’d take the time to post an update on how the office is coming along!

We’re in an interesting stage right now — so exciting, because I can see the foundation for the space really taking shape. We’ve had a lot of supplies delivered and the mock-ups are done. The sheet rock and plywood have been installed and prepped for the entry’s paneling. Next week the majority of the cabinetry gets installed, so we are definitely getting to a stage where I can see plans becoming a reality!

A mock up of the wall paneling for the main entry.

Sheet rock prepped and ready for wall treatments. — Sheet rock prepped and ready for wall treatments in the sample room.

As we progress with the plans, it’s inevitable that things should change. What works on paper sometimes isn’t quite right in the reality of the space so you have to feel things out, adjust, and be open to adapting plans as you go. Once I actually saw the space and the lighting coming together, there were elements that had to be changed. For example, I originally wanted to install two lighting fixtures over my work table. Once I saw the mock up of the table in the space, I knew it wouldn’t work and the light fixtures were nixed.

Another glimpse of the sample room. — Custom doors are up and I can’t wait to see them painted in black.

Main work station with templates of a work table.

It is so exciting for me to see the basis of my new office and studio coming together! I am really looking forward to sharing the final results of this project soon!