By Jessica Ganga and Victoria Zielinski
Unique Homes Magazine had the opportunity to visit the Princeton Aspire Show House, where designers showcased their elegant and creative designs for each room and area of the home. Located just minutes away from downtown Princeton, this home seamlessly blends modern design with art, creating the perfect balance of the two.
Foyer
Foyer of the home that leads to the offices.
Walking into the home, the first thing you can’t help but notice is the accent wall that travels from the bottom to the top of the staircase. It’s designed by Joe Berkowitz of JAB Design Group. Inspired by a black and white photo he saw, the basis of the foyer is a mix of “edgy” and “traditional contemporary.”
It’s warm and inviting despite the accent color being black and white. The textured wallpaper is a subtle twist, which adds an eclectic focal point. An added touch: Walk up the steps to find the exact image Berkowitz admired for his design.
Library
From the foyer, to the right, is the library, a “dark, mesmerizing, and thought-provoking room,” as described by the designer, Amy Manor of Red Bank Design Center. Manor drew from a childhood memory to create a space that welcomes diversity and is a space without judgement. Continuing with the theme of the home, Manor incorporated art from artists featured in Parlor Gallery in Asbury Park, N.J.
The home’s library featuring art from Parlor Gallery.
His & Hers Offices:
Gentleman’s Office: When designers Vivian Hung and Joe Giamarese approached the design of the masculine office space, they took into account the pandemic of 2020. What was important to them when creating the space was keeping in mind how this place will function as a work-from-home space. According to Hung, the design duo loves texture, but didn’t want to be bold with it. They incorporated pattern and texture with the carpet and the drapery that created a calming energy throughout. The main centerpiece of the office? The desk that played with the mix of materials, contrasted well with the carpet and fit perfectly into the space.
Lady’s Office: A true creative escape. This space is one that evokes fun, creativity and a place to genuinely retire for work. Designed by Vicki Kelly Gindy and Tram-Anh Poprik of Red Bank Design Center, the use of color and art combine to make this escape for the “mind, body and spirit.” At the center of the office sits a piece by artist Ray Geary that brings the whole look and feel of the office together. The flow of the colors can’t help but make anyone entering the office stop and say “wow.”
Kitchen + Mudroom
“Overall Asian styling with a cool California modern flare” sets the tone of the home for designer Ginny Padula of Town & Country Kitchen and Bath, providing the cabinetry and permanent fixtures for the kitchen, butler’s pantry, mudroom, bathrooms, and more. The kitchen, showcasing design elements that are sleek, earthy and natural, creates a modern, yet comfortable and warm space for cooking, dining, and entertaining. Unique touches, such as the cozy breakfast area, matching countertops and backsplash, and large island, add to the cohesive flow of the space, making it the perfect space for gathering with family and friends.
The lady’s office featuring art from the Parlor Gallery in Asbury Park, NJ.
The kitchen and breakfast nook look out to the backyard featuring a small pond.
Moving toward the mudroom, designer Tamu Rasheba Green of Lux Pad Interiors sought to create a transition space offering a calming atmosphere from the outside world to inside the home. The mudroom, featuring custom built-ins, closets, and an enclosed powder room, allows for the homeowners to “remove physical baggage” and “release tension of the day” by providing a personalized space to decompress before entering the home’s main quarters.
Designed by Anna Maria Mannarino from Mannarino. The great room flows seamlessly from the kitchen and features a floating stand-alone fireplace that is the centerpiece of the room. For more photos and for Anna Maria’s contact information, click here!
The floating fireplace is the great room’s focal point.
Dining Room
Designer Sam Ciardi of Samuel Robert Signature Spaces was tasked with incorporating the homeowner’s 12 antique wooden panels that depict the Chinese New Year zodiac signs. The result: an earthy room filled with plants, earth tones and “the ultimate expression of minimalist design.”
Drawing Room
Celebrating the atypical and unexpected, the drawing room, the work of designer Alirio Pirela of Pirela Atelier, creates an inviting space with a medley of different styles that blend together seamlessly. From American Art Deco to European Mid-Century masters and modern emerging artists, the result is a multifaceted space perfect for a serene retreat from the day-to-day.
The dining room was designed around the antique, Chinese wooden panels.
The drawing room features stunning art and sculptures.
Master Bedroom + Bathroom
A truly opulent and sophisticated space, the master bedroom, designed by Judy King of Judy King Interiors, embraces comfort and style. A soft mural wall blends with a striking full-wall fireplace and unique accent pieces drawing attention to the room’s distinct decor, and an impressive walk-in closet and master bath highlighting the experience of getting ready for and ending the day.
Boy’s Bedroom
A 9-year-old’s imagination and curiosity about the world, travel, and life inspired designer Diane Durocher of Diane Durocher Interiors to create a timeless bedroom that will grow with him. A walk-in closet and bathroom provide plenty of space, and the decor, such as a large canvas map hanging from the ceiling above the bed, create infinite possibilities for discovery.
The master bedroom features a warm and inviting sitting area with a fireplace.
Carefully curated pieces add some fun to the home’s guest bedroom.
Guest Bedroom
Designed by Gail Davis of Gail Davis Designs, the guest bedroom of the home is a warm and inviting, en suite space for guests. The warm space is accented by the statement bed that features the soft and comfortable linens by Deborah Sharp Linens. For lighting, the room utilizes the natural light that floods in through the large windows, but also uses shorter, standing lights, creating a cool-toned atmosphere. For more photos and Gail’s contact info, click here.
Lower Level — Wet Bar and Gallery Space
The lower level of the home is a large, open space with plenty of amenities. Designed by Ginny Padula of Town & Country Kitchen and Bath, the area was envisioned as “an entertaining space that was both cool and modern yet comfortable and soothing.” Features of this level include a yoga studio, simulation golf room and a theater. The main space, where people would gather, is relaxed with soft-toned fabrics, which perfectly contrasts the main staple of the floor: the bar.
The downstairs bar is the perfect spot for family and friends to gather around.
Acting as an art gallery, the lower level features a painting by American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein.
For the Showhouse, though, the lower level was transformed into a pop-up art gallery featuring work provided by Chelsea Art Group, which is based in New York City. There were so many interesting and beautiful pieces in the space, featuring a painting hung up near the bar area by famous pop artist Roy Lichtenstein.
The 2020 Princeton Designer Showhouse was sponsored by the following: Benjamin Moore, Cosentino, Kallista, Kohler, Florense, Signature Kitchen Suite, and LG Signature.
Featured photo: A perfect entertaining space, the lower level features a nice sitting area, golf simulation room, and home theater.
Photography by Mike Van Tassell Architectural Photography
This home in Bellevue, Washington, is redefining what it means to live in luxury. This stunning new construction is the perfect modern home for an individual or family.
Walk into through the solid mahogany doors to the foyer and see the unique and custom-made staircase to your right. The 5-bed, 6-bath home has the master suite on the main level and four en suite bedrooms on the upper level as well.
On the main level is also a home office, patio with a built-in barbecue and heaters a chef’s kitchen and so much more. Meanwhile, the upper level features an entertainment room with all the bells and whistles, convenient laundry room and cozy reading nook.
The chef’s kitchen with quartz countertops & backsplash, 14-foot island, a Wolf stove and Miele appliances.
This home has been thoughtfully designed with luxury and efficiency in mind, and is the ultimate form of luxury for its owner.
Slanted ceilings have made their way outside of the attic, now in living, dining and bedrooms. Designing under these slopes can be tricky, but there are ways to get around it — and even use them to make the room more elegant and spacious. Here’s how:
1. Light and Airy
Whenever you’re tight on space, adding a coat of white paint to the ceilings and walls can make all the difference. Not only does it add a simple and natural tone, but it’s malleable to design the room to your style.
Photo courtesy of English Blinds
Photo courtesy of Oak Furnitureland
The blank canvas that comes with white walls and ceilings allows for limitless creativity. Create a nautical look for a more relaxed vibe, or add bold colors to make the space stand out. With a white canvas, slanted ceilings can do no harm.
Photo courtesy of Melody Maison
2. Lighting the Room
Lighting a room can be the most difficult challenge when designing a space under slanted ceilings. Many don’t think they can use any overhead lighting, since the ceiling is on a slope. In reality, however, it isn’t impossible — it’s all a matter of picking the right light fixtures.
This is a simple yet elegant style for light fixtures that work perfectly on slanted ceilings. The wires can slightly slightly bend, so that they hang naturally.
Another great way to add natural light under slanted ceilings is with skylights. They flood the room with natural light in the daytime and add a unique and stylish look to the space.
3. A More Natural Look
Sometimes, however, it’s better to let the slanted ceilings add a unique design to the room, rather than hide them with an all-white hue. Adding wooden beams can do just the trick. When the ceilings aren’t too low, wooden beams won’t emphasize the height, but add a beautiful finish to the room instead. Light or dark browns for the wooden beams create a beautiful, natural look that goes with any style.
Photo courtesy of Covet Valley
Photo courtesy of Covet Valley
A practical option for the home, the intricate detail and design of rugs are often overlooked by the average customer. To make an informed rug purchase and to know exactly where your money is going, it is important to note that there is much more to buying a rug than just picking one out that matches your couch.
Between knotted, tufted or flat-woven, rug options could seem endless and daunting for a buyer to understand. But, each of the many rug types available on the market serve different purposes, and getting to know them can help buyers make the right choice for their home. Doris Leslie Blau rug gallery breaks down what to know about the five most popular rug constructions, along with their most advantageous use.
Hand-Knotted Rugs
Hand-knotted rugs are considered classics. They are made of colored yarns that are painstakingly tied onto individual warp threads, then secured by one or more rows of weft, a process that requires a great amount of skill and patience. The knotting of a large rug could involve as many as a dozen artisans working simultaneously for months, even years. The result is a sturdy, dense structure that can withstand years without wearing out.
Flat-Woven Rugs
Basic and attractive, these rugs are popular across the globe. The maintenance is low and the rug itself is light and flexible, yet durable. Most are made to be reviserbale, which extends its lifespan even further.
Hand-Tufted Rugs
A more affordable option than knotted carpets, this rug is a great pick for mid-range durability and style. The designs of the rugs can be easily manipulated, from traditional to contemporary, with much textural detail.
Flat-Woven Rugs
Basic and attractive, these rugs are popular across the globe. The maintenance is low and the rug itself is light and flexible, yet durable. Most are made to be reviserbale, which extends its lifespan even further.
Needlework Rugs
Embroidery fans rejoice! These rugs are large needlepointed masterpieces, with an antique look yet a dependable weave that will last years in the home.
Photos courtesy of Doris Leslie Blau
Ruth Gay tells all about the launch of her business, her love for European architecture, and how she strives to remain authentic.
By Kristen Ordonez
Though born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Ruth Gay spent most of her childhood and adolescence growing up in Europe, traveling around the continent and living in places like Belgium, Ireland and Germany. This sense of adventure transpired into her career, as she opened Chateau Domingue, an architectural antiques firm, and became a 21st-century explorer.
How did you start in this business? What inspired you to begin working with antique home pieces?
My husband and I were going to build a house and my idea for his birthday was to take a trip to France to celebrate and shop for pieces to include in our new home. I really wanted to bring Europe to Houston. When we got there, it was harder to find certain pieces even though I knew they were there, and this was before the Internet was “big.” In 2001, I went on my first buying trip, starting out with one employee in the fall, and by Valentine’s Day I was asking my husband for a forklift as my gift. Now, with somewhere between 70 to 80 employees, it’s definitely no longer a hobby.
How often do you travel to Europe and what do you typically look for?
Traditionally, I go about every other month, but recently with the start up of Domingue Architectural Finishes [see page 32] I’ve only gone about three times in the last year. Typically, I will buy anything, from flooring to beautiful mantels and doors. I will buy things like entire private chapels, entire ferry stations for components at a time, orangeries, reclaimed lighting, ceilings… a lot of stone, mixed materials, and stone tables.
Do you prefer the smaller items like stones and tables, as opposed to the larger pieces like chapels and ceilings?
No, it’s got to be big, the bigger the better. Although I have a really big door fetish at the moment; we have about 700 doors in our inventory.
What are your favorite areas to visit in Europe?
My favorite area to visit and to work is Provence. I love the people, the weather, and the lifestyle. I’m also in Belgium a lot, which I really love. When it comes to design, I think Belgians are some of the more forward-thinking people, whether it’s interior design, architecture, or clothing design. I think the Belgians really have it going on.
What do you mean, “forward-thinking”?
They love to use old materials, and yet it’s so clean and contemporary looking. It’s the way they use the old materials. They probably use the old materials because they all live in old houses and that’s what they have.
A serene blue wall finish, inspired by the city of Bruges, from the Domingue Architectural Finishes palette.
Photo by Kennon Evett
Do you think this kind of style is how you base your searching, or are you open to other design styles?
I’m very open. We work with so many designers all over the country and so many people have their own style. It’s just so fun to watch how somebody will use our 17th-century flooring and old stonewalls in a very contemporary setting.
What would you like people to take away when they see you and your brand? What makes you stand out?
That one’s easy for me: it’s quality. Whenever we say something is what it is, if it’s reclaimed or it’s 17th century, it is. It’s really about authenticity and quality, and I think that’s what people take away when they come here. We’re an 18,000-square-foot showroom on 3 acres, and when people come to visit us, that’s one of the things we always hear: “I’m really blown away by the quality.”
Where would you like to see yourself and Chateau Domingue in 5 years?
Continuing to grow the business, and eventually my dream is to open another showroom somewhere else.
The Chateau Domingue showroom in Houston, Texas is appointed with antique, reclaimed architectural elements and features a consistently rotating inventory of decorative antiques acquired in Europe.
Photo courtesy Chateau Dominigue
Eddy Dankers & Ruth: Together Naturally
Gay recently partnered with artisan Eddy Dankers to open Domingue Architectural Finishes, a line of antique finishes within Chateau Domingue’s umbrella of other name brands.
How did you start in this art and in the business with Ruth Gay — what inspired you to begin working with her?
I could tell from the wonderful pieces Ruth imports for Chateau Domingue that she had an appreciation for natural materials and that her taste was very sympathetic to mine. We both care about things that are authentic and discretely luxurious, that capture quality and beauty in equal measure.
What about European design and art is so intriguing to you?
My passion is more for the materials than for a particular style. There is so much history behind what we do. These are materials that have been used in Europe for centuries and have never gone out of fashion for restoration projects. But what makes them exciting is how well suited they are for contemporary buildings and interiors. The finishes are so flexible; you can achieve any look, so they suit any style.
Can you go into more detail about Domingue Architectural Finishes and what the company offers?
We offer lime wash, mineral paint and a range of lime plasters. All of the materials are natural and together represent a collection of architectural finishes that are beautiful, flexible and unprecedented in the U.S. market. We will soon be introducing a line of interior and exterior paint from Belgium that is ideal for trim, windows and doors and other wood elements. It is a remarkable paint: easy to apply with a beautiful and durable matte finish.
What advice would you give to someone going into art, the antique business or even working on designing the interior of their home?
What we do is a mirror of our eyes so you always want to be curious and observant, traveling and connecting with people. It’s important to make no assumptions, to be naïve in a way, to just be honest and open.
Upon entering the Chateau Domingue showroom, one can expect to be greeted by a beautifully curated vignette.
Photo courtesy Chateau Domingue
From glass walls and expansive floorplans to balconies and private terraces, these residential developments offer the perfect space for the ultimate celebration on New Year’s Eve.
BRICKELL CITY CENTRE
This holiday season, Brickell City Centre REACH and RISE’s exclusive penthouse collection offers residents breathtaking views of the fireworks at Bayfront Park. The seven expansive penthouses feature private outdoor terraces that open up an array of design possibilities to host the ultimate celebration. Selective penthouses offer seamless access for owners to indulge in their very own private outdoor terrace that doubles up as a rooftop garden featuring an outdoor kitchen, spa and private rooftop pool. Prices start at $3,950,000.
Photos Courtesy of Richardson Sadeki
1 SEAPORT
Soaring 51 floors above Lower Manhattan, Penthouse 5 is the perfect downtown home for popping bubbly on New Year’s Eve. Designed by Hill West Architects, the penthouse at 1 Seaport offers an expansive wraparound balcony and sculpted glass walls to allow both residents and guests the perfect view of the city’s many fireworks displays. Price is set at $7.145 million.
Photo Courtesy of Williams New York
1000M – Chicago, IL
The penthouse at 1000M, the 74-story luxury condominium coming to Chicago, is the perfect destination for catching Chicago’s fireworks at the Navy Pier. Sitting on the 71st floor, the owner of this unique penthouse will be able to throw the ultimate end-of-year bash in the nearly 5,500-square-foot space, which features 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and a private terrace. Price is set at $8.1 million.
Photo Courtesy of Millerhare
OCEANA BAL HARBOUR
Oceana Bal Harbour’s penthouse has a wraparound terrace and rooftop deck, which includes a rooftop terrace with an elevated pool deck, heated infinity pool and a sunset deck. With the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Biscayne Bay and the Bal Harbour marina to the west and Miami’s intoxicating city skyline to the south, this penthouse offers stunning views. Prices range from $3 million to $30 million.
Photos Courtesy of Oceana Bal Harbour
THE RITZ-CARLTON RESIDENCES, MIAMI BEACH
With 4 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, this penthouse at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach is the perfect spot for a New Year’s celebration. Panoramic views, the 20-foot-tall wine cave, private terrace, BBQ terrace, complete outdoor bar and 2,000-square-foot deck area will help residents and guests ring in the new year with style. Prices range from $2 million to over $40 million.
Photos courtesy of DooArchitecture
PRIVÉ AT ISLAND ESTATES
Privé at Island Estates’ penthouses boast views of Aventura’s intracostal and Miami’s beachfront skyline with exclusive rooftop terraces, infinity pools, outdoor summer kitchens and more. Privé Island offers five-star, resort-style amenities with 70,000 square feet of public space. Each luxury tower boasts 10,000 square feet of amenities including a waterfront, 2-story fitness center and state-of-the-art spa, children’s playroom, entertainment rooms, private dining rooms, library, wine room and more. Prices start at $2.1 million.
Photos Courtesy of Privé at Island Estates