Decorating

Calvin Tsao and Zack McKown

Public Places, Private Spaces : Episode PPS-201 -- More Projects »

Subtle tones and simple forms are the hallmarks of architects/designers Calvin Tsao and Zack McKown's designs. See how they brought their style to a 19th century country estate as well as a 21st century Manhattan apartment and how you can create their signature look in your home:

Calvin Tsao and Zack McKown have a reputation worldwide for their classic and minimalist designs that create harmony between the interior decor and the architecture/surroundings of a building. Their diverse projects include New York's Tribeca Grand Hotel, Suntec (a commercial complex in Singapore) and Metrazur, a brasserie inside New York's historic Grand Central terminal.
Uncomplicated, uncluttered and unfussy is the look created by this architectural duo. Their sleek yet classic design style has a modern edge that's neither too traditional nor overly hip. When they got the chance to update the interior of the 19th century Wheatleigh Hotel tucked away in the Berkshire mountains of Massachusetts, Tsao and McKown did what they do best--they created a luxurious inn where traditional country style is tossed aside in favor of a sophisticated and modern look.

Figure A

A top priority was making sure the new decor didn't conflict with the classical architecture because harmony is a very important objective in design. Tsao and McKown like to mix pieces from different design eras. They loved the ornate fireplace mantel but made the look more livable by combining it with modern sofas covered in textured cotton and a purple crushed velvet bench with a graceful curved sidearm. Together they create a timeless, classic look. In the center of the seating area is one of their signature pieces--a leather coffee table (figure A).

Figure B

Tsao and McKown like using furniture as architectural elements. An oversized banquette in the library serves two purposes--it physically divides the room and serves to unify the space aesthetically (figure B). This piece allows people to sit very close and also back-to-back so they can turn around to converse. It's softened with a curved top and edges plus four different fabrics and trimmings.

The team is drawn to iridescent fabrics and used one as wallpaper in the hotel's lounge. They believe that fabrics like these add depth to a room because of the way they interact with light (they read differently depending on the angle of the viewer).

The landscape provided inspiration for the colors they chose because they believe an interior has a definite correspondence to its exterior surroundings. But bringing nature in doesn't mean leaf print fabrics to Tsao and McKown. It means taking the subtle muted colors of nature and choosing fabrics in those tones. Another favorite fabric is velvet because it also interacts with light and creates varying hues.

Figure C

In this hotel bedroom, the back of the sofa acts as a headboard. It's another example of how Tsao and McKown use furniture to divide a space (figure C).

Light is also a key element of their designs so it's no surprise they have strong feelings about soft lighting. They didn't want to puncture the hotel's ceiling with a lot of technical lights because it would not be appropriate to its architecture, so they used lampshades to add a warm glow. They love diffused light from fabric lampshades or paper lanterns and even placed a lampshade over a chandelier to soften the light. They also aren't afraid to try a big shade on a table lamp--it's a favorite Tsao and McKown look.

One of the reasons their designs are so popular today is because simple, classic lines look great in any setting. Sleek furnishings mix with exotic elements from around the globe for a look that's serene and sumptuous inside a Manhattan apartment they also designed. With a view of skyscrapers and a bit of Central Park's treetops, the urban landscape provided a different kind of inspiration in this spacious apartment. Tsao and McKown achieved a sleek look with a bit of an industrial edge.

Figure D

They removed a wall between the dining and living rooms for better flow and to allow the furniture, not the walls, to define the space. A stylish mix of furnishings was then selected for the living room. On one side, a sleek cotton sofa was given the Tsao and McKown touch by adding bolster pillows in pale yellow crushed velvet that contrasts the linen with a shimmering look. On the opposite side, a chaise lounge has an industrial feel that is softened by adding a mohair throw (figure D). Velvet, linen and mohair are all fabrics that they feel give a space real depth and interest.

In the center of the seating area is a creamy leather ottoman because they love multi-purpose items. This piece can be a coffee table or extra seating when needed.

To personalize any room, the team suggests mixing objects from other cultures in with more traditional pieces. Two Moroccan stools with splayed legs and embroidered tops add texture and color to the living room area. These furnishings create a low profile in the seating area, which, according to the designers, give an intimate feel to any space.

In the dining area a simple table and chairs become the backdrop for an elegant tablescape when topped by favorite bowls and a pair of candelabras (figure D).

Figure E

There is an absence of artwork on the walls in these two rooms so that every wall of the apartment could be turned into storage cabinets. They're covered in a subtle silver palladium leaf (like gold or silver leaf), which reflects light (figure E). Tsao and McKown suggest using paint to add interest to a small space or room if you're not ready to use palladium leaf to this extent. Paint a recessed area to highlight a collection or a center portion of a flat wall, which will make it look recessed.

Big uncovered windows and Mother Nature provide plenty of spectacular light but two antique outdoor lanterns come inside in place of a traditional standing lamp for an outdoor-inspired light source.

Figure F

In the bedroom, the color palette was chosen to represent the colors of the sun and sky with a bright yellow comforter and their signature bolster pillows in sky blue. Hanging over the bed is a favorite silver gelatin photograph of a cloud to complete the look (figure F).

Figure G

The most unique combination in this apartment is a chaise lounge-shaped tub made of stainless steel, giving new meaning to the term "relaxing bath" (figure G). While people think stainless steel is cold, it's perfect for this application because it's easy to maintain and holds heat so the water doesn't get cold so fast.

Resources
Wheatleigh Hotel
Wheatleigh Hotel
Hawthorne Rd.
Lenox, MA 01240
Phone: 413-637-0610
Fax: 413-637-4507
E-mail: info@wheatleigh.com
Website: www.wheatleigh.com
Guests
Calvin Tsao and Zack McKown, Architects
Tsao and McKown Architects
20 Vandam St.
New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-337-2617
Fax: 212-337-0013
E-mail: info@Tsao-McKown.com
Website: www.tsao-mckown.com
Also in this Episode

Public Places, Private Spaces : Episode PPS-201
•	Calvin Tsao and Zack McKown
•	Before and After: Living / Dining Room Makeover

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Calvin Tsao and Zack McKown

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