January 30, 2014

My kitchen is inspired by luxury ocean liners and features custom cherry wood and brass kitchen cabinets with marble counters and walls. I never grow tired of coming home to this! (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

I have been having an unabashed love affair with unlaquered brass finishes for over ten years. It started when I was doing research on the designs from the 1920's, 30's and 40's for a residential project. I then began collecting wonderful design books from all the great designers of that era: Jacques Quinet, Andre Arbus and Jean Royere. These designers used unlaquered brass as accents on cabinets, as one of a kind hardware, on screens, you name it.

Not long afterwards my husband and I purchased a 1930's house and renovated it, and used brass throughout as one of the main materials. I even went so far as to have chrome bathroom fixtures stripped of their chrome finish as I knew that a beautiful brass finish lay underneath. I love brass' warmth, it's patina and unlike the shiny tacky glossy finish on brass you find from the 80's, this is like an aged wine - timeless and deeply satisfying.

Modern brass lighting and take off on vintage version but not usually seen in brass. (Elle Decor)

Brass railing, light fixture and hardware very sexy with graphic black and white Colour scheme. (Elle Decor)

I played off the contemporary brass tub filler with an Asian inspired mural of cherry blossoms to create a zen peaceful ensuite for a young chic couple. (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Donna Griffith)

Custom designed mahogany vanity with stone counter and muted brass taps/hardware/sconces in master ensuite. (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Donna Griffith)

AERIN Nesting Sphere Bowls perfect for adding warmth to a still life composition. (Elle Decor)

A clean contemporary makeup area featuring 1930's brass sconces and hardware that leads from the walk-in closet to the master suite's four-poster brass bed. (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Donna Griffith)

Marble nesting table by Jim Hannon-Tan. in the Jan 2013 issue of World of Interiors. I love the mix of materials here and the scale: solid, parchment coloured tables with the brass long necked bird. Their inherent qualities are so opposite that thei… — Marble nesting table by Jim Hannon-Tan. in the Jan 2013 issue of World of Interiors. I love the mix of materials here and the scale: solid, parchment coloured tables with the brass long necked bird. Their inherent qualities are so opposite that their differences makes them look better when seen together. (World of Interiors)

Old World glamour is brought to my bathroom with a black glass and marble tub, vintage brass faucets and cherrywood accents. (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

I found these brass vintage grills at a flea market and they were perfect for the built in cabinet surrounding our dining room banquet. (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

A master ensuite featuring custom designed onyx floor and walls and vintage brass cabinet for towels. (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood)

Guest bathroom in Cameron Diaz's home creates "Old World Hollywood" glamour through the use of brass shower stall, sconces and sink. Please invite me! (Elle Decor)

January 17, 2013

The New York Times Style Magazine featured a Chicago high-rise featuring gilding and mirrors. — The *New York Times Style Magazine* featured a Chicago high-rise featuring gilding and mirrors.

One recent installation by Casey Design combined mirror and silver leaf to create a dynamic opening impression in a client’s foyer. The small space needed a boost, and we thought mirrors would be a bold way to add interest as well as to expand the space. We have used mirror extensively before, on feature walls, or by covering a fireplace wall, but never in conjunction with the silver leaf.

A similar Chicago project, featured in a 2011 issue of The New York Times Style Magazine, used gold leaf on the moulding in a combination with mirrors inside the panels. In our case, we wanted a more contemporary style so we chose to silver leaf the moulding of the panelled walls, and installed beveled mirrors onto the entire wall surface surrounding the moulding.

Gold leafing or gilding has been used historically for surface decoration to give objects the appearance of being solid gold or silver by covering the base with thin layers of foil or 'leaf'. Both silver and gold leaf are finicky materials to work with, and take expertise and patience to apply flawlessly. Thankfully we had our talented artist/designer, Kari Serrao, execute the silver leafing. Here are the steps undertaken for the foyer: a base clay coating was painted on the moulding, then a layer of clear glue was applied, then the leaf was carefully applied, and finally a finish lacquer coat sealed the surface. The next big step was to have our mirror installers do extensive measuring and calculating for the over 100 pieces of mirror. The final result: a transformed entryway and a vastly enhanced spacious foyer, with drama and depth. The clients were thrilled!

Indigo Blues

October 1st, 2014

Brass Tacks

January 30, 2014

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

January 17, 2013