'Our clients challenged us to create a space that would not only accommodate a changing art collection but one that was architecturally pleasing and provided furnishings that allowed for entertaining. The interior architecture we created offers a quiet backdrop that has the strength to accomplish all the programming required while integrating subtle nuances that allow for the function. Examples of this are the steel channels that ride above the fireplace in the salon, which esthetically unifies the composition; they also have channels cut into them that allow the art to be hung without having to drive a screw into the stone thus allowing for the flexibility for changing art.
Some of the challenges of this space were the scale and play of proportion. On one side we have a two-story space filled with light and on the other we have a single (albeit gracious) one-story space. The need was to find a way to tend these two opposing realities and have the room feel accommodating and relate to human scale. We often rely on furnishings to help us layer in scale and proportion to a room; in this instance we designed low wooden screens that reach out and hug the smaller tables to the larger sofa and lighting. They are ‘gathering' devices that allow the furnishings to be held in the space thus allowing the inhabitants to feel tended and nurtured. We also used furnishings that have a lower seat and back height so that they actually relate to the floor plane instead of trying to be too tall. They have wide arms and extra-long length so that they feel gracious and have a gravity that keeps them from feeling frivolous. In this room we really enjoyed the integration of interior architecture with furnishings. It allowed a broad canvas from which we could paint.”
Ray Booth, McAlpine Booth & Ferrier
Photos by Tria Giovan, Juan Pont Lezica