Ed Ruscha Ed Ruscha Ed Ruscha - Art and Living

greystone: the designerssomeone to live in which is beautiful, comfortable and functional, then that designhas certainly fostered a greater enjoyment of life.CYNTHIA JERVEYI come from the East Coast where preservation is a very strong aspect of culture.Many buildings are older than those found in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is consideredto be in its infancy, by European standards.Though a young city, more of itsvintage architectural treasures need to be givenattention with respect to their worthiness forpreservation so that the future of the area willconsist of more to reflect on than a landscape ofstrip malls. As a prototype house in one of theworld’s most exclusive residential neighborhoods,Greystone exemplifies the sorts of landmarkedifices in the Los Angeles metroplex thatdemand continuing efforts at careful cultivationand preservation. When considering Greystone,it’s interesting to think in terms of the peoplewho used to live there and use that to interpretwhat can be expanded upon to bring the home into the modern world—whilestill honoring the bones of the home. Scale has to be considered every step ofthe way so you don’t overpower or minimize the space. My particular space—Second Floor West Grand Hallway—is very small.Therefore the size of selectedfurnishings is of key importance, so that persons passing through the space don’tfeel overwhelmed.NICHOLAS HERTNECKWhen I consider a space such as the Guest Library at Greystone, I attempt to tailorthe interior design to enhance the function of the space in a fashion that willbe comfortable for the client as well as provide visual and intellectual stimulationand recreational diversion. I first look at the architectural detail of the space. AtGreystone, there is plenty of great detail to work with and my design takes advantageof the library paneling by applying wall upholstery and faux-painted finishesand by lining the bookcases to create a lush envelope for the room. Windowtreatments are integrated into the paneling, softening hard edges and framingviews to the outside almost like stage sets. As we move into the North Terrace,we bring the comforts of home outdoors in our room without a ceiling. Thegrand pattern and scale of the textiles used outdoors relate to the scale and theopulence of the residence.This space is the transition from the house to the terracedhillside gardens and is intended as a space to relax and enjoy the view.JULIE KAYSAllegra’s Allegory, Barbara Lazaroff, ASID. Photo byMary E. Nichols.Art is an extremely important part of an environment. The inclusion of art andantiques in a home creates warmth, depth, and soul. I respond to the structuralcomponents of a home when I design. I can create harmony and impact in an interiorby designing in the same genre as the surrounding artwork, or create an interiorin juxtaposition to the artwork which surrounds it. A wonderful energy isreleased when one style exists in juxtaposition to another. From this perspective,the reconfiguring of Greystone’s interiors presentsa unique and delightful challenge. Greystone is toCalifornia what the Biltmore House is to NorthCarolina. Both estates were designed to be domicilesfor living in a grand manner on a grand scale.The preservation of such monuments is critical.Through them, we experience a part of history; it’sas if we’re in the presence of exposed archaeology.ROBERTA MARTINThe history of a socially prominent residence such asGreystone has a strong bearing on the design schemefor the major rooms and common living areas; not so much so in the secondaryrooms. Of course, any well-designed space should flow throughout.The GreystoneEstate is a spectacular structure with a wonderful architectural style which sitssquarely in a fabulous area of Southern California. Preservation of such significant historicalentities serves to inspire contemporary architects and designers and acts as atemplate to put their own ideas in perspective. I consider the highest mission ofapplied art in general to be the way it brings a sense of history and culture and anelevated sense of style to whomever has the opportunity to see and appreciate it.SUZANNE FURSTWhile formulating my plan for the Dining Room, I envisioned the pastimes of theDoheny family who entertained guests in the Great Room, which was used as aballroom where musicians played for their guests so they could dance. I imaginedthose guests, resplendent in beautiful ball gowns and tuxedos, arriving for an elegantlyset dinner in a regally appointed dining room. Here, two round tables conduciveto intimate conversation are surrounded by luxurious chairs. The diningarea contains antique furnishings, accessories and artwork from Asia andEurope—the latest trend at that time. Mrs. Doheny was greatly inspired by havingthis look in her home. Completing the picture is a comfortable seating area inthe window bay where dinner guests could relax with their postprandial drinksbefore sojourning into the Great Room to dance the night away. B.R. Gilbert106 2006 Issue 4