Singin’ in the Rain (Shower)

Hansgrohe's new Raindance E Select 120 AIR handshower

Hansgrohe's new Raindance E Select 120 AIR handshower

This year Hansgrohe North America, the Georgia-based division of the German bathroom faucet and shower manufacturer, marks its 25th Anniversary in the United States. I recently attended a celebratory lunch in the beer cellar at Flatiron Hall, a new restaurant just west of Madison Square Park. Hansgrohe’s chairman Richard Grohe, who came from the company’s headquarters in the Black Forest to host the event, spoke about the brand’s current innovations, vision for the future, and ongoing mission to enhance everyday showering as a restorative and relaxing experience.

He was very amusing and spoke about how the company is dedicated to improving the experience of showering.  Since showering is a universal human experience and it’s the way we start our day, relax, and lift our spirits,  the company has put it’s vast resources into improving the experience. They are developing technology for the distribution of water, massaging, conserving water, even adding lighting and sound to the showerhead They are innovating  with international designers from Tokyo to France.

Richard included a demonstration of a new product, Raindance Select range of hand and overhead showers, which offer three different types of spray at the click of a button. They gave us one as a gift at the end of our lunch. Two of our best friends are completing a beach house renovation and I (somewhat selfishly) gave it to them to put in their new outdoor shower. I look forward to an elegant, high tech shower next summer.

Richard Grohe demonstrating the ease of use with a Hansgrohe shower control for the commercial market

I'm with Emily Hooper from The Architect's Newsletter and Wendy Silverstein

Hansgrohe celebrates its 25th Anniversary in the United States

Hansgrohe celebrated its 25th Anniversary in the United States with a lunch in the beer cellar at Flatiron Hall

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If They Asked Me I Could Write a Book

A few weeks ago, I was called by one of my past clients to refresh their apartment that I did in the early 90’s. It’s still looks great and classic, and I look forward to giving it a more eclectic and modern kick. They own many of the first pieces of furniture I ever designed. The bibliotheque below is one example, and this is this is original drawing for it.

 

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The Art of the Possible

I love spotting a piece of furniture that most people would pass by, restyling it to make it look beautiful, and then finding the right spot to set it off perfectly.

Case in point: Last time I was in Florida, I stopped by my friend Carlos Castellar’s shop Art & Antiques at 8650 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami. For more than 15 years, he has been a purveyor of first-rate mid-century modern and vintage items to dealers all over the world. The shop offers a very eclectic range of styles from Hollywood Regency to Memphis Group, always presented with a touch of fun and a sense of humor. On this visit, one piece really caught my eye:

Adrian Pearsall 1960s armchair for Plycraft

BEFORE: 1960s lounge chair by Adrian Pearsall for Plycraft, found at Art & Antiques, Miami.

It’s a 1960s Plycraft lounge chair by Adrian Pearsall–an interesting if little-known American designer whose “Atomic Age” furniture is often misattributed to Vladimir Kagan. The lines were great but the fabric couldn’t have been uglier. Carlos parted with it for $500, and his guys restyled and reupholstered it to my specifications:

Adrian Pearsall 1960s lounge chair upholstered by Barry Goralnick in Stark velvet and Designtex printed velvet

AFTER: Pearsall chair reupholstered in a Stark Fabric velvet and a Designtex printed velvet.

I replaced the cushioning with something sleeker and less bulky covered in a jazzy Designtex printed velvet and had the body of the chair reupholstered in a rich solid velvet from Stark Fabric. It arrived from Miami last week and I think it looks pretty great in my living room, sitting on a Tibetan rug I designed for Stark Carpet. I can’t wait to go back to Florida in the spring and see what else Carlos has in store.

SITTING PRETTY: The revamped Pearsall lounge chair in my living room on a Tibetan rug I designed for Stark.

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