tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84767616504154151972024-03-20T14:00:29.149-07:00Artisanal Specs.Architecture. Construction. Interior Design. This is your monthly Web-Zine Introducing you to the leading artisans, trades & specialty craftspeople that bring design to life.Alanna Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578720302011169313noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476761650415415197.post-72879009050040635482014-01-28T10:44:00.000-08:002014-01-28T10:44:26.597-08:00No. 11 Creating Objects of Desire with Jean Paul Viollet of Atelier Viollet<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqW3dvbrYwBgKZUVidJLg0Rd8DxB6Ne5d3gx7JgHyZQgHdXtsye6aQdqxJzPoOy6vVY1jDDB9YWvzJXhwNZxevnzvorFxndorm3lpjfWmhByLgrsvfLeyO1niYfO9AEkY7u_XdBe2w5Wk/s1600/jp-viollet-headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqW3dvbrYwBgKZUVidJLg0Rd8DxB6Ne5d3gx7JgHyZQgHdXtsye6aQdqxJzPoOy6vVY1jDDB9YWvzJXhwNZxevnzvorFxndorm3lpjfWmhByLgrsvfLeyO1niYfO9AEkY7u_XdBe2w5Wk/s320/jp-viollet-headshot.jpg" height="320" width="252" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Who</b>: Jean Paul Viollet</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What</b>: Atelier Viollet</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>When</b>: Founded in France in 1836 and Revived </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In New York City 150 Years Later </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Where</b>: Based In New York City</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Servicing Projects Internationally</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: IM Fell English SC;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">It is not just anyone who possesses the gift of creating a literal object of desire. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'IM Fell English SC'; font-size: large; line-height: 21px;">Thumbing back through time, through an infinite catalogue of mythical objects, it remains a consistent theme that they were all coveted for their innumerable powers, all surely divinely inspired. Be it their beauty, the enchanting materials they were made from, the process of their forging or preordained purpose- these objects cast a spell over all who encountered them even in rumor. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stunning Night Table in Horn + accented with Staw Marquetry.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: IM Fell English SC;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> But today, encountering such a spellbinding object of desire is far from a mythical rumor. As a matter of fact, it is likely we've found one of the last standing artisans who may be able to recreate Pandora's Box or the chest holding Jason's dear Golden Fleece - his name is </span></span><a href="http://atelierviollet.com/jean-paul-viollet.html" style="font-family: 'IM Fell English SC'; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Jean-Paul Viollet</a><span style="font-family: IM Fell English SC;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">, of Brooklyn-based </span></span><a href="http://atelierviollet.com/index.html" style="font-family: 'IM Fell English SC'; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">Atelier VIollet</a>; where all the artisans employed seem to have <span style="font-family: IM Fell English SC;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">the Midas touch.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: IM Fell English SC;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Jean-Paul Viollet was born with craftsmanship and curiosity is in his bones. The decedent of a long line of dedicated artisans, who began Atelier Viollet in Seyssel, France in 1836 (which thrived and then subsided only to be revived by Jean-Paul in the USA in 1986), was something of a necessary calling he simply could not ignore-</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: IM Fell English SC;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">"I grew up in my Father and Grandfather's wood-shop, I was naturally immersed in the field;" he recalls, noting the other interests he cultivated over time like mechanics and photography,"but when I moved to the USA at 24, something happened and I just realized that furniture making was it for me..."</span></span></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbPwzVVTaI6t19Dsj1Tvg-8T-JRiP0XPexgIDYr5fPEzUMED9P6RU79g_troYelIgP_rHQZ4WOK363JQLrcHRFVBI543Dgx8OPAQk6UGOFkVKlYunknFplQ4W79wycN5Y3flBRcskBqM/s1600/Desk+in+Palmwood,+Mica+n+Patinated+Bronze+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbPwzVVTaI6t19Dsj1Tvg-8T-JRiP0XPexgIDYr5fPEzUMED9P6RU79g_troYelIgP_rHQZ4WOK363JQLrcHRFVBI543Dgx8OPAQk6UGOFkVKlYunknFplQ4W79wycN5Y3flBRcskBqM/s1600/Desk+in+Palmwood,+Mica+n+Patinated+Bronze+1.jpg" height="491" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A breathtaking original desk takes shape in Palmwood, Mica and Patinated Bronze.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: IM Fell English SC;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> And thank goodness. Atelier Viollet is a distinguished gem of a studio, focusing on fine cabinetry and detailed furniture- specializing in the use of rare and exotic materials. Even if some the materials weren't unheard of, what makes them priceless is the ways they find to use them. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'IM Fell English SC'; font-size: large; line-height: 21px;">Whether in unaltered application or a wildly inventive new use, a simple piece of wood or straw, a chunk of gypsum dug up from the earth's core or a blank canvas of sheep</span><span style="font-family: 'IM Fell English SC'; font-size: large; line-height: 21px;">-skin is transformed and given a new name at the hands of Jean-Paul Viollet. </span><span style="font-family: 'IM Fell English SC'; font-size: large; line-height: 21px;">Applying traditional techniques, modern technology, incredible planning precision and an abundance of imagination Jean-Paul continually oversees the creation of pieces of work that more closely border art than home furnishings. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHoTByzQiLGZwBptMMhyphenhyphenUCRRLs0qc8UmN56Tl1F3bsykD58UrOdEUjdU3Nqi8oyvYCsle6g0JL5RiHTKPIcqRFkFUP0isqyoJugy_gqhPHTt5jBTFBpIAAJfP_pvf2IhkdFj7NwgnUck/s1600/straw+marquetry+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHoTByzQiLGZwBptMMhyphenhyphenUCRRLs0qc8UmN56Tl1F3bsykD58UrOdEUjdU3Nqi8oyvYCsle6g0JL5RiHTKPIcqRFkFUP0isqyoJugy_gqhPHTt5jBTFBpIAAJfP_pvf2IhkdFj7NwgnUck/s1600/straw+marquetry+wall.jpg" height="219" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wall made up of hand made Straw Marquetry panels.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: IM Fell English SC;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> Surely creating a these treasures is not a cheap undertaking, but that also seems to be part of the outfit's philosophy, in a way stating- 'We are being trusted to create something priceless, intimate and meaningful- and we are dedicated to doing it immaculately'. These custom furnishings or cabinets, these superlative details are not meant to be temporary, they uphold the age old ideal that to own something is to have invested in something worth keeping.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"A Custom piece of furniture is by definition a unique object." He states plainly. "It is satisfying to create but its ultimate goal is to fit in a specific environment for a specific person- it will become property of that person and most likely a unique relationship between a human being and object will be created." Jean-Paul states matter-of-factly. "A good piece of furniture can bring calmness and joy."</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilk4K39m7cP7kGIQtE6r3u6kay3G1hAaXV9x1dAdDsxy0kTEDNY5unHOuV8fe9XrKzwxUy4ebVpwD5KjXRBmgC5Hn5t81BtMOhvCtwtZlZc6Qskp96Yxo-yKrmZTOOMGRCVOWEfhrvaII/s1600/JM+Frank+Inspired+Desk+in+Oak+n+Leather+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilk4K39m7cP7kGIQtE6r3u6kay3G1hAaXV9x1dAdDsxy0kTEDNY5unHOuV8fe9XrKzwxUy4ebVpwD5KjXRBmgC5Hn5t81BtMOhvCtwtZlZc6Qskp96Yxo-yKrmZTOOMGRCVOWEfhrvaII/s1600/JM+Frank+Inspired+Desk+in+Oak+n+Leather+1.jpg" height="352" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Atelier Viollet original J.M. Frank inspired desk in Oak and Leather.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And what if we all held the objects we bought and used to decorate in such high esteem? Or made a point of not buying the cheapest of the cheap home fixtures and boasting about them (only to have to replace them 6 months later)? Would this level of attention to detail better inform a persons relationship to the home? To the work we do to provide for that home? Perhaps the integration of traditional Craftsmanship's principles into everyday life would embolden and enrich our experience. Would we become more curious about the details all around us? The workings of Atelier Viollet seem to beg these questions further when we see the application of a thoughtful and thorough process create such bespoke products.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ii6d2ntq9qIqoB3hZ6YImcoJxY9Pz2CPl7r6ozaTpzOtP2Q1zlxTTVlnP7ouwCquhVzoTEVKk4Xw4EWJZkoRMKpL7boyR7-Okdp_wDwON73YpmMy1r24eNZ0XZgBk_mAKzhrBZ8LCLA/s1600/Process+AV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ii6d2ntq9qIqoB3hZ6YImcoJxY9Pz2CPl7r6ozaTpzOtP2Q1zlxTTVlnP7ouwCquhVzoTEVKk4Xw4EWJZkoRMKpL7boyR7-Okdp_wDwON73YpmMy1r24eNZ0XZgBk_mAKzhrBZ8LCLA/s1600/Process+AV.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Atelier Viollet Artisan works intimately with Oak to gauge it by hand and apply it to a library's interior.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8osuZTk9VChTBR0VeBp6Ck0qFBOiq3mp7KPpyCBPnbdHmWMsxYBZe0ptc_woThzaZHYQk4J4JlOmjtbk-8iLB4KrMikXXlpirRmUnozi-I2DZ89cRz3UUQY1xerWpb9hhy9Yhqv2uOlM/s1600/library+in+gauged+oak+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8osuZTk9VChTBR0VeBp6Ck0qFBOiq3mp7KPpyCBPnbdHmWMsxYBZe0ptc_woThzaZHYQk4J4JlOmjtbk-8iLB4KrMikXXlpirRmUnozi-I2DZ89cRz3UUQY1xerWpb9hhy9Yhqv2uOlM/s1600/library+in+gauged+oak+2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gauged Oak millwork and detailing comes to life when installed in this custom library for <a href="http://www.gpschafer.com/#/home" target="_blank">G.P. Schafer Architects</a>.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Paired with the masterful use of tools and a craftsman's eye, is also the extensive research process, knowledge and <a href="http://atelierviollet.com/sample-finishes.html" target="_blank">use of materials</a>. From parchment to gypsum, shagreen to horn, or lacquers to mica or straw marquetry, Atelier Viollet has taken pains to continue investing time and energy into the research of materials available in the world and taking the time to intimately learn and understand the ones they obtain. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Hands of Jean-Paul Viollet" campaign holding Shagreen.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: IM Fell English SC;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> "Shagreen is one of my favorite exotic materials." says Viollet, "[It's] technique has traveled through centuries and both the scale of its use and the different polishes that can be used on it are incomparable." </span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: IM Fell English SC;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">"I introduced Water Buffalo Horn to our list of techniques and materials a few years ago, and it's been greatly favored for it's richness and resilience." He notes.</span></span></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Atelier Viollet Artisan reviews Parchment stock before work.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: IM Fell English SC;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> One of the great joys for Jean-Paul which fuels so much of his work continues to be the process-creative and technical- as much as the product, which naturally comes through in the studio's work. Merely by looking at a finished piece of his work, one can almost envision him staying late to play with the materials, and taking great joy in discovering and rediscovering them all over again. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He notes they have recently completed a project they are particularly proud- a Park Avenue study fully adorned with Parchment detailing, part of the full renovation of the apartment. Atelier Viollet has certainly done wall treatments with this material before, but nothing quite like this- </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"We covered all the walls in sheep-skin, including all of the doors and crown mouldings." He says excitedly, "Treating all curved areas and going all the way technically. It was a great challenge and an incredible result. It's a jewlery box."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which is a wonderful way to think of a room- as a jewlery box, filled with inspiring, beautiful delights. And this is something that this Artisan has inspired us again to think about- just how important it is to stop and give attention to the details. Jean-Paul himself notes, if there was any message he could send to the architectural and design community, or the world at large, it would be:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: IM Fell English SC;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">"[To] Appreciate and respect all work done by hand...In this fast-paced world I only hope we'll be able to perpetuate craftsmanship. It's so important." </span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: IM Fell English SC; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Indeed it is. Our goal this week is to stop and look at the details all around us, to consider how things are made; and in turn, to consider how we can make them better. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atelier Viollet gives this dining room Parchment walls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYUBCITNp3_b9igwLeKXCc9hNRgDtod7eb42yhmBxwZ2KOri9WkNEbxATaMZkCcidSJ9XgDcbJxzMxacNmqt_AxrCiyjgMBnGc7k6-C_N1_0v_5gCxDIuVm2WMknr-HanAD5ivIo4OPQ/s1600/cabinet-gypsum-ebonized-pearwood-silvered-bronze-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYUBCITNp3_b9igwLeKXCc9hNRgDtod7eb42yhmBxwZ2KOri9WkNEbxATaMZkCcidSJ9XgDcbJxzMxacNmqt_AxrCiyjgMBnGc7k6-C_N1_0v_5gCxDIuVm2WMknr-HanAD5ivIo4OPQ/s1600/cabinet-gypsum-ebonized-pearwood-silvered-bronze-01.jpg" height="556" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another stunning Atelier Viollet original, this cabinet is made up of gypsum, ebonized Pear-wood and silvered bronze.</td></tr>
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<div style="font-family: 'IM Fell English SC'; line-height: 21px;">
Atelier Viollet has been featured in numerous design publications including <i><a href="http://atelierviollet.com/press_pages/63-2012-02.html" target="_blank">New York SPACES</a>,</i> <a href="http://atelierviollet.com/press_pages/58-2007-05.html" target="_blank"><i>New York Magazine</i></a>, <i><a href="http://atelierviollet.com/press_pages/56-2007-06.html" target="_blank">House & Garden</a></i> among others. To learn more about them and what they do, please visit <a href="http://atelierviollet.com/">AtelierViollet.com</a>. Their Brooklyn-based studio and showroom are available for visitation <a href="http://atelierviollet.com/contact.html" target="_blank">by appointment only</a>.</div>
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Alanna Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578720302011169313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476761650415415197.post-88429172610491413802013-05-20T12:17:00.001-07:002013-08-05T10:35:53.875-07:00No.10 Reflecting On Beauty, Art and the World of Eglomise with Miriam Ellner <div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_3vTmn_nJzBF9eSjvJWSMs6oncNx71v3Vs2ROk82jqLy2-5pPYMmPQiWizmRoKn7pcz_OdagoLVIP19HLQ9HjNu6NvGjCHF20R5Wx68i-G_DXOU0WWr1QZE_cLZAuCEa4LuHHv8_6Yw/s1600/ellner_portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_3vTmn_nJzBF9eSjvJWSMs6oncNx71v3Vs2ROk82jqLy2-5pPYMmPQiWizmRoKn7pcz_OdagoLVIP19HLQ9HjNu6NvGjCHF20R5Wx68i-G_DXOU0WWr1QZE_cLZAuCEa4LuHHv8_6Yw/s400/ellner_portrait.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Who</b>: Miriam Ellner</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What</b>: Miriam Ellner Design - Verre Eglomise</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>When</b>: Since 1990</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Where</b>: Based In New York City</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Servicing Projects Internationally</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If somehow, among your travels, when the stewardess stopped serving and the plane's cabin slept, you stayed awake to stare out the window at</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the eerie quiet of the ever-delicate clouds, and caught the rarest of moments between time and space, where</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the restless angels had abandoned their posts, and saw a glimpse of the pearly white gates rumored to be the entry-way to heaven; well, we're fairly certain, after the shock and awe of witnessing the perfect ether, looking closely enough, it's altogether likely we'd find the gates themselves were a Verre Eglomise masterpiece made by the hands of </span><a href="http://www.miriamellner.com/abt_miriam.htm" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Miriam Ellner</a><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDcKzqaX8hBEE_duNzqCSZIyZLpdGO17BeLWd-vBXWxhFWm-_1aGjjuOGtqA3oG5WWeJczTDvOS4KPCiiOi9WR8YRikGL0Bl6xJTPwjn4K_nNaEwfeuHIkRJ2B3uWFq1TfsL2l28AGHQ/s1600/rms_pneo_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDcKzqaX8hBEE_duNzqCSZIyZLpdGO17BeLWd-vBXWxhFWm-_1aGjjuOGtqA3oG5WWeJczTDvOS4KPCiiOi9WR8YRikGL0Bl6xJTPwjn4K_nNaEwfeuHIkRJ2B3uWFq1TfsL2l28AGHQ/s640/rms_pneo_2.jpg" width="544" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">22 karat gold-leaf polychromes make up this set of 3 Neoclassical wall panels by <a href="http://www.miriamellner.com/index.html" target="_blank">Miriam Ellner Design</a>.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We assure you, if it sounds far fetched- it isn't. Even upon entering Miriam Ellner's Chelsea-based studio in New York City there is an ambiance of celestial bliss - especially for those with a deep appreciation of design and fine arts. In modest size the all-white room is illuminated with large, open windows and clad with stunning pieces of hand- crafted verre eglomise gems. From small square tiles to full scale entryway panels waiting for shipment, every piece of work has been meticulously tended to and contains an astonishing array of depth, emotion and beauty. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What, you may ask, is verre eglomise? It is an ancient craft of custom glass gilding, wherein gold, metal or a myriad of other materials are applied to the back of a glass panel which show through to the front of the glass with the seamless quality of a </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFgMIb6JjQOtsnODGiYEAU0bzpCJmDr_YAysc4GhjC_lV1HkqrWxFhUh3RRtHo__T7g7BULeXSI6TBpjWJnMfw9kyRWV0Utm4DkFw90ragHM9OPP0s6BsZpGFwpGrVXqVDjfsbfkoXeo/s1600/ellner_studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFgMIb6JjQOtsnODGiYEAU0bzpCJmDr_YAysc4GhjC_lV1HkqrWxFhUh3RRtHo__T7g7BULeXSI6TBpjWJnMfw9kyRWV0Utm4DkFw90ragHM9OPP0s6BsZpGFwpGrVXqVDjfsbfkoXeo/s320/ellner_studio.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">painting. After any variation of basic gilding application, the delicate leafing can be manipulated further with the simplest of tools to create imagery as rich as that of a drawing or painting. As a matter of fact, that's how many of these pieces begin. </span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"I've always been something of a 'visual collector'." Miriam reflects on her career, a montage of eglomise samples floating like pictorial thought bubbles behind her. </span><span style="font-size: large;">"I love doing research. I think books were one of my first loves."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Miriam Ellner has had a rich journey in the arts. Evolving all the way from her childhood affinity for the library (beginning her own collection of visual references even then) into the world of modern dance and even whirling through the realm of costume and set design, Miriam doesn't ever seem to cease learning. When she <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnYsGRlYA91GJsiujgB6jZge4I_GmC1DUXen1JjtMkegULgT_258goIMx9fKyFn5cjkVaA5A6uPKGRXnAQH4hD-hZViOfke1XVjuYzhQCCUrTKBgzJ5NfyADbooPjhHp7_Hgj2iJh4vA/s1600/4+layer+laminate+-+european+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnYsGRlYA91GJsiujgB6jZge4I_GmC1DUXen1JjtMkegULgT_258goIMx9fKyFn5cjkVaA5A6uPKGRXnAQH4hD-hZViOfke1XVjuYzhQCCUrTKBgzJ5NfyADbooPjhHp7_Hgj2iJh4vA/s400/4+layer+laminate+-+european+res.jpg" width="367" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A remarkable sample of a 4-layer laminate piece Miriam Ellner Design<br />
is currently working on for a European Residence. It is part of what <br />
will be 2 large panels for a set of doors- talk about inspiring.</td></tr>
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happened to stumble upon the <a href="http://www.vanderkelen.com/UK/home.html" target="_blank">Van Der Kelen</a> School for artisnal crafts in Brussels she was mesmerized by the old world ambiance of the buildings and ateliers, so she followed her fancy and applied to be accepted the following year. (1985) It was here that she got grounded in her new studies and received the formal training in decorative arts that would set the ball rolling to her current career today. It was at Van Der Kelen she learned gold leaf and eglomise. And she loved it so much, when she returned to the US, she returned a decorative painter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I'm a risk taker." Says Miriam shyly of making her start in a new field and craft, "I made a list of the best [design] talent I wanted to work with and went after them. I only wanted to work with the best."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">But often a new career or talent needs a push, and Ellner found herself at the hands of a high-end builder who was enamored with her work and made a point of helping introduce her around. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYztaknEWIHclCq_fQTgzZw2Cwp87pFm9QjvQAHuuG7hzNtN_5SDzn-qBHLP0NqSuYlleRRpEGcNY6N3eVGlNb7sO__XZDZu0tUqUr7ta28X5f3Jy_Wvw_P4JPT4sgKMkVswL2zYXo8sI/s1600/ellner_michaelsimon_bureau_plats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYztaknEWIHclCq_fQTgzZw2Cwp87pFm9QjvQAHuuG7hzNtN_5SDzn-qBHLP0NqSuYlleRRpEGcNY6N3eVGlNb7sO__XZDZu0tUqUr7ta28X5f3Jy_Wvw_P4JPT4sgKMkVswL2zYXo8sI/s320/ellner_michaelsimon_bureau_plats.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example of eglomise detailed furniture/ plated inlays <br />
Miriam Ellner Design did with designer Michael Simon</td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"I used to go around to meetings with these little 2x3" samples of my work;" she laughs, insisting on bringing one out to show a small eglomise sample the size of a business card, "just to show something to designers I met." </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Which seems funny, upon looking at the vast array of samples and completed projects she's now surrounded by in her studio on a daily basis. But it was upon one fated meeting with renowned interior designer Robert Metzger that officially set her new path ablaze. Miriam still recalls showing Mr. Metzger her small samples and seeing the wheels turn in his head.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> "He just got it." she smiles, "[He] commissioned two tables with me and that was the start."</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPoGb7HR38skvkrjwNwHDGsPOMuYNiI9ZoErP5UGZL6IeOuNJ5uKIr6Qef0RDHQEWDGdQffTdvz3zJnl06-SE_3SmIEed88RL6fm6gmZesYKDTMZAp3bw314tkdnjPgel_M9S1kv6OPg/s1600/bowl_200bc_canosa_italy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPoGb7HR38skvkrjwNwHDGsPOMuYNiI9ZoErP5UGZL6IeOuNJ5uKIr6Qef0RDHQEWDGdQffTdvz3zJnl06-SE_3SmIEed88RL6fm6gmZesYKDTMZAp3bw314tkdnjPgel_M9S1kv6OPg/s400/bowl_200bc_canosa_italy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A favorite precedent image, Miriam finds herself inspired by the art of eglomise<br />
being found as far back as 200BC, as with these bowls from Canosa, Italy</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since then Miriam Ellner seems to've taken the industry by storm, even earning herself one of the <a href="http://classicist.org/" target="_blank">Institute of Classical Architecture & Art</a>'s prestegious <a href="http://classicist.org/programs/lectures-tours-events/detail/arthur-ross-awards/" target="_blank">Arthur Ross Award's for Artisanship</a> this past May. Either quietly or quite boldly, her work can be found among the projects of some of the design industry's top talent. After many years of sharing her vision of eglomise being brought back to the settings of projects everywhere, Miriam has also contributed to the age-old art by infusing some of her own style and expertise into her work. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Her refined skills, well rounded viewpoint and inherent humility come through in her work with grace and confidence- but also some gusto; almost delicately saying 'that's lovely, but I'm going to push the envelope now'. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwzMrpsWJP65MxaYevp4plCcq8heMtIOKlf6ZTb5Y19jwvKdAzzCSBOiyMS6sJpFAfNdAwey1VmUeol_SKoZ4bnmaCA5Fd7HIm9mrRNvGqyTrSE4NHxAKeEbbJvCFiLGbySiFWXtYFg0/s1600/ellner_dunand_powder_room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwzMrpsWJP65MxaYevp4plCcq8heMtIOKlf6ZTb5Y19jwvKdAzzCSBOiyMS6sJpFAfNdAwey1VmUeol_SKoZ4bnmaCA5Fd7HIm9mrRNvGqyTrSE4NHxAKeEbbJvCFiLGbySiFWXtYFg0/s640/ellner_dunand_powder_room.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A series of 7 eglomise glass panels in Jean Dunand style, composed of 22 karat gold leaf, palladium leaf, mica flakes, abalone and polychromes.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Miriam's long time business partner and development director, Wiley Kidd, notes </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"What makes Miriam such a master of design in her own right is that few people have pushed eglomise as far as she has." he admires, "She knows when to be restrained and when to push boundaries; instead of doing a small door inlay, she'll say, 'let's try the whole room'. People don't do that enough."</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnn0ZMP3PeNETLrc1goHS5K50B7Na9BzX_MQn80V9fngns4y6f0IykVJ4UJ_RfO_5i8g9AlAF9XUB7-18omjP3gi_UiVVpPjiYtkZoQHpWf7mLCAUpsfjuldXIH606jZse8sCfpJmhujQ/s1600/ellner_kemble_ceiling_kippsbay2011+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnn0ZMP3PeNETLrc1goHS5K50B7Na9BzX_MQn80V9fngns4y6f0IykVJ4UJ_RfO_5i8g9AlAF9XUB7-18omjP3gi_UiVVpPjiYtkZoQHpWf7mLCAUpsfjuldXIH606jZse8sCfpJmhujQ/s640/ellner_kemble_ceiling_kippsbay2011+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turns out design risk takers and grand talents are indeed a perfect fit for Miriam's interest in bold style, here she pairs<br />
with the grand talent at Kemble Interiors for Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2011, doing a whole ceiling in eglomise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJwzDtTLCOC3erzK6PhWwMHz89WOBjtTUlC2TVh65P8fsgGQWQKLDrbJ6NqerT7lbsmzCnn6bVuwJxfV58i34SQgFIYLzngDsUIq3ChD1Jpbex_uPs88iaFSccpUD5k8DTrCcQs8QlR8/s1600/ellner_kemble_ceiling_kippsbay2011+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJwzDtTLCOC3erzK6PhWwMHz89WOBjtTUlC2TVh65P8fsgGQWQKLDrbJ6NqerT7lbsmzCnn6bVuwJxfV58i34SQgFIYLzngDsUIq3ChD1Jpbex_uPs88iaFSccpUD5k8DTrCcQs8QlR8/s640/ellner_kemble_ceiling_kippsbay2011+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forget looking around the rest of the Show House, this ceiling for Kemble Interior's room is worth parking on <br />
the couch to look up and admire.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And it's worth pushing boundaries. A craft like this that can be so masterfully honed can be utilized endlessly in design. Why not enrich more spaces by having artwork like this built into it? </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJT4s9sJcVacRZg87nGjPjzs9EXH0rdbmhXjF1hcrJn4yQm7xMArFgz4dcxBESUwnuYQS06KNAIlr_kouEBs6cAQ2D4OIkWB6fP6pP2uW_75g4_f_3I-uqIP4C7eoDDfMQxlgIliKyMs/s1600/ellner_chinoise_pr_details.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJT4s9sJcVacRZg87nGjPjzs9EXH0rdbmhXjF1hcrJn4yQm7xMArFgz4dcxBESUwnuYQS06KNAIlr_kouEBs6cAQ2D4OIkWB6fP6pP2uW_75g4_f_3I-uqIP4C7eoDDfMQxlgIliKyMs/s640/ellner_chinoise_pr_details.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Color and depth stun in eglomise in these panels of 22 karat gold, mica <br />
powders and polychromes for a private residence's powder room.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> As Miriam continues nourishing and growing her work and technique as well as her studies in the arts, it seems the only natural her next step is to learn through teaching- which she'll be having a hand at this Fall. Over the years she has also attended Dale Chihuly's exquisite <a href="http://www.pilchuck.com/" target="_blank">Pilchuck Glass School</a> on scholarship, as well as the Corning Glass Studio, just to expand her knowledge on materials and craft further. So after having years of putting her knowledge and talent to use, this fall is just as excited to be giving back, <a href="http://www.societyofgilders.org/live/conference/" target="_blank">teaching a class on verra eglomise at the Society of Gilders Conference in New Orleans</a>, Louisiana during the week long program of round tables, classes, lectures and exhibitions by experts in the field; an endeavor her schedule won't usually permit, but which she's made priority. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldkdMNkspe3TpfUoWeVd7Toty8aD5Jula34avpmqpxToI922Y83YqBUimdmMWS-rAOv4Ib_KKLcArSz23BLz6AdumpqqvhqFfb7SyLO3YQpfTxjyHt4Az1ixUa_A3ConQFqnuSbvSQVU/s1600/ellner_gilding_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldkdMNkspe3TpfUoWeVd7Toty8aD5Jula34avpmqpxToI922Y83YqBUimdmMWS-rAOv4Ib_KKLcArSz23BLz6AdumpqqvhqFfb7SyLO3YQpfTxjyHt4Az1ixUa_A3ConQFqnuSbvSQVU/s320/ellner_gilding_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miriam starts a new piece by applying gold leaf to the back of a panel</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As Miriam reflects with gratitude on the rare career she's created and has the pleasure of continuing on a daily basis, she reflects on the importance of eglomise to design, or perhaps just of art to the world:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"The idea of creating beauty is profound. I recall being at a Matisse show once and just being completely taken aback by how much beauty he contributed to the world." Miriam bats a glassy eye, "Forgive me," she smiles warmly, moved even by the memory, "Not to say that I'm Matisse!" she laughs. "But the thought of being able to contribute <i>any</i> kind of beauty to the world is one of the most fulfilling things I can do- and this for me is my form."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, we're glad it is. The world can certainly always use more of the thoughtful, intricate and distinguished details art brings to it. And if design is continuing to be enhanced by details like that of Miriam Ellner, we'll certainly be staying tuned in. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzg9PKoEAch6H7pld09uNygWOFh_OYzkKJynMzdM5mR1ZEZLNSxKdLVs_9zon4ROH1N-n603IYH2Ngahd0nw_xyD0dOenanYAsB1BI8nK2yUswLvHNK-gRneASuMwpN-3oYXT1_wJV2dc/s1600/ellner_fish_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzg9PKoEAch6H7pld09uNygWOFh_OYzkKJynMzdM5mR1ZEZLNSxKdLVs_9zon4ROH1N-n603IYH2Ngahd0nw_xyD0dOenanYAsB1BI8nK2yUswLvHNK-gRneASuMwpN-3oYXT1_wJV2dc/s640/ellner_fish_01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"A series of verra eglomise glass panels in the style of Dunand, designed to line the walls of a dinning room above the<br />
dado. Made up of 22 karat gold leaf, palladium leaf, various precious metals and polychromes."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjzm79zsUqYoTHYx6Qu6bV0dXfE_M4wbJhTEeVdYsPgbZyD1OnX4Kk1X6bb5caPzQ7maVSesj5yOsrbWL0ywv0H-BzJ1EKQO_iTVC0obGwCFhyRzZrKmvnsfZH7qOElyjwAQNpmB9Nd0/s1600/ellner_backsplash_details.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjzm79zsUqYoTHYx6Qu6bV0dXfE_M4wbJhTEeVdYsPgbZyD1OnX4Kk1X6bb5caPzQ7maVSesj5yOsrbWL0ywv0H-BzJ1EKQO_iTVC0obGwCFhyRzZrKmvnsfZH7qOElyjwAQNpmB9Nd0/s640/ellner_backsplash_details.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eglomise enriches a kitchen backsplash with this vignette. Made up of 22 karat gold leaf, mica powders & polychromes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB8e55yW1lgBNPIKCoBJDtYqVdWY-0JUh58WZv5gc3ivJww5yWRRaOrr83mYmjxwp0tvJmUQzpLWtEefdgMK326090h7D-oSsFQfI4kj-JRFxf9y653vlVUgcIW_m_PS9B4CplNhrtfk/s1600/rms_naples_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB8e55yW1lgBNPIKCoBJDtYqVdWY-0JUh58WZv5gc3ivJww5yWRRaOrr83mYmjxwp0tvJmUQzpLWtEefdgMK326090h7D-oSsFQfI4kj-JRFxf9y653vlVUgcIW_m_PS9B4CplNhrtfk/s640/rms_naples_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"A series of verra eglomise glass panels designed in neoclassical style, to line the walls of a dinning room. <br />
All panels executed on full restoration glass and assembled like a Chinese puzzle. Made up of 22 karat <br />
gold leaf, palladium leaf, tarnished silvers and polychromes."</td></tr>
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Miriam Ellner Design has been featured in neumerous design publications, including <i><a href="http://www.miriamellner.com/press/prs_ad1109_1.htm" target="_blank">Architectural Digest</a></i>, <i>Elle Decor</i> and even on the <a href="http://www.miriamellner.com/press/prs_msl9902.htm" target="_blank">Martha Stewart Living Show</a>. She is a member of the Institute for Classical Architecture & Art, and was the <a href="http://classicist.org/programs/lectures-tours-events/detail/arthur-ross-awards/" target="_blank">2013 Arthur Ross Award recipient for Artisanship</a>. To contact her New York based studio or learn more about what she does please visit <a href="http://miriamellner.com/">miriamellner.com</a>. </div>
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Alanna Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578720302011169313noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476761650415415197.post-54070265975159567932013-02-28T19:16:00.003-08:002013-05-20T18:49:19.109-07:00No.9 Appraising The Jewels of the House with Martin Grubman of P.E. Guerin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLnEuCbKKFO3_nLvydHR3rFLzrUA6x7zmYG2vtJYwOs6_l67FGygmg3erDDFfhsdTMTKYmpv3SdVOzlb31_lTH_jpba9T3kiiIB5MiJhis97brbHFFMT_ktMUB6zha2HZQ9FjS7AmOh4/s1600/Screen-Shot-2013-02-15-at-1.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLnEuCbKKFO3_nLvydHR3rFLzrUA6x7zmYG2vtJYwOs6_l67FGygmg3erDDFfhsdTMTKYmpv3SdVOzlb31_lTH_jpba9T3kiiIB5MiJhis97brbHFFMT_ktMUB6zha2HZQ9FjS7AmOh4/s400/Screen-Shot-2013-02-15-at-1.08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Who</b>: Martin Grubman</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What</b>: P.E. Guerin - Custom Decorative Hardware</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>When</b>: Since 1857</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Where</b>: Founded + Based in New York City</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And Today Has Foundries + Showrooms Internationally</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">It's been said before that 'knowledge is power and convenience is costly.' A wise statement that holds true in everything from the food we eat to the car we buy; and where could this be more true than in the homes we live in? It's one thing to purchase the cheap products, materials or furniture we need to get us through the moment, but it's another to just get sucked into the cycle of purchasing more and more new throw-away's rather than saving, researching and educating ourselves on the best way to invest in the space we want to be in, that will last for the long run. Sure, change is inevitable, but truly thoughtful investments in the home are sure to not only enhance the personal experience of the space, but also it's monetary value. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9dqaY1n_qbozSdGoZOj_mLOzOsxja7u8-Ch8wksukmIr39bo_FUmdiTj22bFKIM1hrbeBCzRH1iSOfltZGMvvWlxJh7DLRIRddywXva6FwfR3NHAJX-dTZw1sY12RRk0pIZiEDmwARk/s1600/pe_guerin_louis_xiv_bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9dqaY1n_qbozSdGoZOj_mLOzOsxja7u8-Ch8wksukmIr39bo_FUmdiTj22bFKIM1hrbeBCzRH1iSOfltZGMvvWlxJh7DLRIRddywXva6FwfR3NHAJX-dTZw1sY12RRk0pIZiEDmwARk/s320/pe_guerin_louis_xiv_bw.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A <a href="http://peguerin.com/category.php?category=&collection=Louis_XIV&section=all&sortby=collection&viewall=1#" target="_blank">P.E. Guerin Louis XIV</a> hardware compilation.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've spoken before about the assets of utilizing the truest of true Artisans when designing, drawing, decorating, and building a home/ building. What Artisans bring to the table in both the design process and the final product are both an enrichment in the literal value of a space, and the ability to enhance the artistic expression and personality in architecture and design. When it comes to the multifaceted world of artistic metalwork, it's been said many times that the decorative hardware is something of "the jewels of the house". And in no way could this be more tried and true than in the case of work made by </span><a href="http://peguerin.com/index.php" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">P.E. Guerin</a><span style="font-size: large;">, the oldest decorative hardware firm in the U.S. and last living and thriving traditional foundry in New York City.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Spanning 150+ years of existence and four generations, P.E. Guerin maintains every component of the traditional process of artisanal metalwork in decorative hardware, whose precedent example was set by its namesake and renowned talent, French immigrant Pierre Emmanuel Guerin, a pioneer in his craft. Many of Pierre Emmanuel's original work can still be found throughout New York City, and still in all it's luster and quality. So, despite the trends and culture of immediate gratification and <i>now </i>that rules so much of the consumer mindset today, this company has managed to stick to its guns in believing, to its core, that the production of something special that will last you for generations to come, should <i>still </i>be well thought out, intricately detailed and finished with expert precision.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5JCdBwpnwvFEuaj_6Tnuio3mvlucafXGOXK7JCU6rtvEiTBJkS9WHfxNyVQpQq-vbGaYXNCNGydLUQ28jfcpmNS4ZXVccHvLkKz6QuB0wKMNn7Aorf7XI11RQ9P-YM4bUnbvEkUua8o/s1600/Untitled-1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5JCdBwpnwvFEuaj_6Tnuio3mvlucafXGOXK7JCU6rtvEiTBJkS9WHfxNyVQpQq-vbGaYXNCNGydLUQ28jfcpmNS4ZXVccHvLkKz6QuB0wKMNn7Aorf7XI11RQ9P-YM4bUnbvEkUua8o/s640/Untitled-1+copy.jpg" width="490" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stellar example of Guerin's abilities, as seen in many top shelter publications today.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> "With the dumbing-down of society in this country, working standards and products become sub-par, and production is less formal;" says Martin Grubman, Vice President and Project Manager at P.E. Guerin, "maybe not by choice, but because we don't know any better anymore." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Martin Grubman, who has been with P.E. Guerin for over 25 years now, has become a true advocate for the process <i>and </i>the product. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Martin even noted that in common manufacturing of, say, bathroom hardware or faucetry today, there's been a mass decision somewhere along the line to attempt to alleviate skews and alter knob and lever creation (and their valves) so that each one goes a different direction. This is actually commonly practiced so as to have one less thing to do in production, saving manufacturers costs, but not necessarily creating a product that will last a lifetime. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"We recently had a homeowner call us, who'd taken over an old family property in Pennsylvania, a house built in 1926, that had Guerin hardware in it," Martin notes, "They sent it to us to have us refinish the items and add a few new valves, then we sent it back to have it re-installed- it looked as incredible as ever. Actually, same thing also happened with an old hotel in San Francisco a few months back. It's all still immaculate."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's impressive to say the least, and certainly no surprise Martin appreciated this moment in his work with Guerin. Having originally worked in the high-end building industry, Martin had seen a thing or two in the design + build process of high quality homes, and intimately understood the process when he met <a href="http://peguerin.com/about_us_ms.php" target="_blank">Andrew Ward, the fourth generation CEO and President of P.E. Guerin</a>. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhQr5KyuhGnKDDxZIBsdhqeH7BH1rbKM2A82V5GRxLvgboBWLock8QO3OjC7LAzgNFlz3wkYQaanrleYovblGne-czZEpeWWR09abzRyCO7PGSriphrBH9m2kH-C33nBNeXu5m1kNX-U/s1600/75063Hinge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhQr5KyuhGnKDDxZIBsdhqeH7BH1rbKM2A82V5GRxLvgboBWLock8QO3OjC7LAzgNFlz3wkYQaanrleYovblGne-czZEpeWWR09abzRyCO7PGSriphrBH9m2kH-C33nBNeXu5m1kNX-U/s320/75063Hinge.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A <a href="http://peguerin.com/category.php?collection=Louis_XIV&section=all&sortby=collection#" target="_blank">Louis XV Decorative Paumelle</a>, gold-plated hinge</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When he saw the difference in custom products versus mass produced products that were selected, ordered and installed in his work in building, he had come to know intimately that quality was far more important than quantity. When Andrew Ward mentioned he needed some help in his shop and studio, and Martin had gone in himself to see the process, he didn't hesitate to start working there part time, going in 3 days week. His work with Guerin quickly became of great interest, and not so long after he began working there full time, he felt right at home joining something of a family of artisans and craftspeople who had all also been with the company for multiple decades. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw3J_T1vojmDxvsM8kHgc_LfMrCpJaSoRTmZU7TxYxw7ix9NPcJxMaSzXT_F9IC8db-LTxXvWCeofQPeKvlnRANOLAviP9-05gC40Apfi2W4IfVqXg6pecvziGI3rTUka_M7BaJp-G04/s1600/012513122719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw3J_T1vojmDxvsM8kHgc_LfMrCpJaSoRTmZU7TxYxw7ix9NPcJxMaSzXT_F9IC8db-LTxXvWCeofQPeKvlnRANOLAviP9-05gC40Apfi2W4IfVqXg6pecvziGI3rTUka_M7BaJp-G04/s320/012513122719.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incredible detail on this tiny Lilypad + Dragonfly</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"We'll take on someone new from time to time, and if they show aptitude in a certain part of the process, have them apprentice with one of our older artisans who's been with us a long time." Says Martin of the team. "But most of us have been here for decades." </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">And P.E. Guerin, like many of the artisans we've spoken with, bring the process of design development and active collaboration to the table as they engage their designers, architects and homeowners in creating the perfect hardware for each and every project. But beyond being simply beautiful, nice 'things' used to decorate a space, they are both high-quality, functional assets, as much as they are a joy to look at, with products ranging from bathroom fittings and fixtures, to custom furniture and furniture hardware. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And it's no wonder all of the products that come out of Guerin are meticulous and perfected, they are handled with care by highly trained, master craftspeople who are in fluid communication with one another (and have been for some time).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_vo3oj-LPdqTi_o-v6BwGQ5mAF2pErrtvHY9SvQmnHO5CgBbh4YxC-_jZ52c_oZJ0YqhasQoowA5xQ9697_OCvu3-bGl8u7tD9VcnOwh4xgtW1aQgCeCG3m7jByeMoSNTMdYtrtqATw/s1600/historic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_vo3oj-LPdqTi_o-v6BwGQ5mAF2pErrtvHY9SvQmnHO5CgBbh4YxC-_jZ52c_oZJ0YqhasQoowA5xQ9697_OCvu3-bGl8u7tD9VcnOwh4xgtW1aQgCeCG3m7jByeMoSNTMdYtrtqATw/s400/historic.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo of the <a href="http://peguerin.com/about_us.php" target="_blank">original P.E. Guerin team</a> in front of their [still current] home in<br />
New York City's West Village. A copy of which still as it hangs in their office.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The four-floor building that houses each painstaking, hand-made step of P.E. Guerin's manufacturing and finishing process in New York City's quaint West Village, is also home to their headquarters <i>and </i>a majority of the company's history, having been their prime location since 1892. As you trot up the old wooden stairs you can almost imagine it as it was in decades past. Every nook and cranny of each floor has been carved out to create even the smallest station to customize their work. You can see exactly what this looks like when you take a tour at the famed foundry on Jane street [by appointment only], where clients, prospective clients, students and museum staff alike can call to try and arrange a tour of the shop / studio just for something of a peek into not only a rarely seen world of craftsmanship, but also a look back through time.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-u7TfuxvxAOdZFWdwiKGXONid1GynpGAcBHfII0WXshVWKhBiO_yn_Zk-emwqUhH-u4a9_nPP7vOpuK3jMYRfMqT0q1za04GLLfYWqAezolv-X6D38-P-ncIh3oc1ROPhWmKpRdLMuVA/s1600/hippo+pour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-u7TfuxvxAOdZFWdwiKGXONid1GynpGAcBHfII0WXshVWKhBiO_yn_Zk-emwqUhH-u4a9_nPP7vOpuK3jMYRfMqT0q1za04GLLfYWqAezolv-X6D38-P-ncIh3oc1ROPhWmKpRdLMuVA/s400/hippo+pour.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This custom Hippo faucetry goes from modeled mock up to priceless perfection.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had the privilege of having Martin himself give us a tour of the facilities and the process from it's beginning stages all the way back down to the showroom. We couldn't possibly recapitulate all of the details accurately here (there are so many), but a few of our favorite moments certainly include seeing a live bronze pour, during which bronze that is heated to just below 2,000 degrees is poured into their meticulous moulds and cast into what will become someone's immaculate faucetry. The details the cast naturally emerges with are remarkable, and this is even before any of the other fine tuning to come. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXfafCSHYs_if2OkMt1rM9ciHAYc8w05pHDNR3WPHodSYxITJTMef3nIdlzYseqGi2wmmFkPndo0Iy59sY1jO_iYZRnR3SFxQB1irmEL5a-zgDIydKZRUSwwDgoNxKUAd72gU-qWYyMo/s1600/Screen-Shot-2013-02-15-at-1.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXfafCSHYs_if2OkMt1rM9ciHAYc8w05pHDNR3WPHodSYxITJTMef3nIdlzYseqGi2wmmFkPndo0Iy59sY1jO_iYZRnR3SFxQB1irmEL5a-zgDIydKZRUSwwDgoNxKUAd72gU-qWYyMo/s640/Screen-Shot-2013-02-15-at-1.07.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Guerin Artisan Chases a custom doorknob in their New York Studio.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_pRPjz5_XrgctUi2_grOeNduOwGsso7i7PWFUool2Yg7onx2_Z6GwkyCtYrYKp6_GbHamFm4tiBSDvg7DcnzHyFCJLB8PVidUgoy-CHVkOsoOY9mOlSpZbL0Uhb_aQ6Lb44pR06vq6c/s1600/Jacqueline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_pRPjz5_XrgctUi2_grOeNduOwGsso7i7PWFUool2Yg7onx2_Z6GwkyCtYrYKp6_GbHamFm4tiBSDvg7DcnzHyFCJLB8PVidUgoy-CHVkOsoOY9mOlSpZbL0Uhb_aQ6Lb44pR06vq6c/s640/Jacqueline.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacqueline, one of Guerin's long time Master Artisans hammers away at a clients custom monogram detailed doorknobs.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which brings us to our next favorite part of the tour- The Chasing. On the second floor of Guerin's long time home is a room of expert chasers- those who sit and hammer out the details (literally) of every last piece of hardware. Using any number of tools with any number of fine tips (imagine steel the shape of a pencil, and in place of a single point at the end, would be any number of small dots, lines, textures or patterns). Hammering these tips onto the flat surfaces and crevices of each product, a new piece of hardware is given remarkable detail and character. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3oJFnSz-n1a4ybFvbvlcL_zQzywIRV99fAb1NlplMLpulqCDB5hnd9rkjYZpSSYXDMe7e3VVcdrQy-1fvQK56r8qD32CSLvuEWjiTeG1VaFflmsyFOFCie6rF1cwBBOI74JuLtEGmns/s1600/012513120703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3oJFnSz-n1a4ybFvbvlcL_zQzywIRV99fAb1NlplMLpulqCDB5hnd9rkjYZpSSYXDMe7e3VVcdrQy-1fvQK56r8qD32CSLvuEWjiTeG1VaFflmsyFOFCie6rF1cwBBOI74JuLtEGmns/s400/012513120703.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of Guerin's incredible history is sure to be tucked away in their archive.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These details are a result of P.E. Guerin's in-depth design development process, wherein mock-ups of finalized drawings are [often] first carved in wood to be sure scaling, measurements and details are all accurate and approved. If something looks like it could use a shift in design or detailing, Guerin could probably refer any designer to their archive of each and every detail they've cataloged or saved in their library (also something of a treasure to see). They keep some of their stock of wooden mock-ups and some of their precedent and research literature in the archive as well.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fCeyKz07RbotEDI4RBBCaxnV-4GFkxwNyfMQN9DCxvoN1zqeN201OCuDfnVFJWbvnmZxR3VrLA2VoDXCySo9yp2n-eC6nJkvMXOo9_ZncD0oJ-eTPh8ibc16_SezapQ8X-GrnU0JpYY/s1600/012513122132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fCeyKz07RbotEDI4RBBCaxnV-4GFkxwNyfMQN9DCxvoN1zqeN201OCuDfnVFJWbvnmZxR3VrLA2VoDXCySo9yp2n-eC6nJkvMXOo9_ZncD0oJ-eTPh8ibc16_SezapQ8X-GrnU0JpYY/s320/012513122132.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Each product may be of a different material, but can also be finished in a myriad of materials and styles. From buffing, polishing or brushing anything from bronze, nickel or pewter, P.E. Guerin informs on the best products for specific use as well as recommended maintenance and care (which is often <a href="http://peguerin.com/finishes_landing.php" target="_blank">quite simple</a>). Each of these distinct differences and are part of a selection process that will still ensure a long lasting product, it's more about an educational component to the program, rather than a blind selection and purchase. And in line with the educational moment in P.E. Guerin's tour, Martin also always likes to laugh and quiz any visitors he may have, asking: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Do you know what the main difference between brass and bronze is?" Sometimes there are good guesses, but few know the answer: "Brass has more than 12% Zinc, Bronze has less than 12%..." Martin smiles.</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bh6X8D5tTCO4LNBYfjinODsYVshbnDZvesiCA5BkKzMHd4b7V53tbYTImb4dZb615L_kwfjn7oqhFz_zpPboQfqIHLfHJSprYMSLoZAKefSfI4UVP3sKBTSSJsDYvl1Pgz6LqiiHEZc/s1600/LouisXIV+Doornob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bh6X8D5tTCO4LNBYfjinODsYVshbnDZvesiCA5BkKzMHd4b7V53tbYTImb4dZb615L_kwfjn7oqhFz_zpPboQfqIHLfHJSprYMSLoZAKefSfI4UVP3sKBTSSJsDYvl1Pgz6LqiiHEZc/s400/LouisXIV+Doornob.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A <a href="http://peguerin.com/products.php?product_id=1060&category=Keyplates&section=all&sortby=collection" target="_blank">Louis XIV Doorknob</a> with incredible detail.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Martin notes that while they are both Copper compounds, most people will refer to a product or material as Bronze because it sounds 'sexier' or more expensive, and they can charge more for it. Sure, you may note it's likely a yellower tone could indicate Brass and Bronze tends to be a bit redder, but this isn't always the case. For Martin, and P.E. Guerin, it's more about knowing exactly what you're using and how you want to use it, this will actually enhance the value and afford proper care instructions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Having gotten to know so much more about the process of creating something magnificent that lasts, and also how open so many of these artisans and custom ornamental professionals are to informing their customers, it is a breath of fresh air to know we can get on board and learn as much or little as we like at any time. After all, investments take research, interest and a desire to learn (or even simply, to know what it is we're paying for, and why it may be a good or bad idea). And again, if we're seriously thinking about investing in our homes, what better place to start than with some of the details that top off and complete each space and will make them our own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But beyond all the wonderful new insights we've learned and the incredible work we've viewed by Guerin's artisans, if there's one thing Martin Grubman would like to leave us with it is also the reminder: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"We do everything- Modern, Transitional, every period imaginable, Deco, Nouveau, (after all we did live through that period)... We don't soley specialize in 18th Century ornamentation." Martin speaks of the process, the stock and the custom abilities, "Some people don't realize how tactile it all is, what a treat it is to look at everyday when it's all said and done."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">We can't argue with that. When we purchase our first property, we know exactly who to call for the hardware. We think it's well worth saving for.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsu1BaXZkxKktS5O0YRFlRv6bshHGLU51eXuhZMdCw3IrxVt9Jfl-l8gEW2snnUe1KjHCQDb-NcUqb7kdz3WkGROuTG_PUAFGxbvVV1ICnKj-EoI-ydl9yM59S0sbvK9VLQcyDFT6gMI/s1600/11201_pewter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsu1BaXZkxKktS5O0YRFlRv6bshHGLU51eXuhZMdCw3IrxVt9Jfl-l8gEW2snnUe1KjHCQDb-NcUqb7kdz3WkGROuTG_PUAFGxbvVV1ICnKj-EoI-ydl9yM59S0sbvK9VLQcyDFT6gMI/s640/11201_pewter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A whimsical bathroom will get this Swan Basin set in Pewter and Gold.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTT0fL8EHUgtTRWzh6LH4qaoHizKjikB4MFNOiqZ173rAnGBJc9BHokVo_Cos28kN-TjjpznJizNOzGBe-N_mZWCqmuj9i3-F8FmUhRV_quuLubn43ZFOHnfIxIPnOt3K4s4jXIUzgh8/s1600/11600_pewter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTT0fL8EHUgtTRWzh6LH4qaoHizKjikB4MFNOiqZ173rAnGBJc9BHokVo_Cos28kN-TjjpznJizNOzGBe-N_mZWCqmuj9i3-F8FmUhRV_quuLubn43ZFOHnfIxIPnOt3K4s4jXIUzgh8/s640/11600_pewter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fantastic marine and nature inspired basin set from Guerin's recent "Whimsy" collection. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNuTcqPve369Br3fIqxcoTtYSmK08pOyaJkmfJopG1_o_b7UeH-9noQ-3deoSlrbpyl9HmJZ15hA4LmKokgQRNMwnqBsk_XOVKyimbjMnOb6VD5TMhmBHI20ALiaObRBhqXGk2QjOUco/s1600/StepDecoHighlight_notext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNuTcqPve369Br3fIqxcoTtYSmK08pOyaJkmfJopG1_o_b7UeH-9noQ-3deoSlrbpyl9HmJZ15hA4LmKokgQRNMwnqBsk_XOVKyimbjMnOb6VD5TMhmBHI20ALiaObRBhqXGk2QjOUco/s640/StepDecoHighlight_notext.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fantastic stepped set of Art Deco inspired hardware.</td></tr>
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Martin Grubman still works and thrives at P.E. Guerin and can be contacted at their Jane Street offices for an appointment. P.E. Guerin has been seen and written on in a number of publications, including recent articles in <i><a href="http://peguerin.com/images/Veranda_PEG.jpg" target="_blank">Veranda</a></i>, <i><a href="http://peguerin.com/images/Hyland_PEGuerin.pdf" target="_blank">Hyland</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/antiques_collecting/artisan/artisan-handcrafted-hardware_ss1.html" target="_blank">Traditional Home</a></i>, and many more. To learn more about them, you can visit their website at <a href="http://www.peguerin.com/">www.peguerin.com</a>.Alanna Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578720302011169313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476761650415415197.post-1654729888857178352013-01-31T21:21:00.000-08:002013-03-04T11:10:41.356-08:00No.8 SPECIAL GUEST: Architectural Designer & Author of The Art of Classical Details Phillip Dodd Shares on Artisans, Art & Architecture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKT8SDYMrdmEa44j46YFWRIuyuCtD3zgpIpj58h8SS7LkjUF4beovcK-LRI7MbWdDMoSke_UAhtS4cUNsWuVtXoW0-OhxLFznRDk1Xldc0rFNvAJZO2HoikuS_0Sa2l15oJ9FBzjrxLM/s1600/pjdportraitsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKT8SDYMrdmEa44j46YFWRIuyuCtD3zgpIpj58h8SS7LkjUF4beovcK-LRI7MbWdDMoSke_UAhtS4cUNsWuVtXoW0-OhxLFznRDk1Xldc0rFNvAJZO2HoikuS_0Sa2l15oJ9FBzjrxLM/s400/pjdportraitsm.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Portrait By: Peter Olsen</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Who</strong>: Phillip J. Dodd</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What</strong>: Architectural Designer & Author of Upcoming Knockout Publication</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><a href="http://theartofclassicaldetails.com/" target="_blank">The Art of Classical Details</a></strong></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><a href="http://theartofclassicaldetails.com/" target="_blank">Theory, Design And Craftsmanship</a></strong></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>When</strong>: The book is due out March, 2013</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Where</strong>: A Native to Manchester, England he now lives and works in Connecticut</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We tend to fancy every guest we feature here at <em>Artisanal Specs.</em> quite special indeed. Alas, keeping with our promised sub-series of 'Special Guests', we are honored to share our first very special guest interview and book review with none other than the renowned architectural designer, artist, historian, writer, educator and expert on classical design: Phillip J. Dodd, author of upcoming knockout publication <em><a href="http://theartofclassicaldetails.com/" target="_blank">The Art of Classical Details: Theory, Design And Craftsmanship</a></em>. Aside from giving us a tour behind the scenes of <em>The Art of Classical Details</em>, Phillip also gives us a thoughtful and incisive look into his minds eye. With a passionate take on architecture and a healthy dose of that warm British humor, Phillip shows us how integral it just might be to maintain a well-rounded and all-inclusive discussion of what goes into creating contemporary classical architecture. </span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4kk4OmUyv0JS4DzdEfoHvoDb1PmH5p7I-gA_z8ERkjhGKoETjxBqlirhb5DWyuPaPgW4iUDFpf9Dr9qWIM5LCpA0MROSwfXBUO1ysPP2lrr_gqyneoML4eg_6tmQqSFlF0E8Eh1cOqI/s1600/artofclassical+details.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4kk4OmUyv0JS4DzdEfoHvoDb1PmH5p7I-gA_z8ERkjhGKoETjxBqlirhb5DWyuPaPgW4iUDFpf9Dr9qWIM5LCpA0MROSwfXBUO1ysPP2lrr_gqyneoML4eg_6tmQqSFlF0E8Eh1cOqI/s400/artofclassical+details.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">In keeping with <em>Artisanal Specs.'</em> love for and focus on the artisans, trades and specialty craftspeople that work thoroughly alongside architects, designers and builders to bring design to life, there is good reason we were so excited to cover <em>The Art of Classical Details</em>. Unlike many of the other wonderful books out on design, from the perspective of architecture, Phillip has worked with tender and extensive care to curate a publication that tells the story of contemporary classical architecture and design from the in-depth and multifaceted viewpoints of architects, designers, artists (himself), scholars <em>and artisans and craftspeople</em>; an opportune and rich perspective we do not often get to hear. With his own craftsman-like precision, Phillip has carved out a space to facilitate a discourse on design from an elevated and uniquely all- inclusive point of view. He brings to the table a pallet of voices that paint a larger picture of how and why it is worth carrying out the principles and practices of classical architecture in the modern world. Before we totally dive into our talk with Phillip, here's a shortlist of some of the incredible talents and minds you can expect to hear from in this book: David Easton, Henry Hope Reed, Quinlan Terry, Ken Tate, Dinyar Wadia, Richard Carbino, Foster Reeve, Peter Pennoyer, Richard Cameron, Mark Ferguson, Oscar Shamamian, Jeremy Musson, Alain Oliver, Robert Adam, Paul Chesney, Julian Bicknell, Anne Fairfax, Richard Sammons and <a href="http://theartofclassicaldetails.com/participants.php" target="_blank">so many, many more</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you may have gathered by now, we love to begin by asking our features why they do what they do and what their journey has been in the field. So when we sat down to talk with Phillip we knew we liked him already when he replied to our 'So Phillip, why architecture?' with:</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"I saw <em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Towering_Inferno" target="_blank">The Towering Inferno</a></em> as a kid and wanted to be Paul Newman." Pause. We both laugh. "I love drawing. Since grade school technical drawing was my best subject..." Phillip shifts to sincerity.</blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwkT2j28JQDpsuIorrKji3yz0lzXNrxbS4r-CiAPWYhY4m-g517d2mKlwnLJBlAO4vEfTVdowCLsEqR9_QDpm2PNrybzwI8DYXteycNsiHFsIn1G9pmaNW3d2c3KeXWWL7swfGathYXk/s1600/Page188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwkT2j28JQDpsuIorrKji3yz0lzXNrxbS4r-CiAPWYhY4m-g517d2mKlwnLJBlAO4vEfTVdowCLsEqR9_QDpm2PNrybzwI8DYXteycNsiHFsIn1G9pmaNW3d2c3KeXWWL7swfGathYXk/s400/Page188.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Drumlin Hall, Dutchess County, NY, <em><a href="http://www.ppapc.com/" target="_blank">Peter Pennoyer</a></em><br />
<em><a href="http://www.ppapc.com/" target="_blank">Architects</a></em>" Pg 188, as seen in TAoCD<em>, The Projects</em>.</td></tr>
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And therein lay the start: drawing. <em>The Art of Classical Details</em> came to fruition at the hands of someone who began with the arts and was drawn to the space architecture created where both art and mechanics, the creative and the logical minds, were coming together.<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Architecture is a funny subject. It's both artistic, but it's also technical. There's a rigor to it. You have to be very mathematic, to be able to have that kind of mindset- but you also have to be artistic and able to draw..." </blockquote>
Phillip, who hails from Manchester, England, where he attended both the Manchester School of Architecture as well as studying architecture at the renowned Prince of Wales Institute of Architecture in London (and that's just before he came to the States, where he would gain his Master's in architecture from The University of Notre Dame), has spent quite a bit of time studying architecture. If there's one thing he has grown passionate about it is the necessity to have a well rounded understanding of both the fine arts and mathematical/ analytical, to be able to comprehensively create accurate and good architecture. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUQNWOa_svw0WDVT0IsU9exZkdJ-65d_KkgGqEouCHdshL3pVTr7_MpPKELd4Wyou-M4dES9sL5J_YL7AqEN5p5ql9Yoe2gYeVpMpVl9RGn85w_0EKDkUgipmGkFePJPL1_DLy2KcFRk/s1600/Page10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUQNWOa_svw0WDVT0IsU9exZkdJ-65d_KkgGqEouCHdshL3pVTr7_MpPKELd4Wyou-M4dES9sL5J_YL7AqEN5p5ql9Yoe2gYeVpMpVl9RGn85w_0EKDkUgipmGkFePJPL1_DLy2KcFRk/s400/Page10.jpg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fluted Doric column with modillion block entableture by <br />
<em><a href="http://www.jbmarchitect.com/#/home" target="_blank">John B. Murray Architect</a></em>, Pg 10 as seen in TAoCD.</td></tr>
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Aside from the experience Phillip got in school, especially the Prince of Wales Institute, after being convinced by a friend to travel to the U.S. and just try working here for a while, he got his dose of training at the hands of <a href="http://fairfaxandsammons.com/" target="_blank">Fairfax and Sammons</a> co-founder, Richard Sammons. Back when the firm was going by Richard Franklin Sammons Architect, and there were only 5 people in the office, Phillip received dedicated and insightful instruction from Richard each day- an experience well worth the stay. As the firm grew and the tides shifted, Phillip found his way to Connecticut where he joined Dinyar Wadia's renowned team of designers and builders (where he continues to work) at <a href="http://www.wadiaassociates.com/#/home" target="_blank">Wadia Associates</a>. After his many, many years of study and exercise, Phillip found Dinyar was glad to let him unleash his talents and practice architecture as he knew it. <br />
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"Richard [Sammons] taught me, and Dinyar [Wadia] allows me to practice what I've learned..." Phillip reflects.</blockquote>
What Phillip wound up receiving in his journey, turned out to be something of a rare, modern day apprenticeship in architectural design, an experience that may be leaning toward rarity. Which is not to say, however, that merely having the experience of working with top architects and designers themselves doesn't also offer it's own education. Phillip likes to give nod to this by noting that the realm of designers in each generation come from something of an organic family tree in design, offering an innate 'trickle down of character', each with it's own inheritance of knowledge and then offshoot of new creativity (just have a look at those who've spun from the offices of Parish Hadley or Robert A.M. Stern and how those experiences and teachings of hands on work has informed their disciples...).<br />
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Today, with so many leading schools focusing on the use of the computer to design spaces, it has become easy to stray from the importance of spacial interpretation and the focus drawing inherently facilitates, taking away from a building's ability to be a relatable space to the people who use it. (We understand this debate, as per which is more influential, people>buildings, buildings>people, can be controversial, but let us hear out this side for now).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bespoke fireplace designed by Allan Greenberg, as seen in TAoCD</td></tr>
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"I think today, with all the use of computers for design, you have people who would have at one time gone into engineering or computer programming, instead going into architecture. But in architecture you really have to have a combination of lots of both artistic and analytical..." Phillip notes. "When I went to architecture school in England we didn't have computers, you had to take with you a portfolio of your artwork, to show them that you could draw. That was most important for admission into architecture school."</blockquote>
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When posed with the question as to whether or not he might consider himself an artist as well as an architectural designer, or if he thought architecture itself to be an art form, Phillip recalls poignantly that during his time at the Prince of Wales Institute one of the widely elected studies that was imperative in the coursework was a life drawing seminar, where the students would sit and draw nudes- twice a week, mandatory. An answer to these questions could simply be yes, but it's not so simple (as the arts never are), and Phillip won't let it go at that, as architecture is multifaceted, and never one-sided. He notes that part of the importance of continuing to develop and nourish those skills cultivated in drawing nudes, is the necessity to understand the human form, in all its "ergonomics" and proportions. </div>
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"<span style="font-family: "GaramondPremrPro","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Apprentices at <a href="http://www.symm.co.uk/" target="_blank">SYMM</a> ’s workshop are trained in the traditional </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "GaramondPremrPro","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">skills of specialist joinery</span><span style="font-family: "GaramondPremrPro","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> and </span><span style="font-family: "GaramondPremrPro","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">cabinetry, finish carpentry, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "GaramondPremrPro","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">painting, </span><span style="font-family: "GaramondPremrPro","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">decorating and polishing." Pg 19, as seen in TAoCD</span></div>
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"Buildings are spaces people live and work in, if you don't understand people, how can you have a building that works?" Phillip asks. "A building isn't just a series of details, some of those details have to evolve as you grow to understand what you're creating, the various hierarchies and proportions..." <br />
<br />
A good point. It isn't about producing a series of pretty drawings to then move forward and capitulate into a building, so much as studying potential and then fusing that with a wide range of data, geometry, analysis and technical details. Phillip notes that while yes, architecture is an art form, perhaps architects are more like artisans than artists, in that they maintain that fusion between the two minds to create the real and true finished product that tells a story. <br />
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Phillip notes that while he prefers the voice of classicism, it isn't because modern architecture inherently 'isn't' or 'can't be' good, so much as that there may be (or often tends to be) an underlying dissociation between the study of the human experience and form and a building. He notes it is not just about shape or size, but also material, texture, color...all the things that go into shaping a space. Classicism is more about traditions than merely about history, as Phillip likes to emphasize. For him, an ideal experience in designing a house is not about recreating some historical precedent merely to have it spat out of time in a new location; it is about the process of listening and learning and applying traditions of architecture to a customized design. <br />
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"I'm not a big fan of telling people what to do, or how to live their lives. I don't like it. I think people inherently know what they want." Phillip notes. "...There's a big difference between liking something and appreciating it."
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6pHeQTQ_bYbcJTEyt7vSWPolHqIz5zE3qOWFHZDbNxur9YZNOZdX0bOdG2u0QtXNegP17w1qRLfjyGsczgRJhgq1Qo229IeK60CwVdbv8jaBpLtYJUKx0hrajatL9d08DcF-vCniG7E/s1600/Page24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6pHeQTQ_bYbcJTEyt7vSWPolHqIz5zE3qOWFHZDbNxur9YZNOZdX0bOdG2u0QtXNegP17w1qRLfjyGsczgRJhgq1Qo229IeK60CwVdbv8jaBpLtYJUKx0hrajatL9d08DcF-vCniG7E/s200/Page24.jpg" width="150" /></a>He goes on to discuss how if you listen carefully to people, they design their homes for you. It shouldn't be a mystery where the rooms are from the outside of a building, and each room should sensically speak to the home-owners life and lifestyle, desires, wants and aesthetic expression. Traditions, he believes, are not to be thrown out, but upheld and learned from along with the new; and in creating <em>The Art of Classical Details</em>, Phillip has gone to great lengths to show a wide range of how Classicism can be applied and utilized to continue to foster innovation. Classicism should perhaps (and certainly could) serve as something of a tool-set for achieving the best outcome.</div>
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"There's no work in the [book] that I don't like. Each project featured is a great design- whether it is my cup of tea or not, I cannot sensor based on my own aesthetic tastes... but I <em>appreciate</em> all of it. And that's why it's in the book."</blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julian Bicknell stuns with "Henbury Hall, Cheshire, England, <em><a href="http://www.julianbicknell.co.uk/" target="_blank">Julian Bicknell & Associates</a></em>" as seen in TAoCD, <em>The Projects</em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Phillip's own training and insights into creating classical architecture today keenly informs</span><span style="font-size: large;"> his decision to include essays by artisans themselves within this book. Often one may think of an apprenticeship as a one-on-one training and transferring of knowledge and skills from a 'master' craftsperson, usually with a building material, to another; but as Phillip received something of this kind of training himself in architecture (and art), he understands that the artisans and craftspeople are just as integral in design as the architect. Which may be why there was not a question or moments pause to his desire and feeling that their voices were just as necessary in the chorus to having <em>The Art of Classical Details</em>' ring true in a proper ode to classicism today. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Fluted pilasters with delicately detailed Corinthian <br />
capitals <em><a href="http://www.ppapc.com/" target="_blank">Peter Pennoyer Architects</a></em>," as seen in TAoCD</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Phillip notes that the reason artisans are so important (just as much today as any other time prior in history) is that they embody the complete fusion of building and art in what they do. Each craft with its own specialized background and palate of materials, provides a highly trained understanding of the smallest of details. Only a true artisan understands the direction, shape and size a single leaf should have in a rinceau as well as the depth, shadow and proportion any one section of ornament with all its parts so that it upholds the utmost artistic integrity but also maintains balance and perspective within architecture. A true artisan has a sixth sense for the process of taking a design from an artistic rendering phase to a sketch with thoroughly plotted out measurements (and their correct scales), and then the artistic mock-up, material selection and fine tuning of a single section of work (for any one single room). No small order indeed... worth looking deeper into, don't you think?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"You know I remember, there was a publisher when I was in school, Andreas </span><a href="http://news.papadakis.net/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Papadakis</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> I believe, yes he published Academy Editions, a series of small architectural monographs by some of the top classical architects around," Phillip recalls, "and you know, they were fantastic. That was in the early 90's... And I haven't seen anything like them since..."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Indeed, these <a href="http://news.papadakis.net/about/acad_arch/" target="_blank">Academy Editions</a> were a rare series of monographs that were wonderful and highly insightful, and at times a bit academic, but were mostly projects and not so much writing. Even these gems were missing the inclusion of the craftsperson. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "GaramondPremrPro","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"Outstanding craftsmanship means using traditional techniques, whether that be hand carving or </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "GaramondPremrPro","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">forging steel on a blacksmith’s anvil. These are labor intensive and highly skilled processes for</span></div>
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which there is no substitute. <em>Chesney’s"</em> Pg 246 as seen in TAoCD.<u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"No craftsmen were featured or anything like that. I don't think there's ever been a book actually where the craftsmen have wrote;" Phillip says, "it's always been scholars and architects who have written...but [in the book] I wanted there to be a lot of voices... I tried to fill in the gaps... It really is a great group- scholars, architects and artisans all mixed in. And artisans... artisans, who have never been asked to write anything before."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But Phillip has, and boy to they have some fantastic things to say. We're thrilled. It is a trail blazing effort to fuse the old with the new even in terms of a more traditional formula to creating a book on architecture. What makes the book special is not only the range of experience, perspective and talent in design that shares their expertise, but also the thoughtful lens through which each offers their own personal fondness for this effort and encouragement for the conversation to continue. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"You never see those close ups in books anymore," Phillip says about architectural detailing, "and we need to keep these crafts alive."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Between the countless years of design expertise and personal insight shared in this one of a kind homage to classicism, we believe that <em>The Art of Classical Details</em> may be proving to be an important tool for the new and future generations of designers, artisans, scholars and architecture aficionados alike. The book has just gone and created it's own history simply by providing a space for so many voices to come together and speak. (Who knows what this could mean to a student who didn't even know how a plaster mould was made or what it could be made into? Or if they wanted to find a better way than AutoCAD to approach a building?) </span><span style="font-size: large;">All this said, we will certainly be keeping tabs on Phillip as he moves on and continues to discuss architecture in all it's grandeur, but in the mean time, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Classical-Details-Craftsmanship/dp/1864702036" target="_blank">we'd start by just strongly recommending you grab yourself a copy</a>, have your own experience with this wonderfully thorough and incomparably beautiful publication, and find out more about what classical architecture in the modern world means to you.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ferne Park, Dorset, England, <em><a href="http://www.qftarchitects.com/" target="_blank">Quinlan & Francis Terry Architects</a></em>," Pg 198, as seen in <em>The Art of Classical Details.</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-jbYTit1qsWDL2yr77b-8AGLwq2SOiBEAvNXMa0mUK5NTYMYcS7XKFqzp_UbUcaNDIuBnnpcx32bFoxA7MfNearL2m-UpNL0_4Lt1pjmiTP8XEAJI7bLbtuW2FmdvM2c3ML84dVlDTg/s1600/Pages12&13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-jbYTit1qsWDL2yr77b-8AGLwq2SOiBEAvNXMa0mUK5NTYMYcS7XKFqzp_UbUcaNDIuBnnpcx32bFoxA7MfNearL2m-UpNL0_4Lt1pjmiTP8XEAJI7bLbtuW2FmdvM2c3ML84dVlDTg/s640/Pages12&13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The dining room is decorated with Gracie handpainted wallpaper that compliments the highly detailed door casings and ceiling crown.<em><a href="http://www.ericjsmitharchitect.com/" target="_blank"> Eric J. Smith Architect</a></em>." Pg 12&13 as seen in <em>The Art of Classical Details</em>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4kk4OmUyv0JS4DzdEfoHvoDb1PmH5p7I-gA_z8ERkjhGKoETjxBqlirhb5DWyuPaPgW4iUDFpf9Dr9qWIM5LCpA0MROSwfXBUO1ysPP2lrr_gqyneoML4eg_6tmQqSFlF0E8Eh1cOqI/s1600/artofclassical+details.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4kk4OmUyv0JS4DzdEfoHvoDb1PmH5p7I-gA_z8ERkjhGKoETjxBqlirhb5DWyuPaPgW4iUDFpf9Dr9qWIM5LCpA0MROSwfXBUO1ysPP2lrr_gqyneoML4eg_6tmQqSFlF0E8Eh1cOqI/s640/artofclassical+details.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And again we say, congratulations Phillip J. Dodd and <em><a href="http://theartofclassicaldetails.com/" target="_blank">The Art of Classical Details: Theory, Design and Craftsmanship</a></em>, on a job very well done!</td></tr>
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Phillip J. Dodd is a Senior Architectural Designer and Marketing Director at <a href="http://www.wadiaassociates.com/#/home" target="_blank">Wadia Associates</a> in New Canaan, CT. He is also the author of <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wadia-Associates-New-Classicists-Architecture/dp/1864702338/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1362106188&sr=1-1&keywords=new+classicists+wadia+associates" target="_blank">New Classicists: Wadia Associates</a></em>, which features a foreward by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales and Introduction by Paul Gunther, President of the ICAA. You can read much more about him and his work <a href="http://theartofclassicaldetails.com/author.php" target="_blank">here</a>. A list of book signings, lectures and <a href="http://theartofclassicaldetails.com/press.php" target="_blank">events</a> will be posted within the month, and the books official release date is March 16, 2013. You can also connect with Phillip and The Art of Classical Details on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheArtofClassicalDetails" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</div>
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Alanna Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578720302011169313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476761650415415197.post-82916256517010404052012-12-31T15:18:00.001-08:002013-01-21T15:27:38.082-08:00No.7 Artisan of the New School- How Ben Rosner of E Home Wants to Simplify Your Life and Revolutionize Your Home<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkLgvPq9Jqi-KDc4C1bdZaA9l0MPHoQScwyLnJpaMLa-gdhtjw1DD5FI-IxOHt__kaK41dpTbuHj0v2jVMyMomlSaQZ0Z4xmvGob9efTqgK8qsuFhR7C8lVSMRCVX7bras3TBe68e3DY/s1600/Ben+Rosner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkLgvPq9Jqi-KDc4C1bdZaA9l0MPHoQScwyLnJpaMLa-gdhtjw1DD5FI-IxOHt__kaK41dpTbuHj0v2jVMyMomlSaQZ0Z4xmvGob9efTqgK8qsuFhR7C8lVSMRCVX7bras3TBe68e3DY/s320/Ben+Rosner.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Who</strong>: Ben Rosner</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What</strong>: E Home - Home Technology Consulting</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>When</strong>: Since 1996</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Where</strong>: New York City </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and Wherever His Clients Need Him</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ben Rosner has seen a thing or two in his day- and at the end of it, has decided there is truly no better tool to simplify life than technology. And thank goodness he has, both his firm <a href="http://www.e-home.com/" target="_blank">E Home</a> and later creation <a href="http://www.esommelier.com/" target="_blank">E Sommelier</a>, have revolutionized the way we can utilize technology to simplify and organize our lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">An artisan, or artist, whose masterly command of a specific craft can be used both as a mechanism of aesthetic improvement and self expression. Here at <em>Artisanal Specs.</em> we look at the myriad of hidden, long standing and age-old crafts in the building arts that go into creating so many details in architecture and design today. Many of these can be traced back decades and centuries, to countries all over the world, for their inception and blossoming as an art form. However, today, in 2012, one of the newest of these crafts and mediums in design is technology itself. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrgL7u4CPeoT-YpN6_u2Bzau9oqG7xNO3BheqSuwxp4hegkHj0gVO7IsMIcgoMlyC8rsjzo0iVxsHEzew5fw2GB5qOMfhK8x649xc1buV_aTd2viq4PVAj_qg_47ILBHGaueB_4bZPYI/s1600/293465_193777340696372_1540154201_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrgL7u4CPeoT-YpN6_u2Bzau9oqG7xNO3BheqSuwxp4hegkHj0gVO7IsMIcgoMlyC8rsjzo0iVxsHEzew5fw2GB5qOMfhK8x649xc1buV_aTd2viq4PVAj_qg_47ILBHGaueB_4bZPYI/s320/293465_193777340696372_1540154201_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both Ben Rosner and E Home's moto</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Surely the evolution of fireplaces, chandeliers, candelabras and torch-like wall sconces saw a massive shift from necessity to aesthetics when electricity was invented and then further instated into buildings and homes. And as with any evolution, technology's running start hasn't slowed much since then; think about it- the radio, the telephone, the television, records, cassette tapes, compact disks, the internet, mp3's, cell phones, iPods, iPads, smart phones... (this is hardly a comprehensive list that could do justice to technology's massive growth in the 20th Century, but food for thought nonetheless.) </span><span style="font-size: large;">So naturally, the ways we are able to design buildings also evolved, to include newer and newer technology. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And for Ben Rosner, this was an exhilarating evolution, and one he grabbed hold of and passionately pursued and advocated for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ben Rosner was always curious as a boy, but nothing was as magic and fascinating as what his dad did. Ben's father, Alex Rosner of <a href="http://www.rosnercustomsound.com/about.html" target="_blank">Rosner Custom Sound, Inc</a>., was also curious. In the 1950's Alex Rosner's hobby of playing around with technology developed into more and more of a passion and one which he began to market into a small part time business from his home. He may not have known it at the time, but all the ways in which he was looking at technology and how it could be fit into homes and buildings was actually what began his role as the forefather of custom home entertainment systems. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I remember when I was little he had started selling his products and services out of the basement," Ben recalls of his father, "and I would always sneak to the stairs to watch him work. He even invented a button in the wall to turn on music- it was amazing."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ben recalls watching his father do many things with technology which today are a 'norm' in high-end design abilities for homes, but were then revolutionary, like building speakers into walls rather than have them sit around the room. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjx5jDUDm6l33JEdNPeTRh381pfA6uoLqfL-J5RyqYaIW5YzXBg-WWqhaHMTapd7f4CgJG_Z_GII3hm642wzG9cLXX1hLpgb2c0jn8362pFgWUWgKbyXOThOAYfQ0jAnOaFWwdfdE49Ic/s1600/224965_326993247374780_2137186481_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjx5jDUDm6l33JEdNPeTRh381pfA6uoLqfL-J5RyqYaIW5YzXBg-WWqhaHMTapd7f4CgJG_Z_GII3hm642wzG9cLXX1hLpgb2c0jn8362pFgWUWgKbyXOThOAYfQ0jAnOaFWwdfdE49Ic/s640/224965_326993247374780_2137186481_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleek and masculine, this New York City Penthouse may appear simple in terms of technology. You might never know E Home fully facilitated engineering of invisible technology throughout the whole home (lighting, speakers, temperature control, security cameras, television, audio and video systems) that was interwoven into the design process; and all controllable via iPad nonetheless.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ben couldn't get enough of it. So it was no surprise that later on throughout his teen years he would work for his father's company (which quickly turned into a full time venture) on his spare time. Along with constantly absorbing the miraculous ways technology could be created and utilized, Ben also picked up his strong work ethic and became a natural addition to the team. As his father's work and inventions (such as the Tweeter Array High Frequency sound system) continued to grow his services were more and more coveted- everyone wanted to see the newest technology in their home, and people loved the elaborate sound systems. And as time progressed, into the 1970's something new happened- The Age of Disco. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fobtDs5IxaSdNBTxDKoglxfk-fSM5U1pND86faVQZidmbAvtEsNunk4UDH_wQSYOCqTgyotS6PmvXEZDX60g_d80PT0e0SGbN9vmdN2cA3G_FFsRJ8FiDLEvSg4u2CuEPDkPwAkjn5U/s1600/discoball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fobtDs5IxaSdNBTxDKoglxfk-fSM5U1pND86faVQZidmbAvtEsNunk4UDH_wQSYOCqTgyotS6PmvXEZDX60g_d80PT0e0SGbN9vmdN2cA3G_FFsRJ8FiDLEvSg4u2CuEPDkPwAkjn5U/s200/discoball.jpg" width="193" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Suddenly people needed sound systems for nightclubs like never before. The Disco Era was in full swing and Alex Rosner found his services and abilities in high demand, thus deciding to branch out from the residential realm and into the public sphere working with night clubs and commercial venues to enhance their sound abilities. And naturally, as was Alex's habit, the more he saw and the more experience he gained, he began inventing more new technology and audio based products for these clubs along the way, putting him in even higher demand than ever, quickly making him The Authority on entertainment systems for Disco's. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"It was an exciting time." Ben reflects,"I'd worked for him part time on vacations when I was in high school and college and then full time after and really got to see the growth, it was amazing."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Amazing indeed, throughout the part time and full time work Ben did with his father's company he got to travel the world creating and installing all kinds of sound and technology systems. As disco had caught on all around the world so had nightclubs (or discotheques, if you will) and the need for Rosner Custom Sound's services. From Mexico to Singapore to Antigua and even a secret disco in Saudi Arabia, Ben was on the road regularly seeing sound and technology evolve all over the world. By 1984, after graduating from Columbia University with a Bachelor's in Computer Science (just at the jumping off point of the 'personal computing revolution', no less), Ben was working for his father full time and traveling regularly. Residential projects would still pop up here and there but the majority of their work was in commercial/ social venues. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-i5Di_CFTrKjM2FSR0MkMveIxt2AVLG3_7yp3DlYYinu0GY_aI4KwZsGQMMwukXeWoql0UAbxMd94aHXZx67-KMooBfEsILH91Up-EQf5hyphenhyphenM8irTEe8QGby18wHw5WgD2l_1Yp2VsRHE/s1600/Gymnasium-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-i5Di_CFTrKjM2FSR0MkMveIxt2AVLG3_7yp3DlYYinu0GY_aI4KwZsGQMMwukXeWoql0UAbxMd94aHXZx67-KMooBfEsILH91Up-EQf5hyphenhyphenM8irTEe8QGby18wHw5WgD2l_1Yp2VsRHE/s400/Gymnasium-.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E Home worked to improve sound and technology in this gymnasium turned lounge</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Alas, as technology continued to evolve, as it always does, and Rosner Custom Sound was rolling smoothly into the 1980's, the Disco Era had begun to phase out and interestingly enough, their company was seeing a need for their sound services in various houses of worship, which became yet another new market for them. Everyone everywhere was seizing upon the opportunity to come together and share the gift of sound and visuals by use of the newest technology that continued to develop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But along Ben's journey, busy with work for Rosner Custom Sound, he did start to notice there were some other technological developments that caught his eye. In the 1980's while the developments of home and micro- computers were chugging along, there were also developments in other forms of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_automation" target="_blank">home automation</a> - such as with home security, lighting abilities and sound- as well as of other public and private sector venues in need of new technology. One of these developments was spawned by the need of a centralized technology source for corporate boardroom's. One of the true predecessors of the iPod came from these boardroom technologies, where there were keypads and touch-screens being developed to sit in the wall. Ben had an itch at the back of his brain that began nagging at him and growing louder as time went on. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6N4tHVaVgs_AVCLSC3mxlYBTcbPGT-MSEIv6LucSUzZvGzFfv9OfEoEP6WxENu2A2BxE7rRmo7ExSpAp7BYl2kEFbw6noFIWLCWbbuENRyFTW7LLaQbUTH11XzycKBbJBGXQ8MyKQFE/s1600/ehomenyspaces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6N4tHVaVgs_AVCLSC3mxlYBTcbPGT-MSEIv6LucSUzZvGzFfv9OfEoEP6WxENu2A2BxE7rRmo7ExSpAp7BYl2kEFbw6noFIWLCWbbuENRyFTW7LLaQbUTH11XzycKBbJBGXQ8MyKQFE/s640/ehomenyspaces.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A masterly NYC E Home as seen in <a href="http://003a492.netsolhost.com/flip%20book/#/0" target="_blank">March 2012's Interior Design Magazine</a>. Ben worked closely with the design team to ensure every aspect of home automation and technology was completely invisible, with the exception of the home's entertainment center, which was integrated seamlessly with the millwork.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Truth was, while Ben had the great privilege of gaining priceless hands-on experience in the field of audio and visual technologies all over the world, there was a part of him that was still passionate about where he saw all the wonders of technology begin: In The Home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Maybe it's because it was where I first got to see my father make magic of technology in his first basement office," Ben ponders, "but it has always resonated with me, the idea that our personal lives could be simplified by technology. And I've always loved architecture and design..."</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoDOwn6b701I7rioKpEfTxXdNXilVyar7eNDqaa4ESt8HenmJAy6opHjVExIT9qK3g8pEnCjB-UJLPIFf9gnzt9ns2fFvBPlhtqOGELa5oszC3nGl7RfxoVz31aa84mPu4nbopoZzc8Q/s1600/15cpw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoDOwn6b701I7rioKpEfTxXdNXilVyar7eNDqaa4ESt8HenmJAy6opHjVExIT9qK3g8pEnCjB-UJLPIFf9gnzt9ns2fFvBPlhtqOGELa5oszC3nGl7RfxoVz31aa84mPu4nbopoZzc8Q/s400/15cpw.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Central Park West Penthouse E Home worked on shines bright in natural light.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Between home automation's steady advance in development and the technology Ben saw cultivated in corporate board rooms, the nagging itch in the back of his mind emerged from his imagination and into the forefront- Ben Rosner lovingly resigned from Rosner Custom Sound in 1996 to branch out and found E Home, a home technology consultancy where he could get back to focusing on technology exclusively for residential projects. His father understood, and so the son of home technology's forefather ventured out to begin his own revolutions to home technology. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are multiple invaluable skills to be picked up from 'in the trenches', hands-on, real-world experience- especially if one is passionate about what they are doing. In a way, when we care about what we are doing, we tend to open up more, become a sponge that gladly absorbs and digests new information and creatively apply it to future work. Ben Rosner easily falls into this category of the willing and devoted [once] apprentice. See, not only had Ben taken in both the formal training from his studies in computer science as well as his real-world experience with his father's pioneering company- but he had also digested and cultivated a skill he learned from his father: to invent or create what was still missing. If something is needed- Create It. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNMgFIym-jd7-n0RvHi3-mj8Qzxm-dKCktEUaFqWEYP0CbMCh3yDtHlKSrfGPlAFFYsf2w6wo_MEZrn2idwZMg0vpcZDNBPbmo7JLCiH5uo9avxIky_yinZrVGPFUI0nTYyGDu7r_O0w/s1600/About-851x6422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNMgFIym-jd7-n0RvHi3-mj8Qzxm-dKCktEUaFqWEYP0CbMCh3yDtHlKSrfGPlAFFYsf2w6wo_MEZrn2idwZMg0vpcZDNBPbmo7JLCiH5uo9avxIky_yinZrVGPFUI0nTYyGDu7r_O0w/s400/About-851x6422.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An E Home engineer implements strategic technology into a home's planning</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">During his schooling at Columbia, Ben recalls that as personal computing was a coveted technology experience many were in line to take turns with, the school's mainframe had limited access. So Ben went ahead and created a computer terminal he could log in to from his dorm room. Easy. Utilize technology, create what's lacking, simplify life. We note this as perhaps it was telling of what his own future pioneering would bring. When Ben went out to create E Home his mission was not simply to provide services like those of any other 'Audio/ Visual (A/V) guy' might get pegged with. E Home's mission was to simplify life by means of technology in the home- by way of working closely alongside architects, interior designers and builders to create a custom crafted technology system for each home; specializing in early- phase drawing and planning development with engineers of their own. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqpRDkIem3j6w2MCWZ2Rj1KQt4pRWKfeyI3Gv08I4p0nRB9_vb1Jkx661pdUL81rSAxXRsXSXPXnxGXPtggzBxXnXtZd10wg_fqQkHkqqtOh8D4eZ0OTsviwTMgOMZ3PyCf5taUJkd-k/s1600/e+home+2-BKRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqpRDkIem3j6w2MCWZ2Rj1KQt4pRWKfeyI3Gv08I4p0nRB9_vb1Jkx661pdUL81rSAxXRsXSXPXnxGXPtggzBxXnXtZd10wg_fqQkHkqqtOh8D4eZ0OTsviwTMgOMZ3PyCf5taUJkd-k/s400/e+home+2-BKRes.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Brooklyn dining room got an E Home invisible touch...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 1996, when Ben started E Home he also met a man named Jonas Buzzerio, another innovative, organized and motivated pioneer who had years of operational and project management experience in the high-end design industry. Jonas understood where Ben was coming from and where he wanted to go. Ben hired him as E Home's first ever employee where Jonas would conduct the installation and customer service end of the company. The collaboration was so seamless that two years later Ben offered Jonas a partnership in the company. E Home had taken off at full speed and was happily plugging away at work integrating technology into residences. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But as we know, as technology evolves and progresses our ideas continue to as well. The more exposure to both new design and continual home automation upgrades that Ben and Jonas got, the more they pursued even newer technology. At one point, finally sitting down to think and talk it over, they had a moment of genius: Media Access Solutions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was one thing to have a button in a wall to turn well concealed speakers or TV on and off, but what about the media that would be played on these instruments, the movies, records or CD's? If it was a large home, as many of E Home's projects were, how many TV's, radios, record or CD players were there in a house? 2? 3? 6? Did people always have to walk from the one den to get videos to watch and bring them to the next room to watch? Lo! That could be much easier to do! Yet again, as Ben had learned, if there is any technology that doesn't exist and is needed- Create It. Ben, Jonas and a third partner, Ronnie, got together and actualized a CD and DVD archive and distribution system that would become the true predecessor to the iPod- a Media Server. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yet another glowing example of E Home's ability to hide technology in design.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Together Ben, Ronnie and Jonas designed, engineered, developed, patented and distributed Media Access Solutions Media Server. The first product of it's kind developed specifically for the simplification of home life. How it worked: a computer loaded a CD into a hard drive, a central server, that central server was utilized by connecting to other outlets wherein multiple rooms could access and retrieve any of the data that had been loaded onto the central server. Translation: load your movies and music into one place and be able to access it all from any room of your home. Brilliant. This product's popularity and demand spread like wildfire and Ben was back on the road traveling the world to sell the product along with E Home's implementation and installation, and was a total success. By 2003 Media Access Solutions had caught the attention of AMX, a "leader in advanced control system technology", especially for the home. By September of 2003, AMX had officially <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amx-acquires-media-access-solutions-amx-moves-quickly-with-acquisition-to-lay-foundation-for-future-growth-71031892.html" target="_blank">acquired Media Access Solutions</a>, which seemed fitting, as they were one of the large companies Ben had seen develop advanced technology for corporate boardrooms only 10 years before. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When selling a company and patent like Media Access Solutions, one is not allowed to invent or duplicate a product of the same nature in the same genre or market of use, naturally, so as to insure a newly acquired product won't become obsolete right after its purchase. This was fine and understandable for Ben, Ronnie and Jonas, however Ben had another light-bulb moment. The fundamental need for a data storing and distribution technology was so easily helpful to many, and they had the algorithms down so well, one niche market that popped up that could utilize this same function and service was that of the wine industry.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2NtwsYyhZ5vNHc-_lZRBaHZuXRDuJuIr939tYgf206YshC0WShEU0OSASwvmYp_GBNqP8uQNzIceXUKjHTUEfsdebwaBnAxAhM-T1dNYWBwitMi6lQwN_yajzEiow50wjxVnJxcQ5qA/s1600/esommelier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2NtwsYyhZ5vNHc-_lZRBaHZuXRDuJuIr939tYgf206YshC0WShEU0OSASwvmYp_GBNqP8uQNzIceXUKjHTUEfsdebwaBnAxAhM-T1dNYWBwitMi6lQwN_yajzEiow50wjxVnJxcQ5qA/s320/esommelier.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When working in the high end architecture and design industry, one gets to see some pretty spectacular things, including some clients personal wine cellars and collections. As E Home and it's partners Ben and Jonas were plugging away at both their own projects and their growing list of clientele, they got to see more and more of the wine collections out there. While it is a luxury to have a private wine collection, how quickly un-luxurious it becomes when you cannot find the wine you want! Lo! </span><span style="font-size: large;">That could be much easier to do! Yet again, as Ben and now Jonas too had learned, if there is any technology that doesn't exist and is needed- Create It. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83VzVZmgyX0I5dfG-0ZEkmLaPxqUeaY4_EEmeYHSze3DhHAwHuljzuRfET0olbMbpTsmoYa7ap4657cVE5QMymAxPxUKg1VXDa1jv-u1gCCvxOzkcyMbYdlDgCv6sJEMU9g1qSNrIhlE/s1600/esommelier+digital+wine+list+for+hospitality.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83VzVZmgyX0I5dfG-0ZEkmLaPxqUeaY4_EEmeYHSze3DhHAwHuljzuRfET0olbMbpTsmoYa7ap4657cVE5QMymAxPxUKg1VXDa1jv-u1gCCvxOzkcyMbYdlDgCv6sJEMU9g1qSNrIhlE/s200/esommelier+digital+wine+list+for+hospitality.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An E Sommelier wine App for Hospitality</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And so <a href="http://www.esommelier.com/" target="_blank">E Sommelier</a> was born, the first of its kind, a wine cellar management system. (Which turned out to also</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">be very useful in the commercial, hospitality and storage cellars too- well done! The entirety of which can be managed from an application on an iPad.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yet still, all the while, what has remained at the heart of all of Ben's endeavors has been his passion for technology in residential architecture and interior design. It's never-ending ability to be innovative always stems from a homeowner's personality and designers vision for creating their home. Inherently personal and always full of character, residential projects and their owners will offer fun and exciting ways to utilize technology.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"As we got to know the homeowner better on one project bordering Central Park, a fan of the arts, wanted to sort of collaborate to create something custom for him and his home." Ben smiles,"We wound up implementing a large screen inside, framed, and camera system so he could see Central Park on it at all times. It was fun and he loves it."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">For technology to take on it's own form as an art is no small task, but Ben thrives on it. He has the experience and insight into design and foresight into technology to help create beautiful interiors alongside the design industry's best. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Home technology in design today has to be used artfully- sometimes it should stand out and be seen, others it should disappear into the background." Ben says passionately," But there really is something magic about having music invisibly come from the walls." </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Whether it's embracing the confluence of art hanging from the walls and the rooms lighting and shades surrounding it, one must be able to envision the room ahead of time to know how technology should be used in it. This intelligence in and of itself is one that makes Ben's consultancy, E Home, invaluable, not everyone, who has actually been an innovator of home technology products themselves, understands both design and technology so intimately. For Ben Rosner, technology is an expression of who he is, and we believe he's made it an artisanal craft at that. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Technology is a pallet." Ben smiles. </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Indeed it is Ben. We'll be giving you a call just as soon as we're done writing this...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln7CC74B5NI6A1Pd9hf7-_aLutG4uPnuEIkZhLYFAISyZ5t0E-w7FnDT1Kj1RMaDjQuBVuhIxEYfJYx77AcZz0l350xRlqnau9IhppoFZW3C9uVv91hK6JqL7mFOrYb7UUy3etxhsJBs/s1600/ehome-kenya+estate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln7CC74B5NI6A1Pd9hf7-_aLutG4uPnuEIkZhLYFAISyZ5t0E-w7FnDT1Kj1RMaDjQuBVuhIxEYfJYx77AcZz0l350xRlqnau9IhppoFZW3C9uVv91hK6JqL7mFOrYb7UUy3etxhsJBs/s640/ehome-kenya+estate.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E Home is committed- they go where their clients need them, like in this gorgeous outdoor lounge in Kenya. Can you spot the home technology? Neither can we...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZfLyubdbLGFFSstLqz5XMKNvJMbJrk00QISkq-CUnWfTuvOBxEaeDAMDYvizxiD7QEKVVuejchfWDEh5XqUuqbn9lrCv4HkgfVq-FfQ7FPH6iIgRVh2aa7530E3LI4l6gTxuy3tXkqI/s1600/DufnerHeighes_JaneStreet_013+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZfLyubdbLGFFSstLqz5XMKNvJMbJrk00QISkq-CUnWfTuvOBxEaeDAMDYvizxiD7QEKVVuejchfWDEh5XqUuqbn9lrCv4HkgfVq-FfQ7FPH6iIgRVh2aa7530E3LI4l6gTxuy3tXkqI/s640/DufnerHeighes_JaneStreet_013+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An E Home with their famous invisible technology, design by <a href="http://www.dufnerheighes.com/home.html" target="_blank">Dufner Heighes Architecture.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
Alanna Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578720302011169313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476761650415415197.post-36908262639929089312012-11-30T16:35:00.000-08:002012-11-30T16:35:40.213-08:00No.6 Inventing The American Bathroom with Barbara Sallick of Waterworks <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-tdVVmJmTef8ZnMmP3FCNPe_OtqwokcBjNn9YDnOdic74CneFASHHkzMUY97Jn6yCuzoZij1tf4KQ-FUhW2KsBnrGbAcR8vKoVzEfzFJ_EpJAKza63vylCmwR7y4eBCd4BfTfv59USo/s1600/BarbaraSallickWW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-tdVVmJmTef8ZnMmP3FCNPe_OtqwokcBjNn9YDnOdic74CneFASHHkzMUY97Jn6yCuzoZij1tf4KQ-FUhW2KsBnrGbAcR8vKoVzEfzFJ_EpJAKza63vylCmwR7y4eBCd4BfTfv59USo/s400/BarbaraSallickWW.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Who</strong>: Barbara Sallick</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What</strong>: Waterworks - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Destination for Artisanally Crafted Bathroom Products</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>When</strong>: Since 1978</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Where</strong>: It began in a warehouse in Connecticut and now has showrooms internationally</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">To call Barbara Sallick delightful may be an understatement. Her voice barrels through the phone lines excited, energized and as enthusiastic about design today as a newly hired architect might be at their first job. She is flipping through an early copy of Gil Shafer's latest book <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Great-American-House-Tradition/dp/0847838722" target="_blank">The Great American House</a></em> and relishing his talents and each detail she hones in on.</span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Gil really is so talented." She says; you can just tell she is smiling and leaning over the glossy pages.</blockquote>
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And she would know. Barbara has been the leading force behind what has come to be The American Bathroom Style. Brilliantly designed and meticulously crafted, <a href="http://www.waterworks.com/" target="_blank">Waterworks</a> has changed what it means to have quality, beauty and excitement in a room that has often been undermined in the home: the bathroom. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And as any truly successful craft or product for the home, this one was born out of a necessity.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyxQZbCDSTNkjMdZ_9O27u1VZUrP5cE8-eU_ebjPc2VjR5SeTDkWC9IqxQJqD6bEucATZc3-OL-YdgzVoG6WkD_S4aHCsCKMF174Anyap7-Cw3mZb_zYymT3rutYsCOYKVmpSUS0_2p4/s1600/Fittings_LowRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyxQZbCDSTNkjMdZ_9O27u1VZUrP5cE8-eU_ebjPc2VjR5SeTDkWC9IqxQJqD6bEucATZc3-OL-YdgzVoG6WkD_S4aHCsCKMF174Anyap7-Cw3mZb_zYymT3rutYsCOYKVmpSUS0_2p4/s320/Fittings_LowRes.jpg" width="235" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glowing assortment of Waterworks fittings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Plumbing- perhaps not the most coveted utility of the home, but one that is functional, necessary and non-negotiable ever since the Romans first designed and implemented it. The distribution of water to and from buildings was no small feat and certainly not one that was mastered right away. As with any invention the trial and error of many a material came and went. Earthenware and timber failed the meeting the challenge when it came to implementing the various designs, sizes and geometry of these envisioned water systems. But then someone tried using lead to create a water distribution system. The dawn of the first plumbing standard was set when various apparatus' were fitted, jointed and worked out in lead. The word plumber itself derives from the Latin 'plumbus', or 'lead'. A big idea, exposure to building and design and lots of experimentation got it all going.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJassX35kloCLlFtgGsmICIyZtAfl2YR0T_0IErIcZoQ6aBCw-z7pzrOJtnVlCjnnuYXTaZi3oxQKOCttW0NGj7t9SKLQn9q_OaxCpGLkD3cubWlJuRfoQ7NQQuPIOapGFoR-TE7Np4PE/s1600/etoileexposedthermostatic+shower+system+w+riser+unlaqbrass.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJassX35kloCLlFtgGsmICIyZtAfl2YR0T_0IErIcZoQ6aBCw-z7pzrOJtnVlCjnnuYXTaZi3oxQKOCttW0NGj7t9SKLQn9q_OaxCpGLkD3cubWlJuRfoQ7NQQuPIOapGFoR-TE7Np4PE/s320/etoileexposedthermostatic+shower+system+w+riser+unlaqbrass.png" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Etoile exposed thermosaic shower system, unlaquered brass'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, when a man named Samuel Gorgins started and ran The Nutmeg Plumbing Supply Company in Danbury, Connecticut in 1925, he may not have realized that his sheer knowledge, love of his family and exceptional skills at business would lead to yet another dawn in the evolution of water's relationship to a building (the home especially). And he would, as he had a very smart, curious and artistically inclined daughter named Barbara. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"He [Samuel], his brother and his sister oversaw the company throughout Norwalk, Greenwich, Danbury [Connecticut]... I don't know how they managed but they started it and managed to keep it open through the War." Barbara Reflects. </span><span style="font-size: large;">"He was alright as an engineer but a <em>very</em> good businessman. So my husband Robert [Sallick] joined the business in 1963 to help him out."</span></blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuPGvXo5NRM3Zndp1Wmnm2BqvLATtcuLTTJ5NiYpINhOdl2H12rLjQbH_cG_c-v4efMaWSany2E7TyklsoQdibmsiWAl-KF3WKpeFr4xhtrt5MpOLaVTqXmdGVUjk4qIzOWZ9YCU7nDk/s1600/Clothilde-CopperTub-FrenchInfluence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuPGvXo5NRM3Zndp1Wmnm2BqvLATtcuLTTJ5NiYpINhOdl2H12rLjQbH_cG_c-v4efMaWSany2E7TyklsoQdibmsiWAl-KF3WKpeFr4xhtrt5MpOLaVTqXmdGVUjk4qIzOWZ9YCU7nDk/s640/Clothilde-CopperTub-FrenchInfluence.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <a href="http://www.waterworks.com/products/fixtures/bathtub/freestanding/freestanding-oval-copper-bathtub-70-x-33-x-29/341" target="_blank">Clothilde</a> all hand polished, free-standing copper bathtub is made in the 19th Century French tradition, both in design and artisanal manufacturing method, but with a new regal scale and immeasurable elegance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's one thing to become familiar with the work one's parents do, but if you come from a family business it is all the more likely one might help out, work there part time, or, like many, perhaps fully go into and work at the family business full time. Regardless of which of these one might engage in, a sort of default education is cultivated sheerly from exposure to the business. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1M7VJ3WXAgnkhIFBos7KZEVf169OXIWn26Wqh1FH-CiAcY3gO1tCTtQXaFSI0T50zjQ9LrYbPNOicLJriP0eLIegRdncftNtFP_qdlK7jCpF-NFDxydqSYz0uPz-PeVj_8MfO0_Yb_g/s1600/Design+Studio_LowRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1M7VJ3WXAgnkhIFBos7KZEVf169OXIWn26Wqh1FH-CiAcY3gO1tCTtQXaFSI0T50zjQ9LrYbPNOicLJriP0eLIegRdncftNtFP_qdlK7jCpF-NFDxydqSYz0uPz-PeVj_8MfO0_Yb_g/s400/Design+Studio_LowRes.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sneak behind the scenes into the Waterworks Design Studio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">So Barbara certainly had her fill of knowledge about the plumbing supply world, and so did her husband Robert, after beginning to work there full time. But this wasn't the only knowledge they shared- Barbara and Robert also shared an affinity for the American Decorative arts and architecture. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">
"We've really always been collectors at heart." Barbara says warmly, "And I have always had a childish passion to look for new houses." she laughs, noting that while she and Robert have lived in the same house for 43 years, they became enamoured with 18th Century architecture and still love to tour historic houses open to the public in rural Connecticut, Massachusetts and beyond- emphasis on beyond. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"We're nosey!" Barbara laughs, "Shortly after we married we began taking regular trips to Europe, and wanted to get into as many buildings as possible to have a look around..."</blockquote>
</span><span style="font-size: large;">Which is also no surprise, as Barbara had a hunger for discovering details in design, which, alongside the base knowledge of her father's business, was cultivated in a more formal education during her time at Yale. </span><span style="font-size: large;">For over 6 years she had worked at a <a href="http://artgallery.yale.edu/pages/collection/permanent/pc_american.php" target="_blank">Yale art gallery</a> where she assisted and oversaw a wide array of collections of American Decorative Arts. She absolutely loved being there and came to see the importance of maintenance, size, color, material, style... what it meant to create something that would stand the test of time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNFj2kuu-qsDjQj-fDXSFeewHO2oSKh6bbbhdcBEIn6cwVvShSTf02mDT7U-o9OInDe2LuLnzvopgfjXcoAzRmDBqxNZGsYDcOKFznEbV7nPUPYmKjiheYyowiapLZ6v2xkaE-2mWtT8/s1600/Tub+Set01_LowRes+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNFj2kuu-qsDjQj-fDXSFeewHO2oSKh6bbbhdcBEIn6cwVvShSTf02mDT7U-o9OInDe2LuLnzvopgfjXcoAzRmDBqxNZGsYDcOKFznEbV7nPUPYmKjiheYyowiapLZ6v2xkaE-2mWtT8/s320/Tub+Set01_LowRes+copy.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Waterworks white and taupe bath set.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">As Barbara and Robert continued their sporadic trips through Europe, Barbara was of course more and more intrigued with the European bathrooms she was seeing. </span><br />
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"There were a lot of changes happening in the 1970's" Barbara recalls. "There were the waterfall faucets, and </span><a href="http://www.villeroy-boch.com/en/us/home.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Villeroy & Boch</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> were doing some interesting things..."</span></blockquote>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">But Barbara and Robert had some new ideas about the bathroom. Sure, we all had the option to perhaps pick a color for our shower curtain and towels, our toilet or bathroom tile- but the quality of the choices available weren't enough. And they certainly weren't as personal as they should be. Furthermore- why not white? Keeping things white, spacious and with an Edwardian aesthetic, as Barbara had so often seen done in Europe, offered a new perspective to The Bathroom as Barbara had known it, and it seemed Robert agreed... And so, with enough pooled knowledge and passionate research, Barbara and Robert Sallick founded a new bathroom-devoted company in 1978. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">
"To help us get started my father gave us 1 year free rent for a section of his warehouse where we could set up shop." Says Barbara. "And it was my job to get the architects to our showroom to show them what we were doing."</blockquote>
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmfysdR1ng7UcYatiF6zHt1LVB7Dr1Ly-WL3DC7_oNUXOjXK5o7XhxTF_vxDNe2amdW0BPoVxq6v26g1JLHB9KCX70WzKZ5UFXmHCnoFAGvoqqGWqNINQauvEAeB8tslPAnqu1LBoZu8/s1600/handle-650x709-rw+atlas+sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmfysdR1ng7UcYatiF6zHt1LVB7Dr1Ly-WL3DC7_oNUXOjXK5o7XhxTF_vxDNe2amdW0BPoVxq6v26g1JLHB9KCX70WzKZ5UFXmHCnoFAGvoqqGWqNINQauvEAeB8tslPAnqu1LBoZu8/s400/handle-650x709-rw+atlas+sketch.jpg" width="366" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Design Development Sketch of handle for Waterworks new <a href="http://www.waterworks.com/collections/waterworks/rw-atlas/761" target="_blank">R.W. Atlas</a> collection</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And they liked what she and Robert were doing- so did the general American public, who became enamoured with the new style they were seeing. This endeavour offered a completely new set of aesthetic options to use when designing (or redesigning or renovating or even envisioning) a home. Not to mention (finally) raising the bar of design in the bathroom while concurrently reviving the definitive standards of European craftsmanship. They had pooled together their knowledge of architecture, design, art, art history, plumbing, plumbing supplies, engineering, craftsmanship and materials all to create something that would officially set a new standard for bathrooms; especially as they were offering expertly crafted products made with exceptionally outstanding and luxurious materials. They were beginning to not only develop products that were completely reliable and functional, but that were also aesthetically superior to any bathroom products that were on the market. (Today Waterworks has grown all the more by offering a very full array of products from fittings and fixtures, to furnishings and surfaces.)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EewwC_CQOPvvJotJF_TxOPWXU94EDd98CxZ-UPkqyuYgWfa0GUVMWGhlOR7soWjg0c_uHVNo5HKdV9ei0U061lWi7YBqT5OZ_Byf4OSCF5gGjKnTnshitiDX-jG4ZihPvwvUf9kxdD4/s1600/Raw+Material_LowRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EewwC_CQOPvvJotJF_TxOPWXU94EDd98CxZ-UPkqyuYgWfa0GUVMWGhlOR7soWjg0c_uHVNo5HKdV9ei0U061lWi7YBqT5OZ_Byf4OSCF5gGjKnTnshitiDX-jG4ZihPvwvUf9kxdD4/s320/Raw+Material_LowRes.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of Waterworks favorite Raw Materials </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For example, some materials of many products on their website today range from: nickel, silver, bronze, copper, brass, chrome, metal, carbon or gold-- oh yeah, and those materials may each have options of finishes such as: antique, matte, shiny, burnished, lacquered, unlaquered and so on.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And such a visual astuteness and attention to detail came from both Barbara's exposure to the nuts and bolts of the industry but also from those many years working at that Yale art gallery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"There's something you learn from experience with a three-dimensional object," Barbara says "I spent a lot of time taking things apart and putting them back together."</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And this experience and appreciation for hands-on learning ripples throughout the company today. As Waterworks grew over the years, and was finally given a name (the Sallick's threw a dinner party with close friends asking for help brainstorming- one of them came up with Waterworks and Barbara knew <em>that's it!</em>), they continued to make sure they only worked with the finest manufacturers. And how else to do this other than to partner with some of the finest artisans throughout Europe and America?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">
"We seek out small talented artisan(s) outfits and work with them to teach them how to manufacture on a larger scale." Barbara says.</blockquote>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIJcxb61cVTfamnPxZPJqoh8iqZRnqG5_41cSt5gcbK0GHbb77NhgPPU3j3YT6nCI6nbwSruhZ2B-QtTbRgIr-Iq4P-IrF6KZLtbiH253irD7fTGjEu9_XJLazIRS4YG3rd4TBLBtRRs/s1600/ww-artisan-process.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIJcxb61cVTfamnPxZPJqoh8iqZRnqG5_41cSt5gcbK0GHbb77NhgPPU3j3YT6nCI6nbwSruhZ2B-QtTbRgIr-Iq4P-IrF6KZLtbiH253irD7fTGjEu9_XJLazIRS4YG3rd4TBLBtRRs/s640/ww-artisan-process.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Waterworks Artisan works in his shop to cast and forge meticulous gold hardware. Later it will be carefully retouched and hand polished.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She, and her son Peter Sallick, who joined their team in 1993 and now serves as President and CEO of the company, work together to seek out these artisans. Together they are searching for experience and quality, rather than criteria (as most crafts are taught generationally or via apprenticeship and hands on work- not through a college degree). Whereas some of their faucetry may come from a shop in Normandy, France, other hardware and furnishings may be made in a variety of allied shops here in New Jersey, New York, California... Which makes sense, considering how thoughtful each product, selected artisan and employee in the company is. </span><span style="font-size: large;">When asked about working with her son, Barbara replies enthusiastically: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL0o_DSSb3MW_7dlkZ-it4IfZaZJpsplNEJFgGrf8MBX0n_bqVJm2pviNh56hiMQAfr7_GX9nGUoU3XKsw8MjwwzimTqmwQFwYRNw5rSoQEyw3YE7mP5o-hiI9dvxy_l4DbeG6fO536A/s1600/DistrictTile-RW+Atlas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL0o_DSSb3MW_7dlkZ-it4IfZaZJpsplNEJFgGrf8MBX0n_bqVJm2pviNh56hiMQAfr7_GX9nGUoU3XKsw8MjwwzimTqmwQFwYRNw5rSoQEyw3YE7mP5o-hiI9dvxy_l4DbeG6fO536A/s320/DistrictTile-RW+Atlas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sultry color comes out in Waterworks' District Tile Collection</td></tr>
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"Peter's eye, taste and extraordinary abilities as a visionary and a strategist make it an exceptional collaboration. But also I think it's a part of our strength as a whole that we say: Family First."<br />
<br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Peter Sallick has helped take Waterworks to the next level, offering a complete range of services for a complete bathroom. The Sallick's seem to know talent when they see it, as well as how important it is to uphold and maintain it in the design industry. Everything in Waterworks, from selecting materials, overseeing the design process and carefully controlling manufacturing has been and continues to be undertaken with meticulous care and attention to detail. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iL5jPBsQ6GhXToNM9tFVa2ZOikCCFl0ZpEiHtqF4nDOxYx3zPFuPEu6NKpo2j-O8VnpOcx1dzLHotl9uAVb23Kz1v0r8StYObDzB0S390D13QkJR8lH1mdd1qYVC8oJ9B7znG6bh9fw/s1600/Surfaces_LowRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iL5jPBsQ6GhXToNM9tFVa2ZOikCCFl0ZpEiHtqF4nDOxYx3zPFuPEu6NKpo2j-O8VnpOcx1dzLHotl9uAVb23Kz1v0r8StYObDzB0S390D13QkJR8lH1mdd1qYVC8oJ9B7znG6bh9fw/s200/Surfaces_LowRes.jpg" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Waterworks Surface Template</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Furthermore, what makes Waterworks beautiful, aside from the products themselves, is that by continuing to seek out and partner with small shops and studios to manufacture their products, they are keeping a small and important pool of artists, artisans and craftspeople alive and well (the world always needs more art, and value of it, this is a rare field and place where that can happen). Even if some of the products may be out of your price range, the products, designs, textures and color pallets serve as a new set of precedent images to work from when creating and personalizing your own bathroom.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Over the years, becoming something of an expert on it, Barbara Sallick has continued to be none less than thrilled to continue developing and cultivating superior bathroom aesthetics. If you still aren't sure where to begin, or the countless ways to imprint your personal style and tastes into your bathroom, you can always follow her on <a href="http://theperfectbath.com/" target="_blank">The Perfect Bath</a>, Barbara's personal design journal and blog. She cares deeply about the relationship between a person and their personal space and goes to great lengths to fuse her experience in this unique field and share it with one and all so you might benefit too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A</span><span style="font-size: large;">side from carrying on and discovering new and old design styles everywhere to create something new, Barbara does want to leave anyone- experienced or new to design- who wants to improve their bathroom with these words of wisdom:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Plan well, be sure to do your homework and lots of research- on the web and in libraries- and be sure you hire a true professional to work with. [When you are ready] Engage knowledgeable sales people and don't be affraid to ask questions. Hire a good architect and contractor and stay on top of them- this way you'll own the outcome."</span></blockquote>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0yNb7oasjgEF6TkgLFQRFIANRTKFezv2YSfclJGbY7Iy_ImVxVVTtC_fYPJ0nVjn-2r2jRw-7CE4QHC2X4V4Fa3K-lOld_QLXq5_17iferAfmca3v2k_5EsUponWxxQcAVLVNfDIBoI/s1600/RWAtlasCollection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0yNb7oasjgEF6TkgLFQRFIANRTKFezv2YSfclJGbY7Iy_ImVxVVTtC_fYPJ0nVjn-2r2jRw-7CE4QHC2X4V4Fa3K-lOld_QLXq5_17iferAfmca3v2k_5EsUponWxxQcAVLVNfDIBoI/s640/RWAtlasCollection.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The complete R.W. Atlas Collection makes its launch!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXE1tYSk7P5gkoUOVk0qGFhyzeXmKKaUz6XTFoObESdihEdbRQnU4-axWgIGfJ09r9QLDDtwIQfKiILr39Gf0GqO59GjIgVrfniaU-3GBab6r2Nj4zTlVebrjOGNrpjqX4ZCHN4I2XO1U/s1600/RWAtlasnDistrictTile+58th+St+ShowroomNYC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXE1tYSk7P5gkoUOVk0qGFhyzeXmKKaUz6XTFoObESdihEdbRQnU4-axWgIGfJ09r9QLDDtwIQfKiILr39Gf0GqO59GjIgVrfniaU-3GBab6r2Nj4zTlVebrjOGNrpjqX4ZCHN4I2XO1U/s640/RWAtlasnDistrictTile+58th+St+ShowroomNYC.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shot of Waterworks' 58th Street Showroom showcasing the new industrial inspired R.W. Atlas Collection alongside its complimentary sibling the 'District Tile Collection'. </td></tr>
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Barbara Sallick is the Co-Founder, Executive Vice President and spokesperson of Waterworks [Opertating Company, LLC]. She is the author of <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Barbara-Sallick/e/B001IZR6W6/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1/183-6285873-6424326" target="_blank">Waterworks: Inventing Bath Style</a></em> as well as her ongoing blog <a href="http://theperfectbath.com/" target="_blank">The Perfect Bath</a>, in which she shares her insights. She sits on the Board of Directors at the <a href="http://classicist.org/" target="_blank">Institute for Classical Architecture & Art</a> and still lives in her home in Connecticut with her husband Robert, and frequently travels overseeing Waterworks new endeavours.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Alanna Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578720302011169313noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476761650415415197.post-68592882751883253412012-10-31T12:08:00.002-07:002012-11-05T11:47:02.674-08:00No.5 A Rare Species - G. Michael Merritt of Merritt Woodwork Shares On A Legacy of Excellence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFLbxEEJWm-8lLsibw1qo8n2Y9TdGO1Dm-2JR7aro5vZ1PZ55RjGuD-ZskljjlR5-uqQJGZSBUzyQ_kfWyb4OxTNVmH-xIZw0ZibEElXnqejXPwgmdj0nva5BYeX-07nIaXuAD1Lbud8/s1600/mwwSander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFLbxEEJWm-8lLsibw1qo8n2Y9TdGO1Dm-2JR7aro5vZ1PZ55RjGuD-ZskljjlR5-uqQJGZSBUzyQ_kfWyb4OxTNVmH-xIZw0ZibEElXnqejXPwgmdj0nva5BYeX-07nIaXuAD1Lbud8/s320/mwwSander.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Who</strong>: G. Michael Merritt</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What</strong>: Custom Architectural Woodwork</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>When</strong>: Since 1972</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Where</strong>: Based in Ohio, Florida + Connecticut,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Services Projects on Land + Sea, Internationally </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">George A. Merritt was an utterly dedicated man- a man that sought perfection above all else. Little did he know that his own personal talents, along with his uncompromising work ethic and high standards of knowledge and quality, would set sparks flying and ignite a unique flame for refined, superlative architectural woodwork.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"His talent was in educating and working with his hands;" Reflects George's son, current Merritt Woodwork CEO G. Michael Merritt, "he</span><span style="font-size: large;"> always wanted to start his own business, but he didn't know what..." </span></blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU-qQTTo0ykWz_UEwpJ994itpl0utHDezP0Eh-_Wle-Fum6LDKe_Nxli25RIWw0mNYbybMrl9goOF64FCSBWtQW8xqzCCDvGZN1B0pDiIP6CpH8FFgrzyrT2WTI5Gnbcw_Ymi6pWC9ws/s1600/mww+hand+carved+floral+ornament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggU-qQTTo0ykWz_UEwpJ994itpl0utHDezP0Eh-_Wle-Fum6LDKe_Nxli25RIWw0mNYbybMrl9goOF64FCSBWtQW8xqzCCDvGZN1B0pDiIP6CpH8FFgrzyrT2WTI5Gnbcw_Ymi6pWC9ws/s320/mww+hand+carved+floral+ornament.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Merritt Woodwork hand carved floral ornament.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Always handy, and interested in design, George A. Merritt had also begun training under an Italian master cabinet maker- which soon proved a good fit. Not long after quickly mastering new skills of his own, George A. Merritt and his mentor decided to begin their business in 1971; just the 2 of them providing outstanding custom products. One of their strengths from the start was also the ability to draw. As drawing and sketching provided a unique service to potential clients, George soon became something of a developer. Realizing he could work and engage with designers in a rare way, serving as an interlocutor between the moment an interior designer or architect began describing their ideas and and his ability to sketch them out in the shop. Between he and his mentor, George began providing artisanal abilities to American designers in his humble Mentor, Ohio shop. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOXY7xFR4R9qAL9dPmk6qCkpvdJ21EMgsfpp1pIFt6YLHCny5yN_Z9XmMe9ywsMLsTe0Q0zl0GYxI-hJK4HU7dEqcPjb2ScqGdTO6wytt5le_0-xOzYRRW5wW_iJgRRDfc14VQdkpcf8/s1600/customcarvedornamentmww.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOXY7xFR4R9qAL9dPmk6qCkpvdJ21EMgsfpp1pIFt6YLHCny5yN_Z9XmMe9ywsMLsTe0Q0zl0GYxI-hJK4HU7dEqcPjb2ScqGdTO6wytt5le_0-xOzYRRW5wW_iJgRRDfc14VQdkpcf8/s200/customcarvedornamentmww.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mahogany: egg + dart, Acanthus leaf, ornament</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These designers often needed him to put these ideas on paper, drawing by hand, so they could work together to capture the details, have them approved on paper so George could flawlessly move forward with their creation. </span><span style="font-size: large;">He would then gladly take these approved drawings to the shop and he and his partner would work their magic in making them real.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuJVfyR79dD_EduIhsY5zo1JRmMrZ919ASvYlRmQ6E2tr0hNh82nlk6tskPwXfm9QRAPTIee55lixrJBmmQi2VEvaJ_oRAn8-perRCdaLwMQoj45eLh9q8xMT9VW5ubvOTfqtUvi0NqI/s1600/custom+capital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuJVfyR79dD_EduIhsY5zo1JRmMrZ919ASvYlRmQ6E2tr0hNh82nlk6tskPwXfm9QRAPTIee55lixrJBmmQi2VEvaJ_oRAn8-perRCdaLwMQoj45eLh9q8xMT9VW5ubvOTfqtUvi0NqI/s320/custom+capital.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Merritt Woodwork custom carved capital in White Oak.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So the sparks had struck up a flame and the game was on- the vision of a highly focused, quality cabinet and millwork outfit had begun. Yet, as George A. Merritt desired to truly house a solid business, he began looking for other talent to join their team. As he began to hire in the late 70's- early 80's, he could see that those that were truly talented were already of age, which was fine for the moment... But being a </span><span style="font-size: large;">keen and thorough businessman, he'd already pinpointed that there weren't many young people in the business and began to ask himself: 'well what am I going to do in 20 years? I cannot just rely on my sons...' And it was through this foresight he made the executive decision to take the path of teaching and educating to grow the company slowly and meticulously over time. He wanted to find high energy people that genuinely wanted to be there and were interested in the trade. And he did. He began to work with people who grew into their talents and were devoted to the team, turning around higher and higher quality cabinetry and millwork as they went.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwpL8cJtH05n_HhbvZ4F0VqTqhNG65oFw-mgFqeU32hUrTgYL0l2BBn3cSFNm_KBWju5dDW6jtfO8zmpjTUHsVRlwOYoRK4RxYKHberhOB5nNshCf0Bmlk_-SlW0oWbKgd4WOvwYfCgY/s1600/mww+parlor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwpL8cJtH05n_HhbvZ4F0VqTqhNG65oFw-mgFqeU32hUrTgYL0l2BBn3cSFNm_KBWju5dDW6jtfO8zmpjTUHsVRlwOYoRK4RxYKHberhOB5nNshCf0Bmlk_-SlW0oWbKgd4WOvwYfCgY/s640/mww+parlor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merritt gives this parlor's architectural woodwork detailing a white lacquer. Design by <a href="http://www.scottsnyderinc.com/" target="_blank">Scott Snyder, Inc.</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Down the line, George A. Merritt's mentor and original partner decided he didn't was a bit less interested in the business, and opted to let George take it down the new path it was headed. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And so it went, spending the days on the shop floor getting dusty from drawing shop plans and working with wood, and dusting off to spend the evening going to dinner and meeting his future clients and designers, all in an effort to truly build something special.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi9v233lV_r4o1U0m8j8EosqhQZi78YNLWPI00rUt4RTQHUYxK1Y9gG6KRSN26N6APQ13SLHbsO5YlXQ9KzLizDO-qFVNwu69SVpvMu8DoFRmarF6IQdwqEgN_TxFkTpKjiSYPe8gGJo/s1600/mww+rosette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi9v233lV_r4o1U0m8j8EosqhQZi78YNLWPI00rUt4RTQHUYxK1Y9gG6KRSN26N6APQ13SLHbsO5YlXQ9KzLizDO-qFVNwu69SVpvMu8DoFRmarF6IQdwqEgN_TxFkTpKjiSYPe8gGJo/s200/mww+rosette.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand Carved Mahogany Rosette by Merritt</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And he did. <a href="http://www.merrittwoodwork.com/merritt-home.html" target="_blank">Merritt Woodwork</a> has grown into what is today an organization of over 150 highly trained artisans and craftspeople, installers and engineers. They have serviced remarkable projects for some of the design industry's most coveted names- <a href="http://www.ramsa.com/" target="_blank">Robert A.M. Stern</a>, <a href="http://bunnywilliams.com/" target="_blank">Bunny Williams</a>, <a href="http://www.scottsnyderinc.com/" target="_blank">Scott Snyder</a> and the late <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/31/us/albert-hadley-interior-decorator-to-high-society-dies-at-91.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" target="_blank">Albert Hadley</a> to name a few.</span><br />
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"All of my first jobs were in the shop, since I was in junior high." recalls Michael, "And [my] Dad was very stern, no handouts, no nonsense, everything you got you earned. He laid a very structured foundation and installed a strong work ethic in all of us- had everyone complete a 5,000 hour work-training program when they joined the team."</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After years of watching his father work and grow his company, and slowly becoming more and more involved himself, Michael began to consider that perhaps this really could be something for him to do. There was a huge satisfaction in working <em>with</em> designers to orchestrate the undertaking of a custom woodworking program. Besides, Michael jests, </span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"After enough time around the smell of sawdust, I think it grows on ya'."</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ncYJvs8HMvgZS1qcGLyOo8bJy7HWQyPGXjZBGgLub0sY5MI7vvWyV2er5OSvD5YIR91MxHi4bwUn-3k8diUzkSCYyF5qlztEnzQWyshJc_WRqx1VC5hytzwcoN6jf5i0fHlfFXxNJ8I/s1600/mww+dining+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ncYJvs8HMvgZS1qcGLyOo8bJy7HWQyPGXjZBGgLub0sY5MI7vvWyV2er5OSvD5YIR91MxHi4bwUn-3k8diUzkSCYyF5qlztEnzQWyshJc_WRqx1VC5hytzwcoN6jf5i0fHlfFXxNJ8I/s640/mww+dining+room.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merritt puts it's masterly finishing touch on this dining room with a white lacquer, design by <a href="http://www.scottsnyderinc.com/" target="_blank">Scott Snyder, Inc.</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FMXq4Xw2vRMyd3ZyctMG44GRKdVFErdYoiT3tzUCSZNOvYmqDJKFv4hiFgqb67EictHYbFvV5N2ktVS0EQHWyO6KocXM7qmwJQYyzkGeGAyCufLcVqYEPGAZ_VmzQYBXx-xxVThIEfs/s1600/mww+foyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FMXq4Xw2vRMyd3ZyctMG44GRKdVFErdYoiT3tzUCSZNOvYmqDJKFv4hiFgqb67EictHYbFvV5N2ktVS0EQHWyO6KocXM7qmwJQYyzkGeGAyCufLcVqYEPGAZ_VmzQYBXx-xxVThIEfs/s320/mww+foyer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another white lacquered masterpiece; design by <a href="http://www.scottsnyderinc.com/" target="_blank">Scott Snyder, Inc.</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But there's more to it than that. We've had the privilege of seeing Michael in action, making his thorough presentation of wood's possibilities to some of today's most coveted addresses, and he may well be underestimating his own passion for wood in architecture and design. You can tell in his presence and intensity that he demands excellence in craftsmanship , engineering and installation, and nothing less, to bring his clients designs to life. He alone holds a wealth of knowledge to various wood species and types, custom finishes, veneers, and even which architectural vernaculars and geographic locations might benefit best from various materials. He is just as thorough as we imagine his father might have been. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I suppose due to my English heritage I've always had an affinity for Mahogany, which carves beautifully." Says Michael, reflecting on some of his personal favorite materials. "And Walnut Cherries and Maple woods are also beautiful American woods; but since so many of these trees have been decimated with so much of them wasted, they are harder to come by in solids. So [we] still use them, more sparingly, for veneers."</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Wbw4jMIXFjR4L1v3KJ4WZRd9g8_pr5pWTSyCt0kS9mo6MfckUwJtNJCLphhlXXYHCeM0CxXbGphfURwENfA672kYxyNSVbyZG5BNsPiIU-Yb546A6gpZwLuNgSjgCuNTNEXc2OxPzYo/s1600/mww+shop2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Wbw4jMIXFjR4L1v3KJ4WZRd9g8_pr5pWTSyCt0kS9mo6MfckUwJtNJCLphhlXXYHCeM0CxXbGphfURwENfA672kYxyNSVbyZG5BNsPiIU-Yb546A6gpZwLuNgSjgCuNTNEXc2OxPzYo/s200/mww+shop2.jpg" width="188" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">After 30 years of building a successful company with a sterling reputation, passing his affinity for strategy, beauty and craftsmanship on to his sons Michael and Keith, George A. Merritt passed in 2001. It was right at a pivotal moment in Merritt Woodwork's company history, having progressed just enough for a new level of expansion, and it was at that time Michael and Keith Merritt decided to grab hold of the reins and let her lead the way. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTlIa0dEChkDHj7bWY2XUp4yuE2JhH58rCjVspK2LYA0EjDZ6FcbTPBe3ErZxiw5KNdTAxoNtbE2ytiCGmfzOBY511snoDco3rl2ONreRJZLpozJXUIRyyt9Y6dJe6GLH2Jde8xhLjUg/s1600/mww+custom+globe+compartment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTlIa0dEChkDHj7bWY2XUp4yuE2JhH58rCjVspK2LYA0EjDZ6FcbTPBe3ErZxiw5KNdTAxoNtbE2ytiCGmfzOBY511snoDco3rl2ONreRJZLpozJXUIRyyt9Y6dJe6GLH2Jde8xhLjUg/s320/mww+custom+globe+compartment.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merritt stuns with this custom globe with hidden compartments.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Merritt Woodwork has grown from servicing high end residential projects with it's astounding abilities (and even custom creation of home furnishings for their projects) and has also moved into not only retail and corporate environments, but also <em>marine</em> environments. Yes, you heard that right, Merritt Woodwork also provides their talent to enhancing yacht joinery, furnishings and living environments. Michael himself has always been a fan of sea life and saw an interesting opportunity to expand Merritt's abilities there. One of his favorite hallmark projects in this new realm was working on <a href="http://my-cakewalk.com/" target="_blank">Cakewalk</a>: a mega-yacht of luxury, has been the largest to be built in the U.S. since the 1930's. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2T1JAs6ms3VR3cUgK0ypTjAAJ8ct2Z0AZPiQ55soFTwbxyJfa_dzMrmOLQef1LbcR-4VUEzHh_HrNP5z3en5IyA5-vWIFetcvpyBi8p4cXGRdX88HHkRm0tybL6kvY22LxDxx-T47SA/s1600/CakewalkLauderdale-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2T1JAs6ms3VR3cUgK0ypTjAAJ8ct2Z0AZPiQ55soFTwbxyJfa_dzMrmOLQef1LbcR-4VUEzHh_HrNP5z3en5IyA5-vWIFetcvpyBi8p4cXGRdX88HHkRm0tybL6kvY22LxDxx-T47SA/s320/CakewalkLauderdale-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://my-cakewalk.com/" target="_blank">Cakewalk</a>: 281 feet long and 2,998 tons is grand indeed.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> <span style="font-size: large;">"It was really a moment of pride for us," says Michael, "we were very involved with the preliminary development and the outcome was beautiful."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Another one of the many ways Merritt Woodwork has since grown into the unique powerhouse of woodwork it is today, has been in utilizing technology and fusing it with highly trained craftspeople it employs along with other trained artisans as well. (One of their favorite artists Merritt sometimes collaborates with is Master Carver <a href="http://www.agrellcarving.com/agrell-architectural-carving/our-master-carver-%E2%80%93-ian-agrell" target="_blank">Ian Agrell</a>.) Of course with programs like AutoCAD and various new machines to assist with handling and roughing out large quantities of wood (followed by hand carving and touching up), Merritt Woodwork employs an even more exceptional technological tool to their package of services: climate controlled workshops and vehicles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Being thorough in every way possible, Merritt is also dedicated to being just as economical with time as they are with detailing. Many millwork outfits can struggle to provide timely delivery on job sites or installations as the seasonal humidity, temperature and geographic location affect the expansion and contraction of wood. Michael has pointed out that if the workshop is finishing detailing a project in Ohio in August for September delivery and installation in New York or California- both the climate of the shop and the project location will affect the size and measurements of the material. The best way to avoid being incorrect on sizing or potentially holding up a schedule because they can't install until the wood goes back to the correct size, is to make it and deliver it in climate controlled environments. This way, when the project is ready for them, they arrive and deliver the pre-completed product via refrigerated vehicle and install it first thing. The result is flawless excellence that lasts for lifetimes to come.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahQebwJ1vkcEzgBlUh1zN45HE0W0uTH2L8P9RsWboQ3cxXekOGu8zjeYNmztj66zmjjoKsmYeKOgsOjAbfodzT2FIXauzMi3c2mPMwOp3x1Pu5X44bVF95VUmh2TuouVbK4zvKrBTs5w/s1600/mww+rustic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahQebwJ1vkcEzgBlUh1zN45HE0W0uTH2L8P9RsWboQ3cxXekOGu8zjeYNmztj66zmjjoKsmYeKOgsOjAbfodzT2FIXauzMi3c2mPMwOp3x1Pu5X44bVF95VUmh2TuouVbK4zvKrBTs5w/s640/mww+rustic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This residence gets a Merritt Woodwork finish with an authentic, rustic use of wood.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So aside from all we know now about what a thorough, comprehensive woodwork experience can be for a space, should one choose to work with an outfit like Merritt; we know just how dynamic even more details of design can be. This company has truly taken the age-old crafts of wood, addressed and premeditated all of it's pros and cons, and found solutions to be able to apply its beauty everywhere. And we're glad- now that we've seen wood and millwork intelligently utilized and applied properly, we can be aware when we're not having it done right. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When we ask Michael finally, if there was anything he would like to leave us with, anything he'd like to say to the world about his craft and company, he pauses thoughtfully and says:</span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Really, more than anything, I wish I could energize the enthusiasm for woodwork in trades and design, and encourage it's use. It's a special craft. One that never stops being beautiful."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks, Michael. We totally agree.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaK2ACMK2c_aTlTw08rXVnM-aHMalDZP2KdEW9XigB-I1Z9VhBvcLyrvvSw66WsDUoX5RPxSVYGgZEL0GYrhn9mUk6R4_9291z2IBCz_jJIVMT7RwFLZwAMkUuQbwT92LjIolZobadl6A/s1600/modern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaK2ACMK2c_aTlTw08rXVnM-aHMalDZP2KdEW9XigB-I1Z9VhBvcLyrvvSw66WsDUoX5RPxSVYGgZEL0GYrhn9mUk6R4_9291z2IBCz_jJIVMT7RwFLZwAMkUuQbwT92LjIolZobadl6A/s640/modern.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merritt Woodwork utilizes Makore wood to bring this modern residence to life. Architecture by<a href="http://www.jeffreyberkusarchitects.com/#" target="_blank"> Jeffery Berkus Architects</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1DDAuXu6s2LcacXxR-W2vRU6f-Fzo-F5vtZA7sWA2-2vZoJ_-l1XSAo3HTu1d4jU371d5srKQeFMMvU_Iuqn9jwUYffvKLqGwnvkxaKnO-iDOp9SFj9LUpjSqskqod2TFriD_J2qTaU/s1600/mwwstudy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1DDAuXu6s2LcacXxR-W2vRU6f-Fzo-F5vtZA7sWA2-2vZoJ_-l1XSAo3HTu1d4jU371d5srKQeFMMvU_Iuqn9jwUYffvKLqGwnvkxaKnO-iDOp9SFj9LUpjSqskqod2TFriD_J2qTaU/s640/mwwstudy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merritt Woodwork enriches this lush dining area with cerused White Oak. Design by <a href="http://www.scottsnyderinc.com/" target="_blank">Scott Snyder, Inc.</a></td></tr>
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Merritt Woodwork has worked on projects featured in <em><a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/" target="_blank">Architectural Digest</a></em>, <em><a href="http://robbreport.com/" target="_blank">Robb Report</a></em>, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bunny-Williams-Point-View/dp/1584796243/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351709964&sr=8-1&keywords=bunny+williams+point+of+view" target="_blank">Bunny Williams' Point of View: Three Decades of Decorating Elegant and Comfortable Houses</a></em>, and <a href="http://www.merrittwoodwork.com/acclaim.html" target="_blank">many more</a>. You can learn more about them at <a href="http://www.merrittwoodwork.com/">www.merrittwoodwork.com</a><span id="goog_1704768756"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1704768757"></span>, or contact their headquarters in Ohio: 440.220.7816.Alanna Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578720302011169313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476761650415415197.post-21150324303972087362012-09-30T15:28:00.002-07:002012-10-27T13:24:56.421-07:00No.4 Treating the Room Right With Robin Feuer of The Ruffled Window<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilx3YtKSPZi07nZvdmIjvu1eed3cXGDA7Alzq8SIGiXOjaJw4c-9z7EBg1KlNNhngyr7tjBPnvd3TuJkxyYEC0m7Spx2UZJLlv2zlYPfIjRElEN0XrOE655MR-8GT5uN4YJZJIIPvGbmE/s1600/RobinTRW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilx3YtKSPZi07nZvdmIjvu1eed3cXGDA7Alzq8SIGiXOjaJw4c-9z7EBg1KlNNhngyr7tjBPnvd3TuJkxyYEC0m7Spx2UZJLlv2zlYPfIjRElEN0XrOE655MR-8GT5uN4YJZJIIPvGbmE/s400/RobinTRW.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Who</b>: Robin Feuer</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What</b>: The Ruffled Window - Custom Drapery Workroom</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>When</b>: Since the year 2000</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Where</b>: The Tri-State Area and Beyond</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Always delightful and dressed to the nines, Robin Feuer generally lights up the room with her optimism, warm smile and playful New York accent; so perhaps it's no surprise she would wind up in a career where she literally illuminates rooms everywhere. When Robin discovered she had more than what it took to craft highly customized window treatments she went on to create what is now </span><span style="font-size: large;">one of the industry's most coveted to-the-trade-only, custom drapery workroom's.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWvqgJnQ4LeBrJp-T7llHUdDk4TgY0gbQW_3VaCXG3Z9AMYRD0sq21BSBoQFWiBaS0NQh9jgtDd8QahKkPcOQWFpnr4L5wFLqohHHOytLSvf_0_omhGg7h8lt_RTecIn_-rMg8wYJduo/s1600/TRWdrapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWvqgJnQ4LeBrJp-T7llHUdDk4TgY0gbQW_3VaCXG3Z9AMYRD0sq21BSBoQFWiBaS0NQh9jgtDd8QahKkPcOQWFpnr4L5wFLqohHHOytLSvf_0_omhGg7h8lt_RTecIn_-rMg8wYJduo/s320/TRWdrapes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TRW custom drapes enrich a residence's sitting room. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When Robin's grandmother immigrated from Russia in the 1920's she brought her art, talent and high design standards with her- creating highly sought after custom couture dresses for the next two decades. Naturally, her mother, and later she too, was raised immersed in fashion, sewing and fabrics, learning unparalleled attention to detail and craft. This matrilineal apprenticeship fit nicely for Robin as she grew to enjoy and master her own designs. So w</span><span style="font-size: large;">hen I ask her why drapes and window treatments (You should all know by now I always must know how one winds up in such a specialized niche of an already niche market), she laughs:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Oh totally by accident! </span><span style="font-size: large;">I was a menswear and specialty children's designer for years." Reflects Robin. "I went to F.I.T. for Fashion Design and later on designed textiles and home furnishings. So a family member of mine who is an interior designer called me one day with a really difficult window treatment she thought I may be able to help her with."</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOlE58gR0lvbqIkreQhJ7h91iYAnHFMdP83QFgumPr-c-DcwGdLUsIiMJdz16ZtMveAf3c04PbRjnBxgFbdnJSNAx3dbUBNi4TAKKb3QcPV6HvC1IQ9UVDPG9tVF8xNHuLzIjAmOCw4Y/s1600/Ruffled+Window+March+2008+lauren+Ostrow-Runyon+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOlE58gR0lvbqIkreQhJ7h91iYAnHFMdP83QFgumPr-c-DcwGdLUsIiMJdz16ZtMveAf3c04PbRjnBxgFbdnJSNAx3dbUBNi4TAKKb3QcPV6HvC1IQ9UVDPG9tVF8xNHuLzIjAmOCw4Y/s640/Ruffled+Window+March+2008+lauren+Ostrow-Runyon+001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I said sure and wound up having a ball!"</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TRW Installers securing hardware.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so in the year 2000 <a href="http://theruffledwindow.com/index.php" target="_blank">The Ruffled Window</a> was born. As it turns out, having a background in fashion, textiles and tailoring gave Robin a huge advantage in her new trade- she found plans weren't so difficult to navigate and was able to easily sidestep some of the large architectural issues that might arise in an a room's production. What's more is the ease that came with conducting an installation on site; after years in fashion, the attention to detail and ability to be meticulous under pressure was nothing short of the norm. </span><br />
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"I get to work in these gorgeous homes, with beautiful fabrics and with some incredibly talented people." says Robin, not minding a moment of the stress "I love what I do!"</blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgjMxZmnVy_FHgpfSR4n-39xamwexxePdeFBqTYd3gsv1c7UGHPOOeLK8B3Lsk9myRXIux5MPiXs1bh0ZnNPmfi2mcE3Y-7FciI9_wSCT2nS7V2Z25W92UaVct_KIVimO8A9OjEJX_i8/s1600/W+Wong+Photo's+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgjMxZmnVy_FHgpfSR4n-39xamwexxePdeFBqTYd3gsv1c7UGHPOOeLK8B3Lsk9myRXIux5MPiXs1bh0ZnNPmfi2mcE3Y-7FciI9_wSCT2nS7V2Z25W92UaVct_KIVimO8A9OjEJX_i8/s640/W+Wong+Photo's+001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An elegant treatment by The Ruffled Window, interior design by <a href="http://www.dkda.com/" target="_blank">David Kleinberg Design Associates</a>.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After working on her first project accidentally and deciding she would and could do more with window treatments, The Ruffled Window began doing mostly retail projects. However, the more Robin worked with interior designers the more she began to thrive on this new aspect of design. Project to project, Robin was referred to a big interior designer who wanted to try her services on a high end residential project- and this was where it all came together. Both Robin and the designer were able to collaborate and thrive on detail, and in ways many retail projects might not call for, and this was where Robin knew she was onto something.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
"Interior designers really do have a vision, and I think that generally when we work together they really appreciate the professionalism, efficiency and attention to detail we bring. We contribute to their vision and make the process go more smoothly."</blockquote>
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVu-rouaO1tgxbayACjlJJhQ-4O7I9JfWQTlkGzr-cTkJqA_c-Z6U1SKA50SdXFUW8Ml4Hxqf77MK1FCRJAH-CKSJSta3YzZCaH8GbFTmccIyWqK3X8v8i_Ngf5AqVlbY2SD8jF-cfzk/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVu-rouaO1tgxbayACjlJJhQ-4O7I9JfWQTlkGzr-cTkJqA_c-Z6U1SKA50SdXFUW8Ml4Hxqf77MK1FCRJAH-CKSJSta3YzZCaH8GbFTmccIyWqK3X8v8i_Ngf5AqVlbY2SD8jF-cfzk/s1600/photo.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Ruffled Window seamstress + artisan preps fabric in the workroom</td></tr>
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</a><span style="font-size: large;">The workroom, where The Ruffled Window conducts the full preparation and customization of their treatments- be it creating a mock-up of motorized shades; crafting, finishing or gilding their custom hardware (rings, finials, curtain rods); hand stitching an endless array of drapery and curtains; or upholstering custom items- is always bustling with activity. It has been noted before that interior designers understand fabrics and treatments, and great designers especially, know that curtains should hang like a gown, or quite simply how various fabrics should be treated (steamed, pressed, lined etc)- every member of Robin's team understands this as well, and has often been trained by Robin herself. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tSe6pjM8MuRmXP_voXjyi3XLe8TFhJJJ-EWGKMrcNQhSky257UtHZxiouPZaZQDVjGU_H_p0DSjwV1geHbFk5tDFmLCFi6oLL5ThYtU0bqiMBAlWIamQpWCF2DjhCJa2_WG3Mlml-7E/s1600/TRWhandstitching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tSe6pjM8MuRmXP_voXjyi3XLe8TFhJJJ-EWGKMrcNQhSky257UtHZxiouPZaZQDVjGU_H_p0DSjwV1geHbFk5tDFmLCFi6oLL5ThYtU0bqiMBAlWIamQpWCF2DjhCJa2_WG3Mlml-7E/s400/TRWhandstitching.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Ruffled Window Artisan hand stitches decorative lace drapes in the workroom.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> In fact The Ruffled Window goes to such painstaking lengths as to hand stitch many treatments, as well as coming up with ingenious ways to craft the shape a drape should take. (Once they hand stitched a light chain-mail into the bottom hem of a delicate chiffon drapery so as to have it hang properly and keep its form). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhGdk_QbQI9gcWWWP6e1dBb53QJs6NYL3yg-dwcf8lcVDneGXFxNOye-yYiNLmMCO9Dm0082utKrfcxog9FDTCGNTb2EenEJG-Fy8pvtXw9fppSOmjrUooTrbA18kkBjZ-j31GgraNHg/s1600/customupholsteredcolumn+rw.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhGdk_QbQI9gcWWWP6e1dBb53QJs6NYL3yg-dwcf8lcVDneGXFxNOye-yYiNLmMCO9Dm0082utKrfcxog9FDTCGNTb2EenEJG-Fy8pvtXw9fppSOmjrUooTrbA18kkBjZ-j31GgraNHg/s320/customupholsteredcolumn+rw.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An NYC penthouse gets a custom upholstered column</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This often includes a fabrics pre-treatment, mock up, hand detailing and treatment again before an installation. When all of the design specifications are approved, details arranged and fabrics selected with the interior design team, Robin and her team are able to work their</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Z4Gv98e17klCuUNNwM9IYpeZM0Jh2LcQ8tL6mXkbZSN9smZFQHGI1oXuXV1Q_i1IbZlKvsiGy8y29vx0ArnTh47drnVLi9r5ZZMIhfLZ7bjis9kumvze4cpgak8TolgIGKhSMEVNJa0/s1600/customshade-handstitched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Z4Gv98e17klCuUNNwM9IYpeZM0Jh2LcQ8tL6mXkbZSN9smZFQHGI1oXuXV1Q_i1IbZlKvsiGy8y29vx0ArnTh47drnVLi9r5ZZMIhfLZ7bjis9kumvze4cpgak8TolgIGKhSMEVNJa0/s320/customshade-handstitched.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A custom hand-stitched shade in progress.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">magic. The effect is often subtle but making all the difference in the world to the end result, lasting quality and ambiance of a room. Especially if your home is being designed to suit your every need and bit of character, be it modern, classical or nouveau traditional, there is likely to be a difficult moment in the design that only a highly trained professional could address properly. Be it having customized motorized shades or drapes, specially cut blinds or a very particular installation...</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"We specialize in those hard-to-treat areas and windows," notes Robin, "the detailing should be seamless."</span> </blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgejgOjPyTCxf5M4OxBeEbR6DTf8dedQRfLcIgT53WSMetIJ4sU1Q2q1LMGF-pmSXLnfkvExPHW8KHtpxlBhxMXb-wRirrKmJ0cqN6dx1N_nGgbmDrIF92Tkj3_MnuUczxz1VAS7JrMH8/s1600/custom+circular+blinds+rw.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgejgOjPyTCxf5M4OxBeEbR6DTf8dedQRfLcIgT53WSMetIJ4sU1Q2q1LMGF-pmSXLnfkvExPHW8KHtpxlBhxMXb-wRirrKmJ0cqN6dx1N_nGgbmDrIF92Tkj3_MnuUczxz1VAS7JrMH8/s200/custom+circular+blinds+rw.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Custom circular blinds</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> But really, when you think about it, why shouldn't every inch of a room in the home you are having specially designed for you, your life, needs and desires, be this customized? Investing in the expression of your home through design wouldn't be the same if it were low quality and only partially thought through; which is why companies and trades like this one make such a difference- they are helping dress the room, treating it with the TLC it needs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With all her knowledge and experience, it's no surprise that some of the biggest names in interior design have Robin on speed dial- The Ruffled Window knows how to treat a room right. And in addition to being pleased she stumbled upon the</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the custom drapery niche of the high end design world, we're confident to say it probably doesn't hurt that Robin also brings her charisma and warm, positive energy in tow to any project she takes on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">
"It's funny," Robin smiles, "I've always said [and really do believe] that having a room or window without a treatment is like going to a black tie ball with no lipstick!"</blockquote>
</span><span style="font-size: large;">And ain't that the truth. Down to the last column, pillow, headboard and window, there aren't enough ways to craft and treat elements of our homes with sophistocation and quality care so they last a lifetime. If the eyes are the window to the soul and the windows are the soul of a room, then surely they deserve the attention. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I don't know about you, but I just might put Robin Feuer and The Ruffled Window on speed dial myself.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbk0p5lzxCnJgxPJ03nNX4GIzsbotSWsZcDC09j_OqYQtmpN1nRgDIxDUKryDOlg8KfFUYBdH2_tIvjLojCvrobBi-qwH1ImH9gKvZCvr8kkA2zeSg0YAgmJ0th6HFILv9DD-h0bZfWE/s1600/W+Wong+Photo's+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbk0p5lzxCnJgxPJ03nNX4GIzsbotSWsZcDC09j_OqYQtmpN1nRgDIxDUKryDOlg8KfFUYBdH2_tIvjLojCvrobBi-qwH1ImH9gKvZCvr8kkA2zeSg0YAgmJ0th6HFILv9DD-h0bZfWE/s640/W+Wong+Photo's+006.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ruffled Window works their magic with custom drapery + gilded detailing in this <a href="http://www.dkda.com/" target="_blank">David Kleinberg Design Associates</a> design.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcm-zWD3ft9okSoRd0h6FM8-HEHJMUZzUgn5eP1L9cNOPMoIyvSgdx7X1WBwcmWw1TX5pEzTYL5FiOiMIpdcAtp2fllPNswFNl0YkfW1_XQznZNJAqeILSBCY3ZzhowMC_fzPHbe7m_U/s1600/417372_259680900771389_1805538798_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcm-zWD3ft9okSoRd0h6FM8-HEHJMUZzUgn5eP1L9cNOPMoIyvSgdx7X1WBwcmWw1TX5pEzTYL5FiOiMIpdcAtp2fllPNswFNl0YkfW1_XQznZNJAqeILSBCY3ZzhowMC_fzPHbe7m_U/s640/417372_259680900771389_1805538798_n.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic meets modern in this custom treated stairwell. Interior Design by <a href="http://www.dkda.com/" target="_blank">David Kleinberg Design Associates</a>.</td></tr>
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Robin Feuer is the CEO and owner of <a href="http://theruffledwindow.com/about.php" target="_blank">The Ruffled Window</a>. She has received numerous awards as a fashion designer and superlative recognition as a custom draper. The Ruffled Window's workroom is located in Engelwood, New Jersey and they service projects everywhere. You can contact them at: 201.439.9799<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />Alanna Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578720302011169313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476761650415415197.post-42211430005205076542012-08-31T21:00:00.002-07:002012-10-19T11:20:08.109-07:00No.3 Written In Stone- Richard Carbino Talks Classical Stone Carving Today with Traditional Cut Stone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WNV9W2QSx3iAeh1VSRBuzu4EX50l88-5EhtWqGiQNDs3S8DYoDfJnciZkeaEiRepox1j1klBwR0Ui_RBgqWHDOu4bjmRs24bjMJP2CaBoIC1DA7-GskRnVWbaB8Xs7S_tp_s-AvKh-I/s1600/Team!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WNV9W2QSx3iAeh1VSRBuzu4EX50l88-5EhtWqGiQNDs3S8DYoDfJnciZkeaEiRepox1j1klBwR0Ui_RBgqWHDOu4bjmRs24bjMJP2CaBoIC1DA7-GskRnVWbaB8Xs7S_tp_s-AvKh-I/s640/Team!.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Who</b>: Richard Carbino</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What</b>: Traditional Cut Stone, Ltd.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>When</b>: Since the Earth was created, and Man first carved stone</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Where</b>: Toronto, Canada </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">+ services projects all over North America</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">R</span><span style="font-size: large;">ichard Carbino is vivacious, fun-loving, always enjoys a good laugh- at first glance you might not guess he was deeply passionate about stone and one of the leading forces behind what is today, home to the largest existing studio of classically trained stone carvers in North America. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Inspired and moved by art and architecture all over Europe and the work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Richard pursued his own training as a Journeyman Mason under Danish Master Mason Knud Norgaard in Kingston, Canada.</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"It's funny though, aside from my love of the craft, I had a foreman on a job once tell me I talked too much and maybe I should work in sales," Richard laughs, "well..."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On November 11, 1999, their hearts aflutter with hope and optimism, three men gathered and set out on a mission to preserve the history and beauty of an irreplaceable art. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Richard Carbino was one of these three, along with David Tyrrell and Lawrence Voaides, who officially founded Traditional Cut Stone, Ltd. T</span><span style="font-size: large;">heir utter love for stone, art and architecture would not be in vein, they would preserve it's place in architecture and design for as long as they possibly could. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"It was a day to remember, indeed." Says Richard.</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOHZo3sXTqjRr32vp8Rdc99FsdYqe0zwk2hd0ggmjRFnJO8E7KEUKROG8aCiKYZ4mDU-6ySRPKO7bVkw2ahFLRZsxpKsSOezFhvaz49hj8YI-fAwzha2TGharY37P2Sl1M-33PQDrEv0/s1600/Picture+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOHZo3sXTqjRr32vp8Rdc99FsdYqe0zwk2hd0ggmjRFnJO8E7KEUKROG8aCiKYZ4mDU-6ySRPKO7bVkw2ahFLRZsxpKsSOezFhvaz49hj8YI-fAwzha2TGharY37P2Sl1M-33PQDrEv0/s320/Picture+045.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">TCS rendering for a stone fountain.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Cut Stone, Ltd. specializes in upholding the classical elements of </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">stone carving in architecture, preserving a certain integrity, honesty and high caliber element in building that isn't as easily found as one might think- they preserve and protect the <i>art </i>in architecture. Not just the final outcome, but the process of its creation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we've learned here once before, with <a href="http://artisanalspecs.blogspot.com/2012/06/foster-reeve-associates-inc.html" target="_blank">Foster Reeve</a>, another advocate of the classical design and creation process, there are numerous components that go into expressing a superlative design correctly. Richard and his team take this no less seriously. </span><span style="font-size: large;">For them, however, the preservation of this historically heroic process is necessary as they are in the business of creating history-</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpftQSs47ul2I_-q8UTSAZweNX_Lgbc2x1IFZ4ID9AMoSduExr4ig0kip1mQc35fz4BUTlhxMs53FN-PkrA9G9K2xZl-vKSNapopO9jwKOxfIyWuYUHb4nqNA44UXJ6eKZ2OQsZYHNOU/s1600/Corinthian-IndianaStone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpftQSs47ul2I_-q8UTSAZweNX_Lgbc2x1IFZ4ID9AMoSduExr4ig0kip1mQc35fz4BUTlhxMs53FN-PkrA9G9K2xZl-vKSNapopO9jwKOxfIyWuYUHb4nqNA44UXJ6eKZ2OQsZYHNOU/s400/Corinthian-IndianaStone.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">TCS custom Corinthian Capitals made of Indiana Stone adorn these columns.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Think about it, stone is the oldest, most widely used building material on the planet. To conquer natural stone- to shape, carve and build with it- it makes you feel like anything is possible. And its inherently organic quality and sense of permanence are both awe- inspiring and humbling at the same time."</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUshNUQttjR-EdwzkrJW7k9bUedQGD1Eec50W71Fpj28L4CkcgWU3DVItZRw_9vUn-Llda9ShxoCcDvHxKEgxLyr_V3x1oy0ZqcjxDNO9dsb_h8zyDPiDZoS7Z5o27bAK1UMl5qqkCV0E/s1600/5th+set+of+pics+044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUshNUQttjR-EdwzkrJW7k9bUedQGD1Eec50W71Fpj28L4CkcgWU3DVItZRw_9vUn-Llda9ShxoCcDvHxKEgxLyr_V3x1oy0ZqcjxDNO9dsb_h8zyDPiDZoS7Z5o27bAK1UMl5qqkCV0E/s400/5th+set+of+pics+044.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Michelangelo Bust in Carrara Marble</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's one thing to make sculptural art work out of stone to stand alone, but Richard notes that the combined effectiveness of stones durability and aesthetic enhancement of adorning a building that makes its use in architecture and design so breathtaking. So when I ask him quite simply why, aside from the challenge it provides, stone matters; why is it important to have classically trained artisans and stone carvers participate in architecture and design in 2012, Richard doesn't have to think for a moment-</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"For the same reason that opera, classical music and ballet matter. Without the arts there is no culture. Without culture there is no love. Without love, there is no life."</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWakHxFW9bI6KPKTJFDuKad8fuy8_ziB6u7jOQA5plXbc1xHoezhiQO-djJIBuO8vvNOQJFXnsG9hO1Mmk2Y-AmyCvPVr_5SlejE2serUm2_tmXR6tWZnpcb-TMPtAXXLUHTd0r4qi8vQ/s1600/newfacilities20ksqft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWakHxFW9bI6KPKTJFDuKad8fuy8_ziB6u7jOQA5plXbc1xHoezhiQO-djJIBuO8vvNOQJFXnsG9hO1Mmk2Y-AmyCvPVr_5SlejE2serUm2_tmXR6tWZnpcb-TMPtAXXLUHTd0r4qi8vQ/s400/newfacilities20ksqft.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TCS 20,000 sq ft atelier in Toronto, Canada.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">C</span><span style="font-size: large;">ustomized, hand crafted creations that come out of Traditional Cut Stone's 20,000 square foot atelier in Toronto, Canada are indeed pieces of art. The process each project undergoes is thorough, and fuses the articulation of old methods with a few the newer technologies to help expedite the process. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TCS phase one of a tympanum.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When a client and/or designer comes to Traditional Cut Stone with a project, they bring a vision. This vision is one that is shared with Traditional Cut Stone's team and artists to begin. After an in-depth round of </span><span style="font-size: large;">research and sketches (to assist in creating the most </span><span style="font-size: large;">historically and artistically correct image possible), the artist will develop sketches into more lush renderings which are then submitted for approval. These drafts may begin on a small scale, but they do also get printed out to their full scale for initial design development to begin. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6FyS9-W7HsSAa-uSjNobGvFQFCzci8REGBP2mLyDXdT_bXyKGuEeV9ALMB7tdFAWIQZNZEH9PHi7dguZvUMFhIT88LfnfJVfLlaQVHz7S5Ro5CtoQsAi2b71h0VYQlKFfIIO-kYx1Is/s1600/tcseagle1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6FyS9-W7HsSAa-uSjNobGvFQFCzci8REGBP2mLyDXdT_bXyKGuEeV9ALMB7tdFAWIQZNZEH9PHi7dguZvUMFhIT88LfnfJVfLlaQVHz7S5Ro5CtoQsAi2b71h0VYQlKFfIIO-kYx1Is/s640/tcseagle1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The above rendering of a building's tympanum with an eagle sculpture is taken to the next phase, with the image printed to it's actual scale, and the beginnings of it's sculptural actualization.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqTQOFHoJtsTb87HJL36E3PvIhkucneUL_-9G1P4sO0eZY2mCL-8_9tb4WHp01wma_TGg8If-yGcmSkot9muXKusA5lqqeY9y8EKXSGVw-LiZf5BUUQR1DCMn60okHA2XlrtiH8Nd-_M/s1600/HPIM1661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqTQOFHoJtsTb87HJL36E3PvIhkucneUL_-9G1P4sO0eZY2mCL-8_9tb4WHp01wma_TGg8If-yGcmSkot9muXKusA5lqqeY9y8EKXSGVw-LiZf5BUUQR1DCMn60okHA2XlrtiH8Nd-_M/s640/HPIM1661.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The tympanum's ornamentation and sculpture continues to take shape at it's intended scale.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMcM1-vo4MLImOUjy7kQLfNqA9xrrsx5U5S60-qma2Oss2mRvPbZFUW5jl2SAITJwEBQbKBHu0P-E8Uvislh9vRSUA0Lg-mM0sQ9M9CWDjgopTlghCi1eBzbnw5oKflvQ_cH658_Bhfw/s1600/HPIM1765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMcM1-vo4MLImOUjy7kQLfNqA9xrrsx5U5S60-qma2Oss2mRvPbZFUW5jl2SAITJwEBQbKBHu0P-E8Uvislh9vRSUA0Lg-mM0sQ9M9CWDjgopTlghCi1eBzbnw5oKflvQ_cH658_Bhfw/s640/HPIM1765.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A close up on some of the near complete detailing of the tympanum's eagle and bay leaves sculpture- you can watch a seriously awesome slideshow of the process <a href="http://traditionalcutstone.com/slideshow/tradcutSlide.html" target="_blank">here </a>as well.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also similar to Mr. Reeve's process, when a rendering is approved, a sculptor begins to work out a mock-up of the piece at hand with clay, and later is also molded in plaster. While some of these elements of preparation are being addressed and perfected, Traditional Cut Stone will also work with the design team and artisans to select the right natural stone for the piece. Sometimes, this can be challenging as there is such a wide variety of stones out there to choose from, and depending on the project- be it a balustrade, a specially commissioned bust, a full range of facade ornamentation or a fireplace- selecting this material is crucial. After all, once it's done in stone, it really is there forever.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRgSrPJQzycjI7xeWhYeR_va12VSzvDkqMVfSiG7m79InG9tSXmxM73MydZ2KzcW5wpFBDLFcjPesok34uU5_2GUk8ORFATIl7dERE6nI3wUIlFNvgGD4AmzDdojTCZzmm06nexLNP6M/s1600/occulouswindowsurround-MNlimestone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRgSrPJQzycjI7xeWhYeR_va12VSzvDkqMVfSiG7m79InG9tSXmxM73MydZ2KzcW5wpFBDLFcjPesok34uU5_2GUk8ORFATIl7dERE6nI3wUIlFNvgGD4AmzDdojTCZzmm06nexLNP6M/s400/occulouswindowsurround-MNlimestone.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An occulus window surround carved in Minnesota Limestone</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I'd have to say that Stone's are really just like people- some of good character and some of bad character... The trick is knowing which ones to invite to your dinner party." Richard jests. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"It all comes down to fitness for use; it depends on the stone type. Some sandstone's and limestone's are good for exterior use, and some aren't. [Although] my favorites would include: Carrara marble for figurative statuary; and limestone or sandstone for architectural ornamentation."</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbKhYsJjdoOuWbCrvp-r4BmH9GRXoglzVIaiu9DwzJ05mpE3kQ13FCEiOn9zJbj3NpePsVjvlBVslFxLNE2QLJFST2WRdpz4OThT01uII4pMwPWZ3i4fgyWYyTD9CBGYC8f7BTsKKVt4/s1600/Sun+HQ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbKhYsJjdoOuWbCrvp-r4BmH9GRXoglzVIaiu9DwzJ05mpE3kQ13FCEiOn9zJbj3NpePsVjvlBVslFxLNE2QLJFST2WRdpz4OThT01uII4pMwPWZ3i4fgyWYyTD9CBGYC8f7BTsKKVt4/s320/Sun+HQ.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">TCS artisans hand carve + chisel stone ornamentation.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> When a stone is selected and all of the details of the 3 dimensional clay mock-up have been approved, a plaster cast of the clay sculpture is taken. </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This plaster cast provides as a fully accurate model for the artisan to work from as they begin stone cutting and carving.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Cut Stone, is in fact, extremely loyal to the tradition of stone carving as it's been passed down through history. The entire process up until this point remains relatively the same as it was in he 14th Century, with the exception of using AutoCAD to electronically compute dimensions to scale of the final product. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4zP6QfLRGJEFpEW1kC1-6ADVPujTbaeLXiLqHWUGnw82KJp8xGAhB8NgQttyvNHXHUTyXjoATwfyFt1TtWLZUHIxdE_5JJYa3jNhulHukOLH6f0wF-Dt97LtflaOcFVHsLR_UEuQSkA/s1600/david+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4zP6QfLRGJEFpEW1kC1-6ADVPujTbaeLXiLqHWUGnw82KJp8xGAhB8NgQttyvNHXHUTyXjoATwfyFt1TtWLZUHIxdE_5JJYa3jNhulHukOLH6f0wF-Dt97LtflaOcFVHsLR_UEuQSkA/s320/david+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An air hammer is utilized to smooth out carved details.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They may also use a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine to assist with cutting down extremely large pieces of stone to a geometrically (and proportionally) manageable size to begin the work by hand; or an air hammer to assist with smoothing out sections of a piece of stone. Utilizing today's technology to assist with the ancient process of stone carving with a chisel, mallet and hammer, helps cut down on time once spent on labor intensive activities </span><span style="font-size: large;">(like cutting down a massive chunk of stone to the size you need), and leaves that time to be spent focusing on the artistry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Traditional Cut Stone has actually shown that technology has helped to maintain an age old process that requires no technology at all. While creating architectural details with stone can seem a lengthy process, it seems it should be, for it is the process itself that is preparation for something that will last for generations to come.(If you look up synonyms for 'permanent', you're likely to find phrases such as 'set in stone' for a reason- stone lives on past us). </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rLxLQm2Sz7m7kMEL_OUPBG_bop5UXl0fvlGaKX0AFP4-EZ92nir2opM2HPK5v76TBJSwnB2ml73WM1JA1erdYrth9nmvMWpMcREukCx3EueYDhlLE3k5GNnry7lwtRaaqLzW6pkR3bQ/s1600/pbc_-%C2%AEcjw_020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rLxLQm2Sz7m7kMEL_OUPBG_bop5UXl0fvlGaKX0AFP4-EZ92nir2opM2HPK5v76TBJSwnB2ml73WM1JA1erdYrth9nmvMWpMcREukCx3EueYDhlLE3k5GNnry7lwtRaaqLzW6pkR3bQ/s640/pbc_-%C2%AEcjw_020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The eagle, tympanum and architectural ornamentation are settled into their new home.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span><span style="font-size: large;">t makes one wonder just how much more time we should be devoting to so many aspects of our lives. Richard, David and Lawrence didn't care about the trends of the times when they gathered together to create Traditional Cut Stone (the use of numerous alternate materials in the 1970's nearly wiped stone off the menu in building) they were devoted to preserving the craft, integrity and process that goes into creating spaces of meaning which we inhabit. </span><span style="font-size: large;">These men have created a space for the love of art, materials and architecture can foster one another and grow. It nearly seems overwhelming to think of just how much goes into creating pieces of history now. Alas, Richard reassures me it is not impossible to participate and appreciate art, architecture and stone everywhere:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Look up! Look around you! Study the architectural stone where you live and wherever you may travel. By doing so you will be paying homage to the men and women that have literally carved mankind's history in stone."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now this is the sort of underlying philosophy and ethos that actually should be set in stone. Thanks, Richard.</span></div>
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Alanna Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578720302011169313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476761650415415197.post-38594994313894810062012-07-30T10:18:00.000-07:002012-10-19T11:19:16.988-07:00No.2 Mixing It Up with Dana Berkowitz of Hacienda Design Studio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtji2UB83D6xvlBjTCNjhg1D_56_cDZ5ylJ0fegZqeRdVHHA9zAu8mIJNACLXrQ7Y-mNWl1D02rufO-xBwrjYBNozvjQ-bXWhCvLt9LaghazhXhWb4IkyN1WhPrswc5ZL1-5k4AfOyf4/s1600/hdc_blog_header2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtji2UB83D6xvlBjTCNjhg1D_56_cDZ5ylJ0fegZqeRdVHHA9zAu8mIJNACLXrQ7Y-mNWl1D02rufO-xBwrjYBNozvjQ-bXWhCvLt9LaghazhXhWb4IkyN1WhPrswc5ZL1-5k4AfOyf4/s320/hdc_blog_header2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Who</strong>: Dana Berkowitz</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What</strong>: Hacienda Design Studio - Cement Remixed</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Where</strong>: Nation-Wide </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(and soon to be Internationally)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>When</strong>: They launched just this year, and are already on fire</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One afternoon in Yucatan's Historic District of Merida, Mexico, not so long after the last hammer and drill were packed up and the final contractor left, Dana Berkowitz sat in the uncanny quiet of her newly restored mansion drumming her fingers together slowly. Sitting on the edge of the couch, unsure how to relax just yet, she realized she'd done it, she'd accomplished her dream of restoring her very own beautiful, historic home in Mexico. The 1840's carriage house she'd bought in ruins just a few years before was now her very own pristine, restored historic home. Her drumming fingers came to a stop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I literally remember looking around and the first and only thing I could think of was: now what?"</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwo0B839Ao4zapetf93TbD4qsVqRaikbzha-idYR2Y2vvn2KYsA4tcOY1SHLqzbp0HAi1c1_Yjm5B8vC-vcq8HrvxQLD4f8fJWSOHdFdrWr3tqFSkG356inhOp05TgC5JkcJt6K0t7-A/s1600/YucatanRestoredMexico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwo0B839Ao4zapetf93TbD4qsVqRaikbzha-idYR2Y2vvn2KYsA4tcOY1SHLqzbp0HAi1c1_Yjm5B8vC-vcq8HrvxQLD4f8fJWSOHdFdrWr3tqFSkG356inhOp05TgC5JkcJt6K0t7-A/s400/YucatanRestoredMexico.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The restored Yucatan home with original cement floors</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dana's gaze landed directly on the colorful cement tile floor in front of her. She'd looked at it a million times, it was, afterall, the only part of the original house from the 1840's that was completely in-tact among the ruins when she bought it. She'd always enjoyed the colors and how the cool, smooth cement made sense in Mexico's hot, tropical weather... </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Then Dana looked a bit closer. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">And well, the rest, they could say, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;">remixed history</i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Being intrigued by the beauty and durability of the tiles in her own home, and what she was noticing more and more in her surroundings, Dana began to do her research. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Over two centuries ago cement tile made its way from Europe (Dana notes, most likely France) to Mexico where it grew in popularity and was quickly utilized as a regular part of building and decoration. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iUXEcDTIW_04o_fsRXKGzZ_9C9hku2dTf3L4mkYhTv4DMAi4a-vFD5nQNLc4FUHzZHxQHnMYSTn3ZP_2MlRwz5K6Br_EII8hLkmwSpnQ7TATRUawPiw_o7B8T76LZgS7fSwNBdqY-qg/s1600/hdsyucatanhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iUXEcDTIW_04o_fsRXKGzZ_9C9hku2dTf3L4mkYhTv4DMAi4a-vFD5nQNLc4FUHzZHxQHnMYSTn3ZP_2MlRwz5K6Br_EII8hLkmwSpnQ7TATRUawPiw_o7B8T76LZgS7fSwNBdqY-qg/s200/hdsyucatanhouse.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cement floors during restoration in Yucatan</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Making a mental note of cement tile around Merida and beginning to visit multiple shops where cement tile was made, she found that the utterly versatile and durable material her floors were made of was relatively simple and straight forward to produce, and even better, it was green. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Not only did the tile in my 170 year old house last nearly two centuries, but during the restoration, ceilings and walls were demolished right on top of the unprotected cement floors. When the rubble was carted away the floors were polished and still looked fantastic. And then I find out that on top of all of this: it's eco-friendly and LEED certified."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the pebbles of inspiration began taking shape (and color) in Dana's mind she found herself talking to more people about cement tile and eventually asking some of the local shop and factory owners she was meeting in Mexico if they would work with her on some designs she had brewing. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjed9rcQnVrV7L-2zju6IqUyYxOISwvXTDPIPOi3PF3S4ySF6b4k0kL2TQGPMi4cy8knsGJQ8lp3-A4jz44I8TgdM_qrxJzsWWr33HX0gfySsCjG-6-6RzTUfXa-1_jd_488Q-3X-RP9To/s1600/driedcolorsamplesupclose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjed9rcQnVrV7L-2zju6IqUyYxOISwvXTDPIPOi3PF3S4ySF6b4k0kL2TQGPMi4cy8knsGJQ8lp3-A4jz44I8TgdM_qrxJzsWWr33HX0gfySsCjG-6-6RzTUfXa-1_jd_488Q-3X-RP9To/s320/driedcolorsamplesupclose.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of HDC's original dried color samples up close.<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Much to her disappointment, not many were interested. Why change and grow? Things are fine as is... Challenged with the mellow thinking that can be found at times outside America's encouraged high-speed individualism, Dana sighed, but did not stop. She kept mulling things over in her head. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dana was no stranger to what a refined design aesthetic looked like. Prior to her journey to Mexico she had worked in the architecture + design industry at <a href="http://www.pierrefrey.com/" target="_blank">Pierre Frey</a>, and for ten years as a Senior Design Consultant at <a href="http://www.waterworks.com/" target="_blank">Waterworks </a> in [New York City's] Midtown location. With all the knowledge she had from her years in design, and now as a freshly minted home restoration veteran, </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVJhyphenhyphen4iUQSg2NdOIVWr4-DCEtlxONeKwD1OuzYg94MAw6nbfnIXxunHWaL4H14s2so6vCwaeeYWAlZ5rlh26IjNdX73aqVsuPavaqfrz8UgQGvpTT4R7j2DKvFyQu4CerjicV3jIrbp4/s1600/Esspresso+from+the+side.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVJhyphenhyphen4iUQSg2NdOIVWr4-DCEtlxONeKwD1OuzYg94MAw6nbfnIXxunHWaL4H14s2so6vCwaeeYWAlZ5rlh26IjNdX73aqVsuPavaqfrz8UgQGvpTT4R7j2DKvFyQu4CerjicV3jIrbp4/s200/Esspresso+from+the+side.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Espresso from the side</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">she was starting to see all </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">the elements of design coming together- she was beginning to see a much bigger picture. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">A lover of Mexico and the aesthetic of their traditional tiles, she knew for certain she did not want to replicate what has already been artistically mastered there. However, she did absolutely want to utilize the green, brilliant and simple manufacturing process she had now seen produce a product that could stand the test of time...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">"It was very important to me to maintain the ancient handcrafted techniques, but not mimic or repeat the magnificent array of historic patterns already available. [What] I was intent on reinventing [was] the <i>Look </i>of cement tile...</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZEtWwZF4Lsjb8uUrVdM2yA_TwUEbZi1S4Ks3RylGSNfVc6183adItZLXrIKE117Ht8z9ma9xICxpD1HW2oSWwQW5DZLB3etXHsJAYO-qA861JFYbu6qfaPEneLisyBjg56NgTsAI0nE/s1600/sydney+in+salonhechonyc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZEtWwZF4Lsjb8uUrVdM2yA_TwUEbZi1S4Ks3RylGSNfVc6183adItZLXrIKE117Ht8z9ma9xICxpD1HW2oSWwQW5DZLB3etXHsJAYO-qA861JFYbu6qfaPEneLisyBjg56NgTsAI0nE/s640/sydney+in+salonhechonyc2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">HDS' Sydney pattern adorns new counters at NYC's Salon Hecho.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I wanted to develop a modern, focused color pallet, going away from the typical rusts, greens and yellows- trying hard to pick the perfect greys, taupes, blues- and create simple modern designs that would work as a collection and fit more contemporary architecture and design. This way any space can have cement tile, not just historic, Spanish colonial spaces."</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKezcfyBPuKrYe8YWGLS4fB566Mmd3QuQ9cKUtDf6OESnD_oIYTwMbsMt1qNgEXQCdkqQ4aEuEo4tUZFLfvc5fgk5rKgij4wpRtuOoqwEBaZ1MVQzRLXfW1DZ2vwML9wyYGiNs2Jc-Sg/s1600/monaco+in+a+mudroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKezcfyBPuKrYe8YWGLS4fB566Mmd3QuQ9cKUtDf6OESnD_oIYTwMbsMt1qNgEXQCdkqQ4aEuEo4tUZFLfvc5fgk5rKgij4wpRtuOoqwEBaZ1MVQzRLXfW1DZ2vwML9wyYGiNs2Jc-Sg/s640/monaco+in+a+mudroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A playful use of HDS' Monaco pattern adds a jovial sophistication to a children's 'mudroom' <i>and </i>never gets ruined!</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1I0vZ8KFefVJ5MzL-XuQ6tiyNc_BB9tflz6nGjO9MHs3-Rj-_ol9icNiSk3jcoU9JHOm-G-O4xYF64NebjI_tC0rMQuxK3kJWajdf8eP8dwMhVm11XHM2m2jOQnX_a9HVH0FtOnsteNs/s1600/Prague+Template.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1I0vZ8KFefVJ5MzL-XuQ6tiyNc_BB9tflz6nGjO9MHs3-Rj-_ol9icNiSk3jcoU9JHOm-G-O4xYF64NebjI_tC0rMQuxK3kJWajdf8eP8dwMhVm11XHM2m2jOQnX_a9HVH0FtOnsteNs/s320/Prague+Template.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Metal frame and template for the Prague pattern</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The original craft of making cement tiles, mixing and hand pressing each layer, remains relatively the same today as it did in its beginnings. It is a three part process wherein three cement mixtures are layered atop one another, each hand pressed so all moisture is extracted, and the final tile is let air dry for 21 days. Today </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">the only real difference in this process is the optional use of a hydraulic press, which might expedite the process just a tad.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxztS-8u6eLmnflO1Ne4OlW60jv4QAJbg3YYD4_Iwp2WzOW-riL6WU0XnLj1R8d2yRyafxe8tc0v69ZYkG-sMEcPbKP_ev5DEGPZyFqzGevz5gTnrVgH0C6vtAieoc-YCjhZ0PfvY2_2k/s1600/mixing+in+factory.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxztS-8u6eLmnflO1Ne4OlW60jv4QAJbg3YYD4_Iwp2WzOW-riL6WU0XnLj1R8d2yRyafxe8tc0v69ZYkG-sMEcPbKP_ev5DEGPZyFqzGevz5gTnrVgH0C6vtAieoc-YCjhZ0PfvY2_2k/s320/mixing+in+factory.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cement in various pigments are mixed prior to their pour.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Once the tile maker pours the cement into its respective sections, he or she places each tile into a hydraulic press with 1700psi to aid in the compression and elimination of moisture."</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CSySR579C0M4bKbBLRb_A6w0B0KBvXwThylUl0slGDR6ouxDDF8lI8tVwIsFEp9eEjAbttbHbXnmY34Nai-5nC2nk6u65z2607C7c_F1U8IXkEyazV9cfbx6bg_Ua4_6TfAu_qDUegU/s1600/factory3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CSySR579C0M4bKbBLRb_A6w0B0KBvXwThylUl0slGDR6ouxDDF8lI8tVwIsFEp9eEjAbttbHbXnmY34Nai-5nC2nk6u65z2607C7c_F1U8IXkEyazV9cfbx6bg_Ua4_6TfAu_qDUegU/s320/factory3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A craftsman in Vietnam smooths moisture out of a tiles second layer.</span> <span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">The final product was a tile that would last a lifetime and sustain a buildings character and story for generations to come, not to mention at an extremely modest price tag for the quality of the product. Dana wondered how many historic American buildings lost their luscious details and decor to time and poor upkeep- 'but imagine if they had been done in cement tile...', she thought, 'Perhaps more of the past could have naturally been preserved...' This was a product too good to let go without trying her hand at it. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb882EHL4-KoTGGEYPT5qsOuBuo6kfusiDvLibSfVO5yxPCnctzr60_OfSABaSc4hgir6B8ff3GNjVpCgZPJES-d0iBw3S6kvfv0HxYTmdRFcgEG-e0PXOaAlzn4uwH4LEyTv7rVb9IIo/s1600/Cannessideview3layercloudnsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb882EHL4-KoTGGEYPT5qsOuBuo6kfusiDvLibSfVO5yxPCnctzr60_OfSABaSc4hgir6B8ff3GNjVpCgZPJES-d0iBw3S6kvfv0HxYTmdRFcgEG-e0PXOaAlzn4uwH4LEyTv7rVb9IIo/s200/Cannessideview3layercloudnsky.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cannes in Cloud + Sky</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">While Dana continued to play with colors and design ideas that were growing steadily into a cohesive collection, her search for a factory she could utilize to make her new cement tile vision come to life continued. Now also beginning to plan her trip back to the Big Apple to take on what would soon become <a href="http://www.haciendadesignstudio.com/hacienda-design-studio.html" target="_blank">Hacienda Design Studio</a>, Dana booked a meeting with a long time, trusted colleague of hers to get some feedback. She was blown away by the positive response and support of her designs. And she was even more taken when confiding in her colleague how</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiZoYp2i9AzjO3AREVnVwOwaZd5K1ygmMlgS1WHSqPck9om-TGym8JPBG5ysbubLdCrVeRCWKFzYdWUpD0V_DzOUdgLuKkektoHeTjZTVT6Lfp6pOaPi75t7ipmMxc0qY224K7pup0OM/s1600/Pouring+Cement+Cast+in+frame" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiZoYp2i9AzjO3AREVnVwOwaZd5K1ygmMlgS1WHSqPck9om-TGym8JPBG5ysbubLdCrVeRCWKFzYdWUpD0V_DzOUdgLuKkektoHeTjZTVT6Lfp6pOaPi75t7ipmMxc0qY224K7pup0OM/s320/Pouring+Cement+Cast+in+frame" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A craftsman works with custom colors and layers in a tiles frame</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">hard it'd been just to find a place she could utilize for manufacturing, her colleague relayed that in Vietnam they actually had many factories that were utilizing the same techniques she saw used in Mexico to create cement products. And there it was, just the piece of the puzzle she needed to get started. It turns out that a factory half-way across the world from where she had first explored cement tile was making it in the exact same quality, character and technique.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWj1rV3VqO6KUJgkA3RGFP_a8XiUbUOZy6e8ZTt9R1JKfugClnDlbuASPlyn4tNuz0qGhdJWrTCf-ceR8Prk6u0hIjnACKv_V4rqwYJ6GtkJ4HK-0kJuzNYYX6DdnFsIzaakD-t5NFB4/s1600/Bruges+in+Cloud+and+Thyme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWj1rV3VqO6KUJgkA3RGFP_a8XiUbUOZy6e8ZTt9R1JKfugClnDlbuASPlyn4tNuz0qGhdJWrTCf-ceR8Prk6u0hIjnACKv_V4rqwYJ6GtkJ4HK-0kJuzNYYX6DdnFsIzaakD-t5NFB4/s320/Bruges+in+Cloud+and+Thyme.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bruges in Cloud + Thyme</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">So at this point, Dana had taken a bit of the Old School of the Mexican cement tile craft, designed an entire collection with modern, sophisticated colors and designs, found a top- notch manufacturing facility in Vietnam and </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">still </i><span style="font-size: large;">wasn't done earning the already poignant sentiment behind the company's slogan: </span></span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Cement Remixed</i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">. She brought the New School all the more by implementing technology via Hacienda Design Studio's most incisive feature: </span><a href="http://www.haciendadesignstudio.com/the-mixer.html" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">The Mixer</a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">. This is one of my favorite features that truly brings the renewed cement tile vision and energy full circle- everything is customizable. You are not limited to a collection as merely as Dana saw it (granted we definitely like what's there!), you can re-envision it again and again yourself. You can play with the tile/ pattern of your choice, the tile size, the colors in each detail of the patterns you see on the screen (and save them privately or publicly for viewing) and</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXOMGr3NPPRY4S1zcFGyK-na2mAEYRg1sEi-ba6pD8yCzzvNC0u3YsI3LhQwKnnwx5ymxczznBlQz7m_gXGKl9TQpMVovbXLIc7uoze6Dy4_9Dg4xUDpsfQCcfgWPNZ5f-Pc72nIr1fg/s1600/Bali+in+Marina%252C+Bark%252C+Cloud%252C+Pebble+and+Pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXOMGr3NPPRY4S1zcFGyK-na2mAEYRg1sEi-ba6pD8yCzzvNC0u3YsI3LhQwKnnwx5ymxczznBlQz7m_gXGKl9TQpMVovbXLIc7uoze6Dy4_9Dg4xUDpsfQCcfgWPNZ5f-Pc72nIr1fg/s320/Bali+in+Marina%252C+Bark%252C+Cloud%252C+Pebble+and+Pumpkin.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bali in Marina, Bark, Cloud, Pebble + Pumpkin</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">arrange each of them in a different manner, offering a totally different shape to each pattern (or in solid colors, mind you!). This feature allows the collection to expand beyond what is shown and serves as a key tool to the revitalization of cement tile's possibilities to be used anywhere. Thanks to Hacienda Design Studio we all now have a new resource for both residential or commercial decor that is a green product, water and fireproof, can be used indoors and out, for walls, ceilings and beyond (the product's only limitation is in outdoor use in a freeze/thaw climate- it's the only time cracking is a risk); and all for a modest price. The tiles are only the slightest bit thicker than an average ceramic tile, and are better for a buildings overall durability.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRzFrfgxzOGxUfKlykvaZlmShKiWmzAW0_ILwLbK1RTsOH1fvFMipaoicSUl11aoGU3w-WiYeFZLp3j6OVB79ghfm1KMPb-cEC1Z8NbBLbCPupPGUeyzdWmGaLj7EOygwes8iz5QgtDA/s1600/HDS+cement+color+samples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRzFrfgxzOGxUfKlykvaZlmShKiWmzAW0_ILwLbK1RTsOH1fvFMipaoicSUl11aoGU3w-WiYeFZLp3j6OVB79ghfm1KMPb-cEC1Z8NbBLbCPupPGUeyzdWmGaLj7EOygwes8iz5QgtDA/s320/HDS+cement+color+samples.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">HDS cement color samples for a mix + match session</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Whether you yourself are redoing your entry foyer or your architect or interior designer is redoing your summer home or bathroom, The Mixer allows for a premeditated and well thought out design process that inherently gives one the time and space needed to creating a beautiful outcome. It's true that one could feel inspired and get sucked into The Mixer just for fun, but a trained eye might also find a place to successfully create a custom masterpiece all their own. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Thank goodness Dana took on her lifelong dream of restoring a historic home all her own in Merida; now we can all enjoy and appreciate her journey into a renewed vision for cement tile. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what she has in store next!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0YMFTbxKSbMhX6ezUebz01xOpvXLz_lGjsOZEgg4IQHMLeIW8uMItWiZubwwLpb492o4MhNrAPq7wvUTNJbf-i_-Rojd0rjI1DAV_jMGNKVJhRJRVQ4olwU6d4yJ7s8mzyWgiQLtrwI/s1600/ProvenceHDS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0YMFTbxKSbMhX6ezUebz01xOpvXLz_lGjsOZEgg4IQHMLeIW8uMItWiZubwwLpb492o4MhNrAPq7wvUTNJbf-i_-Rojd0rjI1DAV_jMGNKVJhRJRVQ4olwU6d4yJ7s8mzyWgiQLtrwI/s640/ProvenceHDS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Left: Provence tile prototype, Right: A cement rug designed with a Provence field and Vienna Border in Pebble, Shadow, Lily, Sky + Cloud.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijglkskPLvT9pAkeBh0OUusy6H-qQVnUk5CFNIacxv9V_G-z6Ik9g8KvDSDTYo6kJH6mH0lA01L1PqENTrLVF1fWMhUHYcW7-YpoZhFPcoMNj0sUa9c1_o3Gx_gC_Qf8FNpbK1Dpw6Ii4/s1600/Yolandainspiration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijglkskPLvT9pAkeBh0OUusy6H-qQVnUk5CFNIacxv9V_G-z6Ik9g8KvDSDTYo6kJH6mH0lA01L1PqENTrLVF1fWMhUHYcW7-YpoZhFPcoMNj0sUa9c1_o3Gx_gC_Qf8FNpbK1Dpw6Ii4/s640/Yolandainspiration.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">HDS' Yolanda Lewis <a href="http://www.haciendadesignstudio.com/blog.html" target="_blank">shares </a>about finding inspiration everywhere, including stellar photography. Drawn to the movement and colors of the photo [left] she went into The Mixer to create a beauty of her own [right] with HDS' Seattle pattern.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hacienda Design Studio officially launched itself in January 2012, it's <a href="http://www.haciendadesignstudio.com/" target="_blank">website</a> in May of 2012 and has since been featured in the <a href="http://www.stylelist.com/2012/06/29/cement-tile-for-interiors_n_1637451.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false" target="_blank"><i>Stylist Home</i></a> section of the Huffington Post. Their product is in use in numerous projects still in production and can be seen completed in <a href="http://www.salonhecho.com/" target="_blank">Salon Hecho</a>'s new NYC digs. To order samples, tiles or to learn more about Hacienda Design Studio you can visit them at: <a href="http://www.haciendadesignstudio.com/" target="_blank">www.HaciendaDesignStudio.com </a>or follow their <a href="http://www.haciendadesignstudio.com/blog.html" target="_blank">Blog</a>.</span><br />
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Alanna Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578720302011169313noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476761650415415197.post-78511039398877322432012-06-18T11:18:00.000-07:002012-10-19T11:19:26.137-07:00No.1 Foster Reeve & Associates, Inc. - Architectural & Ornamental Plaster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOBf5_8GtnouLBwE9szVv7LgsCNx56b6d9GqE1iQ_HyPbPI5NovgafynMulcVu78k7itSiI6C18rjQlpDXPt6NEolhtMmeZZDGJGBM_6tRQcLCjuf9b89mSNoj-ofwF2UVAWlMg3F30o/s1600/043R0665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOBf5_8GtnouLBwE9szVv7LgsCNx56b6d9GqE1iQ_HyPbPI5NovgafynMulcVu78k7itSiI6C18rjQlpDXPt6NEolhtMmeZZDGJGBM_6tRQcLCjuf9b89mSNoj-ofwF2UVAWlMg3F30o/s400/043R0665.jpg" width="400" /></a><b></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Who</b>: Foster Reeve</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What</b>: Foster Reeve & Associates, Inc.- Architectural and Ornamental Plaster</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Where</b>: New York City + Los Angeles,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">services projects nation-wide (and soon to be internationally)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>When</b>: Since man began mixing mud to strengthen their buildings...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and this company has been around just shy of 20 years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When you meet Foster Reeve, he's an easy going guy. Funny, understated. With a certain charisma for comfort, talking with him easily feels like catching up with an old friend. Then, when you start asking him questions like: 'So Foster, Why Plaster?'-- he is very serious, and very excited.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"You have to understand, I'm a trained painter and a math guy." </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">He has a game of computer chess on his desktop screen behind him, the bookshelf above it holding a very worn <i>Le Petit Trianon</i>, Peter Pennoyer and Anne Walker’s recent tour de force <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Pennoyer-Architects-Apartments-Townhouses/dp/0865652686" target="_blank"><i></i></a><i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8476761650415415197" target="_blank">Apartments, Townhouses, Country Houses,</a></i> C. Howard Walker’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Theory-Mouldings-Classical-America-Architecture/dp/0393732339" target="_blank"><i>A Theory of Mouldings</i></a><i> </i>and a slew of natural history magazines. (Walking out of his office, he keeps an enlarged poster of the Classical Orders up on the wall of the adjacent supply room, so he sees them each time he passes by.) Foster reflects affectionately on his days at Parson’s where he received his training in Fine Art.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Tf5pynamuzrGuMbQkRTaE9L2ofWotVsuU0oz1S5ByAMstBwyqW3FUDTCmVNNLr-1izCaCJa_Tf5xuC3xJOwANfRfcwoAGqdyMma3O0BKpBwxQ6EN0B5Kaqr2krFK5eo0fx4nbsPlFSg/s1600/101011135600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Tf5pynamuzrGuMbQkRTaE9L2ofWotVsuU0oz1S5ByAMstBwyqW3FUDTCmVNNLr-1izCaCJa_Tf5xuC3xJOwANfRfcwoAGqdyMma3O0BKpBwxQ6EN0B5Kaqr2krFK5eo0fx4nbsPlFSg/s400/101011135600.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An FRA Artisan perfects a second layer of sculpture over a first mold.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“I was one of those guys you’d see posted up in any given corner of the MET just copying paintings. Copying, copying… That’s what so much of this work is, actualizing a designers vision through an articulate use of their precedent images and using this decorative moment to do something still proportional, but also thoughtful with the ornament. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“I grew up in the construction trades, always fixing things. Learning how to push a broom is a quintessential skill everyone should start from. And I love geometry. The moment I saw with plaster, was this potential of this inherently simple and beautiful material and all the things it could accomplish geometrically, artistically—<i>has</i> accomplished—and should continue to in design. I’m really an advocate for what it can do, what so many people either didn’t know or forgot it could do. Plaster’s capabilities are endless.”</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cpK8G15gj79zMYlMckRaS0Wq3zUBViuSJr8_0yFEXbB_GP0TTFaHtgTo48EBTueDSZ6vRYzQQwTAQ08IuxBSl1qUNRzYeRozK8Kjh138jidXBeUGVKhFmvJsVj3bIzZTjENgGuS0K5Y/s1600/ceiling+ornamentation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cpK8G15gj79zMYlMckRaS0Wq3zUBViuSJr8_0yFEXbB_GP0TTFaHtgTo48EBTueDSZ6vRYzQQwTAQ08IuxBSl1qUNRzYeRozK8Kjh138jidXBeUGVKhFmvJsVj3bIzZTjENgGuS0K5Y/s320/ceiling+ornamentation.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom Plaster Ceiling Ornament, Palmettes + Shallow Dome</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And he’s not kidding. Plaster doesn’t mean drywall or caulking glue for that crack in your ceiling. Not like this. Here plaster means: endless sculpture, crown moldings, flat work, ceiling ornamentation, Venetian Plaster (decorative wall finishes), Stuc Pierre (a French plaster alternate to natural cut stone), </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipYxrgMLotPKuw56N2RnbqKAxYwVO-QOrBfgMPd5kO_6pMsWFqur7q1l1yhv73FX_zmSJoamAnPta67DIwoxKbZzAKwnyEmhf-a2_b1mW9pFjBc_z5SSXNRMrGwAS8IZfTIaPWmscOCc/s1600/scag+orn+cast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipYxrgMLotPKuw56N2RnbqKAxYwVO-QOrBfgMPd5kO_6pMsWFqur7q1l1yhv73FX_zmSJoamAnPta67DIwoxKbZzAKwnyEmhf-a2_b1mW9pFjBc_z5SSXNRMrGwAS8IZfTIaPWmscOCc/s200/scag+orn+cast.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scagliola Cast in custom crown mold</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWN5xBVbYY-2Ch59tpZ6VYmbAQuJut4vN2SpGCAcc4f5kfq5E1UN6BBeBFp9vYelP_fhPaHTRZCZgM40yYo32mYaeuLdbEDcLIOf_s2Mb3LMhZZA9Ri1yktRVhKV_1N21eRzvCqXtrHBk/s1600/stuc+cast+installed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWN5xBVbYY-2Ch59tpZ6VYmbAQuJut4vN2SpGCAcc4f5kfq5E1UN6BBeBFp9vYelP_fhPaHTRZCZgM40yYo32mYaeuLdbEDcLIOf_s2Mb3LMhZZA9Ri1yktRVhKV_1N21eRzvCqXtrHBk/s200/stuc+cast+installed.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stuc Pierre wall and ornamentation</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Scagliola (an Italian plaster alternate to marble) and an array of integral colored wall finishes (custom crafted colors and textures made with plaster). I don’t know about you, but I hadn’t know most of those things existed prior to meeting Foster. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Plaster is a gypsum-based product. You have to understand we ride the fine-line between the construction and interior decorating moment [in building].” Foster notes, “Yet another thing to love about it is that when installed properly, with gypsum to gypsum, plaster is then monolithic with the structure—the building can’t tell it’s separate.” Probably another reason plaster has been used in building for centuries…</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTqnPN7eFSksdiuoKJh2wjOIg-gSXr4cjUgu9bm7ylrkZxzQNOfuCVj10dfE8k9fTa31_dIUVYuEXmQOyJ65SzjvZF4riZzY0O8VGG8bE-tYIaZmWdS2DsAt8Rz5alUXtXrd9Otusv-g/s1600/043R0693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTqnPN7eFSksdiuoKJh2wjOIg-gSXr4cjUgu9bm7ylrkZxzQNOfuCVj10dfE8k9fTa31_dIUVYuEXmQOyJ65SzjvZF4riZzY0O8VGG8bE-tYIaZmWdS2DsAt8Rz5alUXtXrd9Otusv-g/s320/043R0693.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An FRA Artisan sculpts a custom capital pre-molding</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7O1bRf6Z_EwesHGna1QGXvmGC-_4RcmulNzru19G-QXuJJ5XPBv0xl7qK27sMPKePezIiSs31ZYILTw3DfQkwmUpF6T8CgCEXU7KvT_u_VY_SDheizQDtse5WJcnElRRtKsWr9rTeNE/s1600/DCP_0652-589-590-416-80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7O1bRf6Z_EwesHGna1QGXvmGC-_4RcmulNzru19G-QXuJJ5XPBv0xl7qK27sMPKePezIiSs31ZYILTw3DfQkwmUpF6T8CgCEXU7KvT_u_VY_SDheizQDtse5WJcnElRRtKsWr9rTeNE/s400/DCP_0652-589-590-416-80.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An FRA Artisan completes a custom overdoor sculpture before it goes under rubber</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This company is neither your average artisan nor manufacturer. Yes, they do manufacture their own products in-house, and offer an array of pre-made products—but most everything else they offer is custom. No two pieces are alike—unless he’s used his modern geometric genius to panelize a repetitive mold or pattern and cut the cost of a custom mold in half! The process of creating say, the highly decorative ornament you see below is lengthy. It requires calculating the smallest fragments of an inch to determine an even smaller detail. </span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEN-IC6SMZ_HQZdaDR1Vss0V__rb69JwlzOnnX0Bi2IKuR_5w3L5iaO3G7LWbqDq34LTa8Rlt3zNOkynpPtNvKEyDVc7yXEkzP7QxL64VMZlwUsYsyQy0bikhOeMUpIkJpmZdRX1nLJc/s1600/FRA+new+shop+081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEN-IC6SMZ_HQZdaDR1Vss0V__rb69JwlzOnnX0Bi2IKuR_5w3L5iaO3G7LWbqDq34LTa8Rlt3zNOkynpPtNvKEyDVc7yXEkzP7QxL64VMZlwUsYsyQy0bikhOeMUpIkJpmZdRX1nLJc/s320/FRA+new+shop+081.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Custom ornamental crown molding with medallions</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The shop has engineers on staff that use AutoCAD to produce shop drawings for each <a href="http://fraplaster.com/index.php?option=com_igallery&view=igcategory&id=7&Itemid=16" target="_blank">molding profile</a> in each room, and while they do that, depending on what the project calls for, the art department will be researching precedent images of what the architect or interior designer wants to see, to then replicate it via sketches or charcoal to submit for approval. (I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit worn-out just thinking about it). </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSoXzjwVAvOfYObPF53jKlM24Z1mMgknH5qE6NZG8O5MCa84K_0OmRCN_EAiHn82Kv5rfjwqbNNVDRqqYoTusHx0ZDMpJN9_Nu3TaDTmuTFTUfvQ8IFWZYEULOQg4_0wJ_xQxOCQ-PcU/s1600/Tisch+Temple+of+Mars+rosette+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSoXzjwVAvOfYObPF53jKlM24Z1mMgknH5qE6NZG8O5MCa84K_0OmRCN_EAiHn82Kv5rfjwqbNNVDRqqYoTusHx0ZDMpJN9_Nu3TaDTmuTFTUfvQ8IFWZYEULOQg4_0wJ_xQxOCQ-PcU/s200/Tisch+Temple+of+Mars+rosette+001.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A newly sculpted rosette with its precedent image</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once a newly derivative conceptual image is approved, the artwork is then uploaded into AutoCAD, on top of the rather generic lines in the computer, and then, viola—it’s all printed out to the proper scale and proportion it should be in the [respective] room.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, all this hard work, research and intensely creative artwork is done- now you get to start sculpting. That’s right, you’re not finished yet. The artists in Foster Reeve’s Atelier literally put down a piece of Plexiglas on top of a copy if the approved, fully scaled drawing, with another propped up to the side, put some clay down on top of that and begin to map and carve out the drawing- or they just do it by eye. (Mr. Reeve noted they’ve used a variety of clay’s, but right now are really enjoying water clay for this phase). This can take some finesse and series of approvals as well, but once it’s all clear with the designer and client, one of my favorite things happen: they cast a mold.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPvNv18uW9pw9981jdOZ7np_m33M9jkEClzOUR_jEw_dRmhNNrY2Pg3Dl5Sr6Auar4GGBxFLtx4IqVml6NEYdE9yU3EjOBgNoV3gDz2YH8K2ri1Oe_u_HgRirU25IzQr1xHE0ZeuA7Qo/s1600/greek+key+mold" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPvNv18uW9pw9981jdOZ7np_m33M9jkEClzOUR_jEw_dRmhNNrY2Pg3Dl5Sr6Auar4GGBxFLtx4IqVml6NEYdE9yU3EjOBgNoV3gDz2YH8K2ri1Oe_u_HgRirU25IzQr1xHE0ZeuA7Qo/s200/greek+key+mold" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A rubber mold of a Greek Key detail</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe it seems not so exciting, but I think it’s fascinating: They literally <i>make their own rubber</i>, from scratch, layer and pour it over the clay sculpture, making their own mold (a <a href="http://www.kleinrubberform.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">dedicated science in its own right</a>) and let it set until its dry. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After the rather delicate procedure of taking the rubber off the clay, there is now a rubber mold you can pour any variation of plaster into, let it harden and dry, and again, quite deftly, remove from the rubber (well, not to mention layering in any number of things in the plaster as it’s setting to strengthen it, such as burlap). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuonVYU2QNMiosWZKaeVDi1TIy_siSA4AWXdf21Zv-iei-fxVcZdaNRCbavrQlD-5Kxm5oVwvqQHe4CppdNijE8Shl_DagssdcGOd6C7lXv1xv_R0LwE3eNWNuIFpyiMbY6Fec9JDcR4U/s1600/RCP_Burlap+cutting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuonVYU2QNMiosWZKaeVDi1TIy_siSA4AWXdf21Zv-iei-fxVcZdaNRCbavrQlD-5Kxm5oVwvqQHe4CppdNijE8Shl_DagssdcGOd6C7lXv1xv_R0LwE3eNWNuIFpyiMbY6Fec9JDcR4U/s200/RCP_Burlap+cutting.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An artisan cuts burlap for a cast</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And there you have it: a plaster cast.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Often, what happens when a company is strictly a [plaster] manufacturer, is they will use one rubber mold (as described above) to make hundreds of thousands of plaster casts of that one same mold. There are 3 huge downsides to this which just don’t sit well with Foster: </span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Well for one, the rubber doesn’t hold that well, so you make a couple hundred of these things and the cast looses all its crispness, its sharp, beautiful detail;” he nods over at an artisan touching up each little blemish on a cast before it’s taken to installation,</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UjMTLYEiCX-_bL8fhkkGLWeHuryElRIRXLPtgG1M3dUWEoq3N4BSJPiiynVXwwiK1bqjtm6YLPdI_IvKjD4Lj17MZgOl9KcOOVxqvvELCjePF0UVh-KPxZtZ43mhPzWFWMKS0SLM4Rc/s1600/RCP_SBS_24-404-600-450-80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UjMTLYEiCX-_bL8fhkkGLWeHuryElRIRXLPtgG1M3dUWEoq3N4BSJPiiynVXwwiK1bqjtm6YLPdI_IvKjD4Lj17MZgOl9KcOOVxqvvELCjePF0UVh-KPxZtZ43mhPzWFWMKS0SLM4Rc/s200/RCP_SBS_24-404-600-450-80.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touch up to plaster before installation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">“really, it dumbs-down the mold, makes the character look almost cartoon-ish. Also, nothing is custom in that moment, it’s one of three rosettes you’ve seen before over and over. And, if you’re just churning out molds of one thing and selling them to anyone to stick anywhere, they certainly won’t be proportionally correct!”</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, you heard it: proportion, thoughtful use of ornament and attention to detail. These are some of the ingredients necessary for a plaster finish that will last for generations to come, and perhaps be restored one day—well, we know that's for sure if you're having Foster Reeve do it for you. If you're working on a one-of-a-kind home of your own that you want to last, I'd say give him a call. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVN42xY6XF8L0okLFFP2fN7A4yK7W_uZLbeE5PzXCVxc9jqA7wWZlTb1aBRgbuGVJPnpvqbITIiASs_CXdz_s7tIwnZ4VY9kvPjJzkoOpqCubpPA5n-BigN86bD-TK0IUNdHlbpRYZGo/s1600/DSC00793-269-590-416-80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVN42xY6XF8L0okLFFP2fN7A4yK7W_uZLbeE5PzXCVxc9jqA7wWZlTb1aBRgbuGVJPnpvqbITIiASs_CXdz_s7tIwnZ4VY9kvPjJzkoOpqCubpPA5n-BigN86bD-TK0IUNdHlbpRYZGo/s400/DSC00793-269-590-416-80.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A custom sculpted crown and cove takes multiple layers of sculpture before a final mold is made.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4Ob3cpA530eikJyu2zdCpCfg3uqPW3yo6nF3utGq-jToeH9xEW8_M1McE05efFysodCHIZ4MotOIX2E6nkG0nHo9lv6BURCe7GrJ7XIf5Rz7aw1jgW9awCW8hFoONJa2Ii3PaHzvnPM/s1600/DSC00810-270-590-416-80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4Ob3cpA530eikJyu2zdCpCfg3uqPW3yo6nF3utGq-jToeH9xEW8_M1McE05efFysodCHIZ4MotOIX2E6nkG0nHo9lv6BURCe7GrJ7XIf5Rz7aw1jgW9awCW8hFoONJa2Ii3PaHzvnPM/s400/DSC00810-270-590-416-80.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful attention to detail that will go under rubber and be molded in plaster to last for generations.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Foster Reeve & Associates, Inc. has worked on projects featured in <i><a href="http://robbreport.com/Issue.aspx?cid=5&pid=1139638" target="_blank">Robb Report</a></i> (the 2012 Ultimate Home), <a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/decor/2012-06/m-night-shyamalan-philadelphia-home-article" target="_blank">Architectural Digest</a> (most recently June 2012's issue) and many other design publications. Foster Reeve himself has now also been published in the recent <i style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perspectives-Design-New-York-Professionals/dp/0983239800/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338414053&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Perspectives On Design New York</a></i>, and has more to come in literature documenting keeping the traditional plaster craft alive in 2012. You can learn more about them at <a href="http://www.fraplaster.com/">www.FRAPLASTER.com</a><span id="goog_1977545114"></span><span id="goog_1977545115"></span>, or contact them at the Atelier: NYC: 718.609.0090 - LA: 310.390.5071.</span>Alanna Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578720302011169313noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476761650415415197.post-20309155711711504952012-01-08T19:06:00.000-08:002012-05-16T18:49:22.092-07:00Hello There!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm a writer and marketing consultant in the realm of
architecture, construction + interior design, more specifically, to the high-end trades. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Having grown up trampling over blue prints and running
around construction sites, and now working professionally in the industry, I've
come to know an especially intimate side of building. One aspect that I feel
rarely gets its due investigation and praise is that of the trades, which are necessary
to have any building come to fruition.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I’m willing to bet that for every one stunning room shot for
a spread in <i>Architectural Digest </i>(which is a publication I thoroughly enjoy, mind you), there are at least 10 trades that were
involved in putting that room together that you didn’t even know existed, and came from a long and intricate history. Well, working in the field, I’ve gotten to
know quite a few; and many of the best in the industry. Here, At <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Artisanal Specs.</i> I’m going to introduce
them to you, tell you a bit of their story, and show you some of their work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">With a shortage of
media that gives praise and attention to the trades and related specialty crafts
people who contribute to building and actualizing designers visions, I've
decided to start this blog as a resource for the world to get to know more
about who these people are, what they create, where they are coming from - and
to look at just how much really goes into creating the spaces we inhabit. Stay tuned for a
fantastic, intricate ride, one of a kind behind-the-scenes insight and some
very special guests!</span></div>Alanna Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08578720302011169313noreply@blogger.com1