EFTA00666824.pdf

From: Richard Kahn To: "Jeffrey E." <jeevacation@gmail.com> Subject: Fwd: Report on St. Thomas Date: Mon, 09 Mar 2015 18:45:46 +0000 Brandon is looking for direction on scope of work Please advise Thank you Richard Kahn HBRK Associates Inc. 575 Lexington Avenue 4th Floor New York, NY 10022 tel fax cel Begin forwarded message: Date: March 9, 2015 at 2:33:39 PM EDT From: Brandon Thom son To: Richard Kahn < Subject: Re: Report on St. Thomas Dear Mr. Kahn, How much work do you wish me to do at the Library? Do you want me to handle just the woodwork? As I mentioned to you before, I would treat the sections differently to make it logical looking. I would emphasize some architectural elements ( very gently ) to make more "important" than the others. Do you want me to strip certain sections and redo the white-lime-wash? Also I mentioned to you about introduction of light pastel colors to various carved elements. The Library is a great interior and I really would have to concentrate to finish properly this time to make it exceptional. Do you want me to address the ceiling? I can produce the design for Mr. Epstein, so he can than decide about the ceiling. The rectangular part would have to be redone. Inner section of the rectangle would have to be treated in a way that will loose the shadow from the side lighting. The way I can see this work, is to fill immediate interior step of the rectangle and make it dome-like. This way the lighting will be dispersed and the design possible to make great illusion of space. The trellis could be in- painted and the decorations on the trellis. The inner section would be again painted in much gentler fashion to make the illusion superior to the present one. Mind you, the cloud is not only white spot like right now. It has shades and picks other colors from the sides. If you want me to produce the design for the ceiling, I can do this this week. I can make a scaled project and submit to you within 5-7 days. I will charge for the design $3,500.- Very kindly, Brandon EFTA00666824 On 3/9/2015 12:16 PM, Richard Kahn wrote: what is your bid? please advise thank you Richard Kahn HBRK Associates Inc. 575 Lexington Avenue 4th Floor New York, NY 10022 tel cel On Mar 9, 2015, at 1:13 AM, Brandon Thompson > wrote: Dear Mr. Kahn, The Library of Mr. Epstein in St. Thomas is very, very impressive. All 24 columns are very richly carved as well as upper section supported by the columns. When you enter the Library what is really strikes you is "sameness". The idea of lime-wash is good but as I have been taught at the Academy of Fine Arts, every good design is sort of governed by the function. All the woodwork at the Library is treated the same. There is no distinction what is important or what is not. Surely, the column has different function than the base, moldings differ from the panels. There is no question that the Library needs help at this time and on a different levels. When I arrived at St. Thomas, the weather was beautiful, dry and pleasant. On the close inspection of the wood, I noticed that the wood must have been exposed to a high humidity as well. The reason I think so is because the wooden grain is rather wide open. Also there are many tiny checks in the wood as well as wood shows roughness in many places especially at the window. This calls for treatment. The second observation of mine is that the panels and some other sections of the wood are not uniform is color. Some of them not only stayed not white washed but some of them are purplish now. Most likely, they have to be stripped of current finish and fresh lime-stone finish re-applied to render uniform look again of all panels. The third, there is a difference between the craftsmanship and artistry. The current lime-wash did not reach full potential for the finishing of the Library. The design on the woodwork reminiscences Art Nouveau in style. This might be a novel idea, but I would suggest to treat most of the decorations with various colored wax to further indicate sea life evocative by design. These have to be done with sensitivity: a pastel sort of treatment. I can elaborate on the idea. The other and very important factor in the Library is the ceiling. The idea of painting clouds is good, but everything is the same: the same feeling of sameness. The clouds do not differ from the bottom of the ceiling to the top. All is the same. We all know, that the sky is either lighter on the horizon or light emerald color. The color at the top may be more misty to imitate distance. I sincerely believe, that the ceiling shall be re- designed to give the greater illusion of space. I would suggest painting a trellis, like a metal construction and in-painting vine or other decorative elements on it. To incorporate the rectangular construction on the ceiling would be necessary to greatly increase illusion of space. The rectangular construction at present time looks artificial and estranged from the rest of the room. It actually should tie the design of the woodwork with the design of the ceiling. When you turn the lights on, inside the rectangle, you have very strong image of shade. It is almost EFTA00666825 disturbing look. The inside of the rectangle would have to be changed so the shadow will not appear when the lights are on. I was thinking about it and there is a way out of this problem, but only if Mr. Epstein will agrees to it. I could produce a design to this effect. Please, let me know which way do you want me to go and I will write specs and design the treatment accordingly. Now I understand why Mr. Epstein told me he does not need decorator. I feel too many peoples gave him wrong advise. Very kindly, Brandon PS. I hold Masters Degree in Arts and I can easily handle every inside project. EFTA00666826