Solved!
Interior designer Catherine Gerry updates dreary transitional spaces in a contemporary home
Updating by Design
Problem: The entry to this 1980s house was plain, and didn¡¯t reflect the interior of the home, which has serene, modern d¨¦cor with Asian influences.
Solution: Rather than simply change the door and sidelight, I replaced the whole wall. Peter Appelson, of Appelson Woodwork in Mt. Tremper, made the new cherrywood doorway, with a window, five panels and an upper panel to finish it off. The stainless steel lantern and hardware contrast nicely with the rich tones of the wood. Ordinary tile pavers were replaced with Lagos blue limestone in a geometric motif, with the risers encased to give a unified appearance. Now the entry ties in with the rest of the house.
Problem: After refurbishing the main rooms of the house, there was still the unattractive stairway to deal with. It was partly enclosed, but visible from several rooms, and the hand rail didn¡¯t meet code.
Solution: The homeowners wanted to keep the carpet, and the space couldn¡¯t be physically disrupted, so options were limited. In the rest of the house, I¡¯d used stainless steel for details like hardware and light fixtures, with dark ebonized wood for furnishings, so that mix of dark wood and steel became the theme for the stairway. Design was all about the details ¡ª the size and feel of the handrail, the diameter of rods, the size of support posts. The result, which was executed by Steve Morris Designs, is streamlined and stylish. ¡ñ
Visit www.catherinegerryinteriors.com or call Catherine Gerry at 845-687-7407 for more information.
