It started with my trip to India this past January. As I traveled to Rajasthan with my PPG color fan, I kept my focus on writing about the colors and what inspired me and the location of where they were found. For example, at the Taj Mahal, the bright saris the women wore and the vibrancy of the spice markets were endless.  So imagine a 6’1 New Yorker walking through the streets of Rajasthan markets towering over the locals with my camera, my Pittsburgh Paints color fan and my journal in hand. I stood out like a big sore thumb, to say the least. This process allowed me to really focus on discovering a multitude of colors that I would have passed if it was not for my PPG project.

I appreciate Pittsburgh Paints reaching out to me even more since becoming aware that they represent a bigger story – their global and genuine coloration influence. PPG has the capability to manufacture in 26 countries, along with having trend analysts in nearly a dozen regions to forecast the future color stories for the world’s automotive, consumer electronics, aerospace and design architectural fields served my fascination beyond the obvious.

I am very excited to share my experiences and perception with the design community. As the program progresses, I will continue to update you on this project.

Pick up a copy of AD’s January issue, on newsstands December 11, or go to

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/decor/2013-01/vicente-wolf-park-avenue-manhattan-apartment-article

to learn more about Vicente Wolf creations.

Available at  http://lancewovens.com/giving/ , Bergdorf Goodman and Holland & Sherry. Limited availability!

This holiday season don’t forget to support your local charity.  To find out more about God’s Love We Deliver visit www.GLWD.org/.

Holiday House team

Baccarat Chandeliers and an antique mirror from VW Home Showroom.

“Winter White” room inspired by Swedish decor. Swedish rooms are known to have limited lighting. To enhance light in space, paint the room in soft colors and begin to feel the sudden impact. Enjoy, VW

“With the help of Vicente Wolf, furniture dealer Ralph Pucci conjures the quintessential bungalow by the sea.”

- ELLE Decor

Designer Vicente Wolf is working pro bono with the Joyce Theater to redesign the lobby spaces in DANY Studios, and two floors of rehearsal space (9 studios) that are operated by the Joyce Theater. While significant refurbishments were conducted prior to opening the space, The Joyce is now focused on establishing a more appealing and positive environment for dancers and dance companies. Both Wolf and the Joyce hope that by revitalizing the common spaces at DANY Studios, they will foster creativity and productivity both inside and outside of the spaces.

In addition to the initial plan for the redesign of the space created by Wolf and Erick Paeper—a recent MFA graduate of the New York School of Interior Design—MSK Illumination and Tech Lighing provided significant discounts for the electrical materials and MSK Illumination and Vicente Wolf donated the balance of the costs. PPG Pittsburgh Paint pledged to donate the required paint and Crate & Barrel donated select furnishings. Wolf’s redesign incorporates dramatically improved lighting and a color scheme of blacks, grays and whites, with vibrant pear green highlights. 

On Thursday, May 31, Vicente Wolf held a luncheon at his NYC Loft to promote the partnership with the Joyce Theater. The Joyce Theater’s Linda Shelton was among the invitees, which included Wolf’s Westchester clients. The menu encompasssed a succulent chicken breast garnished with tomatoes and capers and a side of authentic couscous, roasted asparagus and a fresh garden salad.

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!