I was so happy to participate in the 2014 Pink Aid Fashion Show and Luncheon by Connecticut Cottages and Gardens.
I was so happy to participate in the 2014 Pink Aid Fashion Show and Luncheon by Connecticut Cottages and Gardens at Mitchells of Westport. The event, which raises money for the fight against breast cancer, includes an auction of pink chairs and other pink items donated by designers. I contributed a chair, which you can see in the November 2014 issue of CTC&G, along with all of the other pink items created by some very talented designers.
I donated this great antique, Midcentury chair covered in a geometric Lanza Jaipur Pink from Romo. Pick up a copy of CTC&G to see the other pink items!
Over the weekend I went to the 19th annual Rooms with a View design showcase in Southport.
Over the weekend I went to the 19th annual Rooms with a View design showcase in Southport. Rooms with a View features vignettes created by twelve area designers using this year’s theme of Americanism: Timeless and Timely Design. The theme was a nod to the late Albert Hadley, the iconic designer behind the original idea for Rooms with a View. Each designer reinterpreted one of Hadley’s designs for their vignette.
Thom Felicia was honorary chairman of the event, which also included a boutique, book signings, food from local chefs, and a fashion show. The main attraction for me, of course, was the design. I love the opportunity to see what other designers are doing — it’s very inspirational and I’m always left feeling energized. Here are the vignettes I found most memorable.
Love this vignette by Christina Lake. Ski retreat — absolutely clever.Sara Gilbane: Fabric from her collaboration with Peter Fasano. Smart, well put together space.Bold and vivacious. Strong statement by designer Patrick Mele, who also collaborated with Peter Fasano on the fabric.Love the table by Christian Parkay. Leather top with zig zag contrast stitching and gradating gold dust base at the root – super sexy in an organic way.
If you made it to Rooms with a View, what was your favorite vignette?
I realized I’ve been in business eight years and my old site was four or five years old. I felt that my body of work on the site didn’t reflect the many different things I do that clients look for. No two houses are alike, meaning our brand is not so specific that you can clearly recognize it. Each project is clearly different than the next, and that is what I feel our new site demonstrates.
Another key point to my new site is my method. I want people to look at my work and understand the process. My goal in the upcoming year is to expand on my website with a more detailed explanation of my design process from start to finish. It allows clients who are serious about design and really value it to connect with me in a way that leads to their ideal environment. Knowing my approach, new clients can gauge if they’re interested in proceeding.
The new site features a clean and refined style, making it simple to navigate. It shares my work and my personal design philosophy and process in such an accessible way. My portfolio is arranged by project, showcasing the various styles according to the various needs and tastes of my clients.
I hope you’ll take some time to visit my new site soon!
One source I really love for beautiful, custom lighting is Lindsay Adelman Studio.
Lighting is an important element of an interior, from both a practical standpoint and an aesthetic one. Lighting sets a mood in any room, but is also an opportunity to dress up a space. One source I really love for beautiful, custom lighting is Lindsay Adelman Studio. What I love about her fixtures is that they have somewhat of an organic essence to them, even though they are metal and glass. There’s something precise and graceful about them.
Liminal Pendant, collaboration with Darcy Miro.BranchingCast bronze by Darcy MiroBrushed brass with aqua mini globes.Knotty BubbleCherry Bomb
These highly artistic pieces aren’t just lights, they’re sculptures. Each piece is hand crafted in her Brooklyn, NY studio from blown glass and precisely machined metal. A team of local artisans create each piece to order from designs based on natural forms, and each is available in a variety of finishes. The balance of each piece must be precise. Because each element is custom made and unique, the various components have to be assembled and exactly balanced for weight differences. The skill and artistry that goes into this lighting is simply incredible.
Working with glass at the Brooklyn studio.Exquisite metal work.Hand made globes at the studio.
I find her new collection has a little bit of whimsy and playfulness to it. It is striking and peaceful at the same time.
The Catch line.
To see more lighting options by Lindsey Adelman or to learn more about her company and products, visit her website.
The Inn at Pound Ridge is one of the area’s hot spots, known for its wonderful ambiance and great food.
The Inn at Pound Ridge is one of the area’s hot spots, known for its wonderful ambiance and great food. The elegant but down to earth fare by Chef Jean-George is the main attraction, but the decor is what I find so memorable. The curve of the banquets, the use of leather, and a neutral palette add up to an interior that makes you want to stay for hours and hours.
Named for the building’s history as an inn, the Inn at Pound Ridge is a refined, yet rustic, restaurant in picturesque Pound Ridge, New York. Built in 1833 as a residence before later serving as an inn, the building has been restored and carefully renovated. Many of the original materials have been preserved, resulting in a modern sensibility that stays true to the building’s historic past. A mixture of reclaimed wood, zinc, and marble throughout the interior meld with artful lighting to create a truly warm atmosphere.
In fact, the interior of the Inn and Pound Ridge was so well done by designer Thomas Juul-Hansen that it has become the inspiration for a home I am currently designing in Montana. I love how the Danish furniture, the stone, and the wood elements at the Inn became a point of reference for a home in an entirely different state.
To learn more about Inn at Pound Ridge or plan a visit, see their website. You can also find them on Facebook.
I’m currently working on a pool house project which, I feel, provides a great example of the full range of services offered by my design firm.
I’m currently working on a pool house project which, I feel, provides a great example of the full range of services offered by my design firm. Rather than simply decorate a space, we take on a much more complex role, working closely with the client and the contractor to build an environment from the ground up, where every element is carefully thought out and influenced by a knowledge and respect for architecture, the client’s needs, and the surrounding landscape.
In this case, the client wanted a pool house design that would bring to mind an English conservatory, but would respect and complement the existing Georgian home with its gorgeous brick and iconic historical details. This is the part of the process I love, discussing the initial plans with the contractor and creating a new structure with a nod to the family’s home. This involved a lot pre-planning, with multiple site visits and drawings. At first, the design is conceptual — a wish list of goals, wants, and needs. We also have to consider the limitations of the site. Exploring and developing all of these elements leads to the next phase of the design.
Pool House ExteriorPool House PlansAdditional elevations.Another look at the initial plans.
During all of this, our client was very involved and thoughtful. She came back to the contractor and me to say she decided the pool house should be in a different location. Because the structure would be in a new spot, we had to reevaluate our design. Not much of the plan altered , but we had to be mindful of the site change. For example, we initially had an open area in the design, but with the pool house in a different place we decided on a new layout that will be more functional and user-friendly for the family.
The initial pool house plans.Pool house design taking the new site into consideration.
Now that the structure is finished for the pool house, we can move on to architectural specifications. This is when we choose elements such as tile, appliances, plumbing fixtures, and create the cabinetry mill work drawings. This allows the contractor to give the client an accurate quote as well as to show the scale and layout. This is an exciting time because the client really sees the project come to life. From this point on, the design turns to finding the jewelry of the interior — fabrics, furnishing, art, and accessories.
A beautiful tile I am considering for the pool house.
When you take into consideration the full scope of a project like this pool house and the involvement of the design firm literally from the ground up, you can see how important it is for us to help orchestrate the many components and specifications which are crucial in the master planning of any project.
Published by Assouline in July 2014, ABCDCS features the incredible designs of the late David Collins.
Published by Assouline in July 2014, ABCDCS features the incredible designs of the late David Collins. Born in Dublin in 1955, David Collins studied at the Bolton Street School of Architecture. He eventually made his home in London, where his design of a friend’s home led to further projects and inspired him to launch his own studio with a diverse team from various design disciplines. Collins called it The Studio, and his projects in restaurants, hotels, residences, and retail locations became known for their incredible details. His studio’s interdisciplinary approach resulted in designs that are contemporary, yet grounded in tradition.
The book is seriously invigorating. Madonna’s introduction was so insightful! Collins was a master at what he did. He was a wealth of knowledge and his work embodied that trait, with interiors that were ingenious and clever. This is just a beautiful book.
ABCDCS presents David Collins’ projects in alphabetical order by design term, giving a spectacular look at the wide range of influences at work in his aesthetic. Full of lush photographs, ABCDCS showcases the texture and restraint of The Collins Studio. This is a wonderful book to add to your collection.
In the August 2014 issue of Architectural Digest, I found so much inspiration in an editorial titled “Sky’s the Limit.”
I love to have tons of magazines for summer reading and, of course, the design magazines are my favorites. For me, the magazines are about looking for things that really stand out and inspire me, and in the August 2014 issue of Architectural Digest, I found so much inspiration in an editorial titled “Sky’s the Limit.” The article features a NYC residence designed by Jean-Louis Deniot. Jean-Louis is so gifted. He has the classical architecture but throws in a curve ball with the way he mixes various elements. The design of this apartment is made by all of the incredible details. There are so many intricate pieces that make up the overall design; I’ll probably go back to this article six or seven times to digest every little detail. The superb Art Deco-inspired railing in the living room, for example, is a truly custom design that immediately caught my eye, as did the amazing art. Other pieces that stand out for me as being really well executed are the bar cabinet and the window treatment fabric in the living room. Work like this makes me want to be a better designer. What have you seen lately that’s inspired you?
I donated this great antique, Midcentury chair covered in a geometric Lanza Jaipur Pink from Romo. Pick up a copy of CTC&G to see the other pink items!
