Lighting Design

Boston Back Bay Foyer Design Idea

March 20th, 2012 20 Comments

While working on one of our new projects, I came across this antique bureau in the 2011 Jan/Feb issue of Veranda.

 

 

It reminded me of an idea sketch I had done for a foyer on a project about two years ago. The proposal was turned down for another idea…

 

I think it was the Chihuly style chandelier that made the client nervous.

  Stylistically, I love the juxtaposition and tension created by modern chandeliers and light fixtures in beautiful old spaces and rooms. I do have an important qualifier. It must capture the spirit of an appropriate period light fixture. The “crystal Chihuly” did this is spades. Our new project has similar high ceilings, gorgeous original plaster moldings and marble fireplaces. I’ve found myself wondering…. If not the foyer, then perhaps the dining room????

Cheers,

PS: More of my design sketches can be seen here. 

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Thanksgiving’s Soft Light

December 1st, 2011 9 Comments

As Sally and I were setting our Thanksgiving table, I was distracted by the softness of the light coming though the south facing window of the dining room. Grabbing camera and tripod, I tried to capture the moment.

 

I kept zooming in…

 

And in…

 

And swung the camera to the left…

In the midst of all the coming and going of our son and his fiance and visiting with friends, the weekend was actually a wonderful slowing down time for me. I was able to get out and poke about with the camera. While it can be intese and very much in the moment, I find it very relaxing.

 

Fallen Leaf

 

Converted to black and white. I like this more.

 

Leaves in a vernal pool. What caught my eye was the reflection of the hemlock boughs and the color of the sky in the water. It created a sort of stained glass effect.

 

On Sunday we took a walk in a small sanctuary. It is known for it’s deposits of very large glacial rocks. Some of them are 30 to 40 feet high! Can you find the stone totem in the picture?

Have a great day!

Cheers,

 

 

Back in the Saddle

September 29th, 2011 2 Comments

After my long weekend break, I find myself reluctantly jumping back in to my daily work routine. I’ve waded through emails, phone messages, blog, Facebook – even visited our 1804 house jobsite to check on the progress of the stair and wall papering. One foot is clearly still back in northern Maine and it won’t be until tomorrow that I‘m fully engaged with work. The weather was perfect and the fishing exceeded my wildest expectations. In my previous post, I said that if I caught a native Brook Trout that I’d share a picture  with you. I was able to fool several, including this male in full spawning color. Mother Nature sure knows how to use a paint brush, doesn’t she? The range of tints and hues is staggering!

Fall foliage was just starting to come in to its own. I took these two shoots on the West Branch of the Penobscot River.

Mt. Katahdin in the background.

The swamp maples were in their glory!

At breakfast and at the end of the day, we’d watch pontoon planes transport guides and their sports to remote wilderness lakes.

Our rustic cabin…  Life is good!

The weather cooperated on Monday and Sally was able to get the photo shoot of the little summer cottage done. We’re waiting on pins and needles for the proofs! I was especially pleased to hear that she used several custom tote bags from her Olivia Kent business as accessories in the shoot. She put that effort on hold when we shifted gears to focus on residential design. I keep telling her she needs to find a way to resurrect it.

One of Sally’s custom tote bags in my favorite chair.

When I visited the 1804 house jobsite this morning I was thrilled to see that wall paper is hung, light fixtures are all installed, and the stair, with its cherry treads, balustrades and handrail, is beginning to look like a stair. We should have a final cherry finish sample for the stair tonight and staining of stair parts can begin post haste!

Osborne & Little wallpaper detail in the dining room.

A light blue Cowtan & Tout stria in the parlor. The delft tile looks perfect!

And a black Brunschwig & Fils toile paper for the powder room.

The foyer chandelier hangs from the 2nd floor ceiling.

The stair begins to take shape!

I invite you to come see the finished kitchen and 6 other beautiful kitchens in the greater Hamilton/Wenham/Manchester, MA area. The tour is on Saturday, October 15, from 11 – 4. Tickets can be bought online here. Complimentary tickets to the following weekend’s Ellis Boston Antique Show will be available at our kitchen during tour hours.

Cheers,