NY NY

I stumbled across my happy holiday snaps from a trip to New York and New England and found a few treasures of inspiration

Ok, I know it's a little weird to have this as No1, but the Mens toilet in Fours Seasons Restaurant by Philip Johnsons and Mies Van Der Rohe is truly stunning.The finishes are of such high quality most expensive houses wouldn't be built as well.

This apartment building on the Upper East Side had the most amazing mid century landscaping. Tiering courtyards and planters (which obviously would never be used by the tenants) cleverly connected two streets on a gentle slope.

The "Folk Art" Museum (now defunked) had the most beautiful displays. So clever mixing the crafty design with such an ustere modern build.

The Museum of Modern History had an incredible selection of Early American furnishings. I particularly love the yellow Klismos one pictured. V unusual. 

Skipping over to Boston, the Massachusetts civic building, clad in Italian Marble, was quite a site to see. It reminded me of when the US invaded Iraq and were aghast to see Saddam Hussein’s gold tapware in his Palace, like he was the only one to display hideous amounts of wealth. Having said that this building, which is also lined in Italian marble inside, is an amazing thing of beauty.

I tried to avoid putting in typical American architectural shots as they are everywhere but i am a real sucker for ivy covered buildings.

The First Lutheran Church in Boston was so chic. I would live here.

 

 

This crazy little house was literally squished between 2 massive apartment buildings.

A random electrical substation in Boston to charming effect.

Couldnt resist this one. I have a knack for photographing houses the globe over with cats sitting in the window. Usually i dont even notice until i get home and browse though the shots.

 

 

Not sure what this was, asuming a jewelry store or the such. Love the quality and simplicity. I am also a sucker for a good herald, especially anything in gold.

The Natural History Museum in NY was so retro and faded but the exhibits were so well done in their time they still inspire. Still shocks me that so many Americans are young earth creationists yet their biggest museum is a shrine to reason.

 

 

The MET had the most wonderfully light filled courtyard which i spent more time in than the building itself. The Carrera Marble tiles were so lux and this sculpture in the garden was amazingly disconcerting....

As was Mickey with his monocle.

 Random amazing NY street art

Genius fenestration in NY.

Lincoln Centre lit up like a jewel at night

Random cute squirrel

New England was actually this freakishly picture perfect..

MOVIES

I have always been a huge movie buff and have noticed over the years something that influences my appreciation for particular movies tends to revolve around the set design and art direction. Here are some faves (remembering that sometimes its not the storyline that interests me).

The 1957 movie, Designing Woman starring Lauren Bacall and Gregory Peck features amazing en trend style. Note this movie clearly served as the "inspiration" for a certain Sydney landmark bar/nightclub which I need not name. Set partially in the Beverly Hills Hotel and a series of fabulous New York Apartment interiors, the Hollywood Regency style which was recently revived features prominently.

The 1988 film, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, is set in Antibes, the very fashionable suburb near Cannes, France. The Villa the movie is set and the hotel the con artist, Glenne Headly's character stays in are amazingly colourful and glam.

President of the Senate’s suite

On one of my visits to the Old Parliament House, Canberra, I stumbled across the
"President of the Senate’s suite", I was blown away by its extreme
contrast to the rest of the building. The room, designed in the late 1960's was
so modern by early 21st century standards and could easily grace the cover of
any modern interiors magazine were it built today. The whole fitout is
basically 2 materials, timber veneer, which lines every wall and door as well
as joinery and furniture, creates a very severe yet harmonious effect. The
carpet, a rich velvety pink is echoed in the upholstery of pink and mauves. It
reminded me of the Four Seasons Restaurant in New York by Phillip Johnson,
using a really restrained palette of materials but used in such a way as to create
a highly decorative atmosphere. Not only were the materials used so well but
the planning is so concise and well thought out. All in all a really smart and
excellent example of modernist interior design fit for the accommodation of a
Queen, who I imagined appreciated as much as myself.

More information visit http://moadoph.gov.au/collection/the-house/president-of-the-senates-suite/

More New Lambton

On the slightly less grand side and definately more quirky....

The local church (now a house apparently) is a excellent example of dometic scale 50's architecture. Note the layering of textures, nothing goes better than ashlar and brick.
This house astounds me, it's so funky with an unabashed use of vibrant colour and texture. There are quite a few examples of red brick, blue roofed houses in Newcastle, but this I should imagine is the best example.
I love the bold colour combination. No one is this brave anymore.

Immaculately neat

This unasuming house is a really interesting take on Ventura style. Window profiles in both fire engine red and canary yellow. 2 different brick materials and the letter box is oversized. v postmodern

New Lambton, Newcastle's Answer to the Hollywood Hills

As promised here are some snaps of some of what I consider some of Newcastle's underrated beauties. I took these on one of my leisurely strolls, this time through New Lambton and New Lambton Heights.

Very Hollywood Regency, this Inter-War Mediterranean house is a well known house by most Novocastrians.


Another very well known house, this Inter-War Old English house is hard to photograph due to its rather dominating yet rather appealing ivy covered brick boundary wall. Coined in the 1930's as 'Stockbroker Tudor' to identify a brand of brashly eclectic domestic architecture favoured by the nouveaux rich

This International style house actually sits beautifully with neighbours of venacular style. It's a little faded but still so smart, and imitated widely.

New Lambton and its Heights houses have amazing gardens, lush and well kept.

More on GND

Here are some of the residential projects I worked on and covet.

This is only one tiny part of this amazing house in the Southern Highlands but my favourite part.


Retro chic besser block heaven. The staircase behind literally floats off the wall. Stunning.

North Sydney apartment. Stark does Space Odyssey

Adorable little Woollahra townhouse. Twee in the best possible way. Joan Crawford would approve.

Newcastle

As part of my ongoing adoration for my hometown I will be posting some of the highlights of Newcastle. Newcastle has an amazing variation of architectural styles dating from its Colonial heritage, to its incredible Art Deco theatres, apartment blocks and facades right up to its Post War vernacular suburbia.

COMING SOON!