New American Luxury, #2

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ja n / Fe b / M a r c h 201 2 vo lu me 2, n u m b e r 2

exc lu siv ely for t he luxury trade pr of essional

Inside Oliver Stone's Manhattan Pied-à-Terre

by Geoffrey Bradfield

Marketing to the Jet Set Flexjet president Fred Reid discusses fractional ownership and the future of private aviation

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the green scene

sexY soirÉes

miami heat

Clubbing goes eco-friendly at Greenhouse, New York’s exclusive LEED-certified nightclub

Behind the velvet rope with Fête, New York City’s premier event planners

Touzet Studio’s modern design catches the eye of NBA star Chris Bosh

Building Sustainability One Innovation at a Time Integrated Solutions for all your energy needs

Green Technology for the Blue Planet Clean Energy from Solar and Windows

Schüco is the global leader for windows, doors, and building facades fully integrated with solar energy systems. Our goal is to meet today’s environmental challenges by continuously improving the energy balance of buildings without compromising modern architectural demands.

Over 55 years of quality engineering and intelligent design to realize your vision: • Solar PV • Solar Thermal • Windows & Doors • Façades • BIPV

Please contact a Schüco Architectural Advisor (877) 4 SCHUCO info@schuco-usa.com info@schuco-usa.com www. schuco-usa.com

Photo Opposite Page: SAP America Headquarters LEED® Silver FXFOWLE Architects

EssEncia

TM

Experience Pure Beauty

Š BainUltra

Essencia promises supreme comfort, enticing you to immerse yourself and discover your true inner nature.

Above and beyond its sleek, streamlined exterior, this highly evolutive air-jet bath provides a remarkable quality massage thanks to its sophisticated ergonomics.

Essencia‌ your wellspring of vitality and replenishment.

All BainUltra products are created in keeping with our Therapy / Design / Architecture concept.

bainultra.com | 1 800 463-2187

D R A M AT I C , D A R I N G , D I F F E R E N T CASINO

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R E S TA U R A N T

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RESORT

Cirque du Soleil’s Viva ELVIS Showroom, Aria Resort & Casino at City Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

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contact

HOTEL

CLEO DESIGN

5935 Edmond Street Suite 115 Las Vegas, NV 89118 (702) 873-7070 info@cleo-design.com www.cleo-design.com

Photo Š BriAn VAndEn Brink

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R C H I T E C T U R A L

Elliott + Elliott ArchitEcturE

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H O T O G R A P H E R

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LO C ATIO N IS E V E RY T H ING. Luxury is all about location. The most intelligent investors and consumers consider location as the be-all, end-all when it comes to value.

This issue will take you from Manhattan to Zimbabwe and back again, exploring the most sought-after, the most exclusive, the most luxurious properties and destinations across the globe.

New American Luxury got the chance to talk to Shaun Osher, founder of CORE Group, a boutique real-estate agency that has placed itself on the cutting edge of the Manhattan marketplace. Whether you’re looking to purchase, invest, or just browse in New York City, Osher’s insider info will prove invaluable.

We break away for a moment from the concrete jungle to explore safari adventures reminiscent of the days of Hemingway. As Mark Witney of Singita Game Reserves says, “Luxury is a given—but luxury in itself is not unique.” The upmarket consumer is definitely looking for those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that only money can buy.

Sometimes it’s not the destination—it’s the journey. The fractional jet-leasing company Flexjet, featured on our cover, breaks down how it is marketing private aviation to the new jet set—and blazing some trails along the way.

Photo: Samantha Simmons

From our office in Chicago, I wish you happy travels and smart investments on behalf of the entire New American Luxury team. Enjoy.

Molly Soat, Features Editor

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0 0 9 / TABL E O F CO N T E N T S

Contents January–March 2012

features Dialogue / Negotiating personal style and client wishes

028 029

The Inman Company Joseph Parisi Interiors

Sourced / The elements of high-end spaces

Departments 010

The Agenda / January–March 2012

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Trend Watch / Leather and crystal

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Tips & Tricks / Treating yourself as the client Featuring Eliza Tan of Eliza Tan Interiors

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MORE Tips & Tricks / How to flip a house Featuring David Chun of Chun Studio/Elemental Homes

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Expansion / The British are coming Featuring Lutwyche Menswear

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Market Watch / Manhattan real estate

Featuring Shaun Osher of CORE Group

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inspired space / Hot NYC hotels Featuring Gramercy Park Hotel, The Surrey, and Eventi, A Kimpton Hotel

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fresh faces / The dynamic design duo Featuring Sasha Adler and Lauren Gold of Nate Berkus Associates

032 034 036 038 040 042 044 046

Heffernan Morgan Designs Tiffany McKinzie Interior Design, Inc. Art of Imagination Sherrill Canet Interiors, Ltd. Cayley Barrett Associates jamesthomas Randy Heller Design Otte Architecture

049 054 056 058 062

EcoLuxe / Upscale environmental efforts

Peter Rose + Partners Bluarch Architecture + Interiors Travis Price Architects Piece x Piece, LLC Burns + Beyerl Architects

Dialogue / Design with geography in mind

066 067 069

Lou Boxer Builder Vogue Homes Rhoady Lee Architecture & Design

Identity / Building and expanding a successful brand

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Flexjet by Bombardier Schopfer Associates LLC Pacific Home/Pacific Home Studio E. S. Kluft & Co. LLC Singita Game Reserves

design file / New York City

PLUS 007

Editor’s note / Location is everything.

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Products+Services / Resources

162

Desired / One crave-worthy splurge

088 094 098 102 107 108 114 118

Geoffrey Bradfield Inc. Bluarch Architecture + Interiors Goralnick Architecture SPaN - Stonely Pelsinski Architects Neukomm LLC The Bookshelf Fête Dean/Wolf Architects Art de Triomphe

Dialogue / Small spaces vs. large spaces

124 125 on the cover

The Learjet 60 XR flies higher and faster than any other midsize jet. The same could be said of Flexjet, an innovator in the private-aviation industry that is reimagining how high-networth individuals travel. Read more about Flexjet on p. 70.

Barbara Ostrom Associates Arturo Palombo Architecture

Portfolio / A showcase of opulence

127 131 134 136 139 142 146 148

Michael K. Walker and Associates David H. Sherwood Architect Beckes Homes, Inc. Callas Architects Touzet Studio Design & Architecture Seibert Architects Robert Siegel Architects Carter van Dyke Associates, Inc.

Dialogue / Bringing global style to the US

152 153 155

Michael J. Siller Interiors ZW Jarosz Architect, PA Euro World Design

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T H E AG E N DA

04.12 Pebble Beach Food & Wine

THE Agenda a k

January–March 2012 g

New American Luxury’s picks for this season’s best and most exclusive events.

d a North American International Auto Show Detroit; Jan. 9–22. The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) connects industry representatives from over 2,000 companies. More than 500 vehicles will be on display, demonstrating technological advancements and the newest, cutting-edge designs. q naias.com 01.28 Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase

s MAISON&OBJET

01.09 North American Int’l Auto Show

j

Paris; Jan. 20–24. MAISON&OBJET is one of the most preeminent international events devoted to decoration.

Organized twice yearly, the exhibition offers a 360-degree view of home-fashion trends and creations ranging from furniture to fashion accessories with an upmarket focus for both small designers and major brands. q maison-objet.com

d Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase Tucson, AZ; Jan. 28–Feb. 12. Tucson is all sparkle for two weeks every winter, when jewelry makers and collectors converge. More than 250 mineral, gemstone, jewelry, and fossil dealers set up shop all across Tucson. q visittucson.org/gemshow

03.08 The Armory Show

f Kyoto, Japan; Feb. 13–16. Buyers from 39 different countries seeking the newest in luxury-travel offerings enjoy an exclusive environment at this invitation-only event. Buyers of high-end travel meet with only the most exceptional international and Asian Pacific sellers, providing an intimate platform for this highly sought-after market. q blossomjapan.com

04.10 Travel Week São Paulo

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Photography: David Willems

Blossom Japan

011 01.20 MAISON&OBJET

02.13 Blossom Japan

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03.27 ABACE2012

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h

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The Armory Show

ABACE2012

Travel Week São Paulo

Pebble Beach Food & Wine

New York City; Mar. 8–11.

Piers 92 and 94 provide a quintessential NYC backdrop for The Armory Show, one of the top international art fairs showcasing seminal artworks from today through the last century. A weeklong program of events and exhibitions throughout New York City guarantees to highlight the best of our modern, post-modern, and otherwise unclassifiable age, with works of creative expression in various media. q thearmoryshow.com

Shanghai, China; Mar. 27–29.

Drawing more than 5,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors, ABACE2012 caters to the Asian business-aviation market. Held at the new Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Center, ABACE2012 features state-of-the-art aircraft by the world’s leading manufacturers, serving as both an exclusive buying and selling venue. q abace.aero/2012

São Paulo, Brazil; Apr. 10–13.

The second edition of this upscale travel event puts São Paulo on the map as April’s hotspot for professionals looking for tailormade travel experiences. Three thousand people—suppliers, buyers, and travel agencies—will participate in this three-day exhibition, featuring a travel gallery organized by destinations and themes. q travelweeksaopaulo.com

Pebble Beach, CA; Apr. 12–15.

In its fifth year, Pebble Beach Food & Wine is an event to delight the senses, attracting 7,000 guests both nationally and internationally to California’s central coast. Guests are invited to dine, drink, and golf during the four-day bacchanal, which brings together 250 wineries and 75 celebrity chefs, and features tastings, cooking demonstrations, and unforgettable dining experiences. q pebblebeachfoodandwine.com

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T R E N DWATC H

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inlaid leather paneling

by Genevieve Bennett Made-to-order pieces emphasizing luxurious materials and attention to detail, the collection of leather products by Genevieve Bennett is both elegant and contemporary. All designs are available in custom sizes, colors, and layouts, and a bespoke offering makes for a truly collaborative experience between Bennett’s studio and the client. With a focus on innovation and cutting-edge techniques, the resulting products are unique and timeless. genevievebennett.com

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LEATHER No longer just for motorcycle jackets, leather finds its way into the everyday. Ranging from supple to rigid, from classic black to vermilion, leather boasts a materiality like no other.

leather lampshade by Pepe Heykoop In collaboration with the Tiny Miracles Foundation in India, Pepe Heykoop has created the Leather Lampshade, which is produced in Mumbai by women seeking to earn school fees for their daughters. The resulting product is a beautiful, soft lambskin shade—a design that is lightweight, foldable, ethical, and reminiscent of old, metal industrial lamps. The lampshade comes in two shapes: horizontal and vertical (shown). pepeheykoop.nl

acapulco chair by OCHO Designed circa 1950 in Acapulco, Mexico, the Acapulco Chair is inspired by traditional Mayan weaving techniques and is now manufactured by OCHO Workshop not far from where it originated. Completely handcrafted from 100-percent leather cord and constructed of a powder-coated iron frame, the leather edition offers supreme comfort. OCHO Workshop seeks to ensure its charm and character, while also promoting social justice and positive environmental ideals. ochoworkshop.com

Photography: Julian Abrams, Annemarijne Bax, Carlos Ocho

forms by Anastasiya Komarova Applying architectural principles to product design, Russian architect Anastasiya Komarova has created a line of handbags and accessories that pushes the boundaries of leather, with a nod to both its structural qualities and its sculptural beauty. Not to eschew functionality, she designs objects that are still wearable, but that blur the lines between fashion and art. Speaking of what compels her during her process, Komarova states, “I try to think over the very meaning of [the] proportion and plastic of an object and how [it] interacts with the surrounding space.” leform.ru

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T R E N DWATC H

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one crystal chandelier

by Thomas Feichtner Simple luxury defines the One Crystal Chandelier by Brazil-born Viennese designer Thomas Feichtner. Created for Lobmeyr, an Austrian glassware producer founded in 1823, this stripped-down version of traditional chandelier designs is a departure from the more ornate and formal crystal chandeliers of past eras. An LED light at the end of a steel tube illuminates the Lobmeyr crystal from below. thomasfeichtner.com

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CRYSTAL The dazzle of crystal has designers getting creative, from thoughtful artworks by an interiors guru to the finest stemware by a fashion-world icon.

“the quick and the dead”

by Geoffrey Bradfield Deemed by the artist as “the essence of glamour,” this mirror takes center stage in a Sebastian + Barquet gallery exhibition by Geoffrey Bradfield, one of today’s most sought-after interior designers. Referencing not only Narcissus but also the ancient Incan, Chinese, and Egyptian civilizations, Bradfield’s skull mirrors find inspiration in the work of Alexander McQueen, as well. Also available painted in bold colors, the ornate period frames contain mirrored skulls, which feature luxurious velvet backgrounds and spare but striking Swarovski-crystal adornments. sebastianbarquet.com

Photography: Jonas Lindström, J. & L. Lobmeyr, Sebastian + Barquet Gallery

elis bangle by Swarovski This 1,000-piece, limited-edition watch isn’t just a watch— it’s fashion at its finest. With a matte-purple dial, sunraysatin center, and an opaline border set amidst a crystalmesh bangle of dramatic proportion, the Elis Bangle combines Swiss timekeeping and Swarovski-crystal design to create a maximum effect. swarovski.com

karl lagerfeld for Orrefors In designing his first-ever line of crystal, Lagerfeld brings the same restrained perfectionism to his Orrefors collection as he does to his fashion designs. Transparent, black, or milky white, Lagerfeld’s family of crystal exudes purity of form and timeless elegance, and includes champagne flutes and coupes, and wine, water, and liqueur glasses, plus monogrammed coasters. orrefors.com/karllagerfeld

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T I P S &T R I C K S

f

Designing Your Own Home with Eliza Tan of Eliza Tan Interiors

a EDIT I first decided I had to downsize.

Whatever was inherently or emotionally valuable, I kept. It’s important to narrow down what you love and what’s worth keeping.

Streamlining your house makes it look and feel organized.

f ACCENTS Accessories, such as table lamps and art, are the jewelry in the room; they infuse a personal statement.

Don’t be afraid to get creative and unconventional. For my living room, I found a vase in an antique shop and made it into a lamp.

s showcase Memorabilia During my husband’s travels, he would buy Oriental rugs for our home. For my townhome, I placed one of the rugs in my foyer to create visual interest. If you have sculptures or artwork from your travels, they could serve as great accent pieces on your shelves.

g MULTIPURPOSE SPACES With a smaller house, I knew I had to consolidate my spaces. My great room is my living room, family room, and personal den for watching TV and reading books. Gone are the days when a room serves a single purpose.

d

h FABRICS Fabrics provide textural elements in a home. A subtle mix of textiles and colors created a fresh and spontaneous look in my home. j

As told to Kaleena Thompson Transitioning to a new, smaller home after my husband passed away, I used the same design treatment I give my clients. My firm, Eliza Tan Interiors, always looks at a home’s bones to determine how the space can be effectively used for the homeowner’s lifestyle. Before designing my house, my initial reaction was “I’m too busy!” But then my good friend and graphic designer told me it was an opportunity to create my own home in a different light. As I approached the design, I knew I wanted to blend traditional and contemporary, with clean lines and a subtle use of color and patterns. It was my turn to treat myself as the client, and walk through those steps to design my brand-new home.

Design Firm

Eliza Tan Interiors 288 Main St. Acton, MA 01720 978 429 8124 elizatan.com PROJECT

Eliza Tan’s Townhome Boston

d MEDIA Before I moved into my new house, I resisted a large flat-screen TV over the fireplace. But given the size of the space, I needed [one]; it now makes a strong statement.

What’s so great about technology is everything is virtual—music, movies, and tapes. The CD and DVD players are remotely controlled and stored in my basement.

The built-in shelves that surround the TV and fireplace are used to house my vases and sculptures, which softens the strength [of the TV] with a touch of elegance.

photography

Michael J. Lee michaeljleephotography.com

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j IN WITH THE OLD Aside from purchasing a few extra furnishings, I held on to many of my chairs and reupholstered them in fresh, new fabrics. I repurposed a Tansu chest from my previous home and used it as one giant piece in the front hall of my house. It now creates a dramatic statement.

017

k

k PERSONAL COLLECTIONS Whether it’s a rock collection or sports memorabilia, consider the best niches in your house for them.

For example, my vases and antique pieces are gathered together on the built-in shelves. If you or your child has a collection of dark-colored rocks, display them on a light surface. If it’s glass sports memorabilia, consider shelving them on a dark mahogany surface instead of glass. Also, collections are most effective as a group. l REARRANGE FURNITURE Put a new decorative spin on old furniture by rearranging it within different spaces of the home. That way you look at everything with a fresh eye. For example, an old chest in a bedroom could give new life to a study or a living room.

Every time you move something, it becomes new. about the tan townhouse

; COLOR SCHEME I created clean lines with visual rhythms. My backdrop is tailored in beiges and grays, but I offset those calm colors with black or dark-green frames for artwork and photos.

Eliza Tan's 2,000-square-foot townhouse, which she completed in 2010, serves as a living laboratory for her design practice, Eliza Tan Interiors.

At one end of the large living space is a comfortable seating area that is perfect for cocktails or personal reading. The fireplace at the end of the living area is framed by a custom bookcase that holds a flat-screen TV and collectibles. The furnishings and accessories are an eclectic collection of antiques and contemporary pieces that Tan amassed in her travels. A vintage Eames chair nearby is perfect for watching TV, while the modern pedestal table is used for dining. The stairs lead from the double-height living space to the upper level and its two bedroom suites and office.

403.620.6768 martinsfinishing@gmail.com #8 2720 12 street N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 7N4 www3.telus.net/public/mcfinish N e wA m e r i c an L u x u r y. c o m / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

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T I P S &T R I C K S

Flip in Style and on Budget with David Chun of Chun Studio and Elemental Homes As told to Suchi Rudra

The overlap of nature and architecture is fundamental and an inspiration to my practice. I established my architecture firm, Chun Studio, back in 2001, and I cofounded Elemental Homes with a partner, Peter Lee, in late 2009.

Elemental Homes is the development side under which we flip houses, offering affordable, accessible luxury to young couples looking for starter homes.

To create a glossy, modern home from a rundown bungalow, our strategies have to be more daring. In the end, a dated, enclosed building gets reinvented into a unique and stylish luxury home. The process hinges on 10 key factors. a Feel the vibe After trying a broker to find listings, we realized quickly that it’s actually best to drive around and walk through the areas we like. It’s best to scope out the neighborhood and really feel the vibe and the energy of the place.

project

Bungalow Renovation Los Angeles Design Firm

Chun Studio/Elemental Homes 2933 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90064 310 473 7500 chunstudio.com

photography

Val Riolo valriolo.com

s Brainstorm House flippers are playing developer, so study the house with the client in mind. Sit inside the house for an hour or two and sketch out ideas. Think about the implications of certain changes in terms of construction costs and design quality. d analyZE THE COSTS As you are coming up with ideas, you also need to think realistically about what the house can go for. You are mapping out what you can do to add design value, so you have some basic idea of what it will cost. Then you can make an offer based on what you can sell it for. f Seal the deal If you find a place you like, get aggressive with the offer. And if you get the property, use a crew you really trust. For the first home we flipped, we worked with Handcrafted Construction Inc., an excellent contractor who I’d collaborated with previously on a large kitchen remodel, and whose work I really admire.

[I N T E R I O R S

www.elizatan.com 978.429.8123

[

ELI ZA TAN

g NurturE nature Take advantage of the climate. We are based in Southern California so we try to create a space that smoothly connects the outside to the interior. Daylighting is also important. The client should really be able to take advantage of the yard—of living in a house—as opposed to being in an apartment. h think about the Flow Design should consider proportion—how you move through spaces, how they are adjacent to each other, how spaces connect and disconnect. You should be able to experience a flow.

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Here’s to Chun Studio & all our amazing partners for helping us build a reputation that speaks for itself.

AFTER

before

AFTER

before

j GO Back to THE basics The luxurious quality of the design is achieved with a carefully controlled construction cost that focuses on the very basic components of a house. The key is to prioritize, practice restraint, and forgo small details that usually are the cause of busted budgets. k Rearrange it Older bungalows tend to have defined and closed rooms that cut you off from the rear yard. We reconfigure the house and relocate the living space toward the rear of the house to allow for an indoor-outdoor connection. It becomes a transition or an extension of the living room, plus it increases square footage and the “enjoyability” of the house. before

After

about the bungalow

The challenge was to create a coherent, efficient, welldesigned house from a box.

Reconfiguring the space in a timely fashion led to the profitable sale of the Los Angeles bungalow.

Purchase date: May 2010 Purchase price: $300,000 Sale date: November 2010 Sale price: $520,000

l Experience Experience from an architecture practice, especially working with clients, provides a lot of wisdom in controlling the construction budget. Conversely, development experience also informs the architectural practice in getting the most for your money. ; stick to the Timeline Usually, the entire process takes about five or six months. During the first open house we held for the first house we flipped, we received six offers on the spot, three of which were considerably over the asking price. So we did quite well.

COMMUNICATION. DETAILS. RESULTS.

a message from Handcrafted Construction Inc.

Based in Culver City, Handcrafted Construction Inc. is proud to have worked with Chun Studio, as well as many of Los Angeles' most talented, creative architects and designers over the past decade.

We’ve built a reputation in custom, high-end residential and commercial construction based on strong communication, detail, and client experience. See our work at handcrafted-inc.com.

N e wA m e r i c an L u x u r y. c o m / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

Custom Residential & Commercial / Los Angeles

Handcrafted-Inc.com

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E X PA N S I O N

The British Invasion Lutwyche Menswear If you don’t know the Lutwyche name, you will.

This past fall saw the exclusive introduction of British suit-brand Lutwyche into the Beverly Hills Saks and subsequently Saks Fifth Avenue, giving Americans a whole new take on what it means to be “Made in England.” Founder Tony Lutwyche hails from a quintessential English family that dates back to the 11th century, and these historic associations have led Lutwyche to instill that same sense of family pride into the very suits that he creates, whether they be ready-to-wear, made-to-measure, or bespoke.

Flawless tailoring expressive of the suit wearer’s essence speaks to the connoisseur, whereas investment in highly skilled English tailors in a world of outsourcing and cost cutting has placed Lutwyche in a class of its own. Lutwyche is the official tailor of the British Polo Team, and members of the workshop have 1,500 years of experience between them.

Speaking of the US launch, Tony Lutwyche says: “We set out to achieve the pinnacle of excellence in terms of fine English tailoring when we founded Lutwyche in 2000, and are extremely proud to be the only UK business capable of delivering these standards to the international market.” Suits in the US ready-to-wear collection start at $3,500.

company

Lutwyche 15 Clifford St. London, UK W1S 4JZ lutwyche.co.uk founder

Tony Lutwyche PR Firm

Redleaf Polhill +44 207 566 6700 redleafpr.com representative

Erica Sutton-Teague

V distributors Lutwyche Mayfair, London Saks Fifth Avenue, New York City Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills

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glen check suit

The new ready-to-wear collection by Lutwyche arrived in the United States in fall 2011. $3,700

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M A R K E T WATC H

The Market That Never Sleeps CORE Group founder and CEO Shaun Osher discusses what’s hot in Manhattan’s notoriously mercurial real-estate market

words

Thalia A-M Bruehl photography

Nico Arellano nicoarellano.com

company

CORE Group 127 Seventh Ave. New York, NY 10011 212 609 9100 corenyc.com

Shaun OSHER names the Top five NYC Real-Estate Trends

a New-development activity is making a comeback. s Buyers want turnkey apartments that need no renovation. d Townhouses are more in demand now than ever before. f Sellers are looking for innovative ways to market their properties with agents who understand multimedia. g Buyers are doing more research on their own, but still rely heavily on the agent for insight and guidance.

Shaun Osher started CORE, a boutique realestate brokerage and advisory firm, six years ago with partner Jack Cayre after becoming disenchanted with the generic client services offered by New York’s larger firms. CORE quickly rose to the top thanks to its focus on providing the highest level of personalized service and expertise in the field. Osher recently spoke with New American Luxury about the trends, limitations, and wish lists of one of the world’s most exciting, expensive, and evolved real-estate markets—Manhattan.

Part of CORE’s success is due to your unique philosophy and your desire to keep real estate fresh and relevant. What separates CORE from other firms? CORE represents the evolution of real estate. We are a company interested in how real estate should be conducted in 2012, [whereas] a lot of companies are operating on the same fundamentals that they were in 1980. The world has changed, and we as a company strive to be at the forefront of all of those changes.

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What properties are hot in New York real estate right now? Clients are looking for quality—something they’ve become so used to seeing a lack of in this market. New Yorkers want turnkey, well-conceived, perfectly finished apartments and homes.

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Are there design styles that are more popular than others? Our clients are looking for everything from traditional to modern styles; it runs the gamut. Different personalities want different things, and we pride ourselves on being able to help find the perfect fit.

Is there anything that high-end New York clients look for across the board, no matter their preferences in style? The fundamentals of real estate—the things that are key to making your lifestyle and home a special place—we call those “the intangibles.” This includes the view, the layout, the ceiling heights, the amenities, whether there is a doorman or not. Ultimately it always comes down to the same thing: location.

What are the geographic trends right now?

Our focus is mostly Manhattan, and within the island we’ve seen a lot of downtown neighborhoods emerge as desirable luxury neighborhoods, like the West Chelsea area. The West Village area has always been popular, but it’s more desirable now. And really what we’ve seen recently is NoHo [North of Houston Street] evolving into one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Manhattan.

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Outside of location, what’s at the top of every New Yorker’s wish list? Location and then price points, followed by bedroom and bathroom counts, and then the luxury items— the intangibles I mentioned before. Things like finishes come last.

What are your clients willing to sacrifice to have the ideal location? Certainly, there is always a trade-off. People will sacrifice space, which is the ultimate luxury in New York. And then they start sacrificing things on their wish list—views, bedrooms, [and] details like flooring, appliances, or other finishes.

Are you seeing an influx in “green” properties? Are New Yorkers ready to have a more eco-friendly lifestyle? Certainly we have more clients now looking for that lifestyle than we did 10 years ago, but unfortunately not as much as I’d like to see. Because of the

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economy and what we’ve just lived through, and what we seem to be faced with now, money is still the driving force behind the majority of decisions people make. They don’t see how these sustainable choices will save them money in the future; they see the up-front costs.

01 225 W. 11th St.

Listed: $8,350,000 Sold: $7,825,000 Details: West Greenwich Village townhouse; 3,600 sq. ft.; 7 beds, 5 baths; prewar, terrace, garden 02 141 FIFTH Ave.

One of the most exciting things for your firm has to be your involvement with HGTV’s Selling New York. How has the show impacted business? It’s been the most powerful branding experience and something we couldn’t replicate if we tried. To be shown in 60 countries to millions of people a week is an exposure we couldn’t have dreamed of.

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Listed: $17,500,000 Sold: $12,900,000 Details: Flatiron District penthouse; 5,600 sq. ft.; 6 beds, 6.5 baths; prewar, doorman building, elevator, multilevel unit with terrace and cupola, washer/dryer 03 252 Seventh Ave.

Price listed: $7,900,000 Price sold: $7,000,000 Details: Chelsea penthouse; 3,800 sq. ft.; 4 beds, 3 baths; doorman, health club, elevator, garage, terrace, multilevel, washer/dryer 04 812 Fifth Ave.

Listed: $12,000,000 Sold: $10,600,000 Details: Upper East Side; 2 beds, 2 baths; doorman, elevator, terrace, washer/dryer 05 201 E. 80th St.

Price listed: $5,550,000 Price sold: $5,100,000 Details: Upper East Side condo; 3,472 sq. ft.; 4 beds, 5 baths; doorman, prewar, elevator, balcony, washer/dryer

RESIDENTIAL

SHANE INMAN President, ASID, IIDA

LUXURY HOMES. LUXURY SPACES. Delivering a wealth of design expertise and experience to over-deliver, exceed expectations, and provide an unparalleled level of customer service for those who demand it.

06 650 Sixth Ave.

Listing Price: $3,100,000 Price sold: $3,050,000 Details: Flatiron District; 3 beds, 2.5 baths; doorman, prewar, health club, elevator

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View The Inman Company’s profile on HGTV.com and blog on chicagonow.com

WWW.THEINM A NCOMPA NY.COM

231.392.5548

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Grand Lobby at the Gramercy Park Hotel What some might call anachronistic, others may simply refer to as timeless. Upon stepping out of the bustle of NYC streets and into the lobby of the Gramercy Park Hotel, one feels transported to a 19th century French salon. But upon closer examination, the contemporary finishes are revealed.

A Bohemian eclecticism defines the voluminous lobby, the height of which is further amplified by the starkness of reclaimed cypress woods juxtaposed with ornate Venetian light fixtures and 10-foot Italian fireplaces. The interior playfully balances modern American edginess with European tradition, offering a rich material palette of rough plaster, Moroccan tiles, and hand-woven rugs amidst artworks by 20th century masters Warhol, Hirst, Haring, Basquiat, and Julian Schnabel, the artist and filmmaker who worked as the interior designer of the space. interior Architect

John Pawson Ltd 70-78 York Way, Unit B London, UK N1 9AG +44 20 7837 2929 johnpawson.com interior designer

Julian Schnabel julianschnabel.com photography

Jesse David Harris jessedavidharris.com

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Bar Pleiades at The Surrey

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interior architect

Located in the super-exclusive Upper East Side, The Surrey is home to an innovative lounge by designer Lauren Rottet.

The 1,200-square-foot Bar Pleiades is a heavenly departure right off the lobby, referencing Coco Chanel and the cosmos in a design that is sleek and elegant, yet comfortable and superb for people watching. Reminiscent of both a 1930s Deco bar cart and a Chanel makeup compact, the black-lacquered box with white-lacquer inlay is seductive, inviting you to remove yourself from worldly worries and to indulge in gastronomic delights and liquid luxury. Utilizing French doors and mirrors to create visual interest, the monochromatic lounge features an L-shaped banquette upholstered in white sharks’ skin, with neutral beige walls evocative of a Chanel handbag in its quilting.

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Lauren Rottet Rottet Studio Architecture and Design 180 Varick St., Suite 404 New York, NY 10014 866 629 4284 rottetstudio.com photography

Tom McWilliam tommcwilliam.com

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South Veranda at the Eventi Hotel The South Veranda invites guests at Chelsea’s Eventi, a Kimpton hotel, to reach new heights and get a different perspective of Manhattan. Overlooking Sixth Avenue and with remarkable, stunning views of the Empire State Building, this exquisite outdoor space allows one to rise above the street-side grit and enjoy an elevated viewpoint on all that the City has to offer.

The open-air patio is accessible from the hotel’s screening room, and with the additional square footage, the combined spaces make for an ideal wedding or special-events venue.

This dynamic veranda has casual outdoor seating for soaking in the sights and sounds of New York City without having to get your hands dirty.

interior architect

McCARTAN 156 Fifth Ave., #934 New York, NY 10010 212 957 1815 mccartan.com building architect

Perkins Eastman 115 Fifth Ave. New York, NY 10003 212 353 7200 perkinseastman.com photography

Chris Sanders chris-sanders.com

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D IALOG U E

How do you

stay true to your style

while showcasing your client’s quirks &

personality? interior designer shane inman and actor-turned-designer joseph parisi discuss how they balance client requests without sacrificing their creative integritY

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shane D. inman works around the clock—up to 20 hours a day—to ensure that his clients are satisfied.

Putting ego aside, he focuses on old-fashioned customer service.

joseph parisi approaches each of his projects with the same passion he’s applied to all of his life’s endeavors, whether it’s a personal home renovation or an acting role.

The Inman Company

Joseph Parisi Interiors

1041 E. State St. Traverse City, MI 49684 231 392 5548 theinmancompany.com

63 E. 9 th St., Suite 5E New York, NY 10003 732 740 9502 parisiinteriors.com

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DIALOGUE

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“The first thing I tell every client is that my own personal style means nothing ...

It’s all about my clients.” shan e in man , as to ld to keith lo ria

Personality and quirkiness are what make individual style so spectacular. There are no rules for interior design anymore. As a matter of fact, this is how the eclectic style became so popular. Within every space that I design I push the envelope with my clients to think outside the box in order to make their project unique by interjecting their own thoughts, ideas, and pieces into the space. When all is said and done you want to have a design that is one-of-a-kind, and that induces the “wow” factor and not the “seen-it-all-before” factor.

The first thing I tell every client is that my own personal style means nothing. I am not contemporary or traditional, it doesn’t matter what I am or if I live in a doghouse or a mansion. It’s all about my clients. There is a process in assisting clients with determining their own personal style in order to productively move forward. My company has spent years collecting a plethora of pictures, examples, and ideas, meticulously cataloguing them to help aid our clients in understanding what it is that they like and dislike. We look through them together, and I take copious notes to pinpoint a style that will be our foundation to start the project at hand.

As an interior designer, I am also an educator. When my client wants to do something really tacky and really ugly, it is my job to use my power and influence to educate them and help them understand that I am the one who can see the project already done. I have ability of vision—they do not. If they did, they wouldn’t need me. If they are adamant and want to do it, it’s my job to take that ugly chandelier and camouflage it or accentuate it and really make it work.

I understand that every lifestyle is different and so is each space. With every design style we must represent the uniqueness of the individual or family who inhabits it, whether residentially or commercially. Through education and experience we listen to clients, and we create a personal style that’s not only beautiful and comfortable, but also that promotes efficiency and productivity.

A coherent design throughout is object number one. One of the first things that a new client asks for is “cohesion.” Many projects start with a traditional framework, [while] the new vision may be contemporary.

Should the project not include the entire square footage, there will have to be middle ground, as we want everything to flow seamlessly and for there not to be any evidence of a remodel when the project is over.

ABOUT shane inman / As president and principal interior designer of The Inman Company, Shane Inman brings almost 15 years experience to his clients with offices in both Michigan and Chicago. Inman earned a BA in interior design from Michigan State University in 1997 and began his career in San Francisco, specializing in custom kitchen and bathroom design for Home Depot and its offshoot, The Expo Design Center. He is a certified interior designer by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification and also holds the highest-ranking memberships in both the American Society of Interior Designers and the International Interior Design Association. Inman is currently a featured blogger for The Chicago Tribune, and his portfolio is showcased on HGTV.com.

Earthen hues accentuate the nature prominently featured in this project by The Inman Company. The renovation took cold neutrals and warmed them up with richer wood tones, resulting in a space that is comfortable and casual, yet elegant and full of luxurious texture. The client’s love of cooking and entertaining put the kitchen and dining areas on center stage.

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“Acting ... enabled me to think outside of the box. it has allowed me to hear what the client has to say ... to achieve the design concept that is right for them.”

J o e Parisi , AS TOLD TO Mar k Pech en ik

It starts with listening to the client. Each project starts with a client’s thoughts or ideas.

Sometimes a client has a well-defined vision, but, more often than not, they need to talk out their preferences. This is where my professional acting background comes into play. Acting freed me up emotionally and enabled me to think outside of the box. Consequently, it has allowed me to hear what the client has to say and then draw them out to achieve the design concept that is right for them.

Communicate. I consistently keep in contact with clients. There is no easier way for a project to veer off track than lack of communication between a designer and client. For this reason, I will frequently pick up the phone and talk with the client regarding their thoughts and insights about the work. This not only strengthens the professional bonds but also enables me to be keyed into any potential changes or issues that may arise.

Focus on quality. The highest level of execution is necessary for any project. The best standards in craftsmanship and materials are required from start to finish. One recent project, for example, called for redesigning a master bedroom with a French-country barn motif. I incorporated everything from preserved barn beams to carpeting made from sisal, a tightly woven straw material, to evoke the appropriate rustic atmosphere. The client loved the product because of its quality and detail.

ABOUT Joseph Parisi / Parisi began his career as a business executive, which then segued into a New York acting career. A love of design led him to complete a three-year certificate program at Parsons School of Design in New York City, and in 1996 he started his own design practice. Parisi credits his acting skills for much of his firm’s success. His ability to listen to and interpret client wishes has earned him a steadfast and growing list of patrons. Headquartered in New York City, Joseph Parisi Interiors has projects in Miami, California, New York, and New Jersey.

Be true to your vision. This means knowing what works. I often start the process by promoting two concepts. The first is the one I am most excited about—a high vision where budget is a secondary issue. The second proposal takes a more conservative, practical approach. Frequently, the client chooses the first approach because they come to share my excitement and trust my N e wA m e r i c an L u x u r y. c o m / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

Custom Cabinetry Entertainment Centers Mantels Free Estimates!

Cell: 732.397.1446 Office: 732.222.4176

Established in 1981 Lic # 13VH03698100

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Photography: Pixy Liao, Peter Rymwid

Specializing in Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling for Over 15 Years

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interior-design sense. Designers should always remain true to their vision.

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LLC ATIN Builders

262 Norwood Ave., West Long Branch, NJ 07764 732.571.3119 | katin825@comcast.net

Choose to work only with dedicated professionals. There is an old saying that who you associate with reflects upon you as a person.

This is why I work with serious vendors and clients. Two New Jersey vendors in particular, Katin Builders and Wood Grain Design, proved invaluable to my work on a project involving the redesign of a master bedroom and bathroom for homeowners Barbara and Bill Butcher in Wall, New Jersey. It was a pleasure working with them because we shared the same strong commitment to perfection; I also greatly admired their professionalism. If there were concerns at the work site, they’d work things out confidentially with me rather than allowing the problem to get out of hand.

a message from katin builders, LLC

Katin Builders, LLC has been in business for more than 15 years and is proud of its working relationship with Joseph Parisi Interiors. We strive to offer high-quality work performed in a professional manner.

Looking forward we seek to build on relationships formed with our clients and associates, and clearly Joseph Parisi Interiors is one of those relationships.

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01 the Butcher Project

By lifting the bathroom ceiling, Parisi was able to accomplish a few goals at once. The additional height allowed for the incorporation of George Nelson Saucer lamps and for the placement of a horizontal window above the Parisi-designed vanity to bring in the morning light. The 10-foot-long vanity has a Parsons absolute-granite countertop and feels more like a piece of furniture floating in space, while the frosted-glass pedestal sink and laminated, stainless-steel cabinet front lend a modern sophistication to the space.

Tiffany McKinzie Interior Design focuses on new home construction and renovations, with the goal of helping a homeowner design, build and furnish a home that tells a personal story...a story that incorporates the homeowners’ passions, emotions and experiences.

Tiffany McKinzie serves as liasion between the homeowners, builder and subcontractors.

She breaks down the construction process into easily managed stages, guides the homeowners through each stage, from framing to furnishings and ensures that every element within the home maintains a cohesive flow.

p. 214.883.5473 f. 817.684.0510 www.tiffanymckinzie.com

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Sumptuous INDIAN wedding reception

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by heffernan morgan words

Kathy Kantorski photography

Cynthia Fandl fandlphotography.com

EVENT

Indian Wedding venue

Sheraton Chicago Hotel 301 E. North Water St. Chicago, IL 60611 312 464 1000 sheratonchicago.com design firm

Heffernan Morgan Designs 1200 N. North Branch St. Chicago, IL 60642 773 782 0800 hmdesigns.com event planner

Smita Mohindra Ethnic Essence Anaheim, CA ethnicessence.com

Creating a once-in-a-lifetime environment can put a lot of pressure on the designer. For a summer 2011 wedding at the Sheraton Chicago, Rishi Patel from Heffernan Morgan Designs handled that pressure with ease, confident that his creation would impress not only the bride and groom, but each of the 600 guests in attendance.

Event planner Smita Mohindra of Ethnic Essence in Anaheim, California, hired Heffernan Morgan Designs for the luxe and regal Indian celebration. “The client wanted something vibrant yet elegant and extremely tailored and tasteful—a wedding that they would look back on in 20 years and still love every bit of the design as much as they did that day,” explains Patel, senior event designer.

The star of Patel’s design is the mandap, a Hindu matrimonial structure featuring custom hand-stamped and embroidered panels that renowned Indian designer Ritu Kumar made specifically for this wedding. Surrounded by an oversized, lush halo of flowers—vibrant orchids, roses, and hydrangea—the mandap was suspended from the ceiling for the entire event, yet moved from its position above the ceremony to a new lampshade-like position above the dance floor for the reception. The move was accomplished thanks to a complicated faux-ceiling system utilizing five remotecontrolled motors. “The mechanics and design were difficult to tackle, but with an A-class team, we made it work,” Patel says with pride.

The dance floor also featured a custom border of the legha (bridal outfit) around its perimeter, complementing the bride’s incredible wardrobe for the weekend, which was all designed by Tarun Tahiliani.

Inspired by the “floating” mandap, the tables at the reception were arranged in oversized X-shaped groupings with round tables mixed in and featured three floating-centerpiece styles “in a vivacious citron and fuchsia color palette mixed with rich golds,” Patel describes. “The palette created a Bollywood-inspired color story; however, reimagined.”

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MANDAP (HINDU MATRIMONIAL STRUCTURE)

“The most important structure of the wedding was the mandap. The fabric was custom made by a famous Indian designer [Rita Kumar], and its suspension posed several challenges.”

B Heffernan Morgan Designs 800 266 8177 hmdesigns.com B Ritu Kumar ritukumar.com

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LIGHTING

“Moving textures and LED changing fixtures created moods throughout the evening. As the evening progressed, so did the lighting design.”

B Frost 312 642 7600 frostchicago.com

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“The first centerpiece design was a low mound of floral artistically created using Green Goddess callas that wrapped around and up the design, with a Swarovski-crystal center. The second centerpiece design was a U-shaped, crystal candelabrum featuring two cuffs of floral in citron, chartreuse green, and fuchsia, each with a crystal sphere atop. The third design was showcased on the large-format, Xshaped tables. Each arm of the X had a sleek Lucite shelf that appeared to be floating with an abundance of candles and cantilevered floral. The center of each X had a stunning Swarovski riser with an explosion of Bells-of-Ireland [plants].”

B Heffernan Morgan Designs 800 266 8177 hmdesigns.com

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“We used a variety of fuchsia roses, spray roses, four novelty varieties of orchids, and hydrangeas. The couple wanted a luxe and regal celebration, and only the best florals were used to create just that.”

B Hydrangeas from Holland, orchids from Thailand and New Zealand, roses from Ecuador, and additional flowers from the United States

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“We used a combination of gold chivari chairs for round tables and ice Versailles chairs for the Xshaped tables to complement the sleek Lucite that was used.”

B Classic Party Rentals Chicago 800 322 5868 chicago.classicpartyrentals.com

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the reynolds family room

by Tiffany McKinzie words

Project

Design firm

Kelli McElhinny

Reynolds Home Southlake, TX

Tiffany McKinzie Interior Design, Inc. 4711 Lakeside Drive Colleyville, TX 76034 214 883 5473 tiffanymckinzie.com

photography

Anne-Marie Zimmerer amwzphotography.com

Tiffany McKinzie blends her knowledge of the construction process with a design focus on functional aesthetics.

The result is a welcoming space that meets client needs, as evidenced by her work on the family room of the Reynolds Home in Southlake, Texas.

The architectural plans for this home featured a layout that eliminated wall separation between the family room, kitchen, and breakfast nook. “We wanted them to be separate in function, yet feel as if they were all part of one great space,� McKinzie says.

McKinzie was tasked with creating a cozy, stylish, and functional space for an active family. Ample and comfortable seating emerged as the top priority. She included a reclining chair by the window, two sofas, a large ottoman for TV viewing, and a table and chairs that can accommodate games and puzzles.

McKinzie did a furniture layout before plans were final-

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a Custom moldings

“The builder had a relationship established with [S&S Custom Wood Moldings] prior to commencing the project. The product offering and customer service were excellent.”

B S&S Custom Wood Moldings 214 491 6924 ssmoldings.com

s Conrad window shades

“Conrad offers all-natural, hand-woven window treatments which are unmatched in quality, beauty, and durability.”

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B E.C. Dicken, Inc. 214 742 4801 ecdicken.com

American Manufacturer of Fine Hardwood Products Since 1980

d Oushak area rug

“We selected a rug with an antiqued, washed-out, worn feel to it, as we didn’t want anything with a well-defined print. The best part is that we didn’t have to spend a small fortune on an actual antique rug to get the look we wanted.”

B Talebi Rugs 214 747 0707 talebirugs.com

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Nemo drapes in “Shipwrecked”

“Donghia offers a huge array of very unique and high-quality fabrics and wall coverings.”

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B Donghia, Inc. 214 741 1777 donghia.com

g Guthrie sofa in a linenblend fabric, Celine sofa in cotton velvet & Hicks tray

“Hickory Chair has a great selection of upholstered furnishings, fabrics, and case goods that fit a broad range of design styles.”

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Bombay side table & Claire storage ottomans in Kravet textured linen

“Barclay Butera had some wonderful pieces we incorporated into the space, including little, dual-function ottomans and armchairs that provide seating for the puzzle table.”

B Barclay Butera barclaybutera.com

ized to determine the exact location of furnishings, floor plugs, and televisions. Designers need to know about their clients’ lifestyles, hobbies, and preferences in order to meet their expectations. “Then you incorporate those functions into the design and flow of the space,” McKinzie says.

With the Reynolds family, this knowledge was particularly important. The family was transitioning from a home with dark wood and rich fabrics to a more updated, cleaner look, and family members were involved in the decisionmaking process. In fact, the husband selected the first pieces of furniture for the room—a pair of yellow leather chairs— which set the tone for the rest of the space.

“After we had those chairs it was very easy to pull the rest of the room together,” McKinzie says. “I didn’t want the bright yellow to make the room feel too cold, so I knew I would need to integrate warmer tones and textures for balance.”

j Olive leather ottoman, Yellow, high-back leather chairs & Yellow urns

“Brendan Bass has an amazing offering of unique and one-of-akind accessories. It is one of my favorite showrooms in the Dallas Design District, and I always find unique treasures each time I visit.”

B Brendan Bass Inc. 214 747 3386 brendanbass.com

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1710 Couch Dr McKinney, TX 75069-7326 214-491-6924 Fax 214-491-1803 www.ssmoldings.com Toll Free 800-530-4644

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Linen drapes

Tables, chairs & service ware

table linens

Floral design

“Tablecloths were ivory l’amour with saffron shantung napkins.

They were beautiful, soft touches to the décor.”

“[Cattleya] provides unique collections of different-tiered cylinders and vases.”

Handmade invitations & escort cards

“[Hall’s] has a large inventory, are very reliable, and specialize in customer service.”

Handmade, custom papers for menu cards & table numbers

B Hall’s Rental 847 929 2222 hallsrental.com

B BBJ Linen 847 933 5209 bbjlinen.com

“We used [Beret’s] natural-ivory linen fabric since it gives a nice fold with soft, structural pleats.”

B Beret Ltd. beretltd.com

B Cattleya Bridal & Floral Design 773 847 5389 cattleyabridal.com

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“They specialize in handmade papers that made a beautiful impression and complement to the tables.”

B Paper Source 312 337 0798 paper-source.com

“They have their own letterpress, and plant a tree for each bride they create invitations for.”

B Erickson Design/Lambert Letterpress 773 283 4988 ericksondesign.com lambertletterpress.com

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Classic EleganCE IN THE ROOKERY

by Deborah Weisenhaus words

Kaleena Thompson photography

Elizabeth Fraiberg photographye3.com

EVENT

“Classic Elegance” Wedding location

The Rookery Building 209 S. LaSalle St. Chicago, IL 60604 therookerybuilding.com event planner

Art of Imagination 216 N. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60661 773 632 8553 artofimagination.com

The Rookery Building in Chicago serves as the perfect backdrop for weddings designed by event producer Deborah Weisenhaus of Art of Imagination. In the heart of Chicago’s Financial District, this timeless 1888 beauty by the architects Daniel Burnham and John Root centers around Frank Lloyd Wright’s luminous 1905 renovation of the building’s Light Court, a stunning public and event space which sets the scene for Weisenhaus’ “Classic Elegance.”

Many of her brides come to her through referrals, social media, wedding planners, or caterers like Pure Kitchen Catering. When working with brides, Weisenhaus says she always asks to see the wedding gown first, and she builds the design from there. Ninety percent of brides desire the Classic Elegance look at the Rookery, which encompasses soft-ivory luxurious fabrics of linen with touches of silk organza.

For a recent wedding at the Rookery, Weisenhaus draped the interior of the room in natural-ivory linen fabrics, which can take up to six hours to install. “We put it through a metal cable and fishing line that makes it look like it’s floating on air,” she says. Weisenhaus and her design team enhanced the classic beauty of the Light Court by illuminating the fabric so as to create a candlelit glow and a wonderful ambiance for the reception.

She matched the tablecloths, also in ivory, with the linens, and topped them with saffron shantung napkins. Most of her wedding-design colors at the Rookery are in amber hues with undertone washes of peach or pale rose. Hawaiian orchids and hydrangeas and calla lilies from Holland were designed in different-tiered glass cylinders.

Weisenhaus says she strived to highlight and embrace the iconic Rookery Building’s strong geometric shapes, gilded iron columns encased in white marble, and hanging bronze chandeliers with prismatic glass. “I get great satisfaction when a mother of the bride walks into the room, hugs me, and cries with joy,” Weisenhaus says.

Sourcing local ingredients not only helps us do our part to support our local community, but it makes a

a message from pure kitchen catering

Pure Kitchen Catering buys only local ingredients. This not only helps us do our part to support our local community, but it makes a difference in the quality of our food. The less time between the farm and your plate, the brighter the taste—real food the way it was meant to be, pure and simple. Pure Kitchen’s philosophy is based on seasonal and sustainable cooking, so we only source ingredients from local farmers within a 250mile radius of the Chicago area, and we use only humanely raised, hormone-free meat.

difference in the quality of our food the less time between the farm and your plate, the brighter the taste.

312.388.9626 purekitchencatering.com twitter.com/purekitchen Photos courtesy of Carasco Photography.

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THE Hampton Designer Showhouse

by Sherrill Canet

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a Antique ram’s-head dining-table base

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“John Salibello has an incredible selection of midcentury furniture and lighting. With three locations in the New York area, they are a great resource for unique pieces.”

B John Salibello Antiques 212 838 5767 johnsalibelloantiques.com

s 1940s Murano-glass chandelier

“Newel is an antiques dealer with a magnificent array of unique pieces. It’s definitely one of the world’s best collections of show-stopping antique furniture, lighting, and accessories.”

B Newel, LLC 212 758 1970 newel.com

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Antique table lamps

“Florian Papp is another famous antiques dealer specializing in continental antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries. These table lamps are more mid-century, but we found them in Florian Papp.”

B Florian Papp, Inc. 212 288 6770 florianpapp.com

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f Drapes

“Window Modes does very high-quality work.

We’ve worked with them for many years and are always very happy.”

B Window Modes 212 752 1140 windowmodes.com

g Mary Judge print

“DM Contemporary, which is run by a woman in my hometown community, is a resource for fine and unique art.”

B DM Contemporary Art Gallery 212 576 2032 dmcontemporary.com

h Ceiling paint

“Farrow & Ball is a wonderful paint company where we can find unique, elegant colors such as in the yellow family used on the ceiling.”

B Farrow & Ball 888 511 1121 farrow-ball.com

words

Erinn Morgan photography

Anastassios Mentis mentistudio.com

project

2010 Hampton Designer Showhouse Dining Room Sag Harbor, NY design firm

Sherrill Canet Interiors, Ltd. 3 E. 66th St., Suite 4B New York, NY 10065 212 396 1194 sherrillcanet.com

A postmodern-style, 9,000-square-foot home was the site of the 2010 Hampton Designer Showhouse, an annual collaboration of the most sought-after design talents in the country.

This premier event, located in New York’s tony Hamptons resort community, invites interior designers to apply their vision to different rooms in the house and benefits the charity at Southampton Hospital.

Based in New York City and educated at London’s Inchbald School of Design, Sherrill Canet focused her creative energies on the Showhouse’s dining room. “I was lucky to have been rewarded such a prominent room,” says Canet, who has offices in Manhattan and Locust Valley, New York. “The house was … a blank canvas. The goal for this interior was to create a comfortable and happy room where people would linger for meals and socializing.”

Her novel approach to this task was to break some design rules. “This amount of pattern is definitely not traditional,

but somehow it works and feels fully charged,” Canet says.

She limited her color use to three main hues—chocolate, ivory, and yellow—and this effort tempers the layers and pulls the patterns together.

A well-edited collection of new and antique pieces also accessorizes and stabilizes the eye-popping patterns. Canet’s favorites include the 1940s goatskin credenza by Jacques Adnet from Newel Gallery and the 1960s ibex-antler table base from John Salibello Antiques. She also wove in a few items from her own Sherrill Canet Collection, such as the dining chairs, sideboard, area rug, and wallpaper.

The biggest challenge with this social space was that the outdoor parking was located just outside the windows. Canet’s resolution was to design planter boxes that sit in front of the windows to distract the eye. And the biggest success? “I think the room has a great mix of funky pieces,” Canet notes. “Real high style with a jazzy edge that just makes you feel good.”

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Kips Bay Dressing Room

by Cayley Barrett Associates g

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Suchi Rudra photography

Nick Johnson nicholasjohnsonphotography. com

project

Bath/Dressing Room in the 2011 Kips Bay Show House Upper East Side, Manhattan kipsbay.org design firm

Cayley Barrett Associates 238 E. Grand St. Fleetwood, NY 10552 914 667 4527 cayleybarrett.com

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Joy Licht, the founder of reconstruction and renovation firm Cayley Barrett Associates, had always been a supporter of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. In 2011, the firm decided to try and secure a room in the Kips Bay Show House to design under its own name and selected the master bath and dressing room, which Licht believes was the perfect venue for her firm's talents and skills.

Licht admits that the master bath and dressing room was a great space and flowed well, but she wanted to design a space that would be equally appealing to men and women.

With this goal in mind, Licht set out to find the perfect tile or stone for the space. When one of her associates brought her a waxed, Onondaga limestone from her family's quarry in Upstate New York, Licht knew she would design the space around this stone. Once the soft-taupe and gray palette of the bathroom was established, the firm added a punch of color to the dressing room with pistachio green.

To contrast the matte limestone, the walls were made in shiny taffeta. But the room overall remained simple, keeping in mind the goal of universal appeal. Porta Romana ceiling fixtures were used in both rooms to make the space feel connected, and Licht filled the space with a custom-made lounge seat from Avery Boardman and with unique antiques and accessories, some even from her own house. Licht hired her most valued and talented craftsmen for the job to ensure the best possible quality and style. “H&A Upholstery is our upholsterer. No project is too big or small for them.

Their craftsmanship is outstanding, and they always come through in a crunch.

“This project truly reflects who we are. We believe that a space should be well designed and easy to live in—not too, too stylized that one would get tired of it in a year. It should also be flexible and be able to be updated over time," Licht says.

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H & A Upholstery “One of a kind” a 6’ x 9’ handmade rug

“This is the perfect rug for the space in both its color and its size.”

B The Rug Company 212 274 0444 therugcompany.info

s Crystal & silver chandelier by Porta Romana

“The chandelier gave both rooms a bit of glitz, and I fell in love with them when I saw them.”

d 100% silk wall covering

“Scalamandré supplied the silk for the wall covering, and the green that was available was just enough punch for the space.”

B Scalamandré 800 932 4361 scalamandre.com

f Weathered-metal & glass nesting tables

“The accessories from Ochre helped bring the room together.”

B Ochre 212 414 4332 ochre.net

g Velvet lounge seat & silver-paper wall covering

“The Avery Boardman sofa and the fabric from Koroseal were important elements to the room.

They gave the room the softness that it needed.”

B Lounge by Avery Boardman 212 688 6611 averyboardman.com B Wall covering by Koroseal Interior Products koroseal.com

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Picture and fabric courtesy Larsen 2004

» Custom Upholstery

Residential Painting Service

B Studio 534 617 345 9900 s5boston.com

» Reupholstery » Slip covers » Draperies » Roman Shades

paint for walls

“Brother’s Painting is an outstanding company with craftsmen that are second to none. They provide us with the quality that is emblematic of our company.”

B Brother’s Painting 914 668 0273 B Benjamin Moore & Co. benjaminmoore.com

» Wall Covering wallpaper hanging

Upholstery & Drapery Workroom Available for Custom Interior Design

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faux finish venetian plaster

1970s aluminum & brass dressing table

“They have beautiful and unusual items, and a very helpful and supportive staff.”

B Buck House 212 828 3123 buckhouse.com

H & A Upholstery, Inc. 53 Pearl St. Brooklyn, NY 11201 1-800-341-8776 www.dumboupholstery.com

16 Years In Business P (914) 668-0273 F (914) 668-4421 brothers.painting@verizon.net

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sun valley living ROOM by jamesthomas

words

Thalia A-M Bruehl photography

Tim Brown of Balance Productions

project

Baker Residence Sun Valley, ID design firm

jamesthomas 2401 W. Ohio St. Chicago, IL 60612 312 738 7300 jtliving.com

Interior designers Thomas Riker and James Dolenc of jamesthomas knew they wanted to add a Western feel to the contemporary design of their Sun Valley residential project, a 12,000-square-foot home with five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and luxury features like a screening room and home gym.

With the breathtaking mountain views and the picturesque, nature-filled setting, Riker and Dolenc couldn’t help but add in touches of earthy materials and equine art. “Our clients wanted very clean lines, but we saw the home as more of a modernized cabin,” Dolenc explains. “We both got what we wanted. I’d call it a mountain aesthetic presented in a contemporary way.”

“The living room and dining room are suspended over the driveway,” Riker says of the unique space. “Everything is dramatic, from the fireplace to the Western views of the mountains, to the huge windows you see them out of. Our goal was to create a space the family could entertain in, but

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a “Tempo Stone” Tibetan silk & wool rug by Tufenkian

“There are elements to it that feel very contemporary, but it feels earthy at the same time.

It’s not too graphic, and the color palette worked very well with the house.”

Our Experience and Reliability Work for You

B Peerless Rug Company 773 525 9034 peerlessrugcompany.com

s Laser-cut bronze coffee table

“Peggy Baker actually grew up with the Niedermaiers in Chicago, so we wanted to include a piece of their furniture. The coffee table feels almost like a Moroccan tile, and the lattice look worked well with our modern interpretation of earthy.”

B Niedermaier @ Chicago Merchandise Mart 312 467 7008 niedermaier.com

d African cup stools

“We thought they added a tribal element to the room. They look like carved, wooden stumps.

How wonderfully quirky!”

B Chista 212 924 0394 chista.net

f Weekend bench

“We loved that it had an integrated cocktail table that flips over and can be moved. It’s a fun way of incorporating a hard surface with a soft one.”

B Troscan Design + Furnishings 312 733 0158 troscandesign.com

g Darryl table

“We thought the onyx worked really well as a natural element, and we loved the warm, rich tones and the light feel. It also brings in a stone element we thought worked so well in Sun Valley.”

B Bradley Hughes 404 814 9595 bradley-hughes.com

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that could also feel intimate and cozy.”

Riker and Dolenc created multiple seating areas within the space that are all tied together by similar aesthetics, materials, or focal points. “The ‘zones’ as we call them, revolve around two spots—the fireplace and the bay window,” Riker says. “By the window we used two chairs facing one another with a coffee table in between them, so it’s very much like a little private seating area. That section joins the fireplace group by way of a daybed.”

Above all, the Bakers wanted an “adult” room, which was achieved by using high-end pieces such as a Niedermaier coffee table and an imported Tibetan rug. However, Riker and Dolenc were able to sneak in a few of their Western-inspired touches. “We really wanted to use this amazing piece of art of a horse, and even though we explained it was a cool twist on Western, the client was very resistant to it,” Dolenc adds.

“Eventually we wore them down, and now they love it, just as they do the rest of the house.”

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Peerless Imported Rugs is a third generation, family owned company that has been in the same location in Chicago for over 73 years.

We specialize in Traditional Oriental and Decorative area rugs as well as fine carpeting for all applications.

We maintain a complete workroom to serve your special needs - Stair Runners, Special Borders, Fringing, End-Capping and more.

Quality • Value • Service

800-621-6573 3033 North Lincoln Avenue | Chicago IL 60657

www.peerlessrugs.com

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highland park Sitting Room

by Randy Heller words

Laura M. Browning photography

Alan Shortall alanshortall.com

project

Private Residence Highland Park, IL design firm

Randy Heller Design 2919 Twin Oaks Dr. Highland Park, IL 60035 847 207 7789 randyhellerdesign.com

The strangest place Randy Heller ever found a piece of furniture for a client was in an old meat market in a meatpacking district. “There pretty much isn’t anything I won’t do for one-of-a-kind finds,” she says. Fortunately, for a recent client in Highland Park, Illinois, she didn’t have to go to such great lengths to find the perfect accessories for a sitting room with a welcoming fireplace.

Heller begins her research with a client interview, where, she says, “I immediately begin to interpret their personal sense of style based on how they’re dressed.” Her Highland Park client had a classic, sophisticated, high-end image, and wore neutral tones. “I knew right away she wouldn’t want a lot of color,” Heller says. The client’s blended family required some very specific needs for the home’s layout, and Heller also wanted to be sure she could translate “her [client’s] personal style, and the way she carried herself, into her home.”

Heller calls herself a hunter and gatherer. “I love the thrill of hunting for the perfect pieces,” she says, “and I like to find an object and add something to it.” She’s unafraid to alter the objects she finds, which sometimes means painting or lacquering a vintage piece of furniture. She’s also unafraid to hunt and gather beyond the conventional boundaries of interior design, often prowling rummage sales to find the perfect accessories for her clients.

Because a lot of her upholstered pieces are custom made, Heller saves the traditional Merchandise Mart shopping for wallpapers and fabrics. Her finished interiors often include a mix of new and vintage, and emerging and established brands. Whether her hunting leads her to an art dealer, estate sale, or rummage sale, she makes sure that the final pieces meet her exacting standards and her clients’ needs.

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Cocktail table

Wool-mohair loveseat

“One of the things I love about Oly is that everything they create is made in the United States. I make a strong effort to purchase items that are made in the United States or Europe.”

“Kravet makes their furniture in the United States, and they have beautiful fabric selections. Their service is always spot-on, and there is something to select in every price point.”

Handmade, sustainably sourced chairs

B Oly 775 336 2100 olystudio.com

B Frame by Kravet 800 645 9068 kravet.com B Upholstery by Lee Jofa 800 453 3563 leejofa.com

“These gorgeous, curvilinear chairs come from a company run by two architects. They have an architectural look that allows them to be placed in traditional or contemporary settings.”

B BOX Furniture boxfurniture.net B Available at Walters Wicker 201 567 2000 walterswicker.com

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Flokati rug

Custom window coverings

Hand-glazed tile

“This is a really nice piece of material to use to anchor a furniture group. The price point is also very good, especially when compared to an antique rug. It’s a natural, high-quality product with an amazing texture that contrasts beautifully with the wood floor.”

“There isn’t anyone else for draperies or window coverings that I bring into my work. I also always try to support local craftsmen and artists.”

“This is another local company that I love. The texture and material were so beautiful, and I was able to keep it in the neutral palette that follows the style of the homeowner.”

B Flokati 866 936 4806 flokati.com

B Cardinal Drapery Company 847 640 7410 cardinaldrapery.com

B Tithof Tile & Marble 847 831 3444 tithoftile.com

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new york city boutique hoteL

by Otte architecture words

project

Julie Edwards

The Distrikt Hotel 342 W. 40 th St. New York, NY 10018 distrikthotel.com

photography

Chris Rubino chrisrubino.com Rinze van Brug rinze.com

design firm

Otte Architecture 116 Chambers St., 4th Floor New York, NY 10007 212 965 0314 otte-a.com

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Designed by Manhattan-based Otte Architecture, Midtown West’s Distrikt Hotel offers a modern, sophisticated stay for travelers visiting New York City. Involved from the project’s conception, Otte Architecture began by helping select the hotel’s site at 40th Street, then was charged with the responsibility of designing the exterior shell and interior core of the space.

During the course of the project, they proved their design savvy to produce a stunning interior, pitching the concept of using New York City itself as inspiration. They branded both the hotel’s public and private spaces with New Yorkneighborhood imagery and signage.

“We quickly realized that the city and its diversity was exactly the inspiration we were seeking,” says Michael Lisowski, a principal at Otte Architecture. “We envisioned that guests had chosen the hotel to experience the City, so why not incorporate that desire into the very space?”

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Green Wall

“The green wall by GSky Plant Systems, Inc. has the same proportions as Central Park and signifies the city’s green spaces. Thanks to a watering system and artificial sunlight, it brings a fresh, positive energy to the Distrikt's lobby.”

B GSky Plant Systems, Inc. 888 708 GSKY gsky.com

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Wood-Treatment Map Wall

“The map wall depicts a relief of the roadways of Manhattan, a process which was achieved by DesignCore using a CAD/CAM machine to engrave wood panels with a scalable map of New York City. It adds a textural feature while also providing a counterpoint to the green wall.”

B DesignCore, LTD 800 666 9366 designcore.com

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Pendant Lamps

“The pendant lamps by Lusive Décor are arranged in an ordered grid but their lengths are arranged randomly. The gridded but random pattern is an expression of the skyline of Manhattan.”

B Lusive

Décor 323 227 9207 lusivelighting.com

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Lighting Installation at Reception Desk

“The desk is the main functional item in the lobby, so we knew it needed to be instantly identifiable and make it its own focal point. By adding the lighting via the use of a low-profile LED fixture, the desk itself stands apart from the strong solid presence of the wood map wall beyond.”

B TokiLum by Tokistar Lighting, Inc. 714 772 7005 tokistar.com

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The concept shines with hallway collages created by Manhattan artist and art director Chris Rubino. 31 8-foot-long light boxes are displayed prominently on each of the hotel’s floors.

Rubino wove together more than 10,000 photos, each back-lit collage representing the essence of a particular district in the City.

Partner Mark Fernandez notes that the cohesive feel of the hotel’s public and private spaces results from the firm’s intimate collaboration with the client, down to assisting with the selection of staff uniforms. “At the point when you’re involved in all aspects of the design, you’re no longer responsible simply for the space, but you are now the steward of the brand. Fortunately, we had great team members in the owners, which led to a true collaborative experience that ultimately made Distrikt Hotel what it is today.”

Lisowski adds that Consulting Associates of

New York were an integral part in helping Otte Architecture design the building envelope. “We consulted with them on waterproofing details for the façade and roof during the design phase as well as during the construction phase,” he adds. “We were adamant about the building being a watertight structure so we were careful to heed their advice.”

The hotel’s interior incorporates a wealth of natural materials including wood, stone, and even a “green” wall in the lobby, all of which add a subtle luxury to the space while making it equally warm and comfortable for guests.

This luxurious comfort exudes immediately upon entering the lobby, which sets the tone for the rest of the guests’ experience. From the ethereal quality of the reception-desk lighting to the exquisite contrast of dark, heavily carved wood with cool, creamy stone, the space is both inviting and elegant.

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"Distrikt Hotel" Lettering

“The Distrikt Hotel font was created by TANKindustries led by Jason Falk. The font followed the concept of the hotel itself … a distinctive metropolitan character that acknowledged its past. TANKindustries also gave us a distinctive logo that still retained the simple elegance we were incorporating throughout the hotel. The raised-lettering signage was manufactured by Acorn Sign Graphics who also did all the guest floor and café signage.”

B Distrikt

typeface and logo by TANKindustries 646 610 2413 tankindustries.com

B Distrikt

signage by Acorn Sign Graphics 804 726 6999 acornsign.com

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Stone in Lobby

“Osso Travertine purchased from Dal-Tile was chosen to give the lobby a timeless feel—a look which was inspired by the interior of New York City’s Grand Central Terminal.”

B Dal-Tile 212 471 0256 daltile.com

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Lobby Furniture

“Manufactured by hillcraft from original designs by Otte Architecture, the lobby furniture immediately evokes elegance with its clean lines and subdued hues while adding a touch of texture amidst the stone and wood.”

B hillcraft 608 221 3220 hillcraft.com

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Providing Architects, Owners and Developers with Technical Expertise for Building Enclosures of all types and sizes since 1996

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Building Investigation • Technical Detailing Specifications • Local Ordinance Due Diligence • Shop Drawing Review Special Inspection • Quality Control Industrial Rope Access For more information, visit our website: www.cany.com

One of the most important design aspects of the Distrikt Hotel was the treatment of the actual rooms. “In keeping with our New York City inspiration, we envisioned the rooms literally as the guest’s home—their own New York apartment that would read as comfortable and inviting as possible,” Fernandez adds.

The Manhattan theme carries into the guest rooms via the custom-designed headboard which becomes a focal point for the room.

Inspired by the giant grid on which the City is based, Otte Architecture created a stunning six-foot-high, black-leather headboard that’s sculptural and sleek. The custom-designed nightstands with clean, minimalist lines crafted from dark-stained walnut and stainless steel complement the headboard’s design. Adding to the “home-like” feel are custom-designed, clearglass nightstand lamps, which “add sparkle to the room without being showy,” Lisowski says.

“We’ve designed furniture for our residential clients; however, the challenge we had in the Distrikt was to design guest-room furniture that would be functional and ergonomic, yet allow the room to be a space that did not feel claustrophobic,” Lisowski adds. “When researching our competitive set, we felt many Manhattan hotel rooms were crowded and unappealing. I think the design worked well because one of the most repeated guest comments is that the rooms are comfortable and spacious.”

k Wall Art

“The wall art, or light-box collages, are the hallmark of Distrikt Hotel’s design. Four-by-eight-foot images depict the essence or character of a specific district and greet guests as they walk off the elevator to their rooms. Chris Rubino created the artwork from photos taken by the firm, which are housed in light boxes by Bowman Displays.”

B Chris Rubino 212 243 2103 chrisrubino.com B Bowman Displays Digital Imaging, Inc. 219 922 8200 bowmandisplays.com

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“We custom designed the headboard following the organizing pattern of the grid, a not-so-subtle reference to the organizing element of greater Manhattan. The introduction of the floral wall treatment behind the headboard was yet again a narrative of the city as it evokes the Bloomingdale District.”

B Headboard,

JIS Contract Furniture 416 762 8886 jisfurniture.com

B Wallpaper,

Wolf-Gordon 800 347 0550 wolf-gordon.com

; Guest-room Lamps & Lighting Fixtures

“The custom-designed nightstand light fixtures provide brilliance to the room as well as a touch of elegance and luxury that complements the overall room design nicely. By locating the fixtures in front of the mirrors flanking the headboard we further amplified their effect.”

B Tai

Pan Lighting Company 905 602 5515 taipan-lighting.com

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eco luxe

designing ho l istic simp l icity

Designed by Peter Rose + Partners, The Kripalu Center’s new lodging facility exudes yogic elegance and sheer sustainability

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The Sika Sarnafil roofing membrane provides exceptional performance with minimal environmental impact, protecting the building from weather damage. usa.sarnafil.sika.com

careful siting

The V-shaped housing tower is configured on a tapering axis, which captures breezes and breathtaking views of either the forest or lake.

Cypress-wood rain screen

A slat system made of cypress wood—salvaged from the wreckage of Hurricane Katrina—will weather to a natural gray, blending into the context of the wooded surroundings.

landscape sensitivity

Despite the massive size and industrial style of the structure, it impressively maintains an unassuming feel, mirrored in and blending with the delicate landscape.

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concrete slabS

The exposed structure minimizes finishes and doubles as a radiant surface in the 2,800-square-foot activity and yoga room.

outside in

Long rows of horizontal windows on both sides of the yoga room bring in natural lighting and views of the Berkshire landscape beyond.

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Words

Erinn Morgan photography

Matthew Snyder roseandpartners.com

design firm

Peter Rose + Partners 1 Kendall Square, Suite B17002 Cambridge, MA 02139 617 494 8115 roseandpartners.com

B Sustainability and green architecture are anything but fleeting trends for Peter Rose + Partners, the award-winning, Cambridge, Massachusetts-based architecture and urbandesign firm. “We are deeply committed to this,” founder Peter Rose says. “I find it inexcusable today to be silly about energy and creating carbon.”

It was with this philosophy in mind that Rose approached the design of the Housing Tower at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, a new 34,000-square-foot building on the grounds of this famed yoga retreat in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The six-story tower contains 80 guest rooms with private baths and a multipurpose great room on the ground floor.

While the facility is high-end in its own right, Rose maintains that the focus for this project was on the grace and simplicity befitting of a yoga center. “It’s not a luxurious building; it’s a lean building with raw concrete and bare steel,” Rose says. “It’s an unusual structure but at the same time very comforting and quite elegant.”

For over 30 years, the non-profit Kripalu Center has promoted the science of yoga for better health. A goal in building its new earthconscious housing was to create a structure representative of the Center’s practices.

One green element of the Kripalu lodging tower is its radiant heating and cooling system located in the ceiling. “While I was teaching at Harvard I became connected to a group of German engineers who have given us the logic with this project to heat and cool with water that N e wA m e r i c an L u x u r y. c o m / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

Peter Rose

It’s an unusual structure but at the same time very comforting and quite elegant.

flows through the concrete slabs in this building’s ceiling,” Rose says. “Water is a much better medium for energy.”

Another uncommon green feature of the Kripalu Center lodging tower is on the façade.

“We designed slatted exterior window shades on a sliding system,” Rose describes. “You simply open the windows and grab them and pull them across for shade and temperature control.”

He also notes that the shade design is tighter at the top and more open at the bottom, allowing room occupants to have unobstructed views.

“The building has two bends in it,” Rose says, “which enables a greater variety of open views.

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sliding cypress sun screen

The concrete structural frame defines wall locations and is revealed at the bed.

Manually controlled heat gain encourages guests to engage with the changing weather and seasons.

highly insulated envelope

Batt insulation and a rigid exterior help regulate interior temperatures. radiant heating and cooling

Radiant coils circulate water, reducing energy use and heating costs. forbo marmoleum flooring

Guest rooms feature Forbo Marmoleum floors, which are quiet, durable, comfortable, and made from natural ingredients. forbo-flooring.com

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micro services chase

translucent bathroom wall

Precise bathroom soffits and partitions create zones for services, lighting, and safety fixtures.

This retractable curtain allows for full natural light throughout the shower and bathroom.

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02 solid ground

The flooring was expertly installed by Ayotte & King for Tile Inc. of Chicopee, MA. 03 Common space

Minimal furnishings and a raw, industrial material palette keep the focus on yoga.

04 quiet & meditative

Spare but comfortable, private quarters in the Kripalu Housing Tower offer peaceful respite.

locally fabricated furniture

Clothes rods, beds, and tables were custom made by local craftspeople.

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Holmes Hole Builders, llc planted ROOF

A glazed passage with southern exposure provides a warm, bright connection for yogis moving between the tower and the existing retreat building during cold weather.

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Some look to mountains and others look to the lake. It also makes the building visually smaller in the surrounding, delicate landscape.”

Green building materials were utilized, including cypress wood procured from Hurricane Katrina wreckage. The orientation of the building is also eco-friendly in that it allows for breezes to blow through the corridors and cool the building naturally. It uses just 40 percent of the energy of a conventional building. “It’s like a car that gets 60 mpg,” Rose explains.

With the Kripalu project completed in 2009, Peter Rose + Partners continues to look to sustainability with the recently completed East House, a waterfront residence built on an island in Massachusetts.

Built by Massachusetts-based Holmes Hole Builders with a raw concrete exterior and a handcrafted wood interior, this home has a design that can literally be picked up in large sections and moved to a different location if the bluff on which it is built ever erodes. “The concrete blurs the boundaries between inside and outside, and helps the house blend into the rough landscape,” Rose says. “It’s really kind of fabulous.”

05 minimal footprint

The housing tower is about 30% smaller in volume than a typical building of this type, thus minimizing the area to heat, cool, and illuminate, resulting in lower energy costs.

508.696.6861 www.holmesholebulders.com

Mar tha’s Vineyard N e wA m e r i c an L u x u r y. c o m / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

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techno nature preserve

One-third vinyl, one-third boxwood, and one-third LED, the wall and ceiling installation is both energy conscious and acoustically sound.

FAUX GREEN PRODUCTS

Terrariums filled with greenery double as cocktail tables in Greenhouse’s lounge. plantshed.com

THE GREEN SCENE Bluarch Architecture + Interiors takes the green movement into the night with Greenhouse NYC, the first LEED-CI-certified nightclub in the United States

words

project

Erinn Morgan

Greenhouse Nightclub 150 Varick St. New York, NY 10013 greenhouseusa.com

photography

ADO

design firm

Bluarch Architecture + Interiors 112 W. 27th St., Suite 302 New York, NY 10001 212 929 5989 bluarch.com

B One of the hottest nightspots in SoHo, Green-house is the place to see and be seen.

Designed by Bluarch Architecture + Interiors, Greenhouse is the first nightclub in the country to be LEED-CI certified. Built with recycled and eco-friendly materials like sustainable bamboo, Greenhouse’s centerpiece is a pulsing array of 2,500 energy-conserving LED light points on the ceilings and walls. This display is connected to a custom-designed software system that coordinates the lights to music beats and video signals.

Obtaining coveted LEED certification required retrofitting existing systems to meet strict efficiency requirements; however, the project delivers a high-tech yet inspired natural environment. “I decided to stay away from recreating a ‘greenhouse’ and opted to transpose the notion of landscape to an interior space,” says Antonio Di Oronzo, principal of Bluarch, the acclaimed New York City-based architecture, interiors, and lighting firm.

“The concept was to convey the dynamic richness of nature as a living system.” Greenhouse also features an organic formation of 40-millimeter crystals on the ceiling that represents N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

antonio di oronzo

The concept was to convey the dynamic richness of nature as a living system.

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liquid sky

An organic formation of 40-millimeter crystals on the ceiling demonstrates Bluarch’s incorporation of fluid movement into their design.

a “body of water about to project onto the ground,” Di Oronzo says.

Creating a “shelter” within the space by connecting the walls to the ceiling with a series of laser-cut ribs, Bluarch lined each rib with six-inch round panels that are organized in a recursive pattern generated through a fractal algorithm, according to Di Oronzo. One-third of the panels are upholstered with eco-friendly vinyl, one-third are covered in sustainable boxwood, and the rest are lacquered and house the LED light points.

Bluarch and Greenhouse looked to a large number of world-class subcontractors to provide tech-focused, eco-conscious services and materials, one of which was Advanced Audio Technology, an award-winning, global leader in audio- and video-systems installations.

For Bluarch, the biggest success was delivering a “conceptual, formal, and technical relevance,” Di Oronzo says. “For the client, the success is in that it’s still one of the highest grossing venues per square foot in the country.”

Size

2 levels, 6,000 sq. ft. budget

$1.2 million GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Metro Builders 212 807 0158 nyc-metro.com MEP ENGINEERS

Ryan Consulting Engineers 212 991 0689 ryance.com LIGHTING

Nova Vision NY 917 686 3682 novavisionny.com SOUND SYSTEM

Advanced Audio Technology 212 537 6869 aatny.com INTERIOR FINISHES

Architectural Systems, Inc. 212 206 1730 archsystems.com TEXTILES

Maharam Fabric 212 614 2900 maharam.com WOOD PRODUCTS

H. Arnold Wood Turning Inc. 866 404 0893 arnoldwood.com FURNISHINGS & UPHOLSTERY floor plan

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Bar Seating Areas Mezzanine DJ Booth

Interiors Palace 718 499 3460 interiorspalace.com LIGHT FIXTURES

Gallery 803 877 855 0510 gallery803.com

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NEXT LEVEL IN AUDIO VISUAL

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Price opted to include a solar, domestic hot-water heater from Harvey W. Hottel, Inc. harveyhottel.com

Embedded sustainability

The firm also upped the green factor by having eco-cut hardwood flooring installed by Price-Brake Construction, LLC of Washington, DC.

Travis Price Architects blends client vision, eco-friendly elements, and natural surroundings to create green structures “without the bling” Words

Jennifer Hogeland photography

Ken Wyner kenwyner.com

project

Salop/Gelman Residence Bethesda, MD project

Lenzner Residence Washington, DC Design practice

Travis Price Architects 1028 33rd St. NW, Suite 320 Washington, DC 20007 202 965 7000 travispricearchitects.com

01 lush surrounds

With views of the Washington National Cathedral and just across the street from Rosedale Conservancy Park, the Lenzner Residence boasts landscaping that is sensitive to the historical context of the neighborhood.

02 down by the river

Passive-solar windows and flying roof overhangs make for a dramatic introduction to the Salop/Gelman Residence overlooking the Potomac River.

B When Travis Price designs homes, he prefers to hide the majority of the green features within the architecture. “I like to think of it as embedded green without the bling,” says Price, design principal at Travis Price Architects.

The key elements within Price’s work are a triad of nature, modernity, and most prominently a cultural metaphor—telling the client’s story and incorporating their surroundings in the building’s form. “That is what the green movement is all about,” Price adds. “It is in the shell and the proper direction of the shell.”

Two recent East Coast projects that showcase the firm’s high-end and sustainable design are the Lenzner Residence and the Salop/Gelman Residence. “Each client had a personal message I elicited about their inner selves, totally separate from the landscape and environmental messages,” Price says.

The Lenzner house is in one of the most restrictive historic districts in Washington, DC. In order to maintain the spirit of the neighborhood, the 6,500-square-foot home was brilliantly designed to add a 21st-century layer to the community’s existing historic character.

The front of the site is relatively flat while the residence faces south with overhangs calculated to capture the full amount of passive winter sun and summer shade. “After that, it was all about making the other elements work,” Price remarks. These additional features include super-insulated glazing and cross-ventilation, as well as one of the most sustainable building skins in the world—copper.

Water elements located on the sides and rear of the home allowed the firm to play up the natural surroundings. “The whole house appears to be floating in the water, and the highlight is the reflection of the Washington National Cathedral,” Price says. “It could easily have been a traditional house, but we concentrated on what surrounded the house.”

Located minutes from Georgetown, the Salop/Gelman Residence is a four-bedroom, 7,500-square-foot home that overlooks the Potomac River. With only 16 feet of breathing room on each side, the house nearly touches its neighboring homes. “We modeled the entire house around the landscape and how the water splits, but it was equally inspired by the people who live there,” Price explains.

He adds, “You can almost use the house as a compass.” On this south-facing home, the firm worked diligently to balance insolation with the aesthetics, with a large overhang as one of the home’s most striking characteristics. The Salop/ Gelman Residence is scientifically designed to keep shade in the summer months and allow

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full-sun penetration in the winter. Other sustainable features include a green roof, superinsulated glazing, and solar, domestic hot-water heating.

From the moment Price steps on a property he visualizes the entire project, including the inspirations from the exterior’s hardscape and softscape. Landscape artist Thomas Tait, owner of Thomas Tait Gardens, came in to complete his vision on both projects with a planting scheme.

“His genius of gardening takes two to three years to set in, but when it does it’s breathtaking,” Price praises.

Price believes his philosophy of incorporating green design into the telling of a client’s personal narrative is the way of the future.

He furthers, “A growing trend in the high-end housing market is the push for an indoor/outdoor modern home. If you do that with green elements, you have the best of all worlds.”

N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

a message from Thomas Tait Gardens, LLC

Creating a garden that is appropriate to the architecture and the site is a priority in our approach as a design/build firm.

We work with the client and the architect to develop their ideas and encourage their vision. Our relationship with Travis Price has allowed us the perfect opportunity for this successful collaboration. I like to think of our role as the garden artisans, blending the materials and craftsmanship of architects with a love of horticulture.

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Thomas Tait Gardens is a design/build management firm specializing in residential gardens throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

We build gardens appropriate to the architectural esthetic of the home and surrounding site, while still maintaining the needs and desires of the client. Thomas Tait Gardens believes that successful projects are a collaboration between the client, the architect, and the landscape gardener. We are garden artisans, blending the materials and craftsmanship of architects with a love of fine horticulture.

Our involvement in the garden and with our clients does not end with the completion of the installation, but continues as we work to maintain and refine the evolution of their garden.

super-insulated glazing

General Glass Corporation installed energy-efficient windows that admit ample light while providing insulation and reducing heat loss. generalglasscorporation.com

sustainable materials

A stone retaining wall leads guests up a slight grade to the front door, while a majestic oak hugs the home, which is clad in sustainable verdigris copper.

Thomas Tait Gardens, LLC Washington DC

like a compass

This south-facing home keeps shade in the summer months and allows full sun in the winter.

Visit our website at thomastaitgardens.com

a green enclave

Plantings framed by a privacy wall and a stone-paver walkway lend a thoughtful elegance to the entrance of the home, which is split into two parts.

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Contact us for information at 410-795-6663

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Piece x Piece owner and designer Elizabeth Brunner turns fashion-industry waste into opportunity with her sustainable clothing collection

PIECE WORDS

Laura M. Browning PHOTOGRAPHY

Michelle Blioux blioux.com

COMPANY

Piece x Piece, LLC 2325 Third St., Suite 220 San Francisco, CA 94107 415 685 5789 pxp-sf.com

B Elizabeth Brunner’s internship during art school involved a lot more than making coffee. Working at a local design firm, one of her duties was to throw out fabric swatches the firm no longer had the room to store. Shocked by how much beautiful fabric was going to waste, Brunner asked to take the discards for herself. For the next two years, boxes filled with cashmere, silk, and good intentions sat in her garage, but she eventually started to piece them together and found a way to create clothing. Today, Brunner helms Piece x Piece, designing luxury clothing from swatches and remnants discarded by the fashion world. Brunner’s wideeyed response to the industry’s waste has become a successful clothing line in its own right.

Although sustainability is an obvious guiding force for Brunner, she says that her ideal customer is one who is drawn to the design first, but who also appreciates the sustainability of the collection. “Sustainability and luxury are becoming more and more synonymous,” Brunner says.

“Consumers want luxury items with meaning, not just inexpensive throwaway products.” She designed the collection, which currently includes 11 pieces, to be seasonless. Brunner designs patterns that are modern classics, but because she works with swatches and remnants, every finished piece is one of a kind.

The collection is offered in very limited quantities because of the time-consuming process of sourcing the fabric. The actual battle, Brunner says, is not obtaining the fabric swatches, but unstapling, ungluing, and otherwise prying them off the boards they come attached to and getting them into usable condition. “You wouldn’t believe what people will do to make sure the fabric stays on those boards,” she says. Although Brunner stays abreast of trends and design houses, she never knows exactly what fabrics she’ll get. “It’s a surprise,” she says, “like Christmas morning.” Because of the nature of the swatches, she has to rely on new fabrics for some of the garments in her collection, although she always looks for sustainably sourced material.

PIE

Brunner describes Piece x Piece—both the collection itself and its evolution from scrap heap to luxury—in terms of a story. When she was in school, she knew she didn’t want to work for a large design house, but she had a hard time figuring out where she saw herself as a young designer. “Piece x Piece was my personal and emotional response to this waste.

It’s an emotional story for me, because it’s how I reacted to this waste and what I did with it. And now it’s part of the identity of the brand.” And, like any good story, it is still unfolding. Piece x Piece began in 2008, and garments from the collection have been sold primarily in luxury boutiques in San Francisco. In September, Brunner launched an ecommerce site, and she plans to add several more pieces to her collection.

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stacks of scraps

Discarded swatches and remnants of luxury fabrics give designer Elizabeth Brunner plenty of material to work with. The resulting designs are progressive, environmentally conscious, and truly one of a kind.

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This above-the-knee, dip-back dress features a side zipper and is constructed of 100% mixed fabrics. $725

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bay grid vest

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This uniquely shaped signature vest with no closure is a perfect example of Brunner’s aesthetic vision and seasonless design. $275

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ELIZABETH BRuNNER

Piece x Piece was my … response to [fashion-industry] waste. It’s an emotional story for me, because it’s how I reacted to this waste and what I did with it. And now it’s part of the identity of the brand.

skylark wrap

This wrap skirt with long tie closure demonstrates perfectly how high fashion and sustainability can find harmony. $1,675

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THE house witH THE silver lining

How the architects of Burns + Beyerl hid LEED Silver-certified elements within a traditional high-end Chicago home

Words

Seth Putnam Photography

Bruce Van Inwegen bviphoto.com

Project

LEED Silver Home Chicago design firm

Burns + Beyerl Architects 1010 S. Wabash Ave. Chicago, IL 60605 312 663 0222 bbaworld.com

B When Gary Beyerl looks at the world of high-end architecture, he sees a changed industry. What began as a fashionable commitment to sustainability and green building— once voguish buzzwords in the mid 2000s—has blossomed into a full-on understanding that the trade can never be the same.

Beyerl, one of the principals of Chicagobased Burns + Beyerl Architects, made his first foray into residential design out of a desire to make his clients’ dream homes real. “I always loved the connection with the client,” Beyerl says. “The client’s passion always seemed more alluring than the committee side of an institution.” And it helps having kindred spirits in his partners, Cathy Osika and Ed Twohey. “We’re all of the same mind,” Osika says. “The design is much more personal, and all those little details matter.”

Since the company’s founding in 1993, the architects of Burns + Beyerl have indeed become known for their attention to the nuances of fine but sustainable design. Take, for instance, the firm’s first LEED Silver home, built for a Chicago family that wanted to be near each other, actually utilizing all the rooms instead of “living in a museum.” There wasn’t a sacrifice of luxury—including beautiful marble bathrooms and an immaculate, naturally lit kitchen—for sustainability. They incorporated geothermal heating and cooling, a 700-gallon cistern for rainwater irrigation, and rooftop solar arrays for hot water.

“No one would know it was a LEED house because of its traditional details,” Osika says, noting that even though it was completed in March 2011, “it feels like it’s been there since the genesis of the neighborhood.”

Taking their green goals a step beyond the home itself, Burns + Beyerl selected Scott Byron Landscaping, a firm known for its commitment

N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

to sustainability, to help conserve resources across the entire project. “They picked materials carefully and earned quite a few points in the LEED program thanks to their efforts,” Beyerl says. A major component was a 700-gallon cistern that catches rainwater and aids in irrigating the landscape.

Accordingly, the crown jewel of the home is its front-porch columns made of ghostwood, beautiful timber preserved by the scorching heat of Western forest fires. “Luxury and sustainability can coexist fairly easily,” Beyerl says, which is why the firm makes responsible design a priority even when working with clients who don’t set out with sustainability on their shortlist of must-haves. “We as architects want to make houses more efficient, and it becomes a monetary benefit to the client if they plan to stay in the home more than seven years,” Osika adds.

“Gone are the days when sustainable design meant sacrificing beauty by constructing walls built of cans or tires,” Twohey notes. “Small gestures like using lumber from managed forests, LED lighting, or traditional cork flooring in the basement in lieu of vinyl, can have a huge collective effect.” For Burns + Beyerl, there’s no turning back from this sort of responsible design. “It will continue to be the future of highend design,” Osika says. “It has to. We’re in a world where we have to make smarter choices.”

Adds Beyerl: “I don’t ever see us going back.”

a message from Scott Byron & Co. Inc.

Scott Byron & Co. is a landscape-design and -build company that is often involved from the very beginning of the architect’s design process. This enables us to utilize to the fullest our expertise in meshing the site’s conditions, the owner’s wishes, the architect’s ideas, and the contractors’ skills into outstanding project solutions. Visit our website at scottbyron.com.

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CORK FLOORING

Completely renewable, cork is harvested as bark from living cork trees. The material added LEED points to the construction project.

01 safe PLace

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Recycled counters and tiles, zero-VOC paints and stains, and formaldehyde-free cabinets make for a green gathering space for friends and family.

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NATURAL & led LIGHTING

A combination of various light sources gives the design an energy-efficient edge. LED lights by Cree reduce heat gain, therefore requiring less cooling in the summer months. cree.com

GEOTHERMAL HEATING

A comfortable living environment is created using the earth’s heat, while beautiful wood finishes round out this impeccable Burns + Beyerl design.

ghostwood columns

02 smart thinking

Trees burned in Western forest fires and preserved by the area’s low humidity are given new life as ghostwood columns in this LEED-certified home.

Solar panels by Alternate Energy Technologies integrated with a geothermal system for hot-water heating, plus open- and closed-cell insulation throughout the house offer considerable energy savings. aetsolar.com 03 Good neighbor

Burns + Beyerl carefully considered the home’s style and scale, creating a contextual design that reflects the neighborhood’s historical past. A white roof reduces heat gain, thereby lessening cooling requirements.

Strong, Durable & Meticulously Precise

Concrete Foundations

Felicia Zwebner is the owner of the interior design firm, Art de Triomphe.

Her work has been exhibited in prominent designer show houses as well as featured in the press and media. Felicia’s passion for art, architecture, and design has motivated her to embark on a new venture. She has created a collection that is not only functional, but incorporates her understated elegance, free spirit and creativity.

FZ Collection is a partnership where two worlds intersect. The products that make up FZ Collection are created by artisans whose skills help achieve the goal of creating unique yet functional furniture that can be customized to meet your particular needs.

Ultimately, her great sense of scale, selection of fine materials, and careful editing are what make her designs so captivating. The end result is a well orchestrated masterpiece.

TO INQUIRE ABOUT FZ COLLECTION PRODUCTS: www.fzcollection.net T: 917.680.1217 F: 917.210.3817 felicia@fzcollection.net

*Products are Made in the U.S.A

NielsenConcrete Serving the Hudson Valley, the Berkshires and Litchfield County, CT for over 25 Years

518.671.6860 www.NielsenConcrete.com info@NielsenConcrete.com

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D IALOG U E

How is luxury

specific to A geographic region?

Builder Lou Boxer, developer Robert Tellesen, and Architect rhoady lee discuss how the tastes of luxury clients vary in the berkshires, northern california, and the hawaiian islands

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LOU BOXER enjoys working in the idyllic Berkshires, and benefits from the area being a hot destination for New England’s city dwellers looking to build their second homes.

Robert Tellesen is a communicator and a problem solver, having spent his 30 years at Vogue Homes dedicated to process, customer service, and turning vision into reality.

rhoady lee has worked on projects in Hawaii for more than two decades, bringing a wellrounded design sensibility to the Islands.

Lou Boxer Builder

Vogue Homes

PO Box 526 West Stockbridge, MA 01266 413 232 7116 louboxerbuilder.com

1761 35th St. Sacramento, CA 95816 916 476 3636 voguehomes.com

Rhoady Lee Architecture & Design

N ewAmeric a nLuxury. com / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

PO Box 2080 Kamuela, HI 96743 808 885 9178 rlad.net

DIALOGUE

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“The new second-home owner is building a house for fourseason use; the Berkshires is a destination spot year-round.”

Lou Boxer , As to ld to Kelly Hayes

Where you have cosmopolitan people building second homes or primary residences, there will be a style that is prevalent. Right now, I’m seeing modern. In years past, the trend was for more traditional, shingle-style homes, which were big in the Hamptons and Carolinas.

Today, I build more design-forward houses, which are often more rectilinear and square, with interesting exteriors and use of steel. I worked on a cool, modern project in New York where the home is hanging off of rock, with a creek running underneath. The home has butt-glazed windows at the corner of the rooms, interesting siding patterns, dark mahogany windows, and powder-coated steel grid work.

In the Berkshires, land and privacy define luxury. You can buy large parcels of land here—50, 100, or 200-plus acres. You can have a sense of being in the middle of nowhere, perhaps even with a dirt road yet near town. The Berkshires hosts many cultural organizations, with world-class music, art, theatre, and botanical gardens. People all around the country come here—often with their architect—and then find a local builder.

There is an ease of living in the Berkshires, which is valued by locals and second-home owners alike. The new second-home owner is

building a house for four-season use; the Berkshires is a destination spot year-round. Proximity to Boston and New York, as well as major international airports, makes the Berkshires more affordable even at the top end. The beauty here is unsurpassed, largely unspoiled, and still available in large parcels.

The outside is very important here. The beauty of the Berkshire landscape plays a major role in choosing to move here. Bringing that beauty to one’s front door, through water features such as ponds, waterfalls, or swimming pools, is more and more common. Gardens also play a large role, be it naturalistic plantings that look like they have been here forever, or very stylized and sleek plantings that virtually bring the outside right in.

Multiple buildings are critical in the luxury-home building market. Luxury homes in the Berkshires are not about retirement anymore—people are looking to participate actively in the community. More often than not, there is a core house for the couple and then a house nearby for visiting family and guests. People want to be able to come and go easily, just flicking on a light switch and cranking up the heat, so the homes tend to be both luxurious in amenities and sustainable in size.

ABOUT lou boxer / A New England-based residential builder with more than 30 years of experience, Lou Boxer specializes in luxury homes in the Berkshires and the surrounding area. Boxer has weathered three recessions and has enjoyed watching the Berkshires’ luxury-home market evolve.

While his work ranges from minimalist to outrageous, Boxer is known for doing more elaborate homes. Many of his clients hold primary residences in New York or Boston and look to him to build their second homes in the Berkshires.

01 berkshire prairie style

Photography: Paul Rocheleau

This 6,500-square-foot home in Southern Berkshire County, MA, sits on over 200 acres of land, sited far away from the main country road. The home was designed by Matt Larkin.

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DIALOGUE

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“seamless indooroutdoor living is a huge part of the Sacramento lifestyle ... Popular design elements include pools, outdoor kitchens, water features & outdoor fireplaces.”

Since 1961

Lighting Design, Lighting Products, Landscape Lighting, Ceiling Fans, Control Systems

Ro bert Tellesen , as to ld to Dan Harve y

Luxury is gathered from immediate elements that help express and define the local aesthetic. We draw from our abundant resources found in Northern California—from the San Joaquin Valley, the mountains, the rivers, the deltas, the ocean, the wildlife.

I built a home in Sacramento’s wine country on a mountain across a small valley from Stags’ Leap, a famous landmark with a winery. Both mountainsides have huge rock outcroppings that hang over the valley where deer literally jump on their daily migrations.

Seamless indoor-outdoor living is a huge part of the Sacramento lifestyle that many cities aren’t afforded the option of having.

Popular design elements in Sacramento homes include pools, outdoor kitchens, water features, fire pits, and outdoor fireplaces. A lot of people in Sacramento expand and develop what they call their social areas of the home. For example, sliding walls allow spaces to transcend from a social to intimate feel. My clients are always integrating their environments so family and social time can be held in separate spaces or connected spaces.

The environments I build are almost always created from what is in and around Sacramento, with each individual’s unique interpretation of that. This Spanish Colonial Revival-style home [mentioned above], nestled into its surroundings, possesses a view from every room, from the Napa Valley to San Francisco.

It is made from the natural elements found in the local area, such as the red-clay tiles, ornamental iron, arches, and carved wood doors. The interior and exterior courtyards hold the space for people to gather and share a glass of wine, a good meal, and friendship. Bathing in the large, master bathtub with views of the American River and the valley below, that supports the

Lighting for every lifestyle. *Expert consultants *Incredible selection

ABOUT ROBERT TELLESEN / Established in 1979, Vogue Homes not only builds luxurious homes, but also deep relationships with its clients.

Company founder and president Robert Tellesen also collaborates with architects, engineers, craftsmen, subcontractors, artisans, and suppliers to turn vision into reality. Widely recognized for his integrity and unparalleled workmanship, Tellesen gained his expertise from the ground up, starting as a construction laborer and ultimately establishing his own successful business.

N ewAmeric a nLuxury. com / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

916-442-3582 2121 J Street Sacramento, CA www.lofingslighting.com

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OLD WORLD FINISHING

Photography: Ed Asmus

CHINOISERIE ARTISTRY 01

luxury of a Sacramento home and its indoor-outdoor concept. Almost all of my work is connected to these luxuries, these environments.

The Sacramento area is ideal because I can build in the mountains, in the foothills, on the river, in the wine country, and in the city. I’d also love to expand out to the coast and build on the bluffs that overlook the ocean. My business is me, and my work is the vehicle that allows me to better know the region, as it relates to building homes, to better know market needs, and to better know myself.

KIPPER

FINE FURNITURE DESIGN & RESTORATION

01 a vogue homes original

Teak timbers from Thailand were used to create this custom-built bridge and staircase that have become the focal point and centerpiece of the home. Custom iron railings and seamless joints make this staircase a piece of art.

My concept of Sacramento luxury also involves bringing in unique building materials from other parts of the world to enhance the home and its surrounding environment. When doing one project, I found out about logs used to build homes in Thailand. I purchased the lumber and shipped it here, and I used it to build a bridge for a home.

This portion of the home-building project called for a handrail that had to be specially designed, and involved collaboration between the architect, the ironworker, and the interior decorator. Collaboration is a huge part of what I do when building a home. It’s a discovery process, for both the client and me. They discover their own vision about their home and how it fits into the landscape.

Sacramento is actually a leading-edge community that integrates the lifestyles, food, agriculture, and architecture from around the world, and again it is creating new style, new food, new pleasures, as well as traditional ways of life.

Tel: 310-313-4000 | www.kipper.biz

Handcrafted by Local Artisans Green Friendly Construction and Finishing

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DIALOGUE

069

“Luxury in Hawaii is different. while it is expensive and sumptuous, it’s lower key and more casual.” r h oady lee, As to ld to kelly hayes

In northern climates, luxury may mean being protected from nature, while in Hawaii the greatest luxury is living in nature. An example of this is a home I recently designed on the Kona Coast. Overlooking the water, it has modern lines yet evokes Hawaiian tradition.

The home is composed of separate buildings or hales (hah-lays) connected by pathways through luxuriant gardens. Great doors slide away, walls disappear, and rooms open to the landscape and incredible views. The main hale, which contains the living and kitchen functions, is built of native blue rock—the rock that forms these islands.

Bedroom hales of dark stucco frame the living hale and create a garden courtyard. Bathrooms have entire walls of shutter doors, opening into lush gardens with outdoor showers.

Luxury in Hawaii is different—while it is expensive and sumptuous, it’s lower key and more casual. Active lifestyles here make outdoor spaces as important as indoors, allowing for a casual elegance unique to the Islands. By using splendid, natural materials like beautiful stone, wood, and concrete—some indigenous to the state—we enable the enjoyment of our natural, unspoiled beauty and ocean breezes. Craftsmen of the highest caliber worked tirelessly on the [Kona Coast] home. One of them, Niall Rourke of Kipper Fine Furniture, fashioned a dining table that comfortably seats twelve from a single slab of bubinga wood. He also carved exquisite mirror frames and panels.

Hawaii is one of the most remote groups of islands in the world; almost all items, espe-

cially having to do with construction, must be imported. Building a home is also more expensive—15 to 30 percent more for a home of similar construction on the Mainland. Because Hawaii is an island in the middle of the Pacific, one must design to minimize corrosive effects of the salt air. Like designing a boat, one must be knowledgeable about choices of materials; they must all be resistant to corrosion.

Environment and site have determining roles with design placement, orientation, where to be open, where to be closed. In stark contrast to open-air, garden-filled residences in Hawaii, the firm has also designed projects for urban environments on the Mainland, where protecting homeowners from the outdoor elements can be important. A recent project is a two-story penthouse in a loft building in Seattle—a modern design using wood, steel, glass, and concrete.

Above all, designing in Hawaii affords the luxury of creating spaces that completely engage the landscape, blurring the lines between exterior and interior. Gentle trade winds cool the tropical air so living is comfortable. Our clients appreciate the feeling of traditional tropical architecture and design. They demand excellent quality and beautiful materials in buildings, furniture, and fabrics, creating casually elegant and cohesive design. Additionally, clients are more aware of the environment and want their homes to be more sustainable.

Abundant sunshine makes Hawaii ideal for the use of solar energy.

ABOUT rhoady lee / Lee is the founding principal of Rhoady Lee Architecture & Design, a 34-person, Kamuela, HI-based architecture firm.

Having worked in Hawaii since 1987, Lee is familiar with the challenges of building near the ocean, with its winds and salty air. As a residential architect, he strives to keep homes in harmony with their surroundings and to make them reflect the personality and character of the client. Most of his firm’s current work is decidedly modern with traditional Hawaiian flair. Lee has also designed commercial buildings, yachts and their interiors, as well as restored historic homes and churches.

01–02 disappearing act

Photography: Linny Morris

The bedroom of this Kona Coast home opens up completely, welcoming gentle trade winds and revealing the Pacific Ocean. Teak louvers allow breezes to flow, and a teak-root screen gives privacy to an outdoor shower. Basalt floors can be found throughout the home.

01

02

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identity

reimagining the

PRIVATE JET EXPERIENCE Flexjet president Fred Reid talks to New American Luxury about the world-class fractional jet provider and marketing private aviation to the new jet set

words

Thalia A-M Bruehl photography

Flexjet portrait

Marty Perlman

company

Flexjet by Bombardier 800 353 9538 flexjet.com

Since Flexjet’s introduction in 1995, the company has led the charge in rethinking the nature of private aviation. A division of Bombardier, the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer with 100-plus years of industry leadership, Flexjet manages a broad range of services that includes whole and fractional ownership, jet cards, and on-demand flights. The company caters to a jet-setting clientele who values both luxury and convenience.

New American Luxury chats about the success and future of Flexjet with president Fred Reid, who has headed several successful, prominent airlines during his 25 years in aviation.

How was the concept for Flexjet’s service developed?

The industry, by business standards, is really considered pretty young.

Fractional jet ownership was invented in the late 1980s, and Bombardier

now boarding

The world's best-selling supermidsize aircraft, the Challenger 300, is a popular choice amongst Flexjet's clients and offers supreme comfort, performance, and value.

072 / I D E N T I T Y the growth of flexjet 2004

B Versatility

Plus is created, enabling owners to realize value from unused hours by exchanging them with others in the program; nearly 14,000 hours have been sold, returning more than $31.5 million back to owners 2005

B Flexjet

introduces the Optimizer scheduling system, a proprietary software program making Flexjet an industry leader in operational efficiency 2006

B AnyTime

Options is introduced, offering guaranteed access to a smaller or larger aircraft, the use of two or more aircraft on the same day, or the purchase of short-leg waivers 2007

B Flexjet

One is launched, a management solution providing customers who own their own aircraft access to the entire Flexjet fleet 2008

B Flexjet

begins offering its Carbon Offset program 2009

B Flexjet

introduces the Round Trip Pricing program, offering owners committed to at least 100 flight hours a year 15 percent off each hour of qualifying one- or two-day trips 01

2009

B The

WalkAway Lease program launches, offering the option to leave the program with just 90 days notice about fred reid

Fred Reid has a long and successful history in aviation, with roles stretching from marketing and management positions with Pan American World Airways and American Airlines, to president of Delta Airlines and president and chief operating officer of Lufthansa German Airlines, where he was the first American to lead a major international airline. In 2008, after four years as founding CEO of Virgin America, Reid was named president of Flexjet.

01 an aviation legend

Flexjet president Fred Reid on the steps of a jet in Flexjet's top-of-the-line fleet.

02 high altitude

The Challenger 604 features powerful engines that allow for nonstop coast-to-coast or overseas travel, and has a 12-passenger capacity, plus the widest cabin in the business-jet market.

came in during the ’90s. Since then we’ve developed many variations of private-aviation services, including buying cards on multiple types of aircraft and buying shares.

What changes have you seen in private aviation in the last few years?

The number of new people coming into private aviation has certainly diminished; however, the number of people staying in our program has actually increased. We worked to make it interesting for people to stay with us, so we’ve been able to keep more than 90 percent of our customer base.

Who are Flexjet’s clients?

There is no typical clientele for us, which is good. Our clients include entrepreneurs, company founders, families, and people with trusts. They are Fortune 100 CEOs, board members, retired executives, as well as publicsector executives who use us for personal reasons. About 65 to 70 percent of all travel we do is business, but the rest is personal. Our clients are people who value their privacy, and we cherish their privacy, as well.

Tell me a bit about how Flexjet is marketed.

Almost half of our business comes from direct referrals from satisfied clients. It’s the best vote of confidence you could possibly have. We also go the traditional routes such as online marketing. A whole bunch of keywords in a Google search will lead you to us—things like “private jets” or “jet cards.” We also do significant print advertising, and we participate in quite a number of events that we either create ourselves or events where people with certain means gather, like the Concours d’Elegance car show in Monterey, California.

We also do quite a large number of what we call personal events. For instance, we partner with the Napa Valley Vintners. They bring a few of their very best winemakers, then we find a number of our current owners and ask them to bring friends. We give potential clients exquisite wines and the opportunity to know me personally.

How does Flexjet position itself to be specific to a luxury clientele?

An example is our great relationship with American Express. We’ve had a very loyal following with their Black Card group. We’ll market through American Express to their clientele, which is ours as well. Flexjet is not Target or WalMart or even Neiman Marcus—we limit our marketing to very special channels that reach our customer base and outlets that people tend to respect.

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2010

B Flexjet

rebrands Skyjet to become the only private-aviation company to provide access to the most comprehensive portfolio of products in the industry B Flexjet.com is unveiled B Flexjet signs global alliance with Korean Air—the first between a fractional jet provider and an international airline B Flexjet unveils the innovative Customer Account Management (CAM) service program, providing each owner with a dedicated manager for ongoing, personalized service 2011

B Flexjet

announces strategic alliances with Abercrombie & Kent and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts B Flexjet unveils a 90-day Satisfaction Guarantee for current and new fractional owners, as well as the Unlimited Carry Forward Hours program, which grants fractional and lease customers the ability to roll over 100 percent of their accrued and unused hours into a future purchase

073 / I D E N T I T Y

02

the flexjet fleet

The fleet of high-performance, managed aircraft leads the industry and outperforms in every category. Flexjet's network of charter operators includes over 50 different models and six different size options. Flexjet is also the only fractional jet-ownership company that has secured early deliveries of the brand-new business jet, the Learjet 85.

TYPE model capacity cruising speed range cabin volume baggage volume dimensions (L/H/W)

light

super light

midsize

super midsize

large

Learjet 40 XR 6 passengers, 2 crew 515 mph 1,750 statute-miles 363 ft 3 65 ft 3 55’7”/ 14’2” / 47’9”

Learjet 45 XR 8 passengers, 2 crew 515 mph 2,050 statute-miles 410 ft 3 65 ft 3 55’7”/ 14’2” / 47’9”

Learjet 60 XR 7 passengers, 2 crew 515 mph 2,280 statute-miles 453 ft 3 48 ft 3 58’8”/ 14’7” / 43’9”

challenger 300 8 passengers, 2 crew 528 mph 3,660 statute-miles 860 ft 3 106 ft 3 68’7”/ 20’0” / 63’10”

challenger 604 / 605 12 passengers, 2+1 crew 528 mph 4,135 statute-miles 1,024 ft 3 115 ft 3 68’5”/ 20’8” / 64’4”

flexjet's Private-Jet Service Options Fractional Jet Ownership

FRED REID

We limit our marketing to very special channels that reach our customer base and outlets that people tend to respect.

Flexjet recommends fractional jet ownership to those individuals or corporations who fly 50 or more hours per year and wish to experience the benefits of private jet travel, but who do not fly often enough to validate purchasing an entire aircraft. Individuals and corporations purchase only the amount of aircraft needed, starting with one-sixteenth of an aircraft, but will have access to the entire fleet, not just the plane they purchased a share in. Flexjet also offers a 90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee with 100 percent reimbursement, and the Unlimited Carry Forward Hours program grants fractional and lease customers the ability to roll over 100 percent of their accrued and unused hours into a future purchase.

Whole Aircraft Ownership and Management

How has Flexjet’s marketing changed since you came aboard three years ago?

One of the things I brought is an event we call an Owner Advisory Board meeting, where we show [our owners] all of our financials, our marketing strategies, what technology we’re using, and what we’re doing to improve the company. We involve the owners in a very vibrant, hands-on way, and we ask them to tell us what they like and what they don’t. As a result, they really become brand ambassadors.

What branding initiatives have made Flexjet a leader in the marketplace?

We want to be known, above all, for our devotion and dedication to our customers. We have unparalleled awards from the FAA, including the Diamond Award that covers everything from standard maintenance to training procedures. We’ve won it twelve years in a row. We also train our captains to 200 percent of FAA requirements. We aim to be known as a super-reliable, high-standard provider, who is there for our clients around the clock. We fly the fastest and highest.

For those individuals and corporations whose travel does justify an entire aircraft, Flexjet offers whole-aircraft ownership and management. This worry-free, flexible program makes it possible to not just fly the plane you own, but any plane in the fleet. Flexjet manages all aspects of the travel from fuel to pilots to hangars, and presents a lower operating cost compared to traditional aircraft management.

On-Demand Charter Brokerage Services*

Flexjet’s full on-demand charter brokerage service guarantees the customer access to the best possible aircraft for the greatest value.

Flexjet searches its database of qualified US air carriers operating under FAR Part 135 and matches it to the customer’s specific criteria—this opens up 50 aircraft models in six aircraft-size options to the customer.

Flexjet 25 Card Program**

Operated by US air carrier Jet Solutions, LLC under FAR Part 135, the Flexjet 25 Jet Card program provides travel by the hour on a closed fleet made up exclusively of Learjet and Challenger aircraft.

Customers choose between the traditional 25-hour program, as well as options for 30- and 35-hour programs. Customers also pick from multiple price levels for each aircraft based on a preset number of travel days per year, customizing this option even further.

Flexjet Charter Card***

The Flexjet charter card follows a debit model, requires no longterm commitment, and offers travelers competitive pricing and flat hourly rates. Customers choose between the Value and Elite Programs and select their aircraft from more than 50 models in 6 size categories. The Flexjet charter card also eliminates management fees and any up-front capital investment and guarantees 365-day availability with advance reservation. *Flexjet acts as an agent for the customer for the Flexjet on-demand charter brokerage program in arranging transportation operated under FAR Part 135 by US air carriers. **The Flexjet 25 Jet Card program is operated under Part 135 by Jet Solutions, LLC, a US air carrier. Flexjet acts as an agent for Jet Solutions, LLC, in connection with the Flexjet 25 Jet Card program. ***Flexjet acts as an agent for the customer for the Flexjet charter jet card program in arranging transportation operated under Part 135 by US air carriers.

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01

one brand's

AMBITION E . Kevin Schopfer r eli e s o n an adventu ro us approac h to g e t h is ec lec ti c d e s i g n ventu r e s o ff th e g ro u n d

WORDS

Lisa Ryan renderings

Tangram 3DS tangram3ds.com portrait

Matthew Guillory mattgphoto.com

brands

Schopfer Associates LLC Schopfer Yachts Marsnext.com Plus Designs International HH Holding Company Usque Designs Ltd. parent company

Schopfer Associates LLC 160 Commonwealth Ave. Boston, MA 02116 617 262 1410 schopferassociates.com

Kevin Schopfer has had the good fortune to be branded an authority in the design world. He not only owns and operates Schopfer Associates, a highly regarded architecture, planning, and interior-design firm, but he has also dipped his fingers into countless other aspects of design, building businesses that range from a drycleaning hanger enterprise to his new, high-end yacht-design company, Schopfer Yachts.

“My approach to branding has more to do with the products I’m offering than the individual companies themselves,” Schopfer says. “Look at Ralph Lauren and how many different businesses he has under his brand—it’s really just one company with many different divisions.”

Over the course of his 40-year career, Schopfer has created a brand that includes more than six different design companies under its umbrella.

Each business began as a hobby—Schopfer spends his free time exploring his curiosity of all things design. “They all fall under the realm of design, which is a natural extension of architecture,” he says.

Schopfer began his foray into entrepreneurship while studying architecture at Syracuse University. His first business was a design company called Usque Designs Ltd., which produced a unique plexiglass calendar with a design so distinctive, it was sold exclusively at the Museum of Modern Art store. In 1978 Schopfer cofounded Boston-based firm Ahearn Schopfer Associates, which later transitioned into his independent firm in 2010. He also cofounded import/export design company Plus Designs International, as well as hanger-design firm HH Holding Company.

One of Schopfer’s greatest successes was Marsnext.com, an Internet space-commerce community he founded in 2000 that went on to receive a Golden Web Award in 2001. “I placed the most emphasis on marketing Marsnext. We went after publications like WIRED magazine because it was a very specialized company that needed niche marketing,” he says.

Schopfer explains, “I think it’s great to be involved with many different companies, each

N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

Timeline of Schopfer's brands 1969

B Schopfer

founds Usque, whose products are exclusively sold at the Museum of Modern Art’s design store 1970

B Begins

designing lights for George Kovacs, a renowned contemporary designer; the partnership lasts 20 years 1978

B Cofounds

architecture and interiors firm Ahearn Schopfer Associates 1985

B Founds

Plus Designs International, an import/export design company, with William Sidel 1987

B Forms

HH Holding Company, a hanger company for dry cleaners 2000

B Founds

Marsnext.com, an Internet community centered around the inevitability of space commerce 2008

B Schopfer

is hired to design the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell, NM B Schopfer Yachts is founded 2009

B Schopfer

designs a “demonstration” floating city for New Orleans 2010

B Schopfer

Associates LLC is formed B Designs “demonstration” floating cities for Boston and Haiti 2011

B Schopfer

serves as a keynote speaker at the designEX convention in Australia, where he speaks about virtual cities, floating cities, and yachts

075 / I D E N T I T Y

02

JEFFREY P. GIBBONS ARCHITECT, PC AIA 50 Hill Street #517 Southampton, NY 11968 03

taking a very different track. Owning a variety of businesses gets your head into different areas, and all the little pieces tend to influence each other.”

He founded Schopfer Yachts in 2008, recognizing a gap in the luxury-yacht market. “I think there’s a niche that can be filled for elegant but unusual design,” he says. Schopfer’s first yacht design, the 250-foot, $90-million Oculus, was an immediate hit, garnering rave reviews from luxury brands and yacht aficionados alike. So far the buzz is all word of mouth—Schopfer says he has yet to actually advertise his exclusive yacht designs. “Most of my companies have relied on word-of-mouth advertising,” he adds. “And Schopfer Yachts is quickly gaining momentum.”

He has also recently begun to explore the concept of floating cities, and has developed several demonstration prototypes for New Orleans, Boston, Haiti, and more.

Though Schopfer has built a successful design brand for himself, he says that he never set out to become an entrepreneur. “The goal has always been to keep it interesting for me and the customers. The best I can do is just keep creating new ideas, which seems to have worked so far.”

01 a new breed

Schopfer's first yacht, Oculus, is a 250-foot, long-distance cruising yacht that can travel at speeds upwards of 25 knots.

02 cabin fever

Designed to accommodate up to 12 guests in supreme style and comfort, Oculus is spacious and boasts a 12-foot ceiling in the main salon.

03 innovative aesthetics

Evocative of oceanic fish and mammals, Oculus' appearance is a forward-thinking entry into yacht design.

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(O) 631-283-1944 (F) 631-283-1492 (C) 631-338-4390

076 / I D E N T I T Y

showroom to

living room Pacific H ome ’ s fu r n itu r e s h owroo m co m b i n ed with its h i g h - en d i nter i o rs fi r m provi d e s a co m ple te d e s i g n b r an d fo r th e H o n o lu lu mar k e t

With an eye to offering easy, island-casual furniture and accessories to the Honolulu market, Jamie Jackson opened the Pacific Home showroom and retail store six years ago with two partners who had a smaller store in the area by the same name. At the same time, Jackson changed the name of her interior-design firm from BooBam Design to Pacific Home Studio. “Our goal was to build the two brands together,” she says. “Pure optimism—and the fact that there was nothing like this in the market—led us to do it.”

Pacific Home Studio designed the retail space located in a stand-alone building with an island-inspired, modern aesthetic. Jackson and her crew ripped up old carpets and tiles, and stained the original concrete floors. The exposed ceiling beams got a coat of silver paint, and to keep things lively for their many return customers, a key accent wall in the space gets a fresh color every three months.

The 8,000-square-foot showroom, which features a wealth of urbane yet casual furniture, rugs, and accessories, displays unique collections such as a line of covered furniture and Magdalena York’s exceptional hand-woven area rugs and

words

Julie Schaeffer photography

TK tk.com

brand

Kluft Mattress company

E,S, Kluft & Co. LLC 11096 Jersey Blvd. Suite 101 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 909 373 4211 kluftmattress.com

Jamie Jackson

Our goal was to build the two brands together. Pure optimism—and the fact that there was nothing like this in the market—led us to do it.

WORDS

Company

Erinn Morgan

Pacific Home / Pacific Home Studio 420 Ward Ave., Suite 220 Honolulu, HI 808 596 9338 pacific-home.com pacifichomestudio.com

photography

Linny Morris linnymorris.com Aubrey Yee

runners. “This is a fun, beachy, playful line,” Jackson says.

“Here in the islands we live with suntan lotion, kids, bugs, and salt and sea air, so it works perfectly. It’s really playful and functional.

“We fill a niche in the city with our interior-design services and furniture showroom that didn’t exist,” Jackson says, noting that the relationship between the Pacific Home showroom and the Pacific Home Studio design firm has been mutually beneficial in helping to build a strong brand name for both businesses in Honolulu and beyond. “The only other furniture stores in town are more formal or very modern, and there’s nothing in the middle.”

High-profile projects (like a recently completed LEED-certified home just down the beach from where President Obama stays while on vacation), masterful marketing efforts like N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

077 / I D E N T I T Y

01

All natural fiber rugs and runners are made of Wool, Cotton, Hand Dyed Silk and Linen from the best fiber mills in the world.

Every carpet is woven by highly skilled hand weavers in the USA and Sweden.

We take pride in being able to work with customers own design ideas. Our most loved collection includes 100 % Vinyl Indoor/Outdoor rugs which are made of sustainable vinyl and recycable and our new Cotton lines woven in India under the GoodWeave seal which ensures no child labor.

02

03

television ads artfully shot by Jackson’s Los Angeles-based cinematographer brother, and key press in publications like Coastal Living have made Pacific Home Studio a highly soughtafter interior-design firm in Hawaii.

While this retail foray was a big leap from her interior-design roots, Jackson’s design clientele formed a key customer base for the Pacific Home showroom. She also attracted a broader customer base in Honolulu not with print or online advertising, but by tapping into grassroots marketing. Pacific Home sponsors local events and holds them in the company’s behemoth furniture showroom.

“There is an organization here called Green Drinks, which gathers together people interested in sustainability,” Jackson describes. “They meet once a month after work to exchange ideas and discuss cross-marketing concepts.” Pacific Home has played host on several occasions.

These branding efforts also benefit Jackson’s Pacific Home Studio interior-design business, which is located in an office above the furniture showroom. “Pacific Home Studio brought customers into the showroom, and people also sought out my work after visiting the store,” she says.

01 earthy, casual, elegant

On the south shore of Maui, this Wailea home designed by Pacific Home Studio features a custom-made dining table of rich, warm wood tones and complementary lighting.

02–03 best in showroom

With its unique and diverse product offering, Pacific Home's retail operation has everything one could want to make a house into a home.

(203) 254-9293 info@magdalenayorkcollection.com www.magdalenayorkcollection.com N e wA m e r i c an L u x u r y. c o m / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

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the earl

of mattress

E ar l K lu f t o f E . S . K luft & Co. Re vive s o n e o f th e M os t Luxu r i o us B r an ds i n th e I n d u s try

words

Julie Schaeffer photography

E. S. Kluft & Co.

brand

Aireloom company

E. S. Kluft & Co. LLC 11096 Jersey Blvd., Suite 101 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 909 373 4211 kluftmattress.com

When Earl Kluft purchased the Aireloom mattress brand from Eastman House in 2004, the once-luxurious name had lost much of its cachet. But the 40-year veteran of the mattress industry was determined to revive Aireloom, and today, has made great strides in that direction by operating it as a brand under the auspices of his company, E. S. Kluft & Co. “I never worry how much money we’ll make on a certain product or line. Of course we have to stay in business, but first and foremost we want to be unequivocally accepted as the best mattress on the retail sales floor,” Kluft says.

History

In 1872, Solomon Karpen and his eight brothers immigrated to America and founded a furniture company in Chicago. By the beginning of the 20th century, S. Karpen & Bros., which reportedly employed 700 people, ranked among the country’s leading makers of upholstered furniture. In 1950, in the wake of a recession, the Karpens sold their mattress division to grandson King Karpen, who renamed the company Aireloom Bedding Co. Earl Kluft, who had worked in his own family’s mattress business since the age of 14, purchased the company in 2004.

Luxury details

The Aireloom brand has always stood for superior, handmade quality. Most models sell for $4,000 to $30,000, and have eight-way hand-tied foundations, English tufting, handcrafted sidewalls, and matching self welting applied by skilled artisans. “We try hard to have a credible product in a world where most companies are focused on the bottom line,” Kluft asserts. “We put our product and our customer satisfaction above profitability.”

Existing marketing strategies

Kluft’s primary objective since purchasing the company in 2004 has been getting the Aireloom brand established with retail customers. To that end, he runs ads in the trade press and shows at the Las Vegas World Market. He understands the importance of educating salespeople in product knowledge, ensuring that they are able to present the brand in a fashion that exudes confidence and authenticity. “We arm retail sales associates with all the information they need, even flying them here for seminars and tours,” Kluft says.

“They see how much we care, and they pick up some of our passion.”

New marketing strategies

Recently, Kluft began doing some consumer advertising in city-specific publications and the Rolls-Royce desk diary. In 2012, he plans to hire a new advertising agency “to set the mood and romance of owning a beautiful mattress.”

Use of social media

Initially, Kluft didn’t think Aireloom customers wanted to discuss their mattresses in social-media forums, but today he admits he could have been wrong, and is taking steps to establish a Facebook and Twitter presence. “I was hesitant because if you get one unhappy customer the complaint is magnified,” Kluft notes. “I’ve learned that you’re more conspicuous with no answer, so now when we see a complaint on a website, we respond and ask what we can do to fix the problem.”

Target market

01 rest assured

Available only at Bloomingdale's, the Palais Royale mattress retails for $33,000, and offers the ultimate luxury—a good night's sleep in a bed handmade by skilled artisans.

02 royal treatment

Earl Kluft still maintains a hands-on approach today. His fine tailoring of innovative, luxury mattresses is unique in the bedding industry.

The typical Aireloom customer has an annual income of at least $100,000 and lives in the United States or one of the international markets to which Kluft licenses the brand, such as Australia, China, Indonesia, Mexico, and Singapore.

Branding challenges

Aireloom was a luxury brand from the start—initially considered the mattress of movie stars, it ultimately ended up in the White House during the Reagan presidency. When Kluft purchased the company, its brand had been tarnished by 12 years of ownership focused on production over quality. “They didn’t care about the product; they just wanted to make more money,” Kluft says. “It was a challenge to get back to the company’s roots as a luxury brand.”

01

N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

Earl Kluft

We try hard to have a credible product in a world where most companies are focused on the bottom line. We put our product and our customer satisfaction above profitability.

02

080 / IDENTIT Y

out of Mar k Witn e y, COO o f S ingita Game R eserves, disc us s e s th e co m pan y ' s u lti mate luxu ry safar is , r eple te with e xq u is ite acco m m o dati o n s , fi n e wi n e s , an d co m ple tely c us to m ized e xper i en c e s words BY Thalia A-M Bruehl photography BY Horst Klemm portrait by Andrew Brown

N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

fine wines

Located on top of a hill, Sasakwa Lodge presents a dramatic view across endless plains.

Through Singita Premier Wine Direct, guests may purchase wines from Singita’s cellars; the wines can be taken home or delivered. Singita also has such sought-after wines as “Icons,” “Single Vineyard,“ and ”Limited Release” from leading wineries in South Africa.

Mark Witney

Luxury is a given—but luxury in itself is not unique. What the client expects of a game reserve is a unique, perhaps life-changing experience.

01

083 / IDENTIT Y singita's African expansion 1925

B James

Fawcett Bailes purchases a pristine tract of land in the Lowveld (the present-day Sabi Sand Reserve) 1990-1993

B Luke

Bailes, James Fawcett Bailes’ grandson, decides to grow his grandfather’s legacy by restoring the land to its original condition with environmentalist Dave Wright’s assistance 1993

B Mark

Witney partners with Luke Bailes to form Singita 1994

B The

Malilangwe Trust is established as a nonprofit B Singita opens its first lodge, Ebony B The Tanzanian government proclaims the Grumeti Reserve 1998

B Singita

Game Reserves launches its community development program 2002

B The

Grumeti Community and Wildlife Conservation Fund is formed 2003

02

B Singita

Lebombo Lodge opens

in March 2004

traveled Asia from Tokyo to the Great Wall, and eaten the best Brazilian feijoada.

You’ve skied Revelstoke, played Moroccan drums, and kissed the Blarney Stone. But you haven’t been to the bush, you haven’t watched rhinos and elephants walk by your window, or taken twice-daily safari rides to mountain ranges and lush valleys. Singita Game Reserves, Africa’s most pristine and luxurious safari experience, will let you do all that and more—it will let you live your dreams. Mark Witney, COO of Singita Game Reserves, recently shared the strategies and passions behind these ultimate vacation spots with New American Luxury.

You’ve been to the most beautiful cities in Europe,

About Mark Witney

Mark Witney, a third-generation South African, was born and raised in Durban on the eastern coast of South Africa. In 1993, Luke Bailes, Singita’s owner and Witney’s childhood friend, gave Witney the opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream—to live in the bush and to run a game lodge. Witney served as manager, guide, and, since he has his commercial pilot’s license, he also worked as the company’s bush pilot. As COO of Singita Game Reserves, Witney runs all ten of the company’s lodges, which are located on four properties in three countries. Along with Singita’s 1,000 employees, he strives to maintain the high standards of luxury for which Singita is known.

01-02 rugged & romantic

Drainage lines and dry river beds are leopard territory, where these majestic cats can be spotted poised in trees. Singita Sabi Sand is known for its leopard viewing by day, and for luxuriant, pool-side relaxation and dining by night.

When you and Luke Bailes, whose grandfather bought the Singita land in 1925, built the first lodge in 1993, how did you fit the venture into the luxury marketplace?

When Singita first opened we really positioned ourselves as the luxury game-lodge operation. The truth is that many of our competitors now also offer luxury experiences, but there is a limit to how much luxury one can offer without becoming over the top. Our mission is to understand the needs of each guest and respond accordingly.

How did Singita go about building its client base?

Singita relies heavily on word-of-mouth referrals; we knew that our best marketing tool would be happy guests. Since the opening of Singita Ebony Lodge in 1993, particularly because we were doing something so different from our competitors, we’ve been very fortunate to get amazing media coverage.

How did Singita become a leader in the safari industry?

For 19 years we have stuck to the same fundamental culture that made us successful in the first place—complete guest focus and recognizing the value of a highly personalized, experiential safari. In 1993, game lodges were getting away with very mediocre offerings in terms of luxury cuisine and service. They were charging a fortune for a substandard product; you weren’t supposed to complain because “this is the bush, not a place for sissies who just want luxury.” We changed the paradigm of what game lodges were all about by building bigger suites, using very talented interior designers, employing the best chefs, and stocking our wine cellars with the finest wines in the country.

How has Singita changed over the years?

Singita has gone from a one-lodge operation employing 30 people to a company that today has 10 lodges in three countries employing over 1,000 staff members. As the travel market—and the game-lodge market in particular—has become more competitive, our product offering has become N e wA m e r i c an L u x u r y. c o m / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

B Sabora

Tented Camp and Singita Sweni Lodge open 2005

B Singita

Sasakwa Lodge opens

2006

B Singita

takes over managing Singita Grumeti Reserves, which includes Sasakwa Lodge, Sabora Tented Camp, Faru Faru Lodge, and Singita Explore B Singita adds the Pamushana Lodge in the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe with the purpose of making a meaningful contribution towards the cost of conserving the Reserve’s 130,000 acres 2007

B Singita

Faru Faru Lodge opens Tshemba Hosi Care Centre, a facility for physically challenged children of the area, opens B The Singita School of Cooking launches with the goal of training at least eight unemployed young people from the local community per year B The

2008

B The refurbished Singita Pamushana Lodge reopens; Singita aims to make a major contribution to the national goal of rehabilitating the country’s wildlife and tourism industries 2011

B Singita

Pamushana is named “Global Winner” in the conservation category of the 6th annual World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, furthering Singita's sustainable objectives B Singita Game Reserves partners with Teach With Africa in an effort to improve education in local communities B Singita Explore, a mobile safari, opens in June

084 / IDENTIT Y

03

03 saddle up

Horseback riding is available at the Singita Grumeti Reserves Equestrian Centre. This experience is limited to intermediate riders and above, with daily rides offered from the Singita Sasakwa Lodge. Two- or threeday riding safaris operating between Singita Sasakwa Lodge and Singita Faru Faru Lodge are optional for advanced riders and showcase everything from the spacious Serengeti plains to the lush Grumeti River.

more sophisticated. We have raised the bar in service, cuisine, and most importantly, the personalization of the guest experience. We really try to read each guest individually and to customize the activities we offer accordingly.

At the heart of things, you’re a family-run business. How does this influence how you operate?

The most significant advantage of being a family-run business is that we have long-term strategies. Family businesses tend to take a “for the next generation” view, so we are not driven by short-term shareholder returns, which might erode our long-term brand value.

Besides the individualized experiences, what sets Singita apart from other high-end game reserves?

We aspire to be the best in all components of the guest experience. Whether it is cuisine, housekeeping, design, luxury, and other hospitality-related components, or the game-viewing experience, Singita continually [adapts to] the changing needs of our guests. We are constantly evolving.

What has been the strategy behind when and how you’ve decided to expand?

By the time we built our second lodge in 1996, Singita had already established itself as a brand in the hospitality business.

It was clear that we should leverage this brand recognition by growing the number of lodges. On the other hand, we were anxious that we not lose the very personalized attention that had made us so well known, so we kept the number of suites in each lodge to a minimum rather than add rooms to existing operations.

How do you choose your unique locations and reserves?

We apply a number of non-negotiable criteria. [We look for] pristine, large conservation areas in iconic wildlife destinations. We look for the best locations in the best areas. Exclusivity is important, so a very low number of guests in relation to land size is vital, and for this you need large tracts of land.

Tell us a bit about your newest offering, Singita Explore.

Singita Explore at the Singita Grumeti Reserves in Tanzania

N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

085 /IDENTIT Y KENYA

RWANDA DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

4

BURUNDI

UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

MALAWI ANGOLA ZAMBIA

M

ZIMBABWE

NAMIBIA

O

M ZA

BI

Q

UE

3

BOTSWANA

1

2

SWAZILAND

SOUTH AFRICA

LESOTHO

COMpany

Singita Game Reserves +27 21 683 3424 singita.com

Singita Game Reserves in Africa a

Singita Sabi Sand

s

Singita Kruger Nat’l Park

f

Singita Grumeti Reserves

Ebony Lodge

Lebombo Lodge

Sasakwa Lodge

“Ebony Lodge is known for its old-world charm and quiet opulence in a romantic setting under ebony trees on the banks of the Sand River.”

Approximately $1,820 / night

“Structurally inspired by an eagle’s nest, the 15 loft-style suites perch high above the Nwanetsi River. The sparse suites are quiet and meditative spaces, devoid of excess and unnecessary adornment.”

Approximately $1,820 / night

Pictured below. “Located on top of a hill, Sasakwa Lodge presents dramatic, elevated views across the endless plains.” $1,190–$1,700 / night

Boulders Lodge

“Boulders Lodge is at the forefront of contemporary African style. Its suites feature magnificent stone bathrooms and bedrooms that encapsulate visitors in luxury.”

Approximately $1,820 / night Castleton Camp

“Originally owned by the Bailes family, Castleton Camp was a farmhouse then a private retreat, and is now available for the exclusive use of families and small-group bookings.”

1 to 8 guests: Approximately $5,755 / night 9 to 12 guests: Approximately $6,824 / night

04

04 style meets safari

The entrancing view from the Sasakwa Lodge is an ever-changing tapestry of grasslands, clouds, and wildlife.

Within the lodge, long elegant hallways and inviting sitting rooms are faithful to the architecture and furnishings of Colonial-era homes.

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Sweni Lodge

“Sweni Lodge is the smallest and most diminutive of the Singita family. The mood at Sweni Lodge is calm and contemplative with a modern flair.”

Approximately $1,820 / night

d

Singita Pamushana

Pamushana Lodge

“Singita Pamushana Lodge is situated in one of the last-remaining pristine game reserves in the southeast corner of Zimbabwe. It is located within the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, a remote, undiscovered area of the country.” $950 / night

Faru Faru Lodge

“The suites and the main lodge, modern interpretations of the traditional Maasai home, blend unobtrusively into the undisturbed landscape.” $850–$1,150 / night Sabora Tented Camp

“Sabora Tented Camp celebrates flat, open space as far as the eye can see. It is a lavish tented camp on the Serengeti plains, decorated in 1920s grand-campaign style.” $850–$1,150 / night NEw Singita Explore

“Singita Explore guarantees access to the most intimate African experience, with no set campsites in the most remote and beautiful locations, and selected for the best game viewing that day.” $925–$1,300 / night

086 / IDENTIT Y

YA C H T S

05

06

is a mobile tent experience designed to be very low impact from an environmental point of view and gives guests the feeling of a safari as it was in the early days of European exploration in Africa. The camp consists of up to six beautifully appointed tents that are booked on an exclusive basis so guests never share the camp with people outside their own group.

www.schopferyachts.com

Schopfer | Associates LLC Architecture Interiors Urban Design

W www.schopferassociates.com

What else does a luxury clientele want from a game reserve?

The high-end client expects accommodations to be very comfortable and all the facilities and amenities to be of the highest quality in every respect. Luxury is a given—but luxury in itself is not unique. What the client expects of a game reserve is a unique, perhaps life-changing experience. Of course they expect to see game, but there is more to it.

Our guides are trained to give guests a deeply interpretive experience. They will talk about the interconnectedness of various species of plants, animals, and insects, and discuss the cultural connection that the local people have with the natural world. There is so much to experience in Africa—incredible night skies, pure silence, the smells of vegetation, the music of African people.

05 all-inclusive luxury

Like all of Singita’s lodges and camp stays, the Singita Lebombo Lodge is all-inclusive, so guests can partake of the finest wines, the best cigars, and as many game drives or other activities as they wish, while returning home to one of the 15 loft-style suites perched high above the Nwanetsi River.

06 luxury tented camps

Singita Sabora Tented Camp features nine luxury, airconditioned tents, each with a full bathroom. All suites include a tub, outdoor shower, dressing area, reading area, viewing deck with Swarovski spotting scope, and a library lounge tent. The Singita product offering includes ten low-impact, high-end lodges in four destinations: Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania.

How do you ensure your trips will satisfy your most demanding clients?

Singita has a very simple “never say no” philosophy to service. We strive for service excellence way above client expectations, no matter how demanding, and we look to surprise and delight our guests throughout their stay.

N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

7 08 DESIGN FILE

NEW YORK CITY

INTERIOR DESIGNERS • ARCHITECTS • EVENT PLANNERS

Geoffrey BRADFIELD 088 bluarch 094 bARRY goralnick 098 S P a N 102 Fête event planning 108 DEAN / WOLF 114 ART DE TRIOMPHE 118

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interior designer

Geoffrey BRADFIELD SHUNS CONVENTION

IN THE

KIPs BAY SHOW HOUSE &

OLIVER STONE'S

West Village

Pied -à-terre words by Kelly O’Brien • photography BY peter rymwid & durston saylor

nterior designer Geoffrey Bradfield is a man with an impressive Rolodex. Take clients like the Koch Brothers, for whom he collaborated in designing their Wichita, Kansas, headquarters, as well as a private residence. Or Jack Resnick & Sons, the mammoth Manhattan developer who commissioned Bradfield for all of its New York lobbies. Oliver Stone’s luxurious apartment on the Hudson was a recent project of Bradfield’s. And the high-profile Kips Bay Show House in 2008 included one of Bradfield’s indelible designs. New American Luxury had the chance to talk with Bradfield about what it’s like to design for the high-end market in New York City.

How did you get your start in New York City’s luxury design scene?

I left South Africa in 1977. It had always been my ambition to live in Manhattan, an island that had beguiled me from a very early age. I accepted a position with the venerable

N ew Americ a n Luxury / JAN + F E B + MARCH 2 0 1 2

mirrors, mirrors

A full wall of mirrors gives dimension to this Kips Bay living space, which features a round Bradfield-designed ottoman and slipper chair from his Stark collection, centered around a Karl Springer mother-of-pearl table.

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N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

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I think for an interior to be successful, it needs the following ingredients: harmony, cohesion, comfort, and some wit or whimsy.

Geoffrey Bradfield

02

decorating firm McMillen Inc. and worked for the legendary Eleanor Brown and Betty Sherrill.

I subsequently partnered with Jay Spectre for 14 prolific years. Our high-end clientele expanded exponentially. After Jay’s death in 1992, I reorganized the company under my own name, and we have continued to grow. Now, with companies in the Emirates and Qatar, and projects in China and Japan, our commissions are truly global.

What makes designing in New York City different from designing for your clients in other parts of the world?

New York is not the easiest city to work in, but it is definitely a “can-do” city. If I want a grand piano hoisted 60 floors, there will always be a company willing to get out a calculator and give me the cost. I find working in Europe very negative in this regard. England, in particular, is so steeped in tradition, and tends to be afraid of its own shadow.

With such a substantial portfolio, how do you keep your designs fresh, project after project?

My biggest fear is being bored, a sentiment I like to share with my clients. My projects are always a laboratory for design experimentation. I think for an interior to be successful, it needs the following ingredients: harmony, cohesion, comfort, and some wit or whimsy. I like the challenge of bringing individual meaning to a room.

01

You designed an apartment for Oliver Stone last year, yes?

Tell me a little bit about the challenges involved in that project and how you found that “individual meaning.”

My client, being a movie director, is accustomed to having film sets constructed overnight, and struck down after filming. In a sense, he was expecting a similar schedule with this apartment. Because so much of my work is custom and designed by my company, we had to explain that there were certain time frames involved. However, I work best under a deadline, and we pulled it off.

The idea was to create an environment not unlike that of a stateroom on a yacht. The views from the apartment [which is on a low floor] of the Hudson River are spectacular, and we wanted to take full advantage of these vistas. I created deep window seats in the open-plan living room and introduced subtle nautical elements. Oliver required a large table surface in this space, as he likes to spread out his editing materials whilst in production, so the dining table serves this double

N e wA m e r i c an L u x u r y. c o m / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

design firm

Geoffrey Bradfield Inc. 116 E. 61st St. New York, NY 10065 212 758 1773 geoffreybradfield.com

project

Oliver Stone’s Apartment West Village, Manhattan Client

Oliver Stone, film director Size

1,800 sq. ft. constructed

2010 subcontractors

Hunter Douglas 800 789 0331 hunterdouglas.com Besaga Woodworking Co. 917 518 4005 besagawoodworking.com ArtTech Interior Construction Corporation (Isaac Dinor) 516 466 4161 Stark Carpet Company 212 752 9000 starkcarpet.com

01 room with a view

Oliver Stone’s yacht-like living area looks onto the Hudson, with Caceres + Miranda’s Stern Decision dominating the room, whose palette reflects Stone’s love of color.

02 an oscar-winner’s OFFICE

The Luo Brothers’ Welcome Welcome sculpture sits opposite a Mark Lawrence oil painting, and Stone’s Academy Award for directing Platoon sits prominently on the desk.

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project

2008 Kips Bay Show House at the Manhattan House Condominiums 200 E. 66th St. New York, NY 10065 Client

Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club kipsbay.org PAINTINGS

Manolo Caceres & Jose Miranda Subcontractors

C. Stasky Associates Ltd. 212 599 2100 cstasky.com Hunter Douglas 800 789 0331 hunterdouglas.com Besaga Woodworking Co. 917 518 4005 besagawoodworking.com Stark Carpet Company 212 752 9000 starkcarpet.com

03 all aglow

A bold, burnt-orange lacquer brightens the Kips Bay Show House, where a playful mix of custom and 1950s furniture, including a light fixture resembling the sun, round out the space with dramatic pop.

function. The floors are deliberately stained in a red-cherry finish not unlike the decks of a yacht.

You also worked on a charity project in 2008 at the Kips Bay Show House. Tell me about your experience on that project.

Built in 1950, the Manhattan House [where the 2008 Show House was located] typifies New York in one of its most confident eras, a period when American design was coming of age on the world stage. When designing an interior scheme for a living room in that landmark building, I wanted to capture the original spirit of these pioneers.

Unafraid of color, the living-room walls announce their presence with vertical surfaces bathed in bold, burnt-orange lacquer. With their saturated depth of color, they are a perfect counterpoint to the graphic flatness of three huge paintings by the artist-duo Manolo Caceres and Jose Miranda.

True chic shuns convention. This room, in which not a single element feels expected, corroborates my ideal. It bespeaks masculine energy and creature comforts, and yet fulfills a steadfast commitment to 21st-century style.

Geoffrey Bradfield’s Top 6 Design Elements a Stark Carpet Company

“I am fortunate to enjoy a successful licensing agreement with the Stark Company, which includes carpets, wall coverings, and fabrics.

We are a creative office, producing unique designs for our clients.

John Stark and his team rise to the challenge and make every effort to facilitate and execute our custom concepts.” starkcarpet.com s Christopher Hyland fabrics

“What makes Christopher Hyland Fabrics unique is, quite frankly, Mr. Christopher Hyland. Apart from the obvious beauty of his showroom collection, it is his thorough knowledge of the textile industry and personal involvement that make using his product a genuine pleasure.” christopherhyland.com d Kyle Bunting rugS

“Kyle Bunting’s innovative use of hide has garnered enormous attention. We are currently working together on a furniture collection. I rely on texture contrasts in my interiors to add dimension.

Kyle Bunting’s product is an excellent contributor to this practice.” kylebunting.com f Moura Starr lighting fixtures

“Moura Starr’s collection of chandeliers is distinctive and exciting.

They effectively marry the traditional with a contemporary spirit, guarantee instant glamour, and express perfectly my own design philosophy.” mourastarr.com g Hyde Park mouldings

Do you have any words of wisdom for other designers hoping to break into the high-end interior-design market?

I believe that anyone with true talent and enough passion has a shot at achieving their goals. You have to be able to sell yourself and your talent. It’s amazing how important a personality is.

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“I have always counted on Hyde Park for custom plaster moldings along with their extensive line of stock molds. From the drawing stage to installation, the process is flawless.” hyde-park.com h Interiors by Royale

“My ongoing collaboration with Interiors by Royale spans a period of over 20 years. The proprietor, Carl Romanowski, and his company have successfully produced window treatments for my varied and diverse projects, and the quality of Royale’s workmanship always shines through.” interiorsbyroyale.com

Besaga Woodworking

INTERIORS BY ROYALE ARCHITECTS & DESIGNERS BUILDING 964 THIRD AVENUE NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10155

Besaga Woodworking Co. specializes in manufacturing and installation of high quality architectural casework, millwork and furniture.

We provide design services emphasizing attention to detail, creating unique and intelligent solutions.

Besaga Woodworking 1084 Broadway Brooklyn, NY 11221 P: 917.518.4005 F: 718.602.4056

Interior design by Geoffrey Bradfield, Inc. Photography Durston Saylor

TOTAL CUSTOM WORKROOM.....TO THE TRADE WINDOW TREATMENTS * DRAPERY HARDWARE * UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE * WALL UPHOLSTERY * BEDS

info@besagawoodworking.com www.besagawoodworking.com

Tel. 212.753.4600 / fax 212.753.3343 / email - IBR@intbyroyale.com / website - www.interiorsbyroyale.com

quite a treat

Velvety-chocolate Bisazza tiles drip from the ceiling and down the walls in Bluarch’s sumptuous design.

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bluarch goes

off recipe IN AstoriA the to give venerable

omonia bakery

A warm modern

makeover

words by erinn morgan • photography by ado, sheila barabad & scott gabriel morris

he culinary clan behind Queens’ Omonia Café has been serving up homemade European pastries for nearly 35 years. With their recently opened Omonia Bakery, the family business looked to Bluarch’s modernity and artistry to take them to the next level.

The celebration of indulgence became the dominant theme in Omonia’s design process. “It’s about the suspension of one’s everyday grind through the consumption of a sweet delight,” Bluarch principal Antonio Di Oronzo notes. “The space is as soft and warm and as sexy and decadent as chocolate.”

The main feature of the 1,000-square-foot interior is a smooth, fluid surface clad with quarter-inch, chocolate-brown Bisazza tiles that cover the rounded ceiling and sloping walls

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01

03

01 welcome

The interior curves and the Bisazza tile are brought out to the Astoria streetscape, inviting passers-by to indulge in delectable design and Omonia’s delicious pastries.

02 on display

The enclosed kitchen with its transparent, tempered glass allows the public to witness firsthand the craftspeople at work.

03–04 hanging out

One of the most notable features of the project is the suspended red-cedar spheres and their undulating interaction with a system of six-inch tubular incandescent lightbulbs.

02

project

Omonia Bakery Astoria, Queens omoniacafe.com design firm

Bluarch Architecture + Interiors 112 W. 27th St., Suite 302 New York, NY 10001 212 929 5989 bluarch.com construction

2010–2011 Size

2 levels, 2,000 sq. ft. budget

$400,000 CONSTRUCTION/MILLWORK

to varying heights. The clean, white epoxy flooring completes the floor-to-ceiling circle, connecting to the walls via filleted corners. “A shelf and LED strips navigate the transition with the chocolate surface,” Di Oronzo says.

The Bluarch-designed artistic lighting installation resembles a gorgeous array of bubbles. This effect was created with a system of six-inch tubular incandescent lightbulbs that jut out from the ceiling and a complementary arrangement of hanging, red-cedar wood spheres.

Taking the visual (and aromatic) delight of baking as inspiration, Bluarch designed a tempered-glass enclosed kitchen that is exhibited to the public. “Therefore, the exquisite level of craftsmanship of the project—with its unforgiving alignments and complex details—is paralleled with the refined artisanship of Omonia's pastries,” Di Oronzo adds.

Attica Construction Corp.

718 956 0573

floor plan

1 2 3 4

MEP ENGINEERS

Ryan Consulting Engineers 212 991 0689 ryance.com

Service Counter/Display Cases Kitchen Bath Backyard

1

LIGHTING

3 2

Nova Vision NY 917 686 3682 novavisionny.com

ceiling PLAN

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4

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The space is as soft and warm and as sexy and decadent as chocolate.

Antonio Di Oronzo

04

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New York city

flatiron Schoolgirl-uniform district

factory HIP

turned trendy and

lofT space words by lisa ryan • photography by hector sanchez

arry Goralnick is one of New York City’s top architects and interior designers, having garnered renown for his work with celebrities and established professionals alike. But when it came to a loft redesign in the heart of Manhattan’s Flatiron District, Goralnick found himself working for a different kind of client: himself.

Goralnick and his partner Keith Gordon, a sought-after composer and lyricist, bought the loft with the intention of creating a comfortable yet sleek atmosphere with open spaces and modern touches. “My goal was to create a unique two-bedroom apartment within the parameters of the loft,” Goralnick says. “I wanted it to feel industrial, but I also wanted the privacy of an apartment.”

Formerly a Catholic-schoolgirl uniform factory, the 100-yearold building had been converted to residential lofts in 1980.

The previous tenant of Goralnick’s space was a therapist whose practice featured a large waiting room, an office, and a small, nine-foot-wide bedroom. “It was a great space, but it was divided poorly with disproportionate rooms. The light was cut off unnecessarily, and the materials were subpar,” he says. “Plus, the bedroom was so small it was virtually unfurnishable.”

The team at Goralnick Architecture and Design, which Goralnick founded in 1984 after receiving his masters of architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, had its

N ew Americ a n Luxury / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

project

Goralnick/Gordon Loft Flatiron District, Manhattan design firm

Goralnick Architecture and Design 30 W. 15th St., Suite 4N New York, NY 10011 212 691 8690 barrygoralnick.com 01 a touch of brass

The inviting living area, in a warm yet neutral palette, features a Goralnick-designed chandelier with a Machine Age aesthetic. He enlisted Crenshaw Lighting for its manufacture.

The loft has a great feeling when you’re in it—it’s really comfortable, and it’s a fantastic apartment for parties. barry goralnick

01

02

Contractor

02–03 art space

Scordio Construction 718 369 0500 scordioconstruction.tripod.com

Goralnick’s juxtaposition of light and dark wall colors heightens the dynamic sense of proportion in the space, accentuating the loft’s structural lines and using them to frame the classic and modern art collection.

Living-room fabrics

Kravet 516 293 2000 kravet.com Bedroom fabrics

POLLACK 212 627 7766 pollackassociates.com Chairs

Donghia Inc. 914 662 2377 donghia.com

03

Bath

Kohler Co. 800 456 4537 kohler.com Faucets

Toto 770 282 8686 totousa.com Art in living & dining area

ACME Fine Art 617 585 9551 acmefineart.com Chandelier

Crenshaw Lighting 540 745 3900 crenshawlighting.com Neo-classical painting

Christie’s 212 492 5485 christies.com Upholstery

J&P Decorators 800 874 6578 jpdec.net Carpet

Aronson’s Floor Covering 212 243 4993 aronsonsfloors.com Foyer table

Sentimento Antiques 212 750 3111 sentimentoantiques.com

work cut out for it. They began to gut the apartment but hit a roadblock before building the second bedroom. “By adding the bedroom, you change the number of rooms in the space.

It’s New York—you have to get the Board to approve it before you can go further,” he says. Upon receiving the green light, Goralnick built the second bedroom and added a recording studio for his partner. “It’s small—with a computer, piano, and microphones—but it functions beautifully,” Goralnick says.

Though Goralnick typically pairs with contractor Adelphi Design for his projects, he worked with another favorite, Scordio Construction, on his own home. The kitchen almost completely opens into the dining room with just a half-wall partition between the two spaces, which Goralnick considers the perfect atmosphere for entertaining. “The loft has a great feeling when you’re in it—it’s really comfortable, and it’s a fantastic apartment for parties,” he says. “Everyone wants to hang out here, and that was one of our goals.”

Goralnick opted to highlight the 12-foot ceilings and large windows with a neutral palette. He also kept the industrial feel of the space by leaving the original exposed sprinklers and pipes intact. The walls balance both modern and classical art pieces, reinforcing the new-meets-old vibe of the space.

Goralnick also designed the living-room chandelier, enlisting Crenshaw Lighting for its manufacture. “It’s a brass chandelier that has a Machine Age echo to it, with a hexagonal stem and chandelier bulbs with Lucite bobeches,” Goralnick describes.

A lot of passionate, hard work went into designing the loft, which is representative of any project Goralnick takes on. The designer also creates his own furnishings and lighting, including a carpeting line with Stark Carpet. “I want to explore every aspect of design, continuing to add new product lines and taking my design vision to the world.”

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GORALNICK LOFT floor plan

1 Master Bedroom 2 Living Area 3 Library 4 Studio 5 Foyer 6 Dining Area 7 Dressing Hall 8 Kitchen 9 Master Bathroom 10 Guest Bathroom

a message from crenshaw lighting studios

Since 1957 Crenshaw Lighting Studios have been creating and restoring chandeliers, lanterns and sconces for public buildings, churches and private residences across the country. Projects include work in a wide variety of materials, finishes and styles undertaken in conjunction with some of the countries top architects and lighting designers. Barry Goralnick, of Goralnick Architecture and Design, chose to work with Crenshaw based on the company’s reputation for fine craftsmanship, attention to detail and ability to respond to the needs of the customer. The partnership with Goralnick resulted in a collection of elegantly designed and detailed fixtures which reflects the skill of both companies. floydcountrystore.com, 540 745 4780

At Adelphi, our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction has helped to earn us an outstanding reputation in the fields of residential and commercial design and construction in New York City and its surrounding areas.

We bring a personalized approach to each project, regardless of size and cost, to deliver on the unique desires and needs of each client. For over thirteen years, we have specialized in fine custom interiors, with an emphasis on attention to detail. Working in partnership with reputable and highly regarded licensed Architects and Designers, we are able to exceed all of your architectural and home furnishing needs.

Adelphi specializes on a wide-range of residential projects including complete home and apartment renovations to smaller spaces such as a bathroom or kitchen remodeling.

Our Commercial projects include complete restaurant renovations and the building of new commercial office spaces.

We look forward to the opportunity to service your design and construction needs.

INNOVATIVE DESIGNS

DELPHI Searingtown, New York Phone: 917.273.6815 Email: adelphi33@verizon.net www.adelphicontracting.com

Makers of Fine Lighting

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soaring souen

SPaN’s renovation of this venerable Greenwich Village landmark features a rustic material palette comprised of walnut, blackened steel, and brushed stone. The resulting design is remarkable in its simplicity.

downtown firm

SPaN BUILDS OUT Baron&BaroN'S

West Village workspace and

Souen

union square

words by russ klettke • photography by michael moran

he client was more interested in architecture than decoration.” Thus Jean-Gabriel Neukomm, a partner at Stonely Pelsinski Architects Neukomm (SPaN), describes the West Village offices of global branding agency Baron & Baron. The architecture firm created for the client a “clean, modern, and serene aesthetic” with open floor plans that make use of the repurposed industrial building’s lofts.

This is a workplace of young, creative professionals—people who grew up in a world of digital communication and who, presumably, are quite comfortable with and otherwise dependent upon instant and text messaging. However, that is not how the client wanted them to interact on work projects, Neukomm explains. “Human contact was a core value,” he says. “[Fabien Baron] wants his people to walk over to other people’s desks to discuss a project. It’s also a part of the mentoring process, when people overhear other people discussing their work.” The result is a door-free work environment. “There is absolutely a sense of large-scale creative interaction,” Neukomm notes.

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fostering collaboration

Two 16-foot, brushed-oak tables and 34 feet of blackenedsteel shelving make the library a gathering space—an open forum for the sharing of ideas and knowledge, and promoting workplace camaraderie.

10 4 / N YC D E S I G N F I L E design firm

SPaN – Stonely Pelsinski Architects Neukomm LLC 11 Broadway, Suite 1500 New York, NY 10004 212 732 7012 span-ny.com

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1 Reception 2 Conference 3 Library 4 Pre Production 5 Art Direction 6 Administrative 7 Storage 8 Lounge 9 Office 10 Director's Office

Y project

Baron & Baron, Inc. Offices 425 Hudson St., 5th Floor New York, NY 10014 Client

Baron & Baron, Inc. baron-baron.com construction

2008–2009 Size

12,000 sq. ft.

General Contractor

Conelle Construction 212 334 0381 conelleconstruction.com Oak Tables

Atelier Prelati Inc. 718 349 3620 atelierprelati.com Decorative Metals

SNC Contractors Inc. 914 980 5320 Furniture

Vitra 212 463 5700 vitra.com

01 baron & Baron Lobby

The reception area of Baron & Baron’s offices demonstrates an effective design without physical barriers, setting the tone for the rest of the office’s bright, airy feel and minimal palette of materials.

02 art-direction space

Open offices encourage creativity and communication in the Art Director’s area, with well-lit spaces that offer gorgeous views of the historic West Village.

A grid of cubicles and larger meeting and brainstorm spaces is articulated in white half-walls, white laminate furniture, two 18-foot-long cubist oak tables, steel cabinetry (“laser-cut metal, a huge tectonic element in the space”), and concrete floors. “These are honest, very basic materials that define the zones with clean, simple lines, set off by generous corridors of open space,” Neukomm says. The office’s near-monochromatic minimalism is meant to age well in place. “It is simple, basic, and honest. Color can become dated. This will look good in 10 to 20 years.”

In an egalitarian move, wall cutouts enable departments located closer to the building core to see through to the 10-foottall windows. The client reportedly is “very focused on keeping his employees happy,” even if they must speak to each other face to face instead of through digital devices.

When SPaN was asked to transform the Greenwich Village Japanese restaurant Souen, the stakes were high. Souen is known as a pioneer in the macrobiotic food movement and was a commercial success for almost three decades. The transformation of Souen is now complete, and renowned restaurateur Masaaki Yamaguchi is pleased.

SPaN’s own website describes the materials used in this project as falling along “a rustic palette.” The net effect, however, is a sophisticated urban oasis. The predominance of walnut, blackened steel, and brushed stone provides “a subtle tie to a Japanese aesthetic, without falling into a cliché,” Neukomm explains. “We didn’t want the impression to be, ‘oh, here’s another ash-wood restaurant.’”

The client asked that it be a peaceful place for the restaurant’s long-standing clientele of students and faculty at the nearby Parsons School of Design, as well as people who patronize Souen as part of their health regimen.

Yamaguchi was so pleased with the way things were going he added a brown-rice sushi bar during the latter stages of development. This carte-blanche approach resulted in both dining and design victories, as the firm effectively created a series of discrete rooms. “It feels like a warm cocoon,” says SPaN partner Pete Pelsinski.

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[baron & baron’s office uses] honest, very basic materials that define the zones with clean, simple lines, set off by generous corridors of open space.

Jean-Gabriel Neukomm

10

overcoming obstacles

The renovation of the mid19 th century building was not without setbacks. Desperately in need of an update due to years of neglect and patchwork renovations, Souen’s Masaaki Yamaguchi sought out SPaN for the complicated job.

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ARCADE General Contracting Corporation

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25 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

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Souen main floor

Project

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Souen Restaurant Renovation 28 E. 13th St. New York, NY 10003

Front Seating Point of Service Bar Bar Kitchen Stair Rear Seating

Souen mezzanine

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Open to Below Mezzanine Seating Server Station Stair

Client

Souen Restaurant souen.net construction

2007–2010 Size

4,000 sq. ft.

General Contractor

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1 1

Conelle Construction 212 334 0381 conelleconstruction.com Engineered Wood

Relative Space 212 353 3370 relative-space.com

735 Kappock Street Riverdale, NY 10463

Engineered-wood flooring made of recomposed substrate was used on walls and ceilings. “It’s a wonder material,” Neukomm says. “There are tighter controls on what it looks like because it is factory made. It’s also easier to install.” The floors themselves are an epoxy-resin finish. Adding “a little bit of bling” in the French-bistro style, several walls and the sushi bar have horizontal, antique-bronze mirrors that provide diners with additional sight lines, which are all welcome surprises to long-term customers.

SPaN’s location in lower Manhattan’s classically chic Financial District is fitting—the area is representative of what makes New York “New York.” The work SPaN does for its clients speaks a certain truth about Manhattan style as well.

Baron & Baron as well as Souen inhabit spaces that principal Karen Stonely says have a “reverence for architecture.” That means a respect for how a handful of simple materials can create a world of luxe surroundings, places where creative people work and New Yorkers dine. In both of these environments, a limited color palette provides the perfect backdrop to wildly colorful people and food.

Decorative Metals

SNC Contractors Inc. 914 980 5320 Stone

ABC Stone 718 389 8360 abcworldwidestone.com Tile

Town & Country Flooring 212 679 0312 tncflooring.com

03 mixing it up

The renovation also saw the addition of a brown-rice sushi bar and an overhead saki display—two new elements that have been well received by the clientele.

917 747 3414 richardkaleta@gmail.com

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the bookshelf Luxury Living New York Photographs by Reto Guntli Hardcover, 220 pp., teNeues, 2010

Every architectural style and era is represented in this striking compendium showcasing the best of New York interiors. Considered by many to be the ultimate city, the Big Apple is home to some of the most ultra-luxurious spaces in the world. From modern, minimalist masterpieces to more traditional designs paying homage to European elegance, Luxury Living New York features 240 images by renowned photographer Reto Guntli, highlighting the opulent homes of high-net-worth individuals in business, politics, and the arts.

Delirious New York: A Retroactive Manifesto for Manhattan

High Line: The Inside Story of New York City’s Park in the Sky

Helvetica and the New York City Subway System

How to Read New York: A Crash Course in Big Apple Architecture

Rem Koolhaas Paperback, 320 pp., Thames & Hudson, 1978

Joshua David and Robert Hammond Paperback, 352 pp., Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2011

Paul Shaw Hardcover, 144 pp., MIT Press, 2011

Will Jones Paperback, 256 pp., Universe (Rizzoli), 2012

Originally published in 1978, Delirious New York has achieved a cult following as one of the most significant critiques of New York’s cultural, architectural, and social history. Rem Koolhaas’s depiction of New York as a metaphor for the complexity of human behavior has withstood decades, remaining an educational go-to book for understanding Manhattan as “the 20th century’s Rosetta Stone ... occupied by architectural mutations (Central Park, the Skyscraper), utopian fragments (Rockefeller Center, the UN Building), and irrational phenomena (Radio City Music Hall).”

One of New York’s most-revered green spaces, the High Line came into being through a community effort led by Joshua David and Robert Hammond. With no prior planning or development experience, they actively engaged their neighbors, local officials, and business owners to create this space atop a derelict elevated rail structure. This inspiring book chronicles the project from conception to completion, detailing key events in the process: a crucial court ruling, a design contest, gaining Mayor Bloomberg’s support, and navigating post-9/11 urban-planning issues.

Chronicling the evolution of New York City subway signage, Paul Shaw takes a close look at the ubiquitous font and its role in NYC wayfinding. Helvetica is commonly believed to be the signage typeface of the New York City subway system, but that’s only partially true, as Shaw thoroughly investigates. The book contains extensive research, including material in the MTA Archives, the New York Transit Museum, and several personal collections, not to mention previously unpublished documents and more than 200 photographs, most of them original or never seen before.

Native New Yorkers and tourists alike can enjoy the richness of How to Read New York, which provides a rather-complete survey of the City’s diverse architectural masterpieces.

Covering every era and style of New York architecture—from Colonial times to the latest dazzling skyscrapers—this handy, pocket-sized guidebook shines new light on the architectural and urban history of New York. Beautifully illustrated with 430 line drawings and vintage engravings of New York buildings, the book concludes with a map section of themed walking tours.

N e wA m e r i c an L u x u r y. c o m / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

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Manhattan of FêteS fancy

by JUNG LEE at the

Museum of natural history

public Library & Angel Orensanz

Foundation

words by thalia a- m bruehl • photography by christian oth studio

hen Jung Lee and Josh Brooks started Fête, the objectives were threefold: creating events that would feel like total experiences, surprising and exciting guests throughout each soiree, and keeping the 85-year-olds dancing until the wee hours. Throughout the last decade they’ve learned how to accomplish those goals and more. In creating three Manhattan weddings, Lee, who serves as the company’s head designer and planner, worked closely with her clients to ensure the events fulfilled every one of their desires, from a ceremony in New York’s oldest synagogue to an ice bar flowing with Russian vodka to cocktails under a giant whale. The three events ranged from 150 to 350 guests, used more than 140 servers in total, and were all uniquely their own—just the way Lee and her clients imagined.

Night at the Museum Lee’s clients for the Night at the Museum wedding were actually engaged at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The couple, both of whose families have supported the legendary institution with large financial contributions, also grew up on New York’s Upper West Side, not far from the space in which they’d eventually say “I do.”

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winter wonderland

White flooring and snow-covered branches accentuate the wintery theme of the wedding, while mirrored tabletops reflect the whale display suspended from the museum ceiling.

event planner

FĂŞte 419 Park Ave., Floor 4 New York, NY 10016 212 725 7268 feteny.com

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event (previous page)

“Night at the Museum” Wedding venue

American Museum of Natural History amnh.org BAND

Pilley Bianchi Music 917 847 1633 bianchimusica.com TABLETOP ITEMS

Mirrored boxes and clearplexiglass boxes from Fête

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The bride had some ideas in mind when she first came to Lee, and despite not technically having an animal-themed wedding, creatures from the Triassic to the Paleolithic era played a part. “While the Whale Room, which has a giant whale hanging from the ceiling, is hardly the spot for a beautiful wedding atmosphere, we were able to keep with the ocean theme and make the event very glamorous and wintery, as well,” Lee explains. Cocktails were held in the Dinosaur Room, while the ceremony was in the Powerhouse Room.

As the wedding was quite large, layout was tricky from the beginning. “Like an architect, I’m all about the floor plans,” she says. “I decide where [to put] the bar, the dining area, the lounge area, [and] the band before I even start the design work. People need to be comfortable in order to enjoy the party.” To best utilize the space, Lee moved the band from the typical placement in the center of the room, and during the ceremony actually hid the musicians behind enormous drapes. “It was beautiful,” Brooks remembers. “You could actually see their silhouettes while they were playing.”

Like an architect, I’m all about the floor plans. I decide where [to put] the bar, the dining area, the lounge area, [and] the band before I even start the design work.

JUNg LEE

Elegance at the Public Library 01 lighting the way

Guests and the bridal party were greeted by the romantic flicker of candles leading up to the entry of the library.

02-04 engaging the senses

The dramatically lit wedding featured a 32-foot ice bar flowing with vodka, while 250 guests enjoyed dinner seated at three tables stretching almost two city blocks.

As a venue, the New York Public Library provided Lee and her team with a dramatic backdrop full of romance and the opportunity to create a Russian wedding fit for a czar. “The clients were Russian-American, and they wanted to celebrate in their traditional way. It was our job to understand what it means to have a Russian wedding,” Brooks says. “The greatest challenge was creating the Russian food service, which meant training dozens of waiters in something they’d never done before.”

The Russian service, which had all of the waiters continuously offering various dinner options in a round-robin-style N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

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Jung Lee’s 6 tips for a successful party

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a No single element can carry a party

At great parties the music, service, food, drinks, and design all come together to create a unique experience. event

“Elegance at the Public Library” Wedding venue

New York Public Library Upper West Side, Manhattan budget

$1 million LIGHTING

Aion Entertainment, Inc. 917 797 6435 aionentertainment.com ICE BAR

Okamoto Studio 212 842 0630 okamotostudionyc.com

procession, needed to be choreographed down to the last dish and required Fête to plan tirelessly with the caterer and their waitstaff before the event. “It was meant to feel like neverending food,” Lee adds.

Lee chose to pay tribute to the couple’s heritage by showcasing a 32-foot ice bar brimming over with vodka. She also had Sylvia Weinstock Cakes design a petite Fabergé-egg cake.

“Neither the bride nor the groom loved cake, so we created a very small Russian Fabergé-egg cake. It was a beautiful piece that spoke to their culture as well as the traditional elements of a wedding,” Lee explains. “We had fun with it.”

As with all of their events, Fête wanted to make sure this was a party that kept going. In order to achieve this, they unveiled a new room for each phase of the evening; in every room, the music and cocktails changed for each environment. “We kept injecting energy into it,” Brooks says. “For

s The design should have a point of view

Really think about the environment you are trying to achieve, and follow your instincts. d Think about hospitality

Take care of your guests; make them feel important and special. Ultimately what matters is how your guests feel when they’re at your party. f Great parties ARE produced & coordinated

Make sure someone is taking charge to ensure that all facets of your event are working together. g Lighting is an underrated element

Make sure everything has a nice, warmly lit effect with lots of candles. Dim the house lights, change bulbs to soft ambers and pale pinks, which gives everyone a beautiful glow. h The host ultimately sets the tonE

Great hosts enhance the fun at their event. Ensure guests are enjoying themselves, and try introducing guests who don’t know one another.

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about Jung Lee

Born in South Korea, Jung Lee grew up in New York, the city she loves and still calls home. After studying politics at and graduating from NYU, Lee had successful careers in both high-end food stores and residential real estate before realizing her true calling in design. In 2002, Lee founded Fête with partner Josh Brooks, combining her passion for art, construction, and project management. Today, Fête is considered one of New York’s premier event planners, designing stunning productions around the globe.

Company

Fête 419 Park Ave., Floor 4 New York, NY 10016 212 725 7268 feteny.com

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food was the main event— the groom’s favorite wines and champagne were also showcased alongside the impressive culinary spread.

Jung lee 05 06

05-06 deliciously chic

Guests enjoyed fine wines and a five-star dinner by caterer Sonnier & Castle, who worked closely with Lee to bring the seemingly effortless dinner party to fruition. event

“Downtown Bohemian Glam” Wedding budget

$300,000 CATERING

Sonnier & Castle 212 957 6481 sonnier-castle.com VENUE

Angel Orensanz Foundation for the Arts orensanzevents.com FLOWERS

Arrangements included magnolias, hydrangeas, and roses courtesy of Fête

us, it was about a fresh, innovative concept, but one that still feels familiar to the client.” Out of the 350 guests who attended, 325 were still there at the very end, nine hours after the celebration began.

Downtown Bohemian Glam Fête’s clients for the Downtown Bohemian Glam wedding, a couple from London, chose a venue that reflected both sides of their personalities—the creative and the chic. Built in 1849, this oldest-standing New York synagogue is one of just a few designed in the Gothic-revival style. In 1986, Spanish sculptor Angel Orensanz bought the space and converted it into the Angel Orensanz Foundation for the Arts, a performance space and arts center.

“Angel Orensanz is a little dilapidated, but it has great character and great details. People who are a little more artistic can get really into it,” Brooks says. “The couple had one foot in that world, but they were also very sophisticated and loved nice things. The event was meant to bridge the gap.”

Lee used tall candelabras, chandeliers, and gold and crystal accents to add elegance to the space; the floral arrangements were designed to look like still-life paintings, slightly unmanicured in natural jewel tones.

For the groom, the ultimate “nice thing” was a five-star dinner he and Fête hand selected from caterer Sonnier & Castle. With items like Maine lobster with sturgeon caviar and braised beef short ribs with green lentils and crispy shallots on the menu, food was the main event—the groom’s favorite wines and champagne were also showcased alongside the impressive culinary spread.

“We spent a lot of time planning the plating, and tasting, too,” Lee says. “The bride and groom didn’t want the wedding to feel like a banquet affair, but more like a beautiful and effortless dinner party for 150 guests. The difference is getting everyone their food at the same time, rather than twelve minutes apart like most weddings.” In order to keep things moving at the desired pace, Fête hired extra waitstaff, which also helped the guests feel as if they were always being taken care of—a goal of Lee’s for every wedding.

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romantic atmosphere

Lee brought in some dramatic lighting to add a bit of magic and to highlight the marvelous architecture of this Gothic art studio in Lower Manhattan.

Meanwhile, she used plenty of long tapered candles to set the mood.

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DEAN/WOLF ON REINVENTING THE TriBeCa T OW NHOUSE

TURNing

and

INVERTing

convention words by Kelly O’Brien • photography by paul warchol

simple geometries

Cor-Ten steel panels drop down shingle-style in dynamic layers, creating the custom staircase.

Frameless burgundy glass accentuates the loft’s focal point.

t Dean/Wolf Architects, a townhouse is not just a townhouse—it is part of a rich cultural legacy.

“The actions that we as individuals aspire to today will become a cultural heritage for future generations to draw from and enjoy,” says Kathryn Dean, one of the firm’s partners. “Every mark we leave should bring lasting beauty and nurture a civic pride.”

As suggested by its name, Inverted Warehouse/Townhouse takes the idea of a conventional luxury townhouse and turns it squarely on its head. Dean was the lead architect for the project, and her design combines technical prowess, cunning design choices, and an irresistible modern aesthetic. “This project tries to create the intimacy suggested by a ‘house’ in the shell of a warehouse,” Dean says. The trouble is that warehouses are not typically designed with intimacy in mind. How do you take a big brick building, with absolutely no exterior space, and turn it into an inviting, light-filled, five-story townhouse?

Dean’s approach started at the roof. “The urban roof plane is carved open to admit light and air into the interior public spaces,” Dean says. From there, a steel structure was suspended in the center of the warehouse to create the residential framework. And just as the design and construction start at the roof, so do the home’s public spaces.

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sculptural beauty

In the fluid stairwell, curvilinear gaps are echoed by the sculptural openings that are cut from the corners of the larger volume, connecting ground plane to sky plane.

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design firm

Dean/Wolf Architects 40 Hudson St., 6th Floor New York, NY 10013 212 385 1170 dean-wolf.com

03

z project

Implied Rotation Townhouse TriBeCa, Manhattan Construction

2006–2010 Size

4,200 sq. ft.

STEEL FABRICATOR

Maloya Inc. 800 783 8214 maloyalaser.com WHITE-MAPLE FLOORING

Conway Hardwood Products 800 828 9844 conwayhardwood.com MIRRORED CABINETS

Robern 800 877 2376 robern.com RECESSED LIGHT FIXTURES

01

02

Lightolier 800 215 1068 lightolier.com

Y project

Inverted Warehouse/ Townhouse TriBeCa, Manhattan Construction

2004–2010 Size

10,500 sq. ft.

INTERIOR DESIGN

JamesGreenberg LLC 212 751 2612 jamesgreenberg.com STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Hage Engineering PC 212 358 7778 hageengineering.com METAL FABRICATION

KC Fabrications, Inc. 845 255 0097 kcfabrications.com WOOD WINDOWS

Duratherm Window Corp.

207 872 5558 durathermwindows.com CUSTOM WOODWORK

Smith & Fong Co. 866 835 9859 plyboo.com

01-03 let there be light

Three double-story volumes are excavated from the dark center of the deep warehouse floor plates to admit light and allow new construction to reinforce the upside-down organization.

Using industrial materials to support domestic use, tough oxidized-steel construction is suspended from the rooftop parapets into the opened spaces.

An elevator carries you up to the fifth floor of the building, delivering you into an indoor/outdoor living area and garden deck. Staircases draw you down into the home’s kitchen and dining areas, which are surrounded by a combination of glass, brick, and custom-finished Cor-Ten oxidized steel panels. A pair of two-story courtyards effectively brings exterior spaces inward, “pour[ing] light down to the lowest level of the townhouse,” Dean says.

Solving the conceptual, warehouse-to-townhouse problem was a matter of ingenuity and clever design, but the technical challenges were a matter of careful calculation. “The coordination of vertical elements for the series of cascading floors had very little tolerance, and required impeccable precision and communication between architect and contractor,” Dean recalls. Inverted Warehouse/Townhouse is Dean/Wolf’s largest, most technically complex interior renovation to date.

The Implied Rotation Townhouse began its life as an 18thcentury townhouse and was relocated to TriBeCa in the 1970s.

The house originally had a rear garden space that was a private retreat, but over the years it was opened up onto a public neighborhood courtyard. “The garden, now an active center for family and social life, no longer provides the rare solace of secluded privacy,” Dean notes. So it was very important, when designing Implied Rotation Townhouse, to bring some of that solace into the home’s interior spaces.

Dean’s design accomplishes this by reversing the traditional role of the townhouse staircase. “A suspended staircase cascades from the upper level,” Dean says, compared to a traditional townhouse staircase, which is heavily grounded in the first floor and rises from there. This reversal serves to bring the intimacy of the private spaces down into the public ones; while unconventional, this creates for the homeowner “a luxurious space of dynamic repose,” Dean says.

The staircase is not only the centerpiece for the house, but was also the most challenging aspect of the project. “This project required an extremely precise coordination of digitally fabricating the stainless-steel staircase, assembled entirely out of unique components,” Dean says. The complex succession

of curved and folded steel bands that suspend the staircase are at once elegant and engaging. “From each new vantage point, the sculpted stair screen seems to open and close to the viewer, creating a dynamic interchange between the inhabitant and the space she inhabits,” Dean says.

Implied Rotation Townhouse, like every Dean/Wolf project, is all about “helping each client to recognize their distinct voice, and underscoring its expression and development in a sympathetic and supportive built environment,” Dean remarks.

Dean founded the firm in 1991 with Charles Wolf, and for the last 20 years they’ve been creating inventive spaces for residential, commercial, and institutional clients in New York City and beyond. The firm has earned a reputation for incorporating innovative building materials into their projects and for maintaining the highest level of architectural rigor. Dean/ Wolf also places a very high premium on individuality. “Our firm specializes in using architectural design to reinforce the identities of individuals and institutions,” Dean says, “and supporting a rich dialogue between buildings, their users, and the environments they inhabit.”

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From each new vantage point, the sculpted stair screen seems to open and close, creating a dynamic interchange between the inhabitant and the space.

Kathryn Dean

KC FABRICATIONS, INC.

ART & ARCHITECTURAL FABRICATIONS

NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL CHANEL – LOUIS VUITTON – JUICY COUTURE KC Fabrication’s consistently innovative approach to every project from sketch to installation garners the complete trust and confidence of their clients worldwide, most recently the National September 11 Memorial.

dada stair

Inspired by the movement implied in Marcel Duchamp’s Nude Descending a Staircase, curvilinear feminine cuts catch the eye to slow the body’s pace as privacy decreases in descent.

The twist of the laser-cut and folded stainless-steel bands suspending the stair anticipates the trajectory of the body as it circles the stair.

Located just outside New York City in Gardiner, New York, KC Fabrications focuses on a select few clients at a time allowing for the individual attention and personalized solution each project deserves.

Untitled,1966 Alexander Calder Restoration

Contact us for your Architectural Fabrication and Installation, Large-scale Sculpture Fabrication, Restoration, Installation and Specialized Foundry Service needs.

GARDINER, NEW YORK 845-255-0097 Ask for Christopher Powers or email at info@kcfabrications.com

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ART TRIOMPHE’S DE

DESIGNED TO SELL

LEED-CERTIFIED MANHATTAN

PENTHOUSE words by thalia a- m bruehl • photography by peter rymwid

n 1996, Felicia Zwebner founded Art de Triomphe, a high-end interior-design firm, with the hope of creating spaces that both fit her clients’ desired styles and include elements of fine art and luxury living. “I don’t push a signature style on my clients. I embrace whatever the clients’ desires are and bring them to fruition,” she says. “A home should be personalized, and there is a pretty wide variation of what I do, from chic modern to opulent traditional.” Zwebner’s wellarticulated design perspective can also be seen in FZ Collection, the furniture line she started in 2011.

The collection, as well as Zwebner’s interior-design skills, caught the eye of New York real-estate developer Extell, who hired her to design a 3,500-square-foot unit at The Lucida, the Upper East Side’s first LEED-certified condo building. “My relationship with Extell started with a showhouse foyer I had designed for them the previous fall,” Zwebner explains. “That was the catalyst. They saw that I understood what a New York

N ew Americ a n Luxury / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

posh digs

Natural materials like silk and wool were used in the rug by Stark Carpet. Custom FZ Collection furniture like the Loudan sofa and Joao coffee table were fabricated by local craftsmen.

client needs in terms of space being at a premium, as well as needing to use a space for more than one function.”

From day one, Zwebner knew she wanted to keep with The Lucida’s eco-friendly theme in her designs. “My FZ Collection is locally made, and I use all-natural fabrics and materials like reclaimed wood whenever possible,” she says. Zwebner used her furniture line as the foundation for her design concept and found appropriate antiques to complement it. “I knew I was the woman for the job from the moment I stepped into the building’s lobby. The whole building is chic and elegant with very clean lines. It’s understated with nothing fussy or pretentious or over the top. I modeled the unit after that feeling.”

Zwebner kept both Extell’s expectations as well as the ideal tenant in mind while deciding how to make use of the fivebedroom, six-bath apartment—a space that to her seemed ideal for a growing family. The family she imagined occupying the space would love to entertain, but would also provide their kids with spaces that were friendly, bright, and meant to be played in. “I felt that the kids’ rooms—both the bedrooms and playroom—could be separate, meaning that I didn’t feel they needed to tie into the principal rooms,” she says.

The Lucida penthouse was featured on HGTV’s Selling New York and sold for approximately $8 million dollars, but the biggest reward allowed Zwebner to once again indulge in her passion for art. “I went out to the late actor Anthony Quinn’s home in Rhode Island and, with his wife, selected some of his paintings,” Zwebner says. “Quinn was a prolific artist, and I was so thrilled to be able to showcase his work.”

“I believe that good design warrants fine art. A space shows off so much better when you have good art,” Zwebner concludes.

“The art, dark-wood accents, neutral colors, and clean lines all make this a very luxurious space. And very New York.”

01 02 project

01-02 an artistic focus

The Lucida, Unit 12A 151 E. 85th St. New York, NY 10028

A large painting by the late actor Anthony Quinn hangs in the hall on a wall painted with a low-VOC paint from Stark Paint. In the adjacent foyer, the designer placed a custom Marco bench and Clenos console table upholstered in silk-bamboo fabric by Bruno Triplet. Both pieces are from Zwebner’s FZ Collection.

design firm

Art de Triomphe 588 S. Forest Drive Teaneck, NJ 07666 201 965 8994 artdetriomphe.net building Architect

Cook + Fox Architects cookplusfox.com Client

Extell, The Lucida thelucida.com budget

$750,000

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03-05 natural accents

The serene master bedroom features a mother-of-pearl-accented custom bed fabricated

by FZ Collection in collaboration with Avery Boardman.

A wool and silk rug by Stark Carpet and a curated collection of antiques complete the room.

For the whimsical playroom, wall coverings, paint, and window-treatment fabric (all

by Stark) are made of natural materials. In the study, Zwebner placed an antique rug beneath an FZ Collection Roark desk and Z-Chair, while the window treatment is a natural linen by Stroheim.

04

The art, dark-wood accents, neutral colors, and clean lines all make this a very luxurious space. And very New York.

Felicia Zwebner 03 05

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Photo: Keith Scott Morton

Marut Custom Interior Woodworking Inc. specializes in custom kitchen and bath cabinets, home theaters, home offices and media centers. We are well known for our high quality standards in the fabrication of architectural woodwork in the New York Tristate area. With our team of highly talented woodworkers trained in the traditional European techniques and our passion and spirit for fine woodwork, we are able to offer original designs and successful collaborations with architects and designers like Barbara Ostrom & Associates.

Marut Custom Interior Woodworking, Inc. 814 River Drive Elmwood Park NJ 07407 Telephone # 201-247-1615 Fax # 201-773-4398 www.marutwoodworking.com Photography by Phillip Ennis Room | Design by Barbara Ostrom Associates

Lacquer sideboard & extending dining table by Jacques Adnet (1900-1984), France, ca. 1955 Chandelier by Maison Veronese, France, ca. 1955 Circular illuminated mirror, Italy, ca. 1940 Rectangular area rug by Paule Leleu (1906-1987) France, ca. 1950 Jar with lid by Bo Kristiansen (1944-1991) Denmark, ca. 1980 Glass Vase Murano, Italy, ca. 1950’s Pair of bronze candlesticks by Garouste and Bonetti France, ca. 1990 30 East 10th Street, New York, NY 10003 · T. 212-777-8209 F. 212-777-8302 · email: BGAntiques@mac.com www.BGoecklerAntiques.com

3 12

D IALOG U E

Small space Versus

largE spacE: which is more

luxurious? barbara ostrom, a new york interior designer, and architect arturo palombo face off over whether going big is really the only way to go when it comes to luxury homes

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barbara ostrom uses knowledge gained through her extensive design and architecture education to serve her New York clientele.

arturo palombo specializes in historical preservation and renovation work, combining age-old architectural aesthetics and modern design sensibilities.

Barbara Ostrom Associates

Arturo Palombo Architecture

1 International Blvd., Suite 209 Mahwah, NJ 07495 201 529 0444 barbaraostromassociates.com

10 Park Place, Suite 230 Morristown, NJ 07960 973 538 1881 aparchitecture.com

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DIALOGUE

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“MY High-end residential clients are not willing to sacrifice luxury in addition to space. Fortunately, they don’t have to.” barbar a ostro m , as to ld to k elli m c elhin ny

The best design comes in small packages.

Modern luxury homes are getting smaller to conserve costs as well as materials and resources. Nonetheless, high-end residential clients are not willing to sacrifice luxury in addition to space. Fortunately, they don’t have to. Creating a lavish environment with less square footage may not be an easy feat, but it certainly can be accomplished with a little ingenuity from the designer. One of my clients plays poker three times a week, so I created a card room in a tiny space that the nanny once occupied. Instead of a basic home office, this room became a cozy retreat enjoyed by guests and residents alike.

Of course, designers and clients do have more options with larger homes. Spacious rooms can accommodate more design elements without being overburdened. This is why second homes are appealing to highend homeowners with relatively small primary residences. Something that won’t fit in a 1,300-square-foot Manhattan apartment will work nicely in a summer home in the Hamptons or an Aspen ski cabin.

Scale is of the utmost importance in a small room. Large pieces will seem overwhelming, so smaller furnishings and fixtures are better choices. Choosing pieces with tasteful ornamentation or lush upholstery can still bring in a touch of opulence. Technology can be another valuable instrument of luxury design in small spaces. A state-of-the-art home-theater system doesn’t need to take up a lot of room, but it still confers an atmosphere of affluence.

Different spaces call for different design strategies, but certain features are suitable in any setting. In particular, we like to incorporate uplifting colors and striking fabrics that make people feel good when they walk into a room. We also use custom-crafted design elements, such as handmade wooden trims and panels like those that Marut Custom Interior Woodworking created for a Spanish/Mediterranean-style home in Connecticut.

Color plays an important role in small rooms, as well. In our recent showroom for the Kip’s Bay Boys & Girls Club, we transformed a grim, little space into an inviting bedroom with a sea-foam and teal theme. You don’t have to shy away from vibrant colors in a small room.

A rich hue on the walls can serve as the room’s

Ultimately, some clients are going to prefer large, open rooms, while others may seek out cozier spaces. Regardless of the size of the room or home, the most important objective is capturing the client’s personality in the design.

When that goal is achieved, then any home can feel luxurious.

centerpiece, accentuated with a few attentiongrabbing antiques mixed with modern furnishings and fixtures.

ABOUT barbara ostrom / Barbara Ostrom honed her high-end residential-design skills under the tutelage of Rosalind Rosier and gained experience in commercial work with Katzman Associates.

She launched her own firm, Barbara Ostrom Associates, in 1977. Ostrom has been listed in House and Garden, House Beautiful, and The New York Times as one of the top 100 interior designers in America, and is also listed in Who’s Who in Interior Design.

She won awards from AIA and ASID for the design of Citizen’s Bank in Ridgewood, NJ. Ostrom earned her bachelor’s degree from the New York School of Interior Design and holds a master’s degree in architectural design from Pratt and a graduate certificate from the Sorbonne in Paris.

comfortable luxury reigns supreme

Photography: Phillip Ennis, Robert Kim

A dazzling array of textures makes for a luxurious, plush Kips Bay Show House bedroom. Ostrom achieves a balanced design by incorporating functional yet beautiful pieces into the room. Classic elegance shines through with a palette of soft blue hues and a touch of gilding.

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DIALOGUE

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“we find that more intimate spaces feel much more luxurious because you’re able to really see the detail and experience the space as a whole.”

Artu ro Palo m bo, AS TOLD TO mat t alderto n

There was a trend the last number of years that bigger meant better. But people came to realize that large-scale, ill-proportioned, and bombastic spaces ultimately were just big, dumb boxes. There are times when something large is appropriate, but more often than not we find that more intimate spaces feel much more luxurious because you’re able to really see the detail and experience the space as a whole rather than in a fleeting way.

Homes don’t have to be 40,000 square feet.

A smaller space that has more character and detail and sequence to it often feels a lot more luxurious than something that’s just large for the sake of being large. It’s less about size than how a space is experienced.

In a smaller space, the immediacy of a material is much more apparent. Not only is the material important, but so is the craftsmanship of how that material has been treated or installed. You may have an incredibly expensive piece of stone, but if it hasn’t been installed well, it’s going to be immediately apparent, diminishing its value. For instance, we’ve done bathrooms in which the floors of the shower had a raised texture such as river-rock flooring. Not only was it something that helped awaken you in the morning, but it also offered a foot massage.

The tactile aspect of the material took it beyond the visual and beyond the functional. It was attached to the way you feel within the space.

a fresh update

The renovation of an 1860s Tudor Gothic-style residence in Llewellyn Park, NJ, involved the removal of all existing materials, fixtures, and finishes. The entire layout was reworked to take advantage of the existing floor plan, sun locations, and to better organize the spaces. Particular care was taken in the introduction of Calcutta marble, polished nickel, and painted-wood finishes.

It has less to do with scale or material than it has to do with fitting all the parts together in the right way. For example, we recently completed the master-bedroom suite in an 1860s house in Llewellyn Park, New Jersey. While the project was relatively small, it was highly detailed. Originally, the master bedroom looked directly into the master bath, which our office saw as a weakness in the original design. So, we created a fitted dressing area and then placed the bathroom in another area adjacent to that, which offered better views out to the rear yard, creating more privacy, as well as a buffer between the sleeping and bath areas. It created an entire sequence that was far and above better than anything the client had imagined. It was a very rich and luxurious space because of the material selected, care in its installation, layout, and detail.

There’s the Vitruvian axiom of firmness, commodity, and delight that I subscribe to wholeheartedly. Something that’s firm is structurally integrated and structurally sound.

It has tactility and materiality to it. Commodity is something that will accommodate those functions and needs that are required by the client.

And delight means that it’s a place that will constantly bring happiness to those who use it.

Those to me are the things that make something luxurious. It may not always be obvious things like size; sometimes it’s subtle things that make a space more luxurious than banal.

ABOUT arturo palombo / Arturo Palombo founded his firm, Arturo Palombo Architecture, in 1990. Based in Morristown, NJ, its core practice is the design of custom residences and renovations for apartments, suburban houses, and country estates.

Palombo specializes in historical preservation and restoration and serves on the Boards of the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund, as well as the Morris Township Historic Commission. A member of the Institute for Classical Architecture, Somerset Hills Architectural League, and the Morristown Partnership Architect’s Group, he has four employees and typically takes on two to three large projects per year primarily in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

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DARRELL SCHMITT

DESIGN ASSOCIATES, INC.

pure land design inc. landscape architecture construction management

Projects located across NJ, NY and Eastern PA. 484.237.8876 www.purelanddesign.com

Calistoga Ranch, An Auberge Resort Photo: Tim Street-Porter

Private Residence

Photo: Mary E. Nichols

An interior design studio offering extraordinary design services internationally for the hospitality industry and for private residential clientele 6030 Wilshire Boulevard, #200 Los Angeles, California 90036-3617 T 323.951.9283 • F 323.951.9231 www.darrellschmittdesignassociates.com

P O R TFO LI O

01

against the elements A tricky site on a Gulf Coast barrier island couldn’t stop high-end builder Michael K. Walker and Associates from creating a palatial estate

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02

WORDS

Annie Fischer photography

Greg Wilson gregwilsonphoto.com

project

Two-acre Residential Estate Casey Key, FL builder

Michael K. Walker and Associates 1793 Mango Ave. Sarasota, FL 34234 941 365 3301 michaelkwalker.com

04

The only access road to Casey Key, a barrier island along the Gulf Coast of Florida, has two narrow lanes and many sharp turns. Structural foundations require special piers because of the sandy soil, and new builds must comply to both hurricane-withstanding statewide codes and those enforced to protect the highly sensitive environment of this desirable coastal hammock.

High-end builder Michael K. Walker, however, knows firsthand that extraordinary challenges often beget extraordinary success. He spent nearly four years on Casey Key building an incredible two-acre, custom residential estate, a vacation compound for Minnesota-based clients.

“We’re not a volume-driven company,” he explains. “Ours is a very short dog-and-pony show.

We do exceptional work for exceptional clients.”

Walker first built the property’s 1,100-squarefoot Bayside Guest House, situated high among a grove of mature oak trees and distinguished by eight glulam (glued laminated timber) beams that form the backbone of its striking curvilinear roof. Fabricated in Alabama and too wide to travel the interstate in one piece, the beams arrived in pairs and were assembled on-site with concealed knife plates; minor curvature errors, though, required nearly 100 man-hours of major surgery before work on the customwindow and -door package could even begin.

The building had soaked up so much moisture during a wetter-than-usual summer that when Michael K. Walker and Associates (MKW) turned on the air-conditioning to dehumidify the new structure, it immediately began to shrink. “This little house,” Walker says, “went berserk.”

Happily, the building process improved from there. Following completion of the Bayside Guest House in 2008, MKW built the property’s grand centerpiece: a four-bedroom, six-bathroom, 8,000-square-foot main home. “The stars aligned,” Walker recalls. “The tide was right. It was an absolute dream job.” A spectacular blend of exquisite materials, the spacious main house features gleaming wood, Kasota limestone, and a palette inspired by the colors and textures of the island’s habitat.

The builders then added a 300-square-foot, copper-clad guesthouse located near the beach, N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

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01 myriad materials

Constructed of a spectacular blend of over 100 different materials, the main house has various kinds of stone, a wide range of both hard and soft woods, and intricate ceramic-tile work.

02–03 bayside guest house

The structure was carefully sited within a coastal hammock of mature oak trees. Steel-pipe pilings were used in lieu of a conventional concrete-piling foundation.

04 beachside guest house

Just over 300 square feet, the quaint, Modernist-style guest house features copper cladding and enjoys uninhibited views of the Gulf.

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05 warm, welcoming entry

Clean structural lines and the blurring of indoor and outdoor spaces make this home a special retreat from the Midwest during the winter months.

06 ocean views

Extreme care was taken in the placement of the building, minimizing impacts to the existing site while taking full advantage of views of the Gulf of Mexico to the west and the Intercoastal Waterway to the east.

05 06 TOTAL estate

20,470 sq. ft.

Main House: 7,918 sq. ft. (A/C); 9,404 sq. ft. (non-A/C) Bayside Guest House: 1,136 sq. ft. (A/C); 1,504 sq. ft. (non-A/C) Beachside Guest House: 302 sq. ft. (A/C); 206 sq. ft. (non-A/C)

ARCHITECT

TOTeMS Architecture 941 952 0084 totemsinc.com LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

John Wheeler Landscape, Inc. 941 957 3034 WINDOWS & DOORS

Window Classics Corp.

941 927 5683 windowclassics.com INTERIOR DESIGNER

Studio Hive 612 279 0430 studiohive.com HOME SYSTEMS

Tempus Electronic Lifestyles 941 316 8800 tempus-inc.com SHUTTERS

Florida Blinds & Shutters, Inc. 407 850 9998 flshutters.com

main house ground floor

main house second floor

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main house third floor

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06

Tempus brings a unique consultative approach to the design, installation and service of home systems.

We listen to you.

We show you the options.

We adapt the bewildering world of home systems to your lifestyle so you may enjoy both the process and the result.

technology architects...

07

06 perfectly framed

Michael K. Walker

...for your lifestyle

• Home Communications - Voice & Data • Lighting Systems & Window Treatments • Home Integration and Control Systems • Security Systems • Home Theater & Audio/Video Systems

TEMPUS ELECTRONIC LIFESTYLES www.tempus-inc.com Serving Florida’s West Coast Sarasota & Naples

When the doors are open ... it’s like being in some far-off place.

The main house’s dining room lends a tree house-like quality, as it’s nestled up high amongst the oaks.

07 kitchen vantage point

The home was built to exacting standards of workmanship, with great care given to ensure unspoiled views in all directions.

as well as a pool cabana. Walker’s team, which subcontracted finish work for the three buildings to “first-class” area firms like Tempus Electronic Lifestyles and Florida Blinds & Shutters, also constructed 11,000 square feet of outdoor living space.

One of the key goals of the project was to respect and preserve the natural beauty of the estate. Handpicked orchids and succulents help provide cover for landscaping and green roofs, and a custom-engineered rainwater-harvesting system irrigates special plant material. Slidingglass pocket doors allow access to numerous balconies and decks. Large windows afford breathtaking views in every direction.

Walker counts the kitchen’s vantage point as one of his favorites. “You can see the coastal hammock and Intercoastal Waterway to the east,” he says, “and the Gulf of Mexico to the west, and the ocean is as blue as you’ll find anywhere in the world. It’s like being in some far-off place.”

T 866-4TEMPUS N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

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01

Tr aditional

Hamptons Charm Architect David Sherwood serves up classic New England architecture with a twist at his Long Island-based firm

WORDS

Julie Edwards PHOTOGRAPHY

Ron Papageorge househampton21.com

projects

North Haven Residence Blue Heron Residence design firm

David H. Sherwood Architect PO Box 1681 Sag Harbor, NY 11963 631 725 4044 davidsherwoodarchitect.com

Located in the Hamptons, an upscale enclave on Long Island, David Sherwood’s practice engages in the age-old tradition of coastal, shingle-style architecture. The firm’s interiors are resplendent with custom finishes, which showcase Sherwood’s passion for traditionally detailed design. One such project is the North Haven Residence, an 8,000-square-foot home built on the eastern end of Long Island near Sag Harbor. Covered in red-cedar shingles, North Haven was designed with a center section flanked by two bays, intentionally crafted to evoke a 19th-century farmhouse.

“The owner took me to a home which displayed certain elements he liked and started us down the road to his home’s final design aesthetic—a classic Colonial cottage that looked as if it had been added to and around for more than 100 years,” Sherwood says.

“We collaborated closely, room by room, to establish how we could make each space special and unique,” he adds. The home’s millwork, which was completely custom designed

by Sherwood, helped to realize this goal. From coffered ceilings to patterned wainscoting and crown moldings, the millwork showcases the design team’s adeptness for classical details.

A few elements of the North Haven project required skillful coordination on Sherwood’s part. The home’s construction presented numerous challenges, including wetland issues and a restrictive lot. Local zoning restrictions required that the home’s garage be attached, but Sherwood successfully negotiated this by making it accessible through the basement home theater. Other opulent details of the residence include high-end tile work, a geothermal heating system, custom windows, a multilevel

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01 vintage-farmhouse look

The six-bedroom, six-and-ahalf-bath home was designed to look like a traditional farmhouse that had aged and been augmented over time. Exterior materials include stained redcedar shingles, aluminum-clad LePage windows and doors, and copper gutters.

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02

Y project

North Haven Residence North Haven, NY 04

size

6,800 sq. ft. (living space), 2,000 sq. ft. (basement) Cost

$400/sq. ft. (heated space) LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Spatial Arts 631 725 0520 spatialarts.net millwork

B&N Carpentry 631 428 6320

05

deck that terraces down to a pool and outdoor kitchen at the rear of the home, and custom landscape design by Spatial Arts.

Another Sherwood project, the Blue Heron Residence, mirrors the classic style of North Haven on the exterior but features a dramatically different interior. The 8,000-square-foot residence started out as a spec house—a project partnership between Sherwood and long-time collaborator Benco Construction. New owners bought the home in 2010 and asked the team back to customize it with a pool house and a rear terrace extension to include an outdoor cooking and entertaining area that connects to the interior living and dining spaces.

“We also are finishing the basement, which will include a home gym, recreation room, and steam room,” Sherwood adds. While the home’s shingled, double-gabled exterior showcases a

03 02-03 traditional intentions

The interior custom millwork is mostly painted MDF, and the floors are made of walnut over warm-board radiant heat, while the modern-edged kitchen features custom cabinets with Carrara-marble tops.

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Spatial Arts has been balancing the quintessential with the avant-garde throughout the Hamptons for 25 years.

Let us secure your dialogue with nature.

Y project

David Sherwood

It’s a good compromise to marry a more traditional exterior with contemporary interior finishes— it’s allowing me to stretch my design style while giving clients the best of both worlds.

Blue Heron Residence North Haven, NY Size

6,400 sq. ft. (living space), 2,000 sq. ft. (basement) Client

Blue Heron, Inc., LLC Cost

$350/sq. ft. (heated space) BUILDER

Benco Construction 631 244 6900 benco-construction.com INTERIOR DESIGNER

Tori Golub Interiors 212 879 0680 golubinteriors.com

traditional charm, the home’s interior reflects a modern feel highlighted by the home’s main hall. “Blue Heron features a ‘gallery’ hall which serves as a circulation spine for the main floor, allowing access to all rooms and creating an open, continuous flow,” he says.

Sherwood admits his design aesthetic has been more traditional but sees his focus shifting. He has three design projects on the boards now, none of which feature a single shingle or gable. “The geographical area I work in demands traditional architecture; however, the market and consumer tastes are changing to more modern design,” he adds. “I find it’s a good compromise to marry a more traditional exterior with contemporary interior finishes— it’s allowing me to stretch my design style while giving clients the best of both worlds.”

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

David Landscaping 631 907 2867

Landscape Architects 04-05 a surprising interior

A classic Hamptons exterior of red-cedar shingles and a double gable gives way to an unexpected inside featuring painted-poplar millwork, Carrara countertops, and luxurious modern furnishings.

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130 Ferry Road Sag Harbor, NY 11963

631.725.0520 www.spatialarts.net

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mercer island

magnificence Beckes Homes constructs a waterfront estate that features artful steel fabrication and stunning views

WORDS

Mark Pechenik photography

Michael Walmsley michaelwalmsleyphotography.com

project

MacAuley Waterfront Home Mercer Island, WA builder

Beckes Homes, Inc. PO Box 50 Mercer Island, WA 98040 206 236 0371 beckeshomes.com DECKS & PATIOS

Appian Construction, Inc. 425 483 0400 appianconstruction.com STAIR-RAILING SYSTEM

Cascade Stair Company 425 222 9488 cascadestair.com WINDOWS & DOORS

Classic Window Products 425 822 2378 MILLWORK

Cascade Millwork Supply 253 445 1443 davecms@comcast.net ROOFING

Jornada Roofing 253 735 6400 jornadaroofing.com ELECTRICAL

Lander Electric 425 562 1771 landerelectric.com COUNTERTOPS

Marmo E Granito 206 368 0990 marmoegranito.net HVAC

PPS Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. 425 825 0917 pps-heating.com LUMBER

Plywood Supply, Inc. 425 485 8585 plywoodsupply.com

Mercer Island, a small residential island situated in the middle of Lake Washington, is home to some of the most breathtaking coastal estates in the country. Eric Beckes of Beckes Homes specializes in building the expansive houses that populate the Pacific Northwestern island, and one of the best examples of Beckes Homes’ craftsmanship can be found in the MacAuley Waterfront Home. “It really demonstrates what is possible through a highly collaborative client-builder relationship,” Beckes says of this premier home.

Among challenges overcome by Beckes in the MacAuley project were those related to the natural terrain. “As with most Mercer Island homes, we had to cut into a slope to create the foundation,” Beckes recalls. “This involved digging 14 to 15 feet into the slope and then installing shoring walls to prevent the neighboring home from sliding into the excavation.”

Accommodations were also necessary for the home’s expansive window walls. “We adapted the steel-frame structure so that it reinforced the windows, thereby making it possible to capitalize on wonderful, scenic shoreline views, while also enhancing the open floor plan,” Beckes notes.

As with all Beckes homes, collaboration was key to meeting special requests. “At one point, the clients wanted a steel staircase built into the house,” Beckes says. “Our team got together and fabricated the structure, which included remarkable touches such as glass panels and old-growth, reclaimed fir-tree planking.” Such commitment to perfection resulted in one of the most striking Northwestern-contemporary residences on Mercer Island. “Owners Rob MacAuley and Keri Ellison were thrilled with the house, which turned out to be a showcase of steel-fabrication construction,” Beckes remarks.

For Beckes Homes, it isn’t enough that builders possess the best individual skills and talent. “In addition to being among the best in their field, our staff and vendors need to look beyond their work at the whole project so they can make those contributions that improve the entire effort,” Beckes says.

He also points out that these artisans work with premier materials ideally suited for the home’s construction and design. “Much of these materials—everything from lumber to flooring and lighting—is locally sourced.”

While Beckes’s signature homes’ architectural styles differ, each has a central theme. “They were built for highly successful clients who have reached that point in their lives where they want their home to make a statement about how they are going to live,” Beckes explains.

LIGHTING

Seattle Lighting 206 622 1962 seattlelighting.com

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01

01 VIEWS of LAKE WASHINGTON & beyond

The driveway slopes down into the property, passing by the three-car garage with the fully decked-out additional dwelling unit (ADU) above.

The main house is set beautifully below to offer wide-open lake, mountain, and city views.

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MacCAULY WATERFRONT HOME MAIN FLOOR PLAN

1 Foyer 2 Powder Room 3 Laundry 4 Mudroom 5 Lockers 6 Refrigerator, Freezer, Microwave 7 Pantry/Dishwasher 8 Kitchen Cooking Center 9 Covered Deck for Outdoor Grilling 10 Great Room with 22 ft. Ceilings 11 Formal Dining Room 12 Library/Study 13 Outdoor Covered Living Area 14 Uncovered Deck

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01

Modernist Mind,

Humanist Hand Barbara Callas of Callas Architects transformed a forgotten mid-century house into a contemporary home designed for everyday living

Words

Laura M. Browning photography

David Rahr davidrahr.com

Project

Canyon House Pacific Palisades, CA Design firm

Callas Architects 310 280 0466 callasarchitects.com

Canyon House, originally built in 1955, was badly in need of renovation when Barbara Callas and her husband, Paul Gurian, bought it in 2006 as a development project. Although the original mid-century design had merit, the house itself was positioned on the lower half of a 12,000-squarefoot site in the Pacific Palisades—most of which was a canyon. Severely separated from the upper half of the property, the home was dark and shielded by a massive canopy of 100-year-old oaks, which were, Gurian says, “as neglected as the house itself.” They purchased the house with a vision of transforming it into an equally practical and beautiful home that they could sell.

To make the house livable, Callas essentially rearranged the basic flow.

The final result, she says, “makes a 4,000-square-foot house feel like a 6,000-square-foot house.” Although Callas is widely considered a Modernist architect—she was the principal partner of the famed Franklin Israel—Gurian characterizes her work a little differently. “Barbara has a Modernist mind and a Humanist hand.” Reorganizing the house into an open floor plan, Callas first stripped Canyon House “to its beginnings.” The original residence is bridged to the new structure by a striking Bauhausian stair tower. With an eye toward the budget, this was done in structural lumber N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

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01 bauhaus stair

Like a lantern at dusk, the glassenclosed stair tower is a study in proportion, with the exterior and interior grids interacting in almost a tectonic manner.

02 tranquil court

02

The karesansui garden—a Zen tradition in which rocks and sand represent the sea—was designed by Paul Gurian. A zinc-clad, standing-seam entry terminates at a restored postand-beam foundation.

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03

Size

03 AWASH IN LIGHT

3,500 sq. ft.

The modern master suite evokes the feeling of a tree house, surrounded by ancient oaks.

Cost

Purchased for $1.2 million, $1.7 million in renovations and new construction Landscaping

Great Western Landscape 818 891 4586 Lighting

04 a SHOT OF ATTITUDE

Uranium-orange cabinetry bisects the clerestory windows and the canyon views. CaesarStone folds to honeyed bamboo flooring.

FIRE Ltd. 323 782 9110 fireltd.com Corian surfaces

WBP 626 812 0700 Plumbing & appliances

Snyder Diamond 310 450 1000 snyderdiamond.com Sliding doors

Fleetwood Windows & Doors 800 736 7363 fleetwoodusa.com

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Terrazzo flooring

Hermosa Terrazzo, Inc. 310 951 2075 hermosati.com TilE

Ann Sacks 310 273 0700 x13 annsacks.com Window coverings

Aero Shade Custom Window Coverings 323 655 2411 aeroshadeco.com Windows

Metal Window Corp.

310 665 0490 metalwindowcorp.com Steel

Full Pen Welding 818 774 9199

and break metal. When Callas conceived a fourlevel tower with an elevator on her most recent design, she used steel-structure, reclaimed American-oak risers, and matching curtain-wall components from Schüco USA. Gurian, the director of development for Callas Architects, knew before they even bought the house that it would need a swimming pool—a rare element for the street—to make it viable for the luxury market in Southern California. To accommodate the site’s landscaping challenges, Callas designed a master suite that opened onto a deck with a swimming pool, using terrazzo flooring that flowed from the inside master-bath suite to the deck. Of the terrazzo and bamboo, Callas says that “the material palette was essential to the project site,” both reflecting and evoking the centuryold oaks and the canyon below.

Although the color palette is drawn mostly

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from the natural world surrounding Canyon House, there is one notable exception in the kitchen. A uranium-orange strip of cabinetry gives Canyon House a little bit of attitude—“it’s as much about the past as it is the present,” Callas says, likening it to painting a classic 1950s car in a contemporary color. The color of the beams in the house mimic the medium oak tones, and the bamboo used was given a natural seal to evoke warmth. To prevent the house from adopting too much of a woodsy quality, Callas also used a lot of white oak and painted white cabinetry.

Although Canyon House has all the luxury accoutrements one would expect, Callas still achieved a somewhat playful quality in its design. “When you wake up in the master bedroom,” Gurian says, “you first see the oak limbs hanging over the house. This is really an adult tree house.”

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01

Miami HeaT Two sleek and modern Miami Beach estates by Touzet Studio catch the eye of NBA stars and developers alike

Words

Projects

Lisa Ryan

North Bay Road Estate La Gorce Estate

photography

Alexia Fodere omegaeye.com Mark Surloff surloff.com

design firm

Touzet Studio Design & Architecture 4565 Ponce De Leon Blvd., #201 Coral Gables, FL 33146 305 789 2870 touzetstudio.com

When designing an estate on North Bay Road in Miami Beach, architect Carlos Prio-Touzet had no idea that one of the city’s most famous residents would soon call it home. “[Jacqueline Gonzalez and I] designed this property for developer Glenna Norton. She was very involved from day one and wanted it to be designed specifically for her desires and interests, so we always thought she would keep the house,” Prio-Touzet explains. But shortly after completion, the grand estate—an 11,000-square-foot reinterpretation of classic 1920s, Spanish-style Miami Beach houses—was promptly purchased

by NBA player Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat.

It’s no surprise that such a star athlete would want to call the estate home. Featuring a modern, white exterior and wall-to-wall windows, the property’s Biscayne Bay views and sun-filled rooms, with their crisp, white palette, give the space a feeling of openness tied with modern elegance. “The house was designed to really take advantage of the views and the breezes,” Prio-Touzet says.

The roof over the terrace deck is raised, allowing the breeze to flow over the lower roof and the light to hit and reflect off of the bottom of the terrace’s roof. The two-story house is surrounded by a series of courtyards, including an interior courtyard that welcomes the sun. “The design cools and shades you from the rain, but at the same time allows reflective light to make it more pleasant,” he says. The home fuses contemporary design with classic touches to create a

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Y project

North Bay Road Estate Miami Client

Glenna Norton 03

Size

11,000 sq. ft.

Y

Builder

Todd M. Glaser 786 208 2124 toddmichaelglaser.com

project

La Gorce Estate Miami

Roofing Client

Coda Roofing Inc. 305 681 1060 codaroofing.com

Todd M. Glaser Size

18,000 sq. ft.

Pool

Calypso Pools 305 592 9392 calypsopools.net

Builder

Todd M. Glaser 786 208 2124 toddmichaelglaser.com

Glazing

Secure Windows & Doors 305 513 0705 securewindowsinc.com

Lighting

Plumbing

Delta Light USA 954 677 9800 deltalight.com

Rodland Plumbing 305 222 0552

Kreon kreon.com Stone & flooring

Keys Granite 800 847 2648 keysgranite.com

01 perfect scale

Sitting pretty at the end of a luxurious pool, the scaled-down cabana structure is a perfect complement to the large home.

02 feast your eyes on this

With picturesque views of the “water court� and Biscayne Bay beyond, the dining room has an all-white palette offset by a dark-wood tabletop.

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04

sleek and grand, yet comfortable residential space.

Touzet Studio once again collaborated with contractor Todd Glaser on a booming Miami Beach estate, adding yet another project to a portfolio that stands out from the crowd.

This time, however, Glaser wasn’t only working on the property—he was also the client. “Todd is also a developer, and he once owned a very famous 1920s Italian Mediterranean estate on Miami Beach,” Prio-Touzet says.

Glaser approached the firm to design a similar estate, keeping with the same Mediterranean sensibility while utilizing a modern vocabulary that would be more sensitive to the climate of Florida. The end result was the $16-million, 18,000-square-foot, 2-story La Gorce Estate, with large, open spaces that successfully give the space a homey feel.

The ground floor is arranged as a series of open rooms.

Guests are greeted by a grand staircase, located at the center of the house, which reaches all the way up to the roof. The stair has an outside diameter of 29 feet, and is topped by a large, glass skylight. “The width of the stair at the ground floor is nine feet, becoming gradually smaller as it spirals up to the roof terrace,” Prio-Touzet says, adding that the skylight keeps the ground floor constantly illuminated during the day.

The estate’s master-bedroom suite is located on the second floor. “The grand bedroom suite is as large as a house, with parlors, a main room, a very large bathroom, and an enormous closet,” he says. The suite is open to the water, where there are deep terraces that protect the house from the sun.

“There are carefully positioned cutouts in the actual slabs of the roof so that parts of the balconies can be exposed to daylight.”

03 spiraling upward

The main vertical element at the core of the residence is a 25-foot-diameter void that houses a partially suspended stair. The stairs spiral from a nine-foot width at the ground level to a three-and-a-half-foot width at the roof garden on the third level.

04 natural flow

With a layout inspired by the 1926 Carl Fisher Estate, which Glaser had previously owned, the La Gorce Estate required that the interior spaces flow easily and naturally into the outdoors.

CONSTRUCTION, INC. Built in collaboration with Touzet Studio design and architecture.

305.629.8860 1206 NW 72nd Avenue Miami, FL 33126 www.bdvconstruction.com

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A Return

to Grace Seibert Architects’ renovations of two Sarasota Modern homes pay homage to a Florida tradition

WORDS

Lynn Russo Whylly photograhy

Matthew McCourtney mccourtneyphotographics.com Jacob Termansen

projects

Pavilion House 42nd Street House Design firm

Seibert Architects 1373 Fifth St. Sarasota, FL 34236 941 366 9161 seibertarchitects.com

01 keeping pavilion private

The cypress privacy wall and red courtyard-entry doors make a statement. The frontyard ground plane consists of loose crushed-shell aggregate for the entry walk and driveway.

The Pavilion House, located in Sarasota’s elite Lido Shores (with properties as high as $10 million), is a 1960s Modernist-style home, with clean lines and a design that facilitates a spatial flow from one room to the next.

However, over the years, several renovations detracted from the home’s “Sarasota School of Architecture” style.

Tim Seibert, considered one of the influencers of this style, alongside such innovators as Paul Rudolph and William Rupp, founded Seibert Architects in 1955. He retired in 1994, turning the reigns over to now-principal Sam Holladay, a firm employee since 1972. Keeping with Seibert’s values and vision, Holladay was hired to bring Pavilion House back to what he calls a “state of grace.”

There were challenges—most notably that flood-zone regulations require homes that are completely renovated to be five feet off the ground. Working with the property owner, the firm determined that the home’s scale, relationship to the ground, and other design elements could be retained by “splitting it into two phases,” says team-member Michael Epstein, AIA. Phase I included the addition of a new garage and master-bedroom suite; phase II dealt with renovations of the two-bedroom, two-bath original property.

The interior was opened up strategically to match the modern lines, “so that as you move through the house you always have a view to the exterior as the space flows from the inside to the outside,” Epstein says. Previously, a screened-in porch had been turned into a living room, with glass walls facing the lap pool and its garden and water-fountain features.

The open areas look out to a back yard and a side-yard pool area with an outer wall and gate providing privacy.

Seibert added height and volume by lifting the roof over the living/dining areas, which also allowed the open structure to take advantage of crosswinds while increasing natural

01

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SAM HOLLADAY

Our challenge was to highlight the original horizontal and vertical planes while preserving what was left of the original spaces.

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02

q

lighting. The architects gave the home impactresistant windows and added steel beams to interior walls, reinforcing the home against severe winds. The plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems, and appliances all got stateof-the-art, energy-efficient updates.

Outside, attractive tongue-and-groove cypress replaced ordinary and mismatched plywood siding. The open dining-room wall looks onto a black river-stone courtyard, as well as into one open side of the garage, providing a view of the owner’s vintage Ferrari. Locally mined, no-maintenance crushed shell was used for landscaping in place of ground cover.

The 42nd Street House, another 1960s-era Sarasota Modern home by William Rupp, required a similarly intensive overhaul. Over the past several decades, its pure, original Modernist design had been obscured by what Sam Holladay refers to as “several insensitive renovations.”

“Our challenge was to highlight the original horizontal and vertical planes while preserving what was left of the original spaces,” he says, which included a living room, loft, study, entry courtyard, and carport. Seibert Architects removed some of the additions to acknowledge the original form and reintroduce previous design elements. Seibert partnered with Ball Construction for the restoration of the fourbedroom, three-and-a-half-bath, single-family home, which won the Merit Award of Excellence from the AIA Florida and Gulf Coast Chapters in July 2011. “Ball Construction has the expertise and craftsmen that are needed to pay attention to the detail and finishes that are required for this kind of work,” Holladay notes.

Seibert’s relationship with Ball spans more than 15 years and 6-plus projects.

project

42nd Street House Sarasota, FL original architect

William Rupp, 1960 size

2,600 sq. ft.

Contractor

Ball Construction Inc. 941 955 7096 Electrician

Jillich Electric 941 951 1268 Painting

Michael Hannon Painting 941 388 1200 Stucco

Quality Walls Enterprises Inc. 941 365 4181 Drywall

Kornhaus Drywall Inc. 941 371 0494 Plumbing fixtures

Gorman’s Bath Gallery 941 927 8511 Plumbing

Bob Rizi Plumbing 941 924 4895 Glazing

American Glaziers 941 488 3114

03 truly modern

The 42nd Street House living room features Meranti paneling, cork floors and custom trim, clerestory windows, and horizontal bands of operable windows.

03

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BALL CONSTRUCTION GENERAL CONTRACTING | RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL One of Seibert’s most creative ideas was the installation of cork flooring throughout, replacing terrazzo that had been destroyed in some areas. “We decided to go with cork because it’s relatively thin, soft, offers a nice look, is comfortable on the feet, and is quiet. It takes a urethane coating like a wood floor and is practically maintenance free.”

The house runs east to west rather than north to south, an advantage in tropical climates, because “the dimension of the roof overhang allows for direct winter sun,” Holladay says, “while in the late spring and early fall, it provides shade.” High rectangular windows, which were originally installed in the living/dining areas, open to create natural cross ventilation. Garden walls and strategically placed windows add privacy to the open, modern design.

35 Years of Craftsmanship and Preservation

03

Y project

02 glass boxes

Pavilion House Sarasota, FL

2,696 sq. ft.

The bedroom to the left and study to the right utilize slidingglass doors and fixed frames manufactured by PGT Industries, while black river rock borders the house against vertical cypress siding.

Contractor

03 pavilion house prize

Ball Construction Inc. 941 955 7096

The tiled dining room offers a view of both the courtyard and garage, which prominently displays the owner’s vintage Ferrari.

Original architect

William Rupp, 1960s size

Electrician

Hardesty Electric Service, Inc. 941 364 5130 Drywall

Kornhaus Drywall Inc. 941 371 0494 Glazing

American Glaziers 941 488 3114 americanglaziers.com Countertops

Distinctive Surfaces of Florida 800 775 9578 dsiflorida.com

Ball Construction is a full-service company offering residential and commercial construction, specializing in new custom homes and historic preservation.

We are committed to skilled craftsmanship, attention to detail and producing the highest quality workmanship to meet our clients needs.

513 Central Avenue • Sarasota, FL 34236 • p: 941.955.7096 • f: 941.365.0343 ballconstructionfl@verizon.net • www.ballconstructionfl.com

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taking it up

an octave With a three-pronged approach, Robert Siegel Architects took these record-label owners’ TriBeCa loft to the next level

WORDS

Kelly O’Brien PHOTOGRAPHY

Frank Oudeman frankoudeman.com

Project

JCB Loft TriBeCa, Manhattan Design FIRM

Robert Siegel Architects 37 W. 37th St. New York, NY 10018 212 921 5600 robertsiegelarchitects.com Size

4,000 sq. ft.

Stainless-steel fabrication

Kern/Rockenfield, Inc. 718 230 7878 kernrock.com Recessed Lighting

Nulux 718 383 1112 nulux.com Indirect Lighting

The Lighting Quotient 203 931 4455 elliptipar.com

01

Drywall

USG Corporation usg.com Paint

Benjamin Moore & Co. benjaminmoore.com Wiring Devices

Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. lutron.com

When Robert Siegel, principal of Manhattan-based Robert Siegel Architects, was hired to renovate a newly purchased converted-warehouse loft, there wasn’t anything wrong with the home, per se. It was a beautiful space, but something was missing. Siegel’s job, he says, was to “transform an existing loft into something truly special.” And that’s precisely what he did.

The developers who converted the JCB Loft building had the good sense to leave much of the original timber framing exposed. Aside from that, the rest of the home was a blank slate. Working closely with the homeowners, Siegel developed a renovation plan comprised of three separate stages.

Phase One: Reconfigure the entryway. The original foyer was a featureless space that opened onto a long, plain hallway that led to a powder room. Although the apartment is quite large, the entryway gave no sense of the home’s spaciousness or its character. Siegel’s solution was to eliminate the blank corridors and completely repurpose that space. To

start, “we essentially took that hallway and turned it into a CD cellar—kind of like a wine cellar, but for compact discs,” Siegel notes. Since the homeowners run a very successful independent record label, music was a central consideration in the design and flow of the home.

“We were also able to create a little alcove guest area, so that the mother-in-law could come and stay over,” Siegel says. As for the foyer itself, Siegel gave it a facelift with stainless-steel wall paneling and artisan plaster finishing.

“We didn’t increase size, but we made the walls stainless steel, and made what was in there very nice,” he says. “When you walk in, you know you’re in someplace special.”

Phase Two: Renovate the master suite’s closets and bathroom. The original closets and storage spaces were poorly organized and had ill-conceived hinged doors, while the bathroom simply wasn’t living up to its potential. Siegel redesigned the closets with large, sliding-panel doors, but the real transformation for phase two was the bathroom.

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Celtic Carpentry, Inc. Celtic Carpentry, Inc is a New York based company. We specialize in custom carpentry, cabinetry and milled molding; we also fram and drywall interior walls and ceilings.

02

The clients had envisioned a his-and-hers steam shower, inspired by the grottoes of a traditional Roman bath. Siegel brought that look to life with marble tile work and a barrelvault ceiling, while wood and stone benches were added for contrast.

Phase Three: Update the kids’ bedrooms. The clients’ children had outgrown their toy boxes and play spaces and were in need of more age-appropriate storage and study spaces.

These bedrooms were on the small side, so Siegel made the most of that space by installing custom storage, beds, and desk units out of wood and colorful translucent resin.

For all three phases, choosing a palette of colors and materials was crucial. “The palette evolves simultaneously with design,” he says. “It helps guide what our design decisions will be.” One of Siegel’s favorite things about the JCB Loft project was the clients’ appreciation for the finer points of the design. “They’re great clients because they are as focused as we are about getting all the details right,” he says.

Siegel’s firm typically splits its time between upscale residential projects and larger institutional work, like their envelope renovation for the SUNY Purchase Visual Arts Building, which features the largest Schüco window installation in the US. Regardless of what sector he’s working in, Siegel brings the same combination of design and technology—a combination that New York, in particular, has an eye for. “In my experience, there is a sophisticated market in New York that really appreciates a high level of design, innovative materials, and craftsmanship,” he says.

01 an inviting entry

The entry gives a dramatic, yet calm and minimalist first impression, while the overall remodel seamlessly integrates modern materials and precise craftsmanship within the historic, rough-hewn timber-framed structure.

02 modern roman bath

The redesigned his-and-hers master bath features modern touches like polished stainlesssteel detailing, creating an ambiguity between the woodtimber structure and the stone grotto within.

We only use local suppliers.

All of our craftsmen have been with us at least 7 years and work well together.

The owner has 20+ years experience in the field and is always on-site to ensure the quality of work exceeds your expectations.

Our company motto is: Done right the first time!

Celtic Carpentry, Inc. is fully insured.

Please call us for a free estimate at 914-434-4302.

a message from Schüco

A worldwide leader for energy-efficient building systems, Schüco is driven by our competence in solar and façade technology, and our desire to save as well as generate clean energy. Our aim is to provide beautifully integrated systems so that the extraordinary work of the building industry can be realized. We offer a wide range of window, door, and curtain-wall systems that meet the most stringent demands of engineering, energy efficiency, security, and comfort. And which are committed to the very highest standards of quality and design. Integrated with solar PV and thermal, as well as BIPV, Schüco is your one source for complete building solutions. (877) 4 SCHUCO schuco-usa.com

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www.celticcarpentryinc.com

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C l a ssic T r a n q u ility Carter van Dyke Associates, Inc. creates landscapes that evoke a nostalgia for old-fashioned beauty

01

WORDS

Julie Schaeffer photography

Michael Wert project

Tarp Farm Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County, PA landscape architect

Carter van Dyke Associates, Inc. 40 Garden Alley Doylestown, PA 18901 215 345 5053 cvda.com Client

Michael and Susan Wert Size

16 acres GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Adams-Bickel Associates, Inc. 800 767 4204 adamsbickel.com STONE

Delaware Quarries, Inc. 800 533 4954 delawarequarries.com PLANTS

Classic Gardens 215 249 1780 TREE INSTALLATION/RELOCaTION

American Treescapes, Inc. 215 766 8733 americantreescapes.com

Evocative of formal gardens of the early 20th century, the landscape design at Tarp Farm employs innovative problem solving, resulting in complex yet graceful garden rooms that reflect Carter van Dyke Associates’ (CVDA) adeptness and the clients’ passion for nature. Located in Upper Makefield Township, Pennsylvania, the project presented a number of challenges, as the front of the house overlooked a large pile of soil, and the rear of a house faced a nine-foot drop-off.

CVDA’s solution was to move soil from the front of the house to the back, creating in the process a series of gardens on multiple levels—including a rose garden, a water rill that leads to a koi pond with Amazonian water lilies, an orchidfilled greenhouse bordered by perennials and cypresses, and a vegetable garden.

While Tarp Farm’s locale is known for the predominant use of stone in landscaping, CVDA took a different approach for this Edwardian-style garden. Following in the footsteps of Henry Chapman Mercer, a local designer who created a number of poured-concrete structures, firm president Carter van Dyke succeeded in expressing his distinct take on the region’s history and materiality. “I thought for a change it would be fun to do garden walls out of concrete, so I stained the walls with a one-percent black mixture and sandblasted them to look like old limestone,” van Dyke says.

The creation of the garden at Tarp Farm has been a transformative experience, not only in the physical sense but also in a personal sense, as it has enhanced the lives of the couple who commissioned it. As the project progressed, the enthusiasm of the clients grew, expanding the original master plan to include more spaces for entertaining, alcoves for dining, garden sculptures, and exotic plants. The dynamic, interconnected garden rooms now play host to fund-raising tours and philanthropic events, as well.

Another project on which CVDA showed its dedication to the thoughtful development of the natural world is the Cloister Healing Garden, where the eloquent merging of tranquility and practicality is quite evident. The garden, located at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, was designed with a Japanese motif, including a healing garden with a koi pond, both of which are separated from an eating terrace by a Japanese fence.

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01 gentle giants

Amazonian water lilies, whose leaves can exceed seven feet in diameter, rest atop the surface of the koi pond that’s fed by a water rill.

02 a step up

Ivy-covered stairs lead from the grotto and spa/pool area, which contains a classical-style colonnade, up to a formal kitchen garden.

03 balancing act

Serene symmetry takes center stage in the perennial garden, which features well-manicured lawns and a water rill that terminates at the greenhouse.

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Delaware Quarries, Inc. Pennsylvania Bluestone

03

tarp farm plan

1 Garden Entrance 2 Farm Entrance 3 Rose Garden Entrance 4 Front Courtyard 5 Water Rill/Perennial Garden 6 Greenhouse 7 Beech Hedge 8 Crab-Apple Allée

9 Upper Terrace (Grotto Below) 10 Pool 11 Formal Vegetable Garden 12 Spring Garden 13 Azalea Garden 14 Vegetable Garden 15 Cutting Garden 16 Vineyard

Flagscape ® Flagstone Tru-Stone ® Genuine Stone Thin Veneer Delaware Quarries has been providing quality natural landscape and building stone products for over 65 years.

With hundreds of products in all sizes, shapes and colors, Delaware Quarries has the natural stone you need to bring any building or landscape to life.

800-488-STONE www.delawarequarries.com N e wA m e r i c an L u x u r y. c o m / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

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03

04

project

Cloister Healing Garden Langhorne, PA

Carter van DykE

landscape architect

Carter van Dyke Associates, Inc.

My background in art history … allows us to develop diverse architectural landscapes that meet the needs of the site and the interpretive requirements of the client.

Client

St. Mary’s Medical Center Size

24,000 sq. ft. budget

$500,000 GENERAL CONTRACTOR

The healing garden’s plants, many native to Japan, include bamboo, cedars, white pine, maple, weeping cherries, iris, pachysandra, and liriope. An important East Asian ground cover, liriope is particularly known for its extremely resilient nature, its ability to withstand both arid and wet conditions, and its erosion-prevention qualities.

One of the most visible elements of the garden is the use of different stones, most of which were supplied by Delaware Quarries, Inc. Sedimentary rocks create a rustic edge to the koi pond, whereas sitting areas with rounded boulders line the walking paths. The dining terrace is bordered with Mexican black stones to complement the color of the black basalt boulders, which are dispersed throughout the terrace and imported from Japan. “Within the terrace, each of the basalt stones reads like a separate sculpture,” van Dyke says.

According to van Dyke, landscape architecture should clearly communicate its design to all parties, both during the process and after. Design capability is based on talent, but the success of a project rests on the architect communicating his or her vision in a relatable design language. To that end, “listening and patience are two of the most important components of becoming a really good architect,” van Dyke notes.

The Cloister Healing Garden and Tarp Farm may seem like entirely different approaches, but there are fundamental similarities. “With my background in art history, our company is well versed in all architectural styles,” he explains.

“This allows us to develop diverse architectural landscapes that meet the needs of the site and the interpretive requirements of the client.”

Adams-Bickel Associates, Inc. 800 767 4204 adamsbickel.com PLANTS

King’s Landscaping Nursery 215 822 0907 LIGHTING

CAST Lighting LLC 800 914 CAST cast-lighting.com STONE

Delaware Quarries, Inc. 800 533 4954 delawarequarries.com

Lacy’s Inc. Drapery Workroom to the Trade Where quality comes first!

03 reflection garden

ADA-accessible paths ensure that all visitors and patients can enjoy the gardens and koi pond.

04 happy flowers

Bright, seasonal plantings line the serpentine walkway around the large green that’s used for hospital social events.

N ew Americ a n Luxury / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

7320 Ashcroft #301 Houston, TX 77081 713-773-2444

www.houstondraperyworkroom.com For the 40 years the Lacy family has been in business we have helped designers, like Michael Siller, create magic and beauty in the homes of the famous and the influential.

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D IALO G U E

How do

you merge

internationaL

AESTHETICS with classic American design?

interior designer michael J. SILLER, architect “zeb” jarosz, and builder ron hill discuss how they each infuse their american projects with a distinctly international flavor

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michael j. siller incorporates the wealth of knowledge he’s gained from extensive travels abroad into elegant, European-inspired designs.

Zbigniew JAROSZ looks at things from an inherent architectural standpoint.

As the grandson of a builder, he spent his youth restoring Europe’s historic structures.

RON HILL draws on inspiration from New Orleans and France in building large homes rife with elaborate, timeless detailing and a passion for the Old World.

Michael J. Siller Interiors

ZW Jarosz Architect, PA

Euro World Design

5120 Woodway, Suite 190 Houston, TX 77056 713 528 4343 mjsinteriors.com

3326 Mary St., Suite 500 Coconut Grove, FL 33133 305 446 0888 jaroszarach.com

PO Box 718 Ozark, MO 65721 417 581 6057 euroworlddesign.com

N ewAmeric a nLuxury. com / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

DIALOGUE

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“I’m very observant of details like the architecture of Russian palaces or the color palette of the French countryside.”

M ichael J. Siller , as to ld to L au r a M . B rown in g

I love to study different architectural periods. I try to incorporate not just the architectural styles, but also the styles of draperies and upholstery.

I’m also really interested in color. Every country I go to—France, Italy, Russia—has a different color palette, and I try to include that in my work.

My travels are really a learning experience for me. I’m inspired by color palettes, architecture, and nature, and I bring those things back to Houston, where I’ve become known for that old-world, Europeanstyle look. My favorite places to visit are English country houses, French chateaus, and Russian palaces. I absolutely love to go to Russia, and I’ve been to the Hermitage in St. Petersburg a dozen times. Every time I’m in England, I go to four or five country houses. And, of course, France has so many beautiful chateaus, like Versailles.

One of our clients has an incredible 1930s Czech art collection.

They’re an old Texas family, and their house was built around their different art collections. We designed the interior in a very grand European style with a rich color palette that sets off their collection.

I’ve traveled extensively in Europe, and I’ve studied European draperies for years. One of the things I love in interior design is fabric. I love the colors, the way it feels, the tailoring. I like the construction of draperies and the things you can do with them—when they’re well done, it’s almost like couture, and many of my clients can really appreciate that. I’m very observant when I visit palaces and country homes, and I can start to see how draperies were constructed in the 18th century. I bring that construction into current times and into a livable space.

Most of my clients gravitate to really ornate draperies. I work a lot with Lacy’s to produce those draperies, because they have excellent attention to detail. I’ll start with an ornate style, change it up, and bring these concepts to fruition for our clients.

We’ve done so many projects around the world—Mexico, London, California, New York, Utah, Georgia, Florida—and we make sure our design fits the area as well as the client’s personality. Even though we’ve become known for incorporating a grand European style into our work, each project is a challenge, and we try to create a new space or environment that we haven’t done before.

ABOUT michael j. siller / Siller founded his eponymous interior-design firm in 1987, and has become known in Houston for his exquisite attention to detail and his contemporary interpretations of grand European style. Michael J. Siller Interiors works across the United States and the world, designing beautiful, ornate interiors for discerning clients.

Elaborate sitting rooms by Siller get custom sofas, lounge chairs, pillows, and lampshades.

The library features a customcolored Hokanson carpet and draperies with goblet headings in a contrast trim.

N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

Photography: Christopher Alexander, David Lewis

think custom

DIALOGUE

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Fort Lauderdale Woodworking Inc

“Architecture is like language.

You learn more languages in order to better communicate, and accents inform how you speak.”

Zeb Jarosz, as to ld to An ni e Fisch er

Many of Poland’s buildings were damaged or destroyed in the war, so I developed my expertise in historical restoration studying and working there. I learned then about integrity and attention to detail, and those distinctions are embedded still in my practice— whether a project is a historical renovation or a new build, commercial or residential, 8,000 square feet or four times that.

The written language of drawing requires a fine interpretation. Architectural elements such as craftsmanship and attention to detail can’t be articulated in two-dimensional work, and if you separate the architect from the builder, the translation from paper to concrete can be missed. My grandfather was a builder in Poland.

His drawings could look very rudimentary, but that almost genetic skill of knowing how to put things together was there on the page.

Photography: Troy Campbell

I’ve always been very sensitive to and passionate about the history of architecture. I like to have a full understanding of what prompted the aesthetics of a given time and place to develop, why some elements are dominant over others, where the symbolism lies in a particular design. It isn’t a matter of formalism; in fact, most of our current designs are transitional, more eclectic, without firm guidelines. But knowing, for example, that the rooflines of a traditional Tuscan villa are motivated by span limitations of the period’s building techniques—for me, it just informs a more intelligent practice.

ABOUT Zbigniew Jarosz / Architect Zbigniew Jarosz, who goes by “Zeb,” was born in Poland to a family of builders. After graduating from Krakow University in 1971, he worked on the restoration and preservation of historical buildings in Europe, which kindled his love of craftsmanship and attention to detail. He moved to the US in 1975 and founded his design firm four years later; in 1984, Jarosz Architects began building its projects, as well. Today Jarosz mainly designs and builds high-end luxury homes in Southern Florida.

The European tradition of master builders—who design, execute, and build each project—is essential to my architectural philosophy. On the construction side, we do all structural and finish work, and my staff of 30 includes a full carpentry crew. Craftsmanship N ewAmeric a nLuxury. com / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

Established in 1979

Fort Lauderdale Woodworking Inc 3001 SW 10th Street Pompano Beach, FL 33069

(954) 935-0366

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EXQUISITE CARPET AREA RUGS FINE WOOD FLOORS

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is integral; I learned that first in Poland. The only projects we don’t build are international designs. Right now, for example, we’re working on projects in Panama and the Bahamas, and the logistics of construction would be too complicated in both cases.

The more you have to say, the less you have to shout. In 2010, we finished a 10,500-squarefoot home for the cardiologist who developed the South Beach Diet. It’s a very rational design in a Mediterranean style, and despite the size and level of finishes, it succeeds at maintaining a hushed quality—sotto voce, to use Italian terms. We’re working on maybe five or six projects at any given time. On each one we strive for understated, whether it’s the 40,000-squarefoot residence we recently wrapped or the 1930s Miami Beach Surf Club, a renovation for which we just completed phase one.

407.539.2982 FOLLOW US ON

01 reflecting grandeur

Marked by a stylish simplicity, Mediterranean-style arches are reflected in the glass-like pool water.

02 eating in elegance

This dining room in a perfectly balanced palette demonstrates an understanding of symmetry and a careful attention to detail.

03 villa-style court

Italian villas often feature courtyards centered around a fountain—a design element Jarosz enjoys incorporating.

There is only good architecture and bad architecture. It’s probably fair to say my design has evolved to become cleaner over the years, influenced by elements of Modernism, but I don’t claim to be a Modernist. I can become enamored with any style. Architecture is like language. You learn more languages in order to better communicate, and accents inform how you speak. I speak English with a Polish accent—and by now I probably speak Polish with an accent, too.

CSOWP.COM N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

DIALOGUE

There’s no telling what we’ll think of next...

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“My travels inspired me to adapt old-world design elements into my American design aesthetic. These signature features enhance the character of the home.”

Ro n H ill , As to ld to K aleena Th o m pso n

I spent a lot of time in New Orleans, Louisiana, studying and researching various architecture styles. I was impressed with the beautiful, old structures in places like the French Quarter. My wife Marilyn and I took our search further and traveled to France, Italy, and England. I fell in love with the old-world character found in these quaint little communities with 100-year-old structures, soaking up the character and ambiance of timeless architecture and drinking in the culture and the lifestyle.

I found that creating character in a home goes beyond being trendy. My travels inspired me to adapt old-world design elements into my American design aesthetic. These signature features enhance the character of the home, making it desirable for many years to come.

European, old-world, and French Country design hold such unique, rich history. Many homes were rebuilt, repaired, or added on to because of the [wartime] devastation. Now, you see a lot of shed roofs, change in materials, evidence of new craftsmen, and new shapes.

Mimicking the attitudes of places like the Calvados region of Normandy, France, is what gives my designs life and personality. My designs incorporate curvilinear driveways, sweeping roofs, vaulted ceilings, and shed dormers, giving the house more of an identity. Most of our roof designs illustrate sophisticated French culture.

ABOUT RON HILL / Ron Hill started Euro World Design in 2003 after enjoying a successful career since the early 1980s.

Located in Ozark, MO, Euro World Design offers custom design in old-world and European-style homes that have the ambiance of homes found in timeless communities. Jonathan Knapp, LEED AP, assists Hill in design, graphics, construction drawings, and the use of sustainable materials for alternative building methods.

Our incredible and trusted millwork designer and fabricator, Fritz Designs and Concepts, has brought our interiors to life using custom cabinetry and millwork. We use plenty of post-and-beam elements and thick arches to give an authentic, warm, and cozy ambiance. Wood and tile are signature oldN e wA m e r i c an L u x u r y. c o m / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

cabinetry. entry doors. mantles.pubs. interior doors & moldings. remodels.closets. and fun!

Fritz

designs.and.concepts.inc

620 N. Prince Ln, Springfield, Mo. 417.869.6499

www.fritzdc.com

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we listen..... and

happens

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01 modern-day fairy tale

Like stepping back in time without sacrificing modern luxury, Hill’s homes feature detailed roofs and a multitude of shed dormers, lending a truly dynamic, rich look and feel.

02-03 fit for a king

High, vaulted ceilings with dark wooden beams highlight the home’s European roots, while thoughtful attention to wall texture and painting round out the old-world aesthetic.

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world elements that evoke an era once forgotten. We have a team of talented artisans here in the Ozarks who work with us on our projects, as well, ensuring the authenticity of our interior materials such as stone and quarter-sawn oak.

Call 800 DecDens or visit our website

www.decoratingden.com

Creating Beautiful Rooms Since 1969

Custom Window Treatments | Furniture | Lighting Floor Coverings | Accessories Each franchise independently owned and operated

At the moment, we’re following one of our designs through—a 21,000-square-foot house in Ponca City, Oklahoma. The owners envisioned a theater with multi-step seating under a barrel-vault ceiling, a wine-tasting room, and an old-English pub. To capture the Old World, we’re incorporating a healthy amount of beam work, even in outdoor spaces. The design company, Decorating Den, is collaborating with us on this house, adding that special touch found in old-world communities.

What I discovered during my travels is that those simple characteristics are timeless, just like family. And it’s important as a home designer to employ timeless signatures here in the States. I want to fulfill the homeowners’ dreams and wishes as they walk into their house. Whatever or wherever we design, we want people to look forward to coming home.

N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

YOUR EXCLUSIVE GUIDE TO THE LUXURY MARKETPLACE

PR I N T + D I G I TA L E D I T I O N S S I G N U P F O R A F R E E S U B S C R I P T I O N AT N E W A M E R I C A N L U X U R Y. C O M

5 18

F R E S H FACE S

the

Nate Berkus Dream Team

Sasha Adler and Lauren Gold are rising stars at Nate Berkus Associates (NBA). Recently made design directors, the duo draws inspiration from their fashion backgrounds and Chicago’s booming antiques market. They took the time to chat with New American Luxury about inspiration, passion, and breaking the rules.

How did you get your start in the design world?

LG: My parents are antique dealers, so I have always had a certain level of exposure to the design world. Aside from working at their store, I didn’t have direct involvement in interior design until I interned for Nate during my time at the University of Michigan.

SA: I started out working in New York in the fashion industry, so my internship at Nate Berkus was really my first experience in the interior-design world.

How did you find your way to Nate Berkus Associates?

LG: Nate’s sister is one of my close friends from college, and she had suggested that I intern for her brother.

SA: Lauren and I are friends from college, so she introduced me to Nate over a lunch meeting. I was so inspired by him and how he described his firm that I was dying to have the opportunity to learn from him. Thankfully he believed that I could make the transition from fashion to interiors.

How have your personal styles influenced your designs at the firm?

LG: I have always had a strong appreciation for antiques, so when in doubt, I always opt for an older piece with a lot of character over something new.

SA: I tend to gravitate towards certain finishes, materials, and colors: warm gray, bottle green, antique marbles, worn gilded finishes, chipping paint, and raw oak.

Where do you draw inspiration for your designs?

LG & SA: We draw inspiration from literally everywhere—fashion, jewelry, travel, history, nature.

What has been your favorite design project to date?

SA: It’s like asking someone to pick their favorite child. They have all been incredible learning experiences and amazing for different reasons.

What has been the most rewarding part of working at NBA? LG: My favorite part of the job is when we reveal the newly finished home to a client—I treasure their reactions. But what I truly love about my job is that I get to make a living by doing what I am most passionate about with the best team possible.

Based on your recent success at NBA, what is your advice to other fresh faces in the design industry?

LG: When starting from the bottom and working your way up, I think it’s important to step into your fellow employees’ shoes and always think about what you could be doing to better yourself and to make their jobs easier. Plus, always seize the opportunity to show them what you can do—don’t wait for it to come to you.

SA: Learn from everywhere and everyone that you can. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

When I first started, I was constantly asking why Nate thought the combination of certain pieces was interesting or why he was drawn to certain designers and periods. It really helped me understand the thought process behind the design.

How do you combine high-end, vintage style with more mainstream lines to keep your designs contemporary?

LG: We have always combined high end with mainstream, so it feels pretty effortless to us.

Regardless of whether a client has a large budget or not, we don’t think it’s necessary to, for example, pay for an expensive “designer” sofa when the same piece is being reproduced by Restoration Hardware.

SA: We are not snobs, so if there is a cost-efficient, mainstream item that works well with the aesthetic of the room, we love to incorporate it. We often use woven rugs in natural materials such as jute or seagrass in a room with fine antique and vintage items.

Tell us about some of the designer lines, showrooms, or dealers you go to or use regularly.

LG: We mostly buy vintage and antiques, but when we buy new, we’re often creating our own designs which come out of my parents’ workshop at Antiques on Old Plank Road. Their quality and attention to detail cannot be beat.

SA: The majority of the furniture and lighting we pull is vintage and antique, so we use 1stdibs.com a lot. They are a one-stop shopping resource for dealers located around the globe.

N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

What is your advice to industry veterans who want to keep their designs fresh and contemporary?

LG: Allow yourself to be inspired by new, upand-coming designers, and always keep your hand on the pulse of the design world.

SA: Break your own rules. I really hate when I find myself saying we never use ______ in our designs. Sometimes you have to look at something in a different light or challenge yourself to incorporate something you never thought you would use.

What are some trends right now that you are seeing in interior design?

SA: I love that more and more people are scouring flea markets and auctions to find pieces with a sense of history rather than purchasing a matching furniture collection from one source.

It’s a trend that I hope is here to stay.

nate berkus

Sasha and Lauren represent the best of what my firm has to offer—refined and layered style, an openness to new concepts and ideas, and phenomenal organizational skills and resourcefulness.

design firm

Nate Berkus Associates 406 N. Wood St. Chicago, IL 60622 312 492 0660 nateberkusdesign.com photography

Nate Berkus Associates

The Dynamic Duo

Sasha Adler and Lauren Gold were recently named design directors at Nate Berkus Associates in Chicago. Adler and Gold moved up through the company from interns to designers to design directors. The pair represents the fresh, young face of Berkus’ ever-expanding design firm.

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Aside from the intricate, custom electrical engineering involved to ensure these watch winders function properly, it is also important that the six rare watches it holds be secure from theft. Keeping the watches off unknown wrists, TANKindustries chose a fingerprint scanner, shatter-proof glass, and a secure method of fixing the winders onto heavier surfaces. All pieces are crafted from beautifully stained walnut, butternut, and Wenge wood.

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N ew Americ a n Luxury / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

ABOUT ME

I’ve been providing exceptional architectural and location photography services for over 25 years. Leading architectural firms, advertising agencies, interior designers, contractors, product manufacturers, engineering firms, developers and other companies have used my images in marketing, publishing and communications.

I strive to produce images that exhibit the best of my creative vision and technical expertise to enhance the design and creativity of my client’s projects.

I believe in building strategic, enduring alliances with my clients and work as an integral partner to achieve their goals.

I’m regionally based in Sacramento, primarily taking assignments West Coast, Bay Area, Napa, and Lake Tahoe.

Also available for location shoots world-wide.

ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE

Vogue Homes, Sacramento

Airports Corporate and Industrial Convention Centers Commercial Interiors and Exteriors Interior Photography Luxury Homes Multi Family Medical Centers Real Estate Residential Homes Restaurants Retail Stores and Malls

MY SPECIALTIES Architectural Exteriors and Interiors Corporate Industrial Healthcare Product Golf and Landscape Aerial Digital Imaging Stock Photography Magazine Features

ED ASMUS PHOTOGRAPHY

Keith Yates Audio, Residence Laguna Beach, “$1,000,000 Home Theatre”

2998 Franklin Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95818 916 455-5061 www.edasmusphotography.com

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DESIRED

the

globe-trotter orient collection Globe-Trotter is a modern-heritage luggage brand that was established in 1897 by Englishman David Nelken. Today, Globe-Trotter products are style icons representing traditional craftsmanship and a timeless aesthetic.

Handmade in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, using old-world manufacturing methods, each case is uniquely constructed from vulcanized fiberboard and the finest leathers.

The Orient collection features the only luggage with an urushi-lacquered finish. Urushi, the rust-colored sap drawn from the urushi tree native to Japan, has been used in traditional Japanese arts for millennia. To create the Orient’s remarkable exterior, each suitcase is handcrafted by a single, master Japanese artisan working from his studio in Tokyo. Here he hand lacquers the vulcanized fiberboard with several layers of urushi before applying a final coat of clear gloss to accentuate the natural beauty of this extraordinary material.

Suitcases shown: $1700–$2500

N e w A m e r i c an L u x u r y / j a n + F E B + m a r c h 2 0 1 2

Created by Globe-Trotter 54-55 Burlington Arcade London, UK W1J 0LB +44 20 7529 5950 globetrotter1897.com

RHT and their team of local, fully bonded and insured craftsmen have built a decades-long reputation for exceptional workmanship with courteous and professional service. No project is too small or too large as RHT works with each client and designer to ensure satisfaction from inception to completion. RHT offers free design and consultative services.

Visit our custom kitchen and bath cabinet showroom in Deerfield.

645 Deerfield Road ph 847-945-6011 |

| Deerfield, Illinois 60015 fx 847-945-6016 | www.rhtdesignandconstruction.com

Scott Byron & Co., Inc. is a total care team, delivering services that encompass all aspects of design, installation, and maintenance.

From contemporary urban rooftops to detailed, formal English gardens, and from classical backyard terraces with outdoor kitchens to large-scale designs that encompass and embrace their unique geographic character, our dedication is steadfast and our work ethic is paramount. We combine the expertise of horticulturists, landscape architects, project managers, foremen, and yard support to conceptualize, create, and conserve your landscape dreams. No matter what type or size of project we undertake, our core purpose is to provide the “Scott Byron Experience” that delivers your dream and makes you rave to your friends.

30088 North Skokie Highway • Lake Bluff, Illinois 60044-1112 • 847-689-0266 • FAX 847-689-0277 • Visit us at www.scottbyron.com