American Radiator Building

Rising above Bryant Park, in New York City, is the magnificent American Radiator Building (also known as the American Standard Building). Laying in the shadows of the more famous Empire State Building, this dramatic 23 story skyscraper has stunning art deco details in gold and black brick on a neo-gothic form.

Designed by architects Raymond Hood and John Howells, Hood based the design on his famous submission with Eliel Saarinen to the Chicago Tribune Building competition.

The American Radiator and Standard Sanitary Company built the structure as their headquarters (Hood had designed radiator covers for them for years) but later sold it to American Standard Company and then it passed on to Clio Biz. Since 1998 it has been the Bryant Park Hotel. I think this building really sums up all of the expectations one has of a glamorous skyscraper in New York.The original bronze and marble entrance on 40th street: the canopy is of course not original.Rene Paul Chamberlain did all of the gold glazed terra cotta sculptural reliefs. I love that the windows are true to the originals with steel casements (due in part, no dout, to the buildings landmark status).

Georgia O'Keefe immortalized the building shortly after it was built in 1927 in her painting below, "The Radiator Building at Night." Don't forget to look up next time you're in Bryant Park!

Fall in NY

Nothing beats fall in NY. I took this shot above in Bryant Park behind the library. I love the play of the foliage against the detail of the lamp. Think the lamp designer had this in mind?

The trees and mums in front of the library were like a breathe of fresh air against the city gray.

Buildings play dress up too

I spent the past weekend in NYC for Halloween and discovered that buildings play dress-up too. Faux-Tudor anyone? This just cracked me up in Midtown along 5th avenue! I hope you all had spooky weekends!

Georgetown in fall

My favorite time of year - crisp air and beautiful leaves. This image of the Georgetown C&O canal near my office. Enjoy your weekend!

St Regis Bar

My new favorite place to hang out in DC is the bar at the newly renovated St. Regis hotel! Recently renovated by Sills Huniford, the space is truly amazing. The historic hotel has been beautifully renovated but updated with modern furnishings and light fixtures that are easily reversable so no fears of the space 'dating'.They have some creative cocktails and probably the best sangria I've ever had (the fruit is strained out so you don't get those nasty bits in your teeth!)But it's the atmosphere that truly gets me, especially at night. Ebony paneling, an antique ceiling and tall windows.We had our local dc design bloggers happy hour here a few weeks ago and now I'm hooked! If you're ever in dc check out the hotel!

Michael Smith Lecture

I had the pleasure tonight to attend a lecture given by Michael Smith (seen on the left, with Ali Wentworth speaking to his right) at the Corcoran Gallery of Art here in Washington, DC. Michael is a very talented and now very FAMOUS interior designer thanks to the coverage of his work in the private quarters for the Obamas at the White House (which he would not talk about). However, no stranger to publicity, he had his first project published at the tender age of 24 in a major publication! Images shown are from his website of one of my favorite projects he has completed, a townhouse in Eaton Square. Michael showed a great deal of images: both published and unpublished, older and recent as well as a brief rundown of his many product lines. While talking about the bedroom shown above, probably one of my top favorite published bedroom images, Michael mentioned his philosophy of a bedroom as 'a crib' or a cozy retreat. He is a fan of patterned walls and beds nestled against the wall.Michael quickly broke down his design philosphy in a very clever way and you can see examples of this throughout all his work: the mixture of 2 ideas (often opposing) that bring out the best features of both. Whether it be mostly modern with an antique painting thrown in or English country with a few pieces from Marrakesh, this tension is where the interest lies in his work- the true definition of an eclectic interior! He believes the discord "brings you into the moment by its contrast". At the same time, Michael is concerned with balance. He never wants a room to be 'too simple, too fancy, too cluttered', etc. In a very formal dining room he'll throw in a sisal rug in contrast to a patterned or scenic wallpaper.

Another of the mainstays of his work is investing in quality, classic pieces. He mentioned in his own homes (as he is always moving) keeping the same couches for decades and uphostering them when they get a bit shabby. I noticed throughout many of his own houses that he showed the same pieces kept showing up. If you love something, you will always make it work: Stay away from the overly trendy and never start from scratch!Michael said that being an interior designer is one of the most personal and private fields you can ever go into. You get to know your clients very intimately and you should never betray their trust, hence the 'don't ask don't tell' policy on the White House! He did however mention that his work there was to 'highlight the best of America' and not neccesarily the traditions of the White House.

Some of the most interesting things he talked about were during the Q&A which was cohosted by his hilarious friend Ali Wentworth, actress and wife of George Stephanopoulos (whose house was recently in Elle Decor magazine). He mentioned his use of layering numerous smaller carpets in a large room. The reason? Not for the 'look' per say, but more because he felt it was hard to find rugs he liked in appropriate sizes!

Michael easily (and often) admited to being proudly high maintenance. He said "I'm not the easiest decorator to have" because he wants to challenge his clients to be invested in their houses. He wants them to think about their choices and for their spaces to be true reflections of not just Michael's taste, but their own lives. He claims all of his projects are incredibly individualistic and won't ever take on a client who merely wants a copy of one of his previous jobs.

I hope you all enjoyed these little tidbits I gleamed from the lecture; it was an entertaining and charming way to spend a rainy evening! All quotes are in italics.

When it rains it pours!

When it rains, it pours. First my HVAC broke, then my refrigerator (beware of GE monogram), I broke my favorite teapot, a pair of sunglasses split in half this weekend and then today my dvd player died after I was sick for a week. Better days must be ahead.

When one door closes, another opens: here's hoping it's true. I've already rediscovered a new favorite teapot in my kitchen cupboards! Back to our usually scheduled programming tomorrow.

Paris doorway & detail

Miniature set designs

In honor of the miniature interiors that Peak of Chic blogged about today, I thought I would show you the set designs displayed in the library of the Garnier Opera House in Paris.

The Paris Opera House is also known as the Palais Garnier, after the architect who designed this magnificent structure, Charles Garnier. Designed in neo-baroque style, the opera was completed in 1875 and is truly one of the most amazing places I have ever visited. I can't wait to show you more of it at a later date. However -onto the miniature set designs!

These small boxes line part of the library you can see above and aren't more than 12 inches high and are lit from behind. I'll never know what it is about miniatures that are so fascinating. Can't you see yourself viewing an opera in one of these?

This seems to have been part of the tour of the opera that visitors tend to linger at the longest! Everyone loves a miniature: I suppose it brings out the child in all of us.

At the end of the library is this really beautiful painting, definitely not in miniature as the ballerina is shown at full scale!

Make sure to click on the images to see them at a larger size -the detail is amazing!

Telephone Booth collecting

While in Western PA with JCB and friends, we stopped by Kentuck Knob. Owned by Lord Palumbo, many of his collections are displayed at the Frank Lloyd Wright house and grounds.

One of many of these collections are British Telephone booths from the early 20th century.

They delightfully dot the grounds like items from The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. I kept looking around the corner for the lamp post! The brilliant scarlet color really stands out in stark contrast to the Pennsylvania green.

The most fun thing, you can actually go into them and be transported into a Murder Mystery, ala Hercule Poirot! Sad to admit this was my favorite thing at Kentuck Knob, other than the spectacular Wright designed house of course!

Wedding Photos

Every city has its' iconic location where couples like to have wedding photos taken. Here in DC it is either down at the national mall in front of the capitol building or with the cherry blossoms in front of the Jefferson Memorial (season permitting), Chicago has Buckingham fountain and Paris has....the Eiffel Tower!

What do you think of this? I tend to think these photo op moments are maybe a bit cliche (especially when you throw in the rolls royce above!) but do they speak of where the couple was married and therefore have more meaning (good taste be damned). What do you think - tacky or appropriate?