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complete. "I was fortunate at the age of 20 to be accepted to a century-old art school, Van der Kelen Logelain in Brussels, t o s t u d y d e c o r a t i v e painting, gilding, trompe l'oeil, faux effects," she says. "I embarked on the once-a-year course — v e r y o l d s c h o o l , and a great foundation for the breadth of my work today." In the six-month course, she learned how to make her own paints and materials, working in basic effective techniques used centuries ago by the Dutch and Belgian old masters. She continues to mix her exclusive, esoteric concoctions and formulas in her studio today. "It was during my immersion in decorative art that I became aware of verre églomisé," Ellner says. In the '90s, she enrolled in a specialized course in the workshop of London-based Frances Binnington, the foremost verre églomisé artist, who notably created the famous chinoiserie-inspired dining room in Ann Getty's former mansion. Ellner's virtuoso techniques and ethereal layers awash with ornament embrace emotion and the joy of creativity. To create new patterns and effects and add allure, she uses scrapers and combs crafted with cork, and piercing tools carved in wood, using techniques from her Brussels studio days. Verre Églomisé, Defined "It's the process of gilding precious metals on the reverse side of clear glass, etching in a design, and setting it off with precious metal leaf and color. At its essence, verre églomisé creates conversation with light. I've explored and improvised many techniques. Every culture has a version; I especially admire vivid chinoiserie styles, decorative Indian painted designs, and classical French-inspired English creations." — Miriam Ellner Translucent glass wall panels in a recently completed Park Avenue bathroom were inspired by traditional Moroccan architecture and ornament and include repeated subtle geometric patterns in translucent pale turquoise within an arched framework. Newer exclusive dimensional effects are mastered with two to five layers of laminated painted glass adorned with gilded reflections to create a shapeshifting, almost hallucinogenic effect. This technique will form the top of a metal-framed coffee table. "I'm constantly challenging myself by embracing new images, including many variations inspired by nature," she says. "Now with my new book, I'm amazed with the scope of work I've undertaken in three decades. In the next chapter of my work, there is even more to explore." Clockwise from top left: Églomisé ceiling by Miriam Ellner in a room designed by Steven Gambrel. Textured glass doors by Miriam Ellner in a Park Avenue apartment. Miriam Ellner created this celestial églomisé ceiling for the library designed by Celerie Kemble in the 2011 Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York. ERIC PIASECKI MARCO RICCA NICOLE FRANZEN 67