Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/338972
I n February, Niven and I went to Thailand. This was our first trip to Asia and was inspirational to me in many ways — especially The Siam hotel in Bangkok. The Siam is a beautiful, calm oasis on the Chao Praya River amidst the chaotic and bustling city. The hotel is beautifully run by our great friend Jason Friedman and was designed by Bill Bensley. The lobby and public areas are open-air and situated perfectly to capture the river views and be cooled by the breeze — quite a feat in a hot and humid environment. The color scheme is almost entirely black and white, keeping the atmosphere cool, and was a departure from the vibrant colors found in most Thai interiors. The hotel is filled with amazing antiques from the owner's private collection, adding a unique JULY | PAGE 9 | 2014 JAN SHOWERS INTERIOR DESIGNER DESTINATION: PARIS AND LONDON SHELBY WAGNER AND NIVEN MORGAN INTERIOR DESIGNER AND FRAGRANCE DESIGNER, RESPECTIVELY DESTINATION: BANGKOK MICHELLE NUSSBAUMER INTERIOR DESIGNER; OWNER, CEYLON ET CIE DESTINATION: ISTANBUL BROOKE HORTENSTINE PAPERCITY CONTRIBUTING STYLE EDITOR DESTINATION: ST. BARTS J im and I just returned from London and Paris on a business/buying trip. While in London, I was invited to have lunch with Claud Cecil Gurney and his charming daughter Hannah at his stunning mews house. They own de Gournay hand-painted wallpapers, so as you might imagine, his home is filled with wonderfully unusual wall-covering designs. My favorite was Willow Tree in his main salon. I fell so in love with it that I'm putting it in our master bedroom in Dallas. I adore the coloration and the fantasy of going to sleep under a willow tree. Jan Showers and personal element that kept the hotel from being austere. The views are mostly sighted inwards, as the neighboring properties are not particularly beautiful (a typical juxtaposition in Bangkok). The tranquil spa was particularly inspirational, and the spa lounge where they served the best cold lemongrass tea was reminiscent of Morocco. We stayed in a pool villa with a charming courtyard and private plunge pool, which felt great after long days of sightseeing. Our villa also had a spectacular sunset view from our rooftop deck. We loved returning to the hotel each afternoon and are looking forward to a trip back. I am also looking forward to introducing some of these inspirations into my designs. BRAD OLDHAM SCULPTOR AND PRODUCT DESIGNER DESTINATION: CHICAGO I recently stayed at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, originally the Medinah Athletic Club built in 1929. What a trip back in history! My wife, Christy Coltrin, and I are currently working on a sculpture wall for Encore Park, in particular a bas-relief in bronze showing the history of Dallas up to the year 1937. Staying at the InterContinental allowed me to walk through time and visit in person the bas- reliefs, decorative columns, bronze inlays and doorways, and the floor details. Our sculpture wall will be an important part of Dallas' past and future, marking a new moment in time through sculpture. Happening upon this Art Deco treasure in the heart of Chicago was perfect timing for where we were in the design phase of our project. It's always the case when traveling: Keep your eyes open, as you never know what you will see. ROB DAILEY INTERIOR DESIGNER DESTINATION: NEW YORK O n a recent trip to New York, I saw a dynamic performance by the Martha Graham Dance Company. I was in NY visiting my dear friend Douglas Little, who has been working on a current project with Katherine Crockett, one of the principals with the MGDC. It was Katherine's last performance in Clytemnestra as the vengeful queen herself. This was a restaging of the original 1958 choreography, complete with a set by Isamu Noguchi. The austere forceful gestures, along with the sparse yet ceremonial set and intense chant-like score of Halim El- Dabh, reminded me why the Greeks worshiped strength as the key to all other virtues. Our evening at Queen of the Night, for which Douglas designed the sets, was a study in excess that would have made Tony Duquette blush. The evening was filled with the intense, lavish layering that makes Douglas' work so delightful. I have to say, I am constantly inspired by the exoticism and beauty of Istanbul. Each trip I take, a new layer presents itself. It encompasses everything I love, East meets West. From the aroma of spice wafting through the streets to the intricacy of the buildings to the frequent and loud lyrical call to prayer, I feel my most creative in this type of environment. What is so fascinating about Turkey — and what appeals to me on a design level — is that the cultural crossroads feels worldly and unique. I can't necessarily pinpoint one particular source of inspiration, but one place I always return to is Rüstem Pasha Mosque near the weavers' market for its unrivaled display of Iznik tile. I also could explore the Grand Bazaar for days on end. I have created versions of classic Uzbeki and Turkish patterns in my own fabric line and reinterpretations of Afghani designs in my latest jewelry collection, all of which I originally discovered traipsing around the Grand Bazaar. Travel in general is my greatest source of inspiration, and the things I have picked up in Turkey, both figuratively and literally, have become key ingredients in my own design. N ine of us recently traveled to the island of St. Barthélemy, more affectionately known as St. Barts, for a five-day celebration of Sheryl Maas' birthday. Whenever anyone heard of my impending trip, the general consensus was the following: "You will be visiting one of the toniest and most picturesque places on the planet — be prepared to not want to leave." All sentiments were spot-on, but I did return, certainly inspired and motivated to inject a tinge of St. Barts into my everyday decor. Charming pops of yellow and gray, similar to Farrow & Ball's Citron No. 74 and Down Pipe No. 26, were ever present on the island — from gray lounge chairs set with yellow towels at the beachside restaurant La Plage to the sole color scheme of a private villa. Yellow and gray, with a soft white, will set the paint, pillow and fabric tone for the summer palette of my living room. Brooke Hortenstine Rob Dailey Katherine Crockett starring in Queen of the Night St. Barts The port of Gustavia, St. Barts The Grand Bazaar Ceramic tiles in Rüstem Pasha Mosque Istanbul, Turkey Inside Rüstem Pasha Mosque Michelle Nussbaumer Queen of the Night Brad Oldham Magnificent Mile de Gournay wallpapers: Willow on tarnished silver Pool villa The Siam hotel in Bangkok Niven Morgan and Shelby Wagner A perfect snapshot Bas-relief in bronze Medinah Athletic Club Farrow & Ball No. 26 Farrow & Ball No. 74