As some of you may have read in previous posts, I have been working on a volunteer project with The Joyce Theater Foundation to re-design the interior space of the theater’s Dance Art New York (DANY) Studios and spruce it up for the many people who use the studios on a daily basis.

With a singular mission to serve and support the art of dance, The Joyce Theater Foundation is a major catalyst for dance creation and performance, and brings the best in dance from around the world to annual audiences of over 140,000 in New York City.  Responsible for The Joyce Theater in Chelsea for three decades and Joyce SoHo for 15 years, The Joyce saved the venue now known as DANY Studios  in 2009 to provide much-needed affordable rehearsal space for the dance community.   

“When The Joyce took over responsibility for DANY Studios and learned of our wonderfully artistic and creative new neighbor, Vicente Wolf, we reached out for his help with bringing these rehearsal studios back to life.  His amazing and generous support of this special project is remarkable, and we truly can’t wait to implement his vision.”  - Linda Shelton, Executive Director, The Joyce Theater Foundation

Shown with this post is a “before” photo of the reception area so you have an idea of what Eric Paeper and I are working with.  I will keep you apprised of developments at the DANY Studios so keep checking back for updates!

Eric Paeper

1)      How did you first get involved with the re-design of the Joyce Dance Theater’s rehearsal studios (DANY Studios)?  How did you and Vicente Wolf come to work on this project together? What is it like to collaborate on this project, and what have you learned so far?

• I found out about the project when I was contacted by members of the faculty at the New York School of Interior Design. I recently graduated from NYSID with an MFA.  They explained that Mr. Wolf was looking for an emerging designer from a reputable school to work on the project with him.  I went into the interview thinking that, like most opportunities right out of school, I’d be executing Mr. Wolf’s design. But when I interviewed with him, it became very clear that he was looking for a collaborator.  When Vicente called me the next day, I jumped at the chance!  Over the course of the design process we visited the space and met once a week (which is no small feat with his busy schedule) to develop the design.  Of the many things I got out of that part of the process there is one that stands out.  At one point I had communicated an idea for breaking up the large space into zones using color blocking.  The design was precisely organized and well ordered.  Vicente sat down, took one look and quietly started sketching.  He said, “You’re thinking too much.  Let it come from here.” As he placed his hand over his heart.  He was called away for a phone call and I finished sketching what he’d started.  When he came back he said, “Better.”  High praise indeed!

2)      You hold an MFA from the New York School of Interior Design.  What is your design style? If you had to use one word to describe your aesthetic what would it be? Who or what are your influences?

• I wish I had a more marketable answer for this, but at NYSID they drill it into you that the designer’s sense of style is irrelevant.  What’s important is that. As a designer, one should interpret the client’s style and apply it tastefully to the design.  I appreciate many styles as long as the principles of good design are at work.  Some designers work who have influenced me, other than Mr. Wolf are Mies van der Rohe, Paul Rudolph and Sir John Soane. 

3)      Tell us a little bit about the design process in regards to this particular project.   How did you approach it? What are the challenges? What are the opportunities? What are your expectations for the end results? What do you hope for/hope to see?

• This project presented a particular design challenge in that it was originally designed for a different client.  By industry standards, it’s quite a generous and pleasant space, but it does not suit the Joyce and their constituent’s needs.  The Joyce supports dance companies from around the globe by providing performance space and administrative support in the dance capital of the world, N.Y.C.  When visiting companies use the facilities, they have their own producers and managers that travel with them.  When I was in the space taking field measurements, I counted six company managers all sitting on the floor with their laptops precariously balanced as they worked and ate a quick lunch.  There is no place for them to do the work that they came to do!  As a former performing artist, I know that they’re used to this kind of set up.  It’s what one comes to expect.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.  The solution to this design challenge is simple.  Give them areas to work, eat, meet, interact and create.  Make the space energetic, functional, and beautiful and it will elevate the artist’s sense of self worth.  It’s about dignity.  I think I speak for Vicente when I say, that is our goal for this project.

Check out the cover featuring my design! My project is featured in 16 beautiful pages of the October/November  issue of Interiors.  I had a wonderful time working on this particular project…the client really wanted a modern, clean look.  See the feature by clicking on the link below (view the story and images by clicking on ”download PDF”) and let me know what you think! 

 http://www.vicentewolf.com/associates/info/press

More and more magazines are only shooting digital these days, if not all magazines. As most of you know I shoot film, which took me about 7 years to master (due to my slow absorption process). Next week I am shooting a job for a magazine digitally.  It should be an interesting experience and will definitely push my boundaries. I will let you know how it goes….painful or not!

I was so pleasantly surprised to receive so many great responses, not only on FB but also over email, on last week’s WSJ post!  Since you all had so many comments on the faucet I thought you might like to see the other fixtures I customized for Sherle Wagner.  I have to say my favorite is the shower fixture due to its flexibility, I’d love to know which is your favorite?

Master Bathroom Faucet

Powder Room Faucet

Secondary Bathroom Faucet

Kitchen Faucet

Shower System

Berry Door Knob

Nugget Door Knob

Vicente Wolf

Heading back to NY after unveiling my new ceramic tile line “Textures” for Ann Sacks at KBIS is Las Vegas!  Will share more once I return, in the meantime take a sneak peek here!

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.

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.

I was lucky enough to have some help from Preston Bailey, who took my concept and brought it to life in an amazing centerpiece. I wanted to play with Mario’s title “The Prince of Chintz” and approach it with a sense of humor. Yes, I even used chintz and am surprised to report that I didn’t break out in a rash.  

My date for the night was Margaret Russell, who looked ravishing like always. Mario gave a very humorous speech and funny toasts were given all night by his friends and clients.

A long time ago I applied for a job with Mario and everyone said, don’t work for him he is nuts! He certainly is nuts but in a way that makes you a jewel in the interior design industry.

brainstorming

from concept to reality

detail shot

my table at the event

A special thanks to Cowan and Tout for donating the fabric from Manuel Canovas