On Interiors

Hampton Classic Horse Show 2009

2009-09-15T06:50:00.000-07:00

This year Herringbone Interiors was invited to create a vignette / boutique space at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, N.Y.

Thanks to those vendors who participated in the show including Dutch Touch Art, Chapter One and Somerset Bay home furnishings!

KROON HALL at Yale University

2009-08-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

Yale's newest building is also one of our nation's most environmentally responsible. Kroon Hall, home to Yale's School of Forestry & Environmental Studies has truly set a new standard for sustainable design and is projected to receive a Platinum rating in the U.S.G.B.C.'s LEED program.

Kroon Hall sits close to Eero Saarinen's 'whale' shaped ice rink and Sachem's Wood on a site that was previsouly home to an oil-fired power plant and impervious surfaces.

The 56,467 sq ft. structure houses offices for 50 faculty and staff, 3 classrooms, Burke Auditorium, Ordway Learning Center and Library and the Knobloch Environment Center.

It's total energy consumption is 50% less than conventional buildings, according to ASHRAE standards. Photovoltaics generate approximately 1/4 of Kroon's electricity. The building also features a geothermal energy system.

A water recyling system is projected to reduce potable water consumption by 75% saving 500,000 gallons per year. The building also features waterless urinals and a solar water heating system.

All of the wood used for paneling, trim and roof decking is FSC certified and half of the Red Oak paneling came from Yale-Myer's, the school's forest in northwest Connecticut.

The long, narrow shape of the building adds not only to it's unique aesthetic, but maximizes the building's southern exposure. This, in turn, helps to deliver natural light throughout the space, minimizing the need for artificial lighting. The design is also ideal for increasing the efficiency of photovoltaics with it's large southern-facing roof surface area.

A rainwater re-use system includes this outdoor water garden which doubles as a cleansing pond. Runoff water from the building's roof and from portions of the ground is collected and held in a settling tank where most of the sediment is collected. The water eventually flows through the treatment pond pictured at left. The boxes will eventually be filled with aquatic plants which will not only create a serene atmosphere, but assist in cleansing the water. The water is then re-used for flushing toilets and irrigation.

Design Architect: Hopkins Architects
Executive Architect: Centerbrook Architects
For additional information about this groundbreaking structure, visit http://environment.yale.edu/kroon/

It's All Greek

2009-08-04T05:05:00.000-07:00

The Ancient Greek klismos chair is undeniably one of the most resilient creations in the history of interior design. It's horizontal crest rail, contoured back splat, and curvaceous sabre legs embody a perfect harmony of aesthetic and function. The design (dating back to the 5th century B.C.E.) is unmistakable, and its influence can be found scattered throughout many of today's furniture collections.

The firm Saridis of Athens has been reproducing authentic pieces of Etruscan, Greek and Roman periods, in keeping with the stardards of original craftsmanship. The image above of Carl Lagerfeld's residence shows Saridis' klismos reproductions looking stellar in a modern day setting.

Baker has taken a softer approach with their Greek Lounge Chair
(Scroll down to see this chair featured in a room under the "Why Herringbone?" entry)

Robert Lighton New York's fully upholstered version.
Note the gentle "s"-shape of the profile as the contoured back changes direction and flows outward through the back legs. Simply gorgeous

World-famous decorator, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings worked in conjunction with Susan and Eleftherios Saridis on the development of the klismos chair line.
Another perfect pair from the 1980s in the style of Robsjohn-Gibbings is pictured above.
(Available through ModeModerne)

For those on a budget, Crate and Barrel's Sasha side chair features subtle klismos characteristics.

What a Difference a Pillow Makes

2009-08-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

One of the simplest ways to transform a room..
to take it from one season to the next...
to completely change the mood....
to add a touch of whimsy....
to introduce a daring color or a bold motif...
(without the fear of commitment)...is PILLOWS.

A few Herringbone favorites:

These elaborately embroidered, fashion-inspired pillows by Ankasa
adorn any room like exquisite jewelry...

This House Beautiful pic featuring a study by Tom Scheerer perfectly illustrates the impact a bold, properly-scaled pillow can have on a space.

These creative designs in beautiful colors by Dransfield & Ross can add some zing to a tired space in an instant. (Available through Herringbone Interiors)

In this House Beautiful pic, designer Jacqueline Derrey Segura blends both orderly, geometric patterns in subtle colors and deeper, organic ikats...a brilliant juxtaposition.

Here Ken Fulk Design has added some punch to otherwise bland bedding
with bright orange accent pillows

House Beautiful recently featured this space designed by Eric Cohler which also illustrates the power of pillows and his eye for mixing pattern seamlessly.

Why Herringbone?

2009-02-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

Since launching an interior design company in Litchfield County, Connecticut called "Herringbone Interiors." I am often asked "Why Herringbone?". I thought this would be an appropriate topic to address in my introductory blog post for "On Interiors."

Herringbone, for me, represents simple, classic design which has withstood the test of time for centuries.

Herringbone, or opus spicatum, is a pattern consisting of angled rows of brick or other material which, when placed end to end, form 90 degree angles, much like the bone structure of herring fish. (Having never seen herring fishbones first-hand I'll accept the word of others!) Herringbone dates back to Ancient Roman architecture and is commonly found in masonry, parquetry and textiles. There is also evidence of the Phoenicians using a 'herringbone' pattern to mark pottery. Herringbone bond was (and is) frequently used for pavement techniques as well as vertical surfaces.

This image from www.wikipedia.org shows a herringbone paving treatment in Trajan's Market, Rome.

This chevron patterned dining floor featured in Southern Accents shows how the pattern is commonly used today to add interest to a space.

Herringbone is so versatile, it can be applied to myriad materials and compliment any design genre from historic reproductions to contemporary design and everything in between.

This Metropolitan Home image by Nathan Kirkman shows a fireplace wall faced with Ann Sacks' 'Bellarita' tile in a more modern application of herringbone.

Maya Romanoff wall covering offers several 'herringbone' chevron options including Ajiro Chevron made from ultra-thin layers of wood applied to paper (shown at left) and Mother-of-Pearl Chevron, (shown at right) developed by layering genuine shell on tiles. Spectacular!

Most fabric houses have several herringbone patterns from which to choose. In addition to the standard linens, cottons and wools in navy, brown and grey, you'll find the pattern modernized by increasing the scale, using unexpected materials and offering bold, up-to-the-minute colorways.

Hawthorne Herringbone, from Thibaut Design's Chelsea Collection is available in 5 different colorways including Crimson (shown), Aqua & Green.

One of herringbone's greatest proponents in both fashion and interiors would be Ralph Lauren.
Seen here is Tyringham Herringbone in Jet by Ralph Lauren Home.

F. Schumacher has created this wonderful modern interpretation of a herringbone in velvet with a blown-up scale. Regent Velvet Herringbone is available in four rich colorways including Aqua, Teak, Champagne, and Terracotta, respectively.

And let's not overlook herringbone's popularity in fashion! Many closets hold an item or two, or ten with a herringbone pattern, especially in the suiting and outerwear departments.

So before dressing, whether for work in the morning, or your floors, walls or upholstery....think about adding a touch of a true timeless classic, HERRINGBONE!!