Problem

Some of the special desires of this client included
a wish for very open, almost empty space without appearing barren, and love of the ancient Italian cityscape. Due to her busy professional life, she chose to rarely cook or entertain; she was also more interested in form than function and wanted
a unique design that saved as much of the vintage details and feeling as possible.

Solution

In the living room we decided to stretch time- by creating the feel of a centuries old Italian villa (about 11 layers of glaze, and plaster work created this effect) and accenting an interior window in liquid gold leaf paint. Carefully selected modern and antique furniture and decorative objects complete the warm, open effect.

The kitchen was re-created in a modern 50's vernacular- to the extent of traveling to Brooklyn to bring in new 'vintage' enameled steel cabinets and custom radiator covers from the same firm building them for the past 80 years. Other storage included a vintage laboratory cabinet, and original refinished and color-stained fir in the butler's pantry. Other kitchen features included an enlarged closet holding a tall, narrow refrigerator, distressed grey glazed woodwork, glass tile and 'spatter' pattern ceramic tile, and custom bars and shelves in oak, maple, galvanized steel, and solid surface materials.

Other Areas Designed:
(not shown here)

Butler's pantry, dining room, bathroom, media/play room, mudroom, stairwell, hall, sunroom

Client Profile:

Vice President of Nursing for a major nursing home chain, this busy single mom of one teenage son liked refined, beautiful, unusual, uncluttered settings full of vintage and antique style.

Living Room

Kitchen

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