Archive for March, 2011
Theater Roundup
Posted by Vicente in Theater on March 31, 2011
I recently saw Driving Miss Daisy with Vanessa Redgrave & James Earl Jones, it was great to see such pros on a minimal stage apply their art. I highly recommend it but you have hurry, as there are only 10 days left!
I also went to Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore with Olympia Dukakis. I actually had tickets for the day Liz Taylor passed away, which to me was a strange coincidence since she did the movie version, Boom in 1968. If you ever have the chance to rent it you should, it’s a cult classic. It has extraordinary sets and Liz look very voluptuous. Milk Train has been on Broadway a few times and never to good reviews, for me this is hard to believe since Olympia Dukakis gave such a wonderful performance. When Tallulah Bankhead was the lead in 1964 it was not well received, as “the boys” found her to be campy and never really allowed her to separate her acting from her own persona.
Tonight I am going to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert, which I am very excited about since everyone loves it.
Ask Vicente
Posted by Vicente in Ask Vicente on March 30, 2011
Name: Eric R.
City: Chicago
State: IL
Country: USA
Comment:
Happy Friday Vicente–
Window treatments: specifically, roman-style sheers. When you do a sheer, light-diffusing roman shade, do you go with natural textiles like linen & woven grasscloths or a synthetic like polyester? Thanks in advance for your functional & aesthetic thoughts on either or both.
Vicente Responds
Hi Eric-
If a room has too much direct sunlight it can actually eat away at natural fabrics over time. For these rooms I suggest synthetic fabrics otherwise I prefer natural textiles.
Name: jackie denham
City: Fort Erie
State: Ontario
Country: Canada
Comment:
do you have some paint colour suggestions for a scottish theme interior design project
Vicente Responds:
Jackie-
If you are using traditional plaids or stones I would suggest going with Benjamin Moore Super White. I think it would be a fresh modern take on a traditional Scottish theme.
Name: Cathy Bybel
City: Naperville
State: IL
Country: USA
Comment:
You have mentioned using laminated linen on dining room furniture. I would love to use it as a tablecloth. Our children are young and it seems like that would be a huge timesaver and a lot more appealing than any of the other options I have located. Do you sell laminated linen in your shop? If not, do you have suggestions as to where I might find it. (Just found your blog recently and was so inspired I bought all three books. Your work and commentary very inspirational. Hope to see a book based on your project with Mr. & Mrs. M)
Vicente Responds:
Cathy-
You should ring Trudi in my showroom, she will be able to help you. 212.244.5008
Showroom Favorites: Screens
Posted by Vicente in Showroom Favorites on March 29, 2011
Last year when I was in Indonesia I found these wonderful ventilating wood carved screens from the late 19th century. Due to their patina and the way the paint has worn off, they have become great decorative objects in my work. I have used them above the fireplaces, over beds, in hallways and in living rooms. I like the way they bring texture into a space. They are hard to find so whenever I see them I buy as many as I can.
Behind The Scenes: Update
Posted by Vicente in Behind The Scenes on March 24, 2011
Just to give you a sense of proportion, here is the new front door with a standard door leaning against it.
A view of the master bathroom, the tub will be next to the 2 windows and the shower area is on the other side.
This is the master bedroom with French doors leading out the terrace and windows looking out to the backyard
Brackets concealed behind the sheetrock wall which will support the floating counter in the children’s bathroom
This is a view of the living room where the bay window and walls have been sheetrocked , you can see the foyer on the left hand side
The kitchen has been sheetrocked and is ready for the floors and cabinets to be installed
Updated view of the back of the house, all the siding and roofing has been installed
This is the side of the house where you can see there is a new chimney stack
Here is the front of the house, the ground has not been graded and front steps are not built yet, on the right hand side you can see the garage. What you are seeing here gives you a sense of an old house and it doesn’t look like it was just plunked down out of left field.
This is the garage with studio space for the lady of house to paint. The studio faces the backyard where the pool will be built; we have installed skylights to bring in natural light.
This has been what to me feels like a 10 year process but in actually it has been a year and a half, the battles are still continuing over the last items that need to be decided upon. I dare say I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and now we are going to start the discussions about the decorative, it is a daunting task but as a friend of mine says – once you swallowed the horse what’s the tail?
Elizabeth Taylor
Posted by Vicente in In the news on March 23, 2011
I was watching TCM this morning and they were showing clips of different classic movies and a clip of Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof came on, there really is no other creature as extraordinary. Her raw sexual persona was beyond and God knows her personal life was another movie in itself. It’s hard to believe she is gone; she always seemed to overcome her health problems.
There will never be another violet eyed diva like the great Elizabeth Taylor.
Consulting
This last weekend I did some free consulting along with other designers like Bunny Williams and Alexa Hampton as a part of the AD Home Design Show. I have to say it was so great to just be a consultant, people would sit down ask my opinion, I would give it to them and then my responsibility was over.
If they did or didn’t take my opinion great! Some people did listen to me and then come back with, “what about doing something different like….” my response was you can do want you want but this is my suggestion. I had given my input and then my job was over. This is so different then working with a client who wants a continuous back and forth dialogue.
It wasn’t just me who felt this way the other designers felt the same, how nice it was just to give ideas and the “client” could decide if they wanted take it or leave it. It was a great job for the day.
DIFFA’s Dining by Design Part 2
Last night I attended DIFFA’s Dining by Design and it was a double whammy! The event was for a good cause and I had a great time, hence double whammy. It’s was so nice to see people in the industry having such a wonderful time, from Margaret Russell to design luminaries like Jamie Drake. I was a guest of Roger Thomas who was there with his partner and lovely daughter. However I did not feel great this morning as I was over served….
Below are some snapshots I took of the table we designed for AD, you might remember the post last week where I showed you some of the elements.
I wanted it to be romantic yet have an elegant and tailored feel to reflect the AD aesthetic. I brought in the black because I thought it would be a great background color for Margaret, I think it turned out soft and stylish but still had a sharp edge
We designed an 11’ x 11’ x 8’ high grid structure made up of 6” solid wood posts built over a floor platform which we painted black. We draped the exterior with sheer black fabric and covered all of the interior columns and beams with hundreds of silk flowers; hydrangeas, peonies, wisterias in shades of purple, blue, violet and white. We inserted about 60 purple and clear plastic boxes which contained battery operated candles throughout the grid walls. As a lighting fixture we dropped sheets of fiber optic cable through the ceiling grid, these cascades at different heights above the table, we also focused pink spotlights into the space. The table was set with a black tablecloth and napkins and a sheer silver organza overlay, we had clear Chiavari chairs with black tie on seat cushions. We used the same purple and clear plastic containers in varying configurations to accent the table setting; some contained flower petals, others had candles. The main floral centerpiece was a collection of square glass vases filed with fresh blue, purple, pink and green hydrangeas.
Out of Step
What are a designer’s responsibilities on a job?
Through the years I always felt that they are
- Give the client the best possible design I can produce
- A sense at presentation of exactly what we are giving them
- Full disclosure of all prices at time of presentation
- Professional Billing process
- That at the conclusion of a job the clients are getting exactly what we presented, there are no surprises
I am not sure this is viable anymore; I am finding clients want a less structured and a more evolving process. In the past they have come to us in part for our organized and professional process and now I don’t believe that is true. It makes me question if we are out of step.
How do you work with your clients?
If you work similar to the way I do are you seeing the change in how your clients want to work with you?
DIFFA: Dining By Design
This year for DIFFA’s Dining by Design I was honored to design a table for AD, which we have been installing for the last 2 days. Below are some before pictures, I will be posting the final product after the dinner. It’s open to the public click here to see schedule.
If you are able to go, let me know what think about how these materials came together. I was very pleased.
Architectural Digest Home Design Show
Posted by Vicente in Events, Interior Design Business on March 16, 2011
If you are in the city this weekend and attending the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, I will be discussing two of my favortie topics followed by a book signing.
Incorporating Art with Design, Friday, March 18th from 2-3pm
Merging Two Worlds: Modern & Traditinal Interiors, Saturday, March 19th from 2-3pm
Hope to see you there































