Tony Chi
Public Places, Private Spaces : Episode PPS-212 -- More Projects »
Searching for a look that's chic, welcoming and never looks out of date? All it takes is a little know-how and the right blend of materials to give your home a brand new style. We've all seen beautiful modern designs in magazines, but the furnishings don't always look practical for everyday life. World-renowned designer, Tony Chi, has found a way to create a modern looking design and still make the space comfortable:
Bruno's is a French restaurant and a hidden gem on New York's upper east side. Chi is the creative force behind this space and so many others around the globe. His style is modern and simple with Asian flare. The Asian influences are subtle in the restaurant and include a Thai Buddha head and translucent Japanese screens, which give the booths at Bruno's a more private feeling (figure A).A basic element in every Tony Chi design is warmth, which comes from textured fabrics. He sometimes, quite literally, wraps his spaces in them like this wall upholstered in brown velour. The furniture is just as warm and luxurious with chairs covered in rich chocolate mohair and tables topped in soft leather (figure A).
Chi also believes that opposites attract whether it's light and dark, smooth and rough or masculine and feminine. By playing with opposites, he creates a sense of balance. In the main dining room at Bruno's, dark masculine colors are softened by feminine touches like a stunning mirror etched with delicate flowers and playful polka dot sofas called triplets (figure B). The sofas provide seating for three, yet everyone is facing a different direction. They afford intimacy but are a wonderful way of saving space in a public place.
Another unique touch is overhead. It looks like a chandelier but there are no lights--it's actually stemware that hangs from a modified candelabra that sparkles when the light hits it (figure C).
Tony Chi Design AdviceThese four fabulous ideas from Tony Chi will help bring balance into your home:
- If you want to make sure no one is ever staring at a wall, hang two mirrors next to each other. The reflections make it seem like there's a lot of action in the room.
Buy furniture that is small in scale to make a room look bigger. The chairs and tables at Bruno's are actually two-inches shorter than typical furniture, which makes the ceiling seem higher and creates a relaxed atmosphere (figure D).Add mystery to a room by using translucent materials instead of clear glass.Backlight objects with small low-voltage lights if you want them to sparkle (figure E).
Resources featured restaurantBruno Jamais Restaurant Club
24 E. 81st St.
New York, NY 10028
Phone: 212-396-3444
Guests Tony Chi, Architectural Interior Designer
tonychi and associates
20 West 36th St., 9th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 212-868-8686
Fax: 212-465-1098
E-mail:
mailroom@tonychi.com
Website:
www.tonychi.com Also in this Episode
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2003/06/06/pps212_1a_table_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2003/06/06/pps212_1b_restaurant_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2003/06/06/pps212_1c_lightfixture_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2003/06/06/pps212_1d_polkadotchair_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2003/06/06/pps212_1e_winebottles_e.jpg",350,450))
