Just finished the living room of this Tudor restoration in Summit. Oak paneling is the dominant motif, and my choices heighten the warm, rich ambience the wood generates. The palette’s jewel tones unify existing and new furniture, and the accessories carry through the theme, with red and fur throws and patterned  pillows. The result is a room that looks divine and is divinely comfortable.

I enjoy putting the final touches on a design, including choosing the right tableware. In this case there was more fun than usual because the client is a good friend and it was wonderful to spend time together. We went to Bloomingdales in Manhattan because their selection makes it easy to mix and match.  We ended up combining Kate Spade dinnerware with a Monique Lhuissier charger for a contemporary, sophisticated setting. We also found some graceful Ralph Lauren glasses and Christofle silverware. The result is tableware with a timeless elegance that is a perfect fit for an apartment with panoramic views overlooking Central Park.

This solid marble tub can give you the illusion that you’re in a Roman bath during the Ides of March, perhaps next to Julius Caesar. This would allow you to warn him there are a bunch of gentleman with large knives lying in wait at the Senate. Even without the daydream, this is a very substantial and very deep tub, ideal for serious bath lovers. Thanks to my friends at the Imaginative Design Center.

Yes, but is it art, I hear you say. I’d say absolutely. Reminds me of all those old horror movies that are so wonderfully camp now; “The Thing With Two Heads” or “The Incredible Shrinking Man” come to mind. I could see this piece as a decorative element in a home entertainment room, below some lurid period movie posters. From the Di Rosa Collection.

Prohibition, that wonderful experiment that gave us Al Capone, bathtub gin and the speakeasy, also gave us the powder room. Women weren’t allowed in bars before Prohibition, so bathroom facilities were strictly for men. During Prohibition women were positively encouraged to drink, and the restrooms provided for them were called powder rooms (where they powdered their noses, presumably.) The name stuck and now the room, often for guests, with a toilet and sink, but without a shower or bath, is called a powder room. I enjoy designing powder rooms–you can link to one of mine here. They can be dramatic or whimsical, contemporary or classic, but my goal is to make a design statement that definitely gets the visitor’s attention. Here are three powder room vanities that make statements. The first has a plain black base highlighting the stone sink that could be a piece of art on its own. The second features a stone top with chiseled borders and a glass vessel. The combination of materials and design creates an expressively sculptural effect. The third uses a wood base, very sleek and simple, for a more transitional feel. All three make visiting the powder room an aesthetically interesting experience. And all three are featured at Imaginative Design Center in Bedminster NJ, an excellent kitchen and bath resource that I’ve partnered with for many years.

When I look at an empty space my mind fills it. In this case it’s the living room of a magnificent new home in rural Long Valley. I’ve been working on this project since the architect’s drawings, and it’s now in the final stages of construction. In my mind I see the stained wood floor, the paneled walls and tray ceiling painted and then stried.  I see the window treatments in silk, and a limestone fireplace ringed with elegant sconces. Two dramatic chandeliers hang from the high ceilings, accompanied by recessed lighting. The finished room will combine warmth with sophisticated charm in the French style. I can’t wait to see it done, and neither can the homeowner!

I’m in the process of finishing a lovely corner apartment on Central Park in the 60s. The spectacular views drove many of the design choices. I kept the look light and contemporary, with sheer fabric roman shades that showcase the view up or down. The lamps are onyx with a double shade that provides a soft glow. I’ll be sharing more pictures as the work progresses.

My clients were about to arrive for a presentation this past weekend, so I thought I’d share how my process works. The project in this case is a town house in Florida. I arrange fabric, wallpaper, and flooring suggestions as a unified pallette, so that my client can see how color and texture will flow throughout the space. Then I proceed room by room with lighting and furnishing options. In this case the space will have a blue and white nautical theme with accents of yellow and red. The goal is to create a casual, practical space, fun for young people and kids. The fabrics are cotton and sunbrella, which don’t fade and clean easily. Over the course of the 4-hour meeting we made the important decisions and are now ready to go forward. I’ve worked with these clients before and we’ve developed the kind of understanding that makes the process enjoyable and the outcome impressive.