Integrating Historic Artifacts

Many of the decorative features built into this home are antiques salvaged from old buildings prior to demolition. This requires the artifacts to be in hand at an appropriate time during design so that they can be harmoniously incorporated into the project and spaces dimensioned accordingly. Sensitively and perceptively placed in the right context, this preserves valuable cultural and artistic links with our past while adding rare decorative features to a modern building. The polychrome terracotta frame to this front door and the wall medallions were handmade by an Italian craftsman for a Midwest restaurant in about 1910 and were built into this home in 1993. Three antique iron railings have been incorporated, including the front “Bombay” balcony. Thick wood moldings, long, worn marble slabs for stairs, and a rare fireplace mantle cast from a demolished New York brownstone home are a few additional artifacts incorporated into this intimate and charming home.