A troweled, three layer, gold and copper
wall finish adorns the small vestibule. An application of a mahogany
toning glaze over the combination of bright metallics resulted in a
subtle glow to enhance the oak woodwork
and patina of the chandelier.
The main foyer features a wall finish created
by combining yellow ochre, black, emerald and forrest green applied
in two layers over a medium green base. The finishing technique combines
solvents and glazes and was
manipulated to create organic drifts and an optical sense of depth.
The shimmering golden glow of the ceiling
balances and contrasts the cool tones of the walls. Inter-troweling
two similar colors of a lustrous plaster in five layers produced subtle
variations of tone. Hand burnished to a low
sheen, the surface reflects nuances of ambient light and an aged elegance.
An "Art Deco"woodgrained perimeter
was faux painted onto the ceiling to replicate the marquetry of the
existing floor pattern in the vestibule.
Irregular shapes and slopes of the walls and ceiling required a design
which would integrate the two entities into a single visual statement.
The Trompe l'oeil (fool the eye) effect of the highlight and shadow
creates an effective three dimensional illusion of real wood trim.
The two story staircase wall features a
faux painted stained-glass triptych. The Art Noveaux floral design,
trimmed in a metallic gold frame, focal point on the large open space.