I do have quite the love for Maya Romanoff. The firm produces beautiful wallcoverings — in fact, they call them Extraordinary Surfacing Materials. I like Mr. Romanoff’s philosophy when it comes to his craft: “It has to be beautiful, that’s the only thing that really counts.” It feels like something to remember each time you approach a client’s samples or finishes — that no matter what the budget or the situation, we must all strive to leave the very best of our creative self in that space.
Mr. Romanoff started off experimenting with tie-dyes and with the latest collection (designed by Amy Lau) the company comes full circle for their 40th anniversary. Here is a pic, by photographer Kris Tamburello, of a recent installation in Bergdorf Goodman (New York).
To see a video focusing on the uber-creative icon, click here and there’s also a recent Chicago Tribune profile to read. If you look around the company site, I bet you will find textures that will make your design genes do the happy dance. Here’s a peek at the current catalog, featuring the tie-dye creations. Anytime I feel a twinge of “can’t-think-of-anything-new”, one of the things I love to do is just have a cup of coffee and look through online sites of fabrics and papers. In such a relaxed environment, the creative juices start flowing and inevitably something will serve as an inspirational springboard into something new. Hope you’ve enjoyed this Maya Romanoff moment — and let me know what you do to get out of a creative slump!
One of the hospitality projects we recently worked on was the Japanese restaurant, Wa, in Orlando, FL. Their construction and design was put together by WDG Interior Architecture and the Daniel Corporation. It was a pleasure to work with their teams and quite frankly, they requested some of the most delicious color combination samples we’ve ever worked on. The winning finish was a Venetian plaster with a texture twist — it had a chocolate base finished with a rich gold metallic overlay.
The Orlando Sentinel recently wrote a review which gave their cuisine a glowing recommendation and said this of the atmosphere:
“Entering the front door feels like stepping into the restaurant of a boutique hotel in a much larger city. The interior is splashed with hues of chocolate, cinnamon and nutmeg with flints of gold. The decor is modern chic, with roomy booths and classy, austere tables.”
Although we worked on just a bit of space, I thought I’d share photographs of not only our work but the other design elements as well.
[BELOW] Walking in (left) you are greeted by a flowers, serene lighting and a beautiful black stone wall with black grout. To see the closeup of the magnificent granite in the reception area, click here. There is also seating area (right) with an unusual glossy wood wallcovering.
[BELOW] Here is a nice shot of our Venetian Plaster finish. There is a closeup shot available. OK, maybe even a closer one.
[BELOW] The ladies room (which featured beautiful touches such as the striking granite and embedded patterned tiles) and a bar with beautiful wood touches and comfortable seating. I wish the metallic sheen of the barstool fabric translated — it’s truly nice to see and feel.
[BELOW] Before and After
Being that I am a huge fan of Japanese cuisine, you can imagine my happiness at working with Wa. My husband, Chris, and I were joined by friends on our first outing to the restaurant and since then we have returned numerous times (including for a beautiful Valentine’s Day dinner). They have an authentic Japanese menu, fresh and unique sushi (always a plus), a versatile sake list and an extraordinary manner of presentation. I hope you have a chance to experience the beauty of Wa.
In the previous post, I wrote about the gilding along walls and ceilings of a restaurant in Lyon’s Hotel Sofitel Bellecour. Well, that project has another area that I thought was wonderful and may provide a bit of inspiration for the right client. The walls are covered in custom woven silk and I love how the large graphic prints go right over the jib door seamlessly…
…and how both the design and color changes with a nice flow from one to the next…
…and finally, how the different elements give an illusion of an allover pattern, but it is not that structured…
Lyon, France has a wonderful silk-weaving past, producing beautiful brocades and jacquards. The designer, Patrick Norguet, found a local manufacturer (one of the few left) who was established in 1680. Although modernized, they still create work on wooden looms. He immersed himself in their archives and came up with his own mix of historic patterns for the hotel walls. What creativity! The photos are by Renaud Callebaut and you can read the entire feature, along with viewing some additional images of the hotel, in the January 2010 issue of Interior Design. Have a wonderful weekend!
Gilding is a beautiful art form — and one of the most ancient. It is a decorative technique that involves applying very slim sheets of metallic leaf (or, powders) onto a surface, hence why most gilded finishes are recognizable by a traditional square pattern. (Although I once saw a rectangular “brick” placement in a restaurant ceiling. Very, very nice.) You can also hear the term “gold leafing” used to describe the technique as well. The organization, Society of Gilders, has one of the best sites to obtain information, access visuals, understand the different disciplines within the art form and familiarize yourself with the extraordinary artisans who work with these precious materials. I encourage you to review their website with a nice cup of coffee and a bit of leisure time.
We’ve had quite a few leafing commissions (you’ve seen our latest, the silver leafed dome) but one of our favorites was done for the home of a designer we work with. Here is her formal living room ceiling, close-up and full view. The full view showcases the tri-color neutral Venetian plaster on the walls and the glossy black coat we put on all the trim.
I’ve also found some other images — if you know the artisans, please let me know so I can credit them. On the left, is gilded trimwork and the pic on the right features Common Ground’s Prince George Neo-Renaissance ballroom. For more pics of the ballroom, click here — it must have been incredible to work on the restoration!
Previously featured in Florida Design, are a gorgeous piece of Henredon furniture (left) and artwork (right)…
On the left is an entryway designed by the ubiquitous Barbara Barry and on the right is an entrance hallway designed by Alfred Karram and featured in Florida Design. He noted on the article that the ceiling “creates a striking sense of arrival”. Mmm-hmmm.
…and finally, Les Trois Domes, the penthouse restaurant in the Hotel Sofitel Bellecour in Lyon, France, has molded plaster that has been silver leafed. Striking! The design is by Studio Norguet, the photography by Renaud Callebaut and the feature is from Interior Design magazine.
Both true gold and other metal alloys are used in the creation of these thin sheets — and some are created to be edible. Although metallic paints are beautiful, they do not come close to lustre of leaf so the choosing of which metallic products to use in a particular technique will depend on your desired final effect. Some of the most popular sources for leafing products are Sepp Leaf, Easy Leaf, The Gilded Planet and The Gold Leaf Company. Two teaching studios I hear good things about are the Lynne Rutter Studio (San Francisco, CA) and Cait Whitson’s Carte Blanche in Scotland. The previously-mentioned Society of Gilders site also has an Education page where you can find workshops listed by state.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief foray into gilding. Did I miss anything? I look forward to your comments…
Today is Superbowl Sunday — they day where it’s all about super bowls in interior design. I found some beautiful “bowl” images for us to look at and of course, they feature decor that might inspire the artisan in each of us. Enjoy!
Let’s start with beautiful mosaics.
A bit of distressing, both elegant and whimsical…
Beautiful blues…
Cozy jewel tones…
All along the walls…
…and finally, some gorgeous neutrals.
Images culled from Harrison Mann, The Complete Book of Paint, Painted House’s Kitchens & Baths, Tile Style Pattern Guide, Phoenix Home & Garden, Modern Glamour and Paris Interiors.
Now, what’s this I hear about some big game?
I was strolling along the beautiful shops in Savannah, when I spied this gorgeous book in the Mercer House gift shop. Alas, it was their only copy and not for sale. Blasphemy! I wanted to review the book before I plunked down good monies, so I came home to Orlando and had an interlibrary loan set up via my local library. (The loan arrived all the way from the University of Alabama!)
Regency Redux focuses on one of the most sophisticated moments in design history: the Regency period in England. Written by design historian Emily Evans Eerdmans and published by Rizzoli, the book also delves into modern interpretations of the Regency style, including influences brought upon by French and American designers. It starts with an introduction to the original Regency period, moves into the Neoclassical timeline and then delves into the stylized interiors of the 1930’s and also into how Hollywood made use of the style in lavish movie sets. There are sumptuous photographs in both color and black & white. Additionally, there is a foreword by designer Kelly Wearstler, herself a lover of glamour, excitement and dramatic luxury. What’s not to love?
Please be sure to click on the pictures to get a larger zoom version.
(Below) On the left, the Music Room at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. It features 26,000 hand-gilded cockleshells applied to the domed ceiling. (Whoa…) On the right, The Platinum Room in Spain’s La Casita del Labrador.
(Below) On the left, a modern living space featuring what looks like an unusual plaster finish on the walls. (LOVE!) On the right, Eltham Palace with its strong Art Deco influence. BTW, if you’d like to read more about greek key origins, click here.
Who wouldn’t love to just be an extra alongside Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers in Roberta? Just the dresses alone…I think I’ll start posing like that daily…
(Below) On the left, Marble Hall at Kedleston Hall. Roman baths were the inspiration for the space. On the right, the inimitable work of Rex Whistler.
A peek into scenic wall drawings…
Needless to say, I’ve already ordered my own copy. (I also seriously think that the Rizzoli publishing house can just back up their trucks right to my front lawn. I just want all their books. Every single one. I’ll find space.) I hope I’ve inspired you to look into Regency Redux and plan a little glamour of your own for 2010. Also, be sure to check out the lovely design blog of the author, Emily Evans Eerdmans. Until next time!
I enjoy working with designers and have a great relationship with those I currently collaborate with. It seems they always have a clear vision of the grand design scheme and usually provide me with strong guidance on finishes and colors. I’m not afraid to admit that our firm has been pushed creatively by designers and we have produced some of our best work because of it. Amazing what happens when you expand and step out of your comfort zone!
As much as I love the classic design greats (i.e., Tony Duquette, Albert Hadley) and the mega-wattage powerhouses of today (i.e., Kelly Wearstler, Michael Smith), I always like to keep abreast of who are the new up-and-coming designers — I so love fresh designs, new takes and emerging talent.
To wit, House Beautiful had an annual tradition called Next Wave, where they profile the (ahem) “next wave” of designers to watch. The last one was in 2004-2005 (so maybe, not so annual) and they’ve put together a fantastic list yet again! Check out the designers here…and maybe one is near your area? Oh, the possibilities…
I live in Groveland, FL — it’s near Orlando. I used to live a hop, skip and a jump from New York City and how I got here is a story for another day…but suffice it to say, I miss NYC like no one’s business. One of the best amenities there is the multitude of beautiful museums to visit. A fave was always the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Countless hours were spent just getting lost within all its treasures. Imagine my happiness to find our book of the month, Period Rooms in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and relive a bit of those magical moments.
The book was released in 1996 and through sumptuous photographs and text, gives a grand tour of thirty-four room installations. These rooms give superb examples of interior design throughout the ages — from an ancient Roman bedroom excavated near Pompeii to eighteenth-century French and English parlors to early nineteenth century American libraries. Some of the rooms have actually been taken from historic buildings and some are authentic recreations. (The recreations spark healthy debates among scholars and decorative arts experts.) According to their website, this particular wing opened up again this past spring after two years of renovations — so if you were to go today, you’d have an even more enjoyable experience. Here are some visuals, as photographed by Karin L. Willis.
(Above) The Boscoreale Room: A well-preserved Roman bedroom with fresco paintings. Timeline: 40 – 30 B.C.
(Above) On the left is the Parisian Crillon Room. To see a close-up of the decorative painting, click here. Timeline: 1777-80. On the right is the Sagredo Bedroom from the Palazzo Sagredo in Venice. Timeline: 1718. [I'm not sure I could sleep there -- way too much to look at!]
(Above) The Kirtlington Park Room: Oxfordshire Dining Room, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful Rococo rooms from England. The plasterwork was executed by artisan Thomas Roberts. Timeline: 1748.
(Above) The Gubbio Studiolo: A small study retreat from Gubbio, Italy. The fantastic realization about this gorgeous trompe l’oeil work is that it is not painted at all. It is Perspective Intarsia, a Florentine Renaissance technique that creates a continuous illusion by wooden inlays. Different colors of wood provide different shadings. [!!!!] A closeup can be seen here.
(Above) The Van Rensselaer Hall: An entrance hall built in pre-Revolutionary America. The wallcovering is wallpaper handpainted in tempera. Timeline: 1765-69.
(Above) The Nur al-Din Room: Originally from Damascus, research has not produced precise information on its provenance. It is twenty-two feet high, twenty-six feet long and sixteen feet wide and took three years to install.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the visuals — the book has so many more in addition to thorough information on each of the design styles. Truly enjoyable. I do hope you consider looking into it. Until next time, dear Readers!
So, there I was, perusing through my Inc. magazine November issue when I came upon something unexpected. Their current Behind the Scenes section has a beautiful two-page profile on the Southern Theatre in Columbus, Ohio written by Alexandra Cheney. Behind the Scenes features “companies at the heart of everyday life”. Here’s both pages (I spliced them together) as photographed by Andrew Moore:
The Southern Theatre opened in 1896 and was one of the first theatres in Columbus to use electricity. It features gorgeous gold leafing and ornamental work. The plaster is done by Pymer Plastering, the decendants of the original plaster artisans. During the fourteen-month restoration that started in September 1998, they removed much of the original plaster, which was a mixture of horsehair and either lime or gypsum, and replaced it with plaster strengthened with nylon fibers. On the Southern Theatre website, you can read about its history and see further pictures with a virtual tour. It is definitely a stop for me the next time I’m in Ohio. BTW, the November Inc. issue also has other great articles — including ones on growing your company, balancing a family business and ideas for selling luxury in a recession. It’s a great magazine — hope you pick it up!
Artist: Maria Trimbell
The first time I saw the ethereal and beautiful work of Maria Trimbell, I was mesmerized. I literally loved each and every work of art in her portfolio gallery! It’s no wonder she works with some of the top designers in the country. I’m so happy she was kind enough to have a chat with us here at Fauxology.
Maria has been an artist her entire life and in addition to private lessons, earned her BFA from San Francisco State. Even with such wonderful education, decorative painting wasn’t a known option to her. “I didn’t know there was a profession painting decorative murals in homes until I was in my mid 20’s, when a designer friend asked me to do some painting. I was terrified, which is funny to me now because it didn’t take long for me to feel totally comfortable painting on people’s walls. I remember actually making a mental switch of ‘just use a bigger brush’. Now I love this work and the way a mural can magically transform a space and create atmosphere”, Maria says. She continues, “The comfort I feel on the job developed from doing a very intense 3+ years working for a San Diego high-end faux finisher as his Art Director, which meant I designed and painted the mural commissions he received. After that I qualified to get my contractor’s license and had, by then, acquired important technical knowledge.”
Some of this acquired knowledge can be seen in the magazines and books her work has been featured in, including Michael Smith’s Houses and Diane Dorrans Saeks’ Santa Barbara Living. Her work is also featured in the October 2009 issue of House Beautiful, wherein a Laguna Beach, CA home designed by Michael Smith is profiled. Here are some images (photographed by Lisa Romerein):
Q: You eventually moved to Los Angeles…
A: I did eventually move to LA where things were starting to happen — I had met some interesting people with an atmospheric antique store in Santa Monica and while painting “frescos” with milk paints there one day, a couple walked in and said to the proprietor “We just bought an apartment in Venice (Italy) and need a mural painted…do you know of a mural artist?” I got to spend a nice chunk of time in my now favorite city painting a whole room — not a bad job, to say the least!
Working in LA has been fun and I’ve had a few celebrity clients including Lionel Richie, Ray Liotta and Emilio Estevez. It had also been my dream to paint for Michael Smith, as I love his style, so another highlight in my career has been doing so many projects for his company, including a beautiful home in Montecito that’s been photographed for a magazine and a couple of books. They have commissioned me in other places, too — Paradise Valley, New York, Sea Island (near Savannah) and my new favorite place in the world besides Venice: Mallorca, Spain.
On the top is the garden fantasy room in Venice photographed by Andrea Wyner and on the bottom is the Santa Monica antique store…
