A Wall in a Hall

I was intrigued by this wall when I saw it in the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House. Venetian plaster? Lacquered wall? Was this a hall or a room?

It reminded me of this gorgeous paneled wall in a French chateau, with the soft color and gilded molding.

Upon closer  inspection, it became evident that it was Venetian plaster in a lovely soft blue gray,

in the hall leading to the study designed by Sara Story (as seen here) and created by the talented Judy Mulligan.

 I though it a clever way of adding interest to an otherwise boring space used constantly. Why keep it just as a pass through area? The smooth Venetian plaster begs to be touched and the painted gold trompe l'oeil moldings really made it special.  

Extraordinary sheen!
 

What have you done in your hallways to take them out of the ordinary?

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Gold on Glass

Glass + Gold = Stunning. 

A gorgeous example of verre eglomisé, a technique that involves applying gold leaf (or other precious metals, such as palladium leaf) on the back side of the glass, is presently being presented in the study of the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House. I featured the same room, designed by Sara Story, last week here, but focused on the lustrous Venetian plaster and gilded peacock door.

Miriam Ellner, the undisputed master of verré eglomise in the United States, is the artist who created the serene glass scrim, which measures 55" x 90" . It is transparent, allowing light to filter through while still providing the illusion of privacy. Gold leaf and paint were applied using an ikat pattern.

At the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse 2011, which closes May 26th, Miriam worked with interior designer, Celerie Kemble, to create a verre eglomisé "Sky" ceiling. The glass panels measure 15' x 17' and are not only a thing of beauty, but also must have been an amazing feat to install! It consists of 22-karat gold leaf, lemon gold leaf, palladium leaf, micas and paint applied to the reverse side of the glass in chinoiserie manner.

Wow!

Corner close-ups:

Here are a few of the many projects that Miriam has done:

Love the herringbone pattern on the right!

Miriam occasionally teaches verre eglomisé classes for the Society of Gilders. You can bet I will be there!

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Once Again...

Judy Mulligan did it. Recently unveiled at the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House, Judy's gorgeous Venetian plaster wall and ceiling, along with the peacock door, were among the highlights of the show.

 

Judy worked with Sara Story, the interior designer of the study and one of five interior designers on Elle Decor's 2011 A-list "Designers to Watch." I would say the shine she obtained with the soft blue plaster application was perfecto!

She also painted the dazzling geometric pattern on the upper wall and ceiling. The door to the study was first gilded and the peacock hand-painted, with the painting extending right on to the Venetian plaster wall.

I have been an admirer of Judy's work for a long time. I fell in love with her Venetian plaster and stenciled wall that she created for the Twin Maples Show House in October of 2008, working with designer Marshall Watson.

I still love it- the color, the pattern!

In 2009, she once again teamed up with Marshall Watson and executed this grandly stenciled and shellacked wall for the dining room of the Hampton Designer Showhouse.

Just beautiful, Judy!

For more information on the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House, visit here.

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