Contemporary lighting design: Lighting for the home can be one of the most exciting projects for a home owner. From ambient to decorative, home lighting covers many settings, moods and tasks. Contemporary lighting is designed with light in mind and explores the effects produced by mixing light with glass, metal and plastic. Lighten up with contemporary lighting for every room, including table and floor lamps, wall lighting for the bed and bath, and hanging pendant lamps for dining areas and living rooms. (more…)
A perplexing choreographer, James Kudelka. Last year the Brooklyn Academy of Music brought in his 2002 production for the National Ballet of Canada of “The Contract (The Pied Piper),” which was subverted by a muddled narrative. On Friday night the American Ballet Theater presented his 2004 National Ballet of Canada production of “Cinderella” at the Metropolitan Opera House. It was a choreographically enticing, visually stunning success. Maybe Mr. Kudelka is better working off an existing story — and score — than inventing or commissioning his own.
The most popular “Cinderella” ballet seen in New York has been Frederick Ashton’s lyrical, magical 1948 version, complete with the wicked stepsisters in pantomime drag. The Royal Ballet has brought it to the Lincoln Center Festival twice in the last decade, in different decor. One could understand why Kevin McKenzie, artistic director of Ballet Theater, wanted a fresher version. He chose well. (more…)
As rooms downsize, emphasis shifts to function and comfort
After decades of relentless expansion, architects, interior designers, builders and homeowners appear to have reached the same conclusion: Bigger is not necessarily better when it comes to bathrooms.
The biggest trends in the design of master bathrooms seem to be toward little luxuries. Consumers are spending less on square footage and more on luxe materials that keep a bath from looking like a locker room. They want fixtures and floor plans that reflect their personal definitions of practicality and comfort.
Some of the ways master baths are being fine-tuned for better function and more comfort: (more…)
