We love bringing our version of tasteful interiors to new and interesting environments – especially when we get the chance to apply our sensibilities and creativeness to a fellow professional’s practice.  Earlier this year we helped Dr. Mary Basler, a chiropractic doctor and principal of Basler Chiropractic, renovate her new clinic.  Photos by Robyn Ivy.

Dr. Basler practices open treatment – bringing patients together in an large, open space to simultaneously receive chiropractic treatments.  Instead of going to an individual treatment room, patients sit along side one another as Dr. Basler and her team apply their healing hands.  The result is a wonderful community environment where care is enhanced by connecting with fellow patients and learning about the science behind the treatments.

The space, on the other hand, presented some challenges – and opportunities – for the design team.  Long and narrow, the clinic’s primary treatment room featured a blank wall begging for a focal point.  Working with Dr. Basler, we knew whatever we placed on the wall needed to represent her fresh approach to healing – while representing an art form as unique as her practice.

Enter Primosaic.  Part art, part tile and part computer engineering, Primosaic translates images into mosaic artwork.  Mark Bowen and Bob Barrie, of Primosaic, developed this computer-aided process of creating a mosaic entirely out of tile.

Their process involves two steps to designing a tile mosaic – computer processing and “human processing.” Mark and Bob begin by determining the final overall size of the mosaic in order to predict the tile size. The mosaic prepared for Dr. Basler was made of thousands of 5/8″ square glass tiles, each a ‘pixel’ of a computer rendering of the leaves and water image – chosen because of its likeness to the curves of the spine.

Based on the computer rendering, Bob and Mark correlated each pixel with a glass tile.  Then, like good artists, they stood back and adjusted colors and details to improve for the human eye.  Each tile was applied to a substrate and the entire mosaic was grouted in a custom colored grout to enhance the image.  Dr. Basler’s mosaic is over 4′ high and 8′ wide and is edgebanded with stainless steel – a first for Primosaic and a challenge too, as it meant the tiles had to be precisely laid out to accommodate the edgebanding.

We were so pleased to learn that Dr. Basler’s patients have commented on the beauty of the mosaic, and its craftsmanship.  She told us recently that ” the mosaic introduces a calming aura and sets a tone of healing for my patients. The feedback I get from them is just another reassurance that the image and the piece is a perfect fit. I still find patients just standing in front of it, admiring its complexity.”

Artful interiors for all, in all environments.

We are often reminded of how fortunate we are to have clients who welcome us into their home and make us part of their family.  This week we got such a reminder.

Last winter we designed and renovated a home being passed from one generation to the next — loving parents (and grandparents) who decided to give their home to their daughter, son-in-law and four grandchildren and buy a smaller home close by.

Our role was to sensitively update the home for the next generation.  Working with Furtado Medeiros Construction, we improved circulation, lighting, materials and the overall warmth of the house while still maintaining the familiarity our clients wanted to keep when ‘moving home’.  Now, all three generations are enjoying the embrace of the new home – evidenced by this lovely note we received.

“Thank you!  I wish there were more powerful words to truly express how we feel every time we walk through our front doors.  You made this a home for all of us, my parents included.  Your thoughtfulness, hard work and consideration for our new life here will always be remembered and appreciated.  We all talk about you, how you made this our home and how you are now part of our family history!…”

This is why we do what we do.

Before and after renovation photos follow, captured by Robyn Ivy Photography.  Be sure to scroll down to see all project photos, there’s lots of white space in between each spread…

We recently had the great pleasure to design a whole house renovation and addition – complete with a custom kitchen – for a masterful chef and his beautiful family.  The nearly year-long construction project was complete this past winter and we were invited back last week to take photos of their home.

Warm thanks to our client, Anthony  Tarro – Executive Chef and Owner of the award-winning Siena Restaurants, and his lovely family for letting us camp out in their house for a few days to capture some of the wonderful spaces created as a result of the project.

A testament to their hospitality is the amazing lunch Anthony created for our crew on our last day of the photoshoot.  In a head-spinning 40 minutes he prepared nine dishes that perfectly embodied his art for creating Tuscan Soul Food.  Fresh and flavorful creations like Caprese Salad, Grilled Asparagus with Traditional Italian Egg Dressing, Lobster and Shrimp Stew, Panzanella and Grilled Chicken were beautifully prepared at the island while we watched in awe and snapped photos to capture the moment.  (If only we could capture the aromas.)

I was so touched to see him at work in a kitchen tailor made to support his passion, in a home designed to support the entire family’s happy habit of gathering and sharing with friends and family.  Case in point: an impromtu gathering of thirteen moms and teenagers took place in the kitchen the night before.

Photos of the project will be available on the website soon.  For now, here’s a sneak peak at Anthony at work in his kitchen, doing what he does best.  I’m thrilled that what I do best, helped make it happen.

Chef Tarro at the Island of His Custom-Designed Kitchen

Truly, A Chef's Kitchen

Anthony Tarro Creates in His Custom Kitchen

We’ve been researching and evaluating outdoor furniture all week for a long-time client with exquisite contemporary tastes. Dedon has a wonderful line of unexpected pieces that (finally) transcend the traditional looking wicker settees we grew up with. Here are just a few of our favorites. Enjoy!

Outdoor Modular Grouping by Dedon

Outdoor Chaise Lounge by Dedon

Outdoor Furniture Spa Collection by Dedon

Outdoor Furniture Daybed By Dedon

Steel Pavilion Structure and Sculpture

My family and I just returned from a week in Arizona, including a trip to the glorious Grand Canyon. The vacation was a timely one. The first quarter of 2010 has been thrilling — with multiple renovation projects in construction, a new residence in schematic and design development phases, bathroom renovations readied for construction bidding, a Boston condo to design and decorate for a dear client and friend, new projects for long time clients and new clients bringing new design challenges our way.

So, my time in the desert with my family was perfectly timed. I was able to relax, regroup and revitalize for the coming three months – likely to be just as thrilling and productive.

While in Arizona, I found inspiration in the traditional places, and in the unexpected. Those first few moments staring at the Grand Canyon left me speechless. My first time there, it was breathtaking beyond words. And a return trip to Taliesin West provided yet again, respect and honor for American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. (The fact that my eleven year old daughter has repeatedly claimed it to be her favorite part of her trip naturally brings a prideful smile to my face.)

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West

Desert Cactus in Bloom

I was particularly surprised and delighted that Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden would bring such practical design inspiration. I assumed I’d be taken in by the collection of desert plantings, but I was so impressed with the design of this public gathering place I documented its architectural design, and the botanicals.

The Garden made wonderful use of raw construction materials throughout its design. Upon entering, a canopy constructed of steel supports and rebar provides a natural meeting place, critical shade and set the tone for the use of weathered steel materials throughout the garden.

Sun Canopy of Weathered Steel and Rebar

I-beams and steel screen was paired to create a rythmic and airy pavilion, protecting plants and people from the desert’s harsh sun. The use of the reddish orange color on the pavilion elevates the structure from functional to sculptural.

Steel I-Beams in Pavilion Structure

We were there mid-day and imagined that the petaled light posts provide downlight in the evenings. But on closer inspection, uplights have been buried in the ground and light is reflected off the white underside of the petals. A functional, yet softened lighting effect and another expression of the Garden’s thoughtful design.

Petal Lightposts Reflect Light From Below

Handrails and balusters on the Garden’s several bridges were made of rebar as well. Even the signage holders made use of the flexible steel.

Balusters Constructed of Rebar

Juxtaposed with the rough steel and prickly forms – yet perfectly at home – were Dale Chihuly’s glass cacti at the entrance to the Botanical Garden. Brilliant in color and form, the cacti are a signal to all who frequent the garden that art and design are held and maintained in the highest regard.

Well done, Phoenix.

Chihuly's Tribute to Desert Botanicals

I’m a big fan of Chicago-based designer Alessandra Branca so was thrilled to pour through her new book, “New Classic Interiors”.  It’s a large format book that showcases her work with luscious photography and in doing so, captures the warmth and mastery of materials she brings to her projects.

“New Classic Interiors” by Alessandra Branca

Branca takes us on a tour of her homes in Rome, New York and Chicago, as well as shares views into clients’ homes in the US.  During the tour it’s clear that Alessandra’s sensibilities and style are truly European – achieved first by nature and then nurtured into perfection.  (I have close European friends and am always amazed when their innate design sense effortlessly comes through in the simplest of endeavors.  It’s as though they’re born with the ability to assemble and design with stylish dignity.)

Some of my favorite images from the book follow, all illustrating how Branca balances color, pattern and form to create an exceptional interior.

Branca beautifully punctuates her interiors with black furnishings and accessories.

This is a beautiful composition of materials that invites the eye to travel through the room, all the way to the tailored window dressing.

Branca’s signature use of red is often present in her interiors, yet never feels overly done.

Putters and Balls-at-the-Ready, Taste's Mid-century Bungalow Renovation Project

I’m often asked about the amazing photographs on our website and the photographer who so beautifully ‘sees’ and captures Taste’s work.  For the past several years we’ve been fortunate to work with Robyn Ivy, talented photographer and friend. 

Robyn has a gift for seeing the beauty in all things – both simply arranged and carefully composed.  She brings great sensitivity and unending energy to architectural and interior photography that’s so appreciated.  And, makes for great, collaborative fun while photographing our projects. 

Many thanks to Robyn for sharing her talent.  Here are some of my favorite examples of her view into our work.

Wild Flowers, Poolside at Taste's Mid-century Bungalow Renovation Project

A Light-Filled Spin on Classic Blue and White, Taste's Seaside Colonial Project

Spring Tulips, Sympathetic to the Drapery Fabric's Floral Motif at Taste's Historic District Project

Here’s Tip #2 in the Selecting An Area Rug series.  Check back again for the remaining tips, posted periodically. 

Tip #2: Consider a room’s scale.  Large rooms consume color and pattern.  Size up the pattern and pump up the color so the rug doesn’t fade away in the room.

This Loft with Open Living Spaces and 12' Ceilings Called for A High Patterned Area Rug; Photo by Aaron Usher Photography

This Two Story Living Room with Lots of Natural Light Demanded Color and Pattern; Photo by Robyn Ivy Photography

I had the pleasure of joining Roz Rustigian of Rustigian Rugs at the Museum of Primitive Arts and Culture this past week as speakers in their adult education series.  We shared how and what to consider when selecting an area rug for your home.  Many thanks to the participants in the evening lecture; we had wonderful hosts, an engaged audience and great questions.

My portion of the talk focused on Ten Tips for Selecting An Area Rug.  Here’s Tip #1.  Check back again for the remaining tips, posted periodically. 

Tip #1: Choose Your Area Rug First, Before Anything Else

This Living Room Scheme Started with the Artful Area Rug; Photo by Robyn Ivy Photography

Colors, Textures, Fabric and Even Stone Were Selected to Coordinate with the Area Rug - Which Came First

Heartfelt congratulations and applause go out to New Urban Arts in Providence for receiving a Coming Up Taller award! New Urban Arts has been nationally recognized as one of 15 youth arts and humanities programs to receive the prestigious 2009 Coming Up Taller Award. An initiative of President Obama’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, the Coming Up Taller award is the nation’s highest honor for the field of out-of-school time arts and humanities programs.

First Lady Michelle Obama Presents the Coming Up Taller Award to New Urban Arts

Taste has been a proud supporter of New Urban Arts since 2004. We in turn, thank Taste clients. Without your support, we wouldn’t be able to provide New Urban Arts with the resources necessary to inspire and foster art programs for Providence’s youth.

Jason Yoon, executive director and Rosalia Velis, a New Urban Arts alumna and the chair of the Studio Team Advisory Board traveled to Washington DC to receive the Coming Up Taller award on behalf of New Urban Arts from First Lady Michelle Obama in a White House Ceremony.

Again, our encouragement and support go out to New Urban Arts.  Art has the power to change lives.