Master Editor

D'Urso swivel chairs

Lately I've been rediscovering the work of Joseph D'Urso.  In the seventies when I first saw his work for Calvin Klein, it had all the fresh promise of a new american design direction.     Following in the footsteps of his internship with Ward Bennett,  U'rso showed us not only a new minimalism, but also a deductive design process that reflected contemporary urban lifestyle.   His furniture remains highly relevant today, in our quest for simple fully realized design pieces. They are luxurious in materiality and present a thoughtful ideal about living well, with less.  

We used two of his wonderful low profile swivel chairs for Knoll, in a Whistler chalet games room (pictured above), upholstered in a Knoll Luxe wool.   Out of production pieces can be found on the secondary furniture market.  He was interviewed in the (1981) Parsons school of Design New Freedom series, about his design sensibilities.  

D'Urso coffee table

D'Urso high racetrack table

D'Urso deep sofa

"If one isn't careful," says Joe D'Urso, "one ends up living in a storeroom".

Discipline + Revolt

When I heard of Andrée Putman passing last month, it brought to mind my first knowledge of her work.  Designing Morgans in 1984 (the first American boutique style hotel), she introduced us to a sophisticated sober elegance that was both serene and emotionally evocative. Minimal but never spare.  These were the early days of my design life, and Putman's celebrated work was a beacon extolling the virtue of design principles + theory, over tricks + trend.  As she noted "the perfect balance between discipline and revolt."  For me she has always been the model design citizen........ inspired and inspiring.  x x

Photograph leaning, Rodney Graham

To anchor and compose the unlikely, but functionally practical flat screen placement we created a stealth media unit, spanning the architecture window bay.

"Of course style and money have nothing to do with each other, good design is pure and simple, and I am interested in that family of things that will not date."  Andrée Putman 1925-2013.

Putman Style

Serendipity

Savage Beauty

By happy coincidence, when I was in New York last month (to begin a new project), my client asked if I'd like to accompany her to an Alexander McQueen fall preview luncheon.  I've been an admirer of McQueen from his early (rather dark) break out days, and Savage Beauty has topped my coffee table since the Met exhibition (2011). Sarah Burton who now leads the house of McQueen hosted the event, in the SOHO showroom of BDDW.  It was an extraordinary pairing of visual uniqueness.  In addition to the beautiful feathery garments on mannequins we were treated to the an inspiring runway presentation.  The innovative BDDW showroom was the perfect foil, for these fluid silhouettes.  As an interior designer every visual experience is stored in our collected memory, playing a role to fashion our own aesthetic perspective.  This one rocked.

Fall 2012 Alexander McQueen 

BDDW SOHO, NYC

Flower Power

Art work, above sofa Vera Lutter

A devotion to flowers is imbedded in my DNA.  As a young boy my grandmother's cutting garden was like a magic world, where I'd be given free reign to gather the perfect bouquet.  She passed on her delight, that every flower was a sublime miracle, with life energy (speaking to her plants, long before it was fashionable). Flowers are filled with so much meaning, they manifest feelings of love, joy, hope, peace ............ sending a message of welcome and caring in every room they grace.

Floral compositions shown here, created by Get Fresh Flowers.

Let There Be Light

Lighting is perhaps the single most important factor in creating and experiencing interior spaces.   Both materials and form are enhanced with a well considered lighting design.  In successfully illuminated spaces, light needs to be emitted in a variety of ways, and from multiple directions / levels.  Anticipating how a room will be used, and designing for these functions creates space that is both flexible and rich in content.  

Using two tables in this large dining room provided a more intimate setting for entertaining smaller groups, but our client wanted to have the option of dining at a single large table for special occasions.   We worked in conjunction with Joel Berman Glass Studio, to create a feature light fixture that would allow for both these (+ other) options. The sculptural glass panels are lit by small LEDs  while the table surfaces are perfectly illuminated by recessed down lights.  Margot Richards was the lighting consultant for the entire project, and certainly cast her bright knowledgeable light.  The penthouse was recently featured at Home DSGN.

Media Savvy

There is a kind of fear factor that can happen with the mere mention of integrated home technologies.   Working with a firm that can alleviate this fear of the unknown, is critical in the development of a fully functional residence.  One firm we've enlisted to demystify home operating systems for our clients, is Millson Technologies.  For us all technologies have to be seamlessly united with the interior design, plus controls need to be simple and intuitive for our clients.  A well designed infrastructure to operate, lighting, window coverings, audio and visual components, creates the invisible luxury of uncomplicated living.  Millson provided this expertise for a recent project we designed.  Pictured here, the family room (home cinema), is flanked on one side by custom walnut millwork built by Soma Furniture.  It incorporates both audio and visual components.  One touch multiple functions now playing!

Think Pink

Pink is a much maligned colour, seen as trite and associated with pursuits lacking serious or intellectual depth.  But for me the meaning of pink is more aligned with romance + joy. When we selected materials to refresh Opus Lobby Bar (Vancouver), pink was a natural choice.  I love the way the interior colour is finding it's way to so many aspects of the brand + the new John Fluevog Porter shoes are just one stellar example.

Surface

Designed to be experienced both visually, and by touch, the tactile quality of these ceramic walls belies their medium.  Soft edges and gentle curves in this basket weave paving, by ceramic artist Andy Blick, bring the quality of fabric to the material.  The custom colour, matt glaze further contributes to it's softness.  We accented the reserved texture with spot lighting set in deep coves, which bathes the walls accentuating delicate shadows.  Andy Blick's engaging creations were specified here in a master bath (basket weave above), and several guest baths (below), giving hard surface a whole new meaning.

More Flower Therapy

Making a home is a many layered thing.  While visiting a recently completed project, one of those layers was in full bloom.  Our favourite florist had just delivered some amazing flora + fauna creations.  Robert Munro's visceral understanding of embellishment is always perfectly aligned with the surroundings he designs for.  These artful expressions, remind us of our connection to the natural world, and instinctively recall our inherited history.   Parfait!

Extreme orchids in an organic container play against the simplicity of the glass kitchen cabinets.

Tropical colours + forms echo the large contemporary painting by Graham Gilmore.

Flower Therapy

Flowers and floral constructions have long been associated with special occasions. But I'm of the opinion that everyday is an occasion worthy of celebrating with beautiful flowers. The colours and forms of nature can be transforming. Touching all our senses, they promote a feeling well being.

Whenever we complete a project I always look to Get Fresh Flowers to provide this essential component to every room. Robert Munro and his team consistently bring innovation to their extraordinary artful designs. These sophisticated seasonal arrangements were both created by Get Fresh Flowers. Large and exuberant or small and contained, they both add joy to the room they were designed for.

Rugs To Love

In a number of projects we have had the great fortune to work with Zoe Luyendijk, who is an amazing rug designer. Her designs have provided concrete foundation for so many of our rooms. Rugs are often envisioned as anchors for furniture. But great rugs can do so much more, they unify and enhance spaces, bringing luxury and art to daily life. Working with Zoe is always a pleasure, which is manifested with the unrolling of a magic carpet. Pictured here in a London Mews house (nearing completion), we used several of her remarkable designs. All of these rugs are hand made and executed in wool and silk, some of which have in excess of thirty custom colours. I look forward to future projects in which to incorporate her beautiful bespoke rugs.