Q & A With Andrew Flesher on Kips Bay Show House
Andrew Flesher recently completed the "His Master Bath" for the Kips Bay Show House in NYC. Andrew has received many questions about the Show House and his designs, that we thought we'd pass some of these questions on to you so we all can share his insight into the design.
What makes doing a Show House room different than a room in a client's home? Doing a Show House is great because it's one of the rare instances where as a designer, no one says "no" to you! It is really fun for me because the only limitation I have is my own creativity.
What do you think of when doing a Shows House room – you living there or a made-up person? On regular projects where there's a client involved, I always take into account their wants/desires, needs and preferences. That said, my influences can't help but find their way into a design for them. When I designed the "His Master Bath" for Kips Bay, being a man myself, I really designed it the way I would like to use it and how I would like it to look.
What is your inspiration and/or concept for this room? I wanted it to be the normal mix of things I like; refined against raw, dressy against casual, antiques contrasted by modern elements. It's the way that I like interiors. I like spaces that challenge people a little bit, but not too much. I love rooms that have a little twist to them, a little sense of humor. I knew what I didn't want; a cliche masculine paneled men's bath. I love when rooms look like they've evolved and that the decorator didn't just walk out the door.
Your lighting is very unique. Can you tell me a bit about the fixtures? The lighting is probably what I get the most questions and compliments about in my room at Kips Bay. The chandelier is a reproduction of a French piece designed originally by Serge Mouille. It's a great statement and very sculptural. It's available from Geuridon in Brooklyn. The sconces cast a wonderful warm light and are from Belgium. They're reminiscent of the old Edison bulbs, but in a very long tubular shape. They're manufactured by Nautik and available through Circa Antiques in Connecticut.
I have never seen wood floors used for a bathroom before, will the water ruin these? No. Wood floors are often overlooked for bathrooms, but there's really no reason why the shouldn't be used. Unless you continually let puddles of water stand on your floor, it won't harm them. The floors used in the house are from Exquisite Surfacesand I love the dry "driftwood" like finish. They come pre-finished and also have a top coat of a new European product also from Exquisite Surfaces called Oil Wax. It's a non toxic finish that protects as well as polyurethane and looks more like the old fashioned wax they used to use on fine furniture. It comes clear or tinted, and when you use several coats, adds a depth/dimension not found with polyurethane that tends to look like plastic.
What can you tell me about that little glass top table by the chair – it's the perfect little table! Thank you- I designed it and is part of a handful of pieces I love to use for my clients. It's not available except through GunkelmanFlesher right now, but my hope is that one day a furniture manufacturer will produce the collection for me. This little table works in just about any room and can be customized by changing the fabric on it or by covering it with leather. This one is shown in a coarse natural linen.
The walls appear to be textured, is that wallpaper or what is it? The walls are finished with a product out of New Mexico called "American Clay". It's actually clay that's troweled on like a Venetian plaster and has a very similar appearance. The way it's different is that it's a completely green product that is very easy to patch if it gets damaged, and has positive effects on the quality of the air in the space it's used. The effect is similar to what an ionizer does to a room. It has a very beautiful soothing effect on the space that you really have to experience in person. It comes in many colors or can be custom colored.
You have used some very unique accessories in the cabinet – how do you find "just right" accessories? It's the thing that really finishes a room and makes it"sing". I find the best way to accessorize is to take an inventory before I go shopping. Make a list of places you need things and approximately what sizes they should be. Give yourself a range of ideas and sizes since it's almost impossible to find accessories if you're too rigid about what you want it to look like or what size it has to be. I usually just go shopping and take things out on approval. I bring back more than I need so I can have options when I get back to the room. Many times something you think will be perfect in one place actually looks better somewhere else.
Many of the accessories I used in this room were from Mecox Gardens, Waterworks and the beautiful rug is from Double Knot. There are so many pieces it's hard to mention every single one, but they are all listed in the Kips Bay book or you can call our office at 612.333.0526 if you are interested in anything specifically and they can certainly give you the detailed information.
Since this is a Show House room, do you think it truly could be for a man or is this just for show? I don't know, but it seems as if men and women are equally liking the space… I'd like to move in tomorrow!
Kips Bay Show Houseis open now through May 17th. Monday – Saturday 11-5, Tuesday and Thursday's until 8:00 PM, and Sundays 12-5:00 p.m. Located at 22 East 71st Street, NYC. Tickets are $30 each and they benefit the Boys & Girls Club.
