#briangluckstein

[boomerbroadcaster]

To Paint or Not To Paint . . .That Is The Question

It’s been nearly fifteen years since we moved into our current house. A few years ago I had some high-traffic hallways repainted but the rest of the house still retains the builder’s original Manchester Tan from Benjamin Moore. I’m basically happy with the colour but after all these years I have a yearning for something a bit lighter and fresher. So, I visited my local Benjamin Moore store and…

To Paint or Not To Paint . . .That Is The Question

[lenoxusa]

Well-Suited, for Father’s Day!

Photos: Michelle Fidman

It’s time to celebrate Dad, and New York City interior designer Patrick J. Hamilton of Patrick James Hamilton Designs is back at the table to do it. But he wonders, “Why aren’t there more tabletops styled for men?” We think Father’s Day is the perfect occasion to change that!

“I picture this table set for several generations of men sharing a meal, celebrating the day, honoring each other.” says Patrick, and the handsome new Winston pattern from the Brian Gluckstein by Lenox Collection was the perfect partner.

“That pattern seems so sharp, so sartorial, so I started by pairing it with table linens inspired by men’s suiting. All the linens were custom made by my great friend Mario at NY Upholstery Services, from Stroheim’s Buxley plaid tablecloth and Salenside stripe napkins and Fabricut’s Zirconium Steel placemats. 

“Anyone’s wardrobe is a great place to find inspiration for tabletop or interior design scheme. If it’s a color or fabric that flatters, I say surround yourself with it, every day and especially on special occasions.”

“The black and silver herringbone pattern of the plates felt both like suiting to me, but also totally Art Deco.” So Patrick headed into territory with the same vibe and lines, that men might find comfortable and familiar, without being “mancave” cliché, like architecture— specifically the Chrysler Building, including highly-detailed pewter miniatures from Replica Buildings at each placesetting. “That building, to me, is the epitome of Art Deco style.” Plus, he says, “Art Deco is so elegant to me, and I think there are plenty of Dads who appreciate a little elegance.”

The angular shapes continue with a scattering of Artists Blocks from Jayson Home that look like they jumped right off the plates, and the lines continue in the Trent flatware and Firelight Platinum stemware. And the simple black and silver palette is continued with plain black tapers by AnaCandles in the designer’s own vintage silverplate candleholders.

We think any Dad would also appreciate the surprise of Steel Blaze Swiss Quartz watches used as napkin rings. “I love the idea that these Father’s Day gifts are hiding right out in the open, and would start the meal with that very special gift.”

The darker fabrics and plates were given a summer-y vibe, with a big burst of chartreuse roses. “Why should moms get all the floral love? I think even the most stoic of fathers secretly like a little fancy fuss every now and then. So I didn’t back away from flowers. With everything else hard-edged and clean-lined, the centerpiece could be unabashedly floral, and we’d still get our handsome on!” And this dash of sunny color also makes that plaid backdrop picnic-evocative.

With a haber-dashing setting like this, we think tabletops specially for men should totally be a thing. Here’s to the Dads!

Read more over at Patrick’s blog, AskPatrick .

[boomerbroadcaster]

Laundry rooms . . . premium real estate located in the wrong neighbourhood

Laundry rooms . . . premium real estate located in the wrong neighbourhood

Lace up. It’s laundry day.

Imagine a woodworking shop with the wood set up on a work bench in the garage or basement and the tools located in another room at the opposite end of the house. Or, what if your lawnmower and snowblower were stored in a shed a couple of blocks from your home requiring you to trek a quarter of a mile every time the grass needed cutting or the snow needed shoveling.…

View On WordPress