Category Archives: Design Diary

May 19, 2010 · 1:08 pm

Design Diary: John Stefanon at FP3

This is a model apartment in the loft building FP3 in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood. Like the other FP3 space I blogged about last fall, the interior design was done, and beautifully, by John Stefanon of JFS Design Studio.

Stefanon incorporates earthy elements, like this rough hewn table, into the dining area. The chairs are on casters so they can be easily transported during a party.

This is the standard kitchen. Love the addition of the blackboard, both as a design and practical element. The cloudy glass cabinetry provides a bit of airy relief from the opaque panels. Adding just one section is a lot cheaper than doing all the upper cabinets in that style, but makes a noticeable impact.

Branches in a vase – always an easy way to bring the outdoors in. The pink artwork provides a splash of sweet, candy color to an otherwise neutral palette.

I love hte wood veneer pocket door between the hall and the media room. The aerial map photo is great too. The plexiglass shelf provides storage without looking bulky.

A hand-drawn type of patterning on the wall covering is a modern update to a classic plaid.

The crisp, upholsterd headboard fits trimly in the small space.

I adore the wavy front of this white lacquered dresser.

An amazing red wall in the media room gives an unexpected zing. And that enormous mirror really opens up the room. The effect reminds me of a wall with a circular doorway at the university in Taiwan where I once studied.

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Design Diary: A Japanese Garden in Boston

Almost two years ago I wrote about the fantastic Japanese garden that David Kimelberg created in the courtyard behind his Charlestown, Mass. townhouse – “A Backyard Fit For An Emperor” in the Boston Globe Magazine.

Lawyer by day, gardener and Japanese culture enthusiast on the weekends, Kimelberg researched diligently to learn about the various elements of such gardens, but instead of following the strict rules, he incorporated bits and pieces where he could.

In his garden, the koi pond represents the sea, large rough stones symbolize mountains, and each lantern is an ode to the Japanese temple. There’s a granite bench for contemplation and a slate-roofed model teahouse.

Of course, it’s not all so serious and serene. He and his wife host a Japanese garden party every summer, complete with sushi and sake. They dress the dog like a dragon and encourage guests to wear kimonos.

Kimbelberg on a granite bench, tending a bonsai in his garden.

Photo: Dave Henderson

Shoji-screened doors in a Japanese-inspired room with bamboo flooring (and a sofa from DWR) opens to the garden.

Photo: Dave Henderson

An overview of the courtyard garden. Kimelberg has about 30 bonsai specimens.

Photo: Dave Henderson

The 4′ x 4′ koi pond has five fish.

One of the half dozen Japanese maples in the garden.

Granite lanterns and springtime blooms.

Photo: Dave Henderson

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Filed under . REGULAR FEATURES, Design Diary, Flowers & Gardens, Rooms

Tagged as Boston gardens, Charlestown gardens, Dave Henderson, David Kimelberg, Japanese garden in Boston, Japanese gardens

March 16, 2010 · 3:01 am

Design Diary: Cabin Fever

I had been long corresponding with Gary Briggs, co-owner of Aunt Sadie’s boutique and candle company, but it wasn’t until fall that I learned he is quite the collector of Adirondack, camp and cabin style furniture, art and accessories. I toured his South End place for “Cabin Fever“, which ran in the Boston Globe Magazine, and followed up with “Log Cabin Chic in the City” for The Inside Source, for which Briggs shopped eBay for Adirondack-inspired pieces. It’s about time I showcased his collection here as well, especially since I promised more hunting lodge chic stories last week. (Sorry, work got in the way.) Check out the articles for details (the stories behind the collecting is interesting), since this is a photo only post.

Photo: Josh Kuchinsky

An overview of the main living space.

The details below are my snapshots.

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Filed under . REGULAR FEATURES, Design Diary, Home Accessories

Tagged as Adirondack style, Aunt Sadie's, Boston Globe Magazine, cabin chic, Gary Briggs, hunting lodge decor, The Inside Source

February 25, 2010 · 12:17 pm

Design Diary: Fotene Design at the Ritz

With the onslaught of new work, I’ve really fallen behind following up my published pieces with blog posts. Last night, as I was sorting through back issues of local mags and tear sheets, I realized I better get motivated. “A Study in Contrast,” a story about a newly married couple with unique challenges concerning color, ran in the The Boston Globe Magazine this past fall.

Chrissy and Mitch live in a decent size condo, but spent most of their time in the media room, so wanted to both brighten and warm it up. They asked their friend, Boston interior designer Fotene Demoulas to take on the project. But there was a catch: Mitch is color blind. He can’t really distinguish between browns and greens, and pale shades appear gray. So, they needed colors that were bright and bold, and of course, appealing to his lovely new wife too!

Photo by Eric Roth

Jill Diamantis, the lead designer on the project, stayed away from drab, opting for a a scheme of highly saturated color-on-color. The walls are covered in Donghia’s “Maestro Walls” in Paprika, a linen-backed paper that provides good sound absorption. For the existing built in bookshelves Diamandis pulled a deep raspberry color (Benjamin Moore’s Cranberry Cocktail in high gloss) from the two unframed canvases of Brigitte Bardot and Marilyn Monroe that the couple purchased in Paris during the project The color is an unexpected pairing with the terra cotta-colored walls. The side chair and accent pillows are done in a pricey Clarence House silk velvet that sort of resembles a jewel-like animal print.

The view from the media room has changed over the years, from the shimmering water of Boston Harbor to a monochromatic, urban cityscape.

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Photo by Eric Roth

There was a desk in the media room originally, but the designers relocated their “office” to an unused sitting area off the kitchen. The new desk is custom built from pecan wood with a red leather insert. The chairs are brown ultrasuede. Chrissy and Mitch sit here side by side every day, since they both work from home. How cute is that?

Photo by Eric Roth

This wall in the living room was painted dark red. The designers upgraded the original painted surface with a hand painted Venetian plaster wall covering by Studio E. So many people wrote in to the Globe inquiring about the wall sculpture – a multi-colored ensemble of bikers purchased in Paris.

Photo by Eric Roth

Th posters in the living room also garnered a great source of interest from our readers. They’re from International Poster Company, on Newbury Street in Boston. The vases and bowls are part of Mitch’s collection.

Photo by Eric Roth

The windows in the living room look across Boston Common and Back Bay to the Charles River, all the way to the Blue Hills. The designers added deep red window seat cushions throughout the condo, done in 100% mohair by John Hutton called “Cocktails Anyone?” in Bloody Mary.

During my research trying to understand color blilndness, I came across this interesting post from the Colour Lovers blog: “As Seen By the Color Blind“

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Filed under . REGULAR FEATURES, Design Diary, Rooms

Tagged as Chrissy Kazis, Chrissy Sayares, Christine Kazis, Christine Sayares, color blind design, Fotene Demoulas, Fotene Design, Mitch Sayares, Residences at the Ritz-Carlton

February 3, 2010 · 12:01 am

Design Diary: Jane Austen’s Emma

Romola Garai and Johnny Lee Miller

I never considered myself a Jane Austen fanatic. Until now. As my friend Meredith can attest, I’ve been “mildly obsessed.” PBS is airing a new Masterpiece Classic adaptation of Emma. I was so riveted that I asked WGBH (who knew Masterpiece Classic was produced right here in Boston?) to set up interviews with the so very talented production and costume designers, Stevie Herbert and Rosalind Ebbutt.

Not only did they arrange the chats, they messengered me the complete DVD. (Love the perks. LOVE Mr. Knightly even more. And Hartfield house, well, just wait and see.) Then I turned my fascination into two pieces for The Inside Source: “Emma’s Design Inspiration” and “Jane Austen Era Fashion.”

Stevie Herbert and Rosalind Ebbutt were absolutely delightful and full of information on their inspirations and mindset in creating the scenes and styles. I’m not going to retell all their tidbits here (please click through to the articles for that), but will show you snippets of the gorgeous Regency rooms I grabbed from the video online.