Bird's Eye View, NYC

A peaceful perch overlooking the Hudson. Looking out you see boats chugging and bobbing along. Across the Hudson, acres of trees, urban hubbub and fantastic sunsets. Looking in, radiant gold walls, classic furniture and a whimsical perspective. Mrs. S has had the good fortune of this view for more than 50 years and for most of the past 20 when the sun starts to set, she walks 18 blocks south for dinner with family and then back home along Riverside. The rhythm conjures an image of a sophisticated, mature “Madeline”. The goal was to revitalize the interiors after a number of years of deferred maintenance. “Life intrudes!” Good bones and many great pieces were already in place, but most of the elements needed new life. Mrs. S’s own paintings were the inspiration. She had studied and painted at the Art Students’ League for many years. Influenced by Matisse and Gauguin, her paintings have naive, animate, witty, and illustrative qualities. I worked to interpret her perspective. As the project was concluding, sofas having just been installed, Mrs. S sat down trying them out, and offered me the greatest compliment, “I feel like I am sitting in one of my paintings!”