Royal Palm Residence
Project: Royal Palm Residence Year: 2013 This multifaceted residential project involved luxurious millwork, the construction of unique furniture, and the installation of premium kitchen and bathroom fixtures. The extensive work completed on this newly constructed home is immediately visible in the foyer, which features walnut paneling with hand-picked veneers. Designed by NC-office, the paneling extends into a walnut table and decorative screen, both emerging contiguously from the wall. The rich pattern of walnut continue into the home's common spaces, as seen in the gorgeous bar with mirror and china cabinet. Accents of walnut continue into the kitchen, which also features a premium white lacquer throughout the cabinets and dining table. The alluring walnut veneer is also featured on window casings throughout the home, giving the thoughtfully designed residence a warm, cohesive feeling.
Spotlight: Alan D’Amore
At Surface Workshop, we are constantly looking to other designers for inspiration. We admire those who are as passionate about making as we are. Alan D'Amore is a vibrant, creative designer known around these parts for his artistic chairs, tables, and sculptures. An architect by education and training, he has spent countless hours shaving down solid wood and joining the pieces using japanese joinery techniques to create one of a kind pieces. Photo courtesy of Lillian Rodriguez Photo courtesy of Alan D'Amore …
Custom Bedroom Design
For this custom bedroom design, we are building his and hers floating cabinets on either side of a king size bed. The bed will have an upholstered headboard with the fabric panel to be removable for future bedroom makeovers. A narrow bench is integrated at the foot of the bed to serve as place to iron clothing and put on shoes. Storage all along the underside of the bed gives additional storage for this modern condo with minimal closet space. All the pieces are to be finished in a white lacquer and have flat modern style doors. The 3D modelling and renderings allow for efficient space planning.
The greenest, techiest classroom
When I was growing up, we only had computers in the library and technology was only slightly integrated with the classroom curriculum. Most of our learning was done in the traditional way, with all the little desks facing towards a whiteboard on which the teacher wrote out the lessons while we sat there writing in our little notebooks. Nowadays, schools are taking advantage of technology and collaborative learning techniques to make school more exciting. We recently worked with local architecture firm Touzet Studio on a prototype for an eco-friendly, technology driven classroom at St. Thomas Episcopal School in Coral Gables. We built new sustainable furniture using formaldehyde free, low voc materials. We decided to use laminate so it could stand up to the wear and tear of the busy classroom.…
A very special reward for doing what we do
This photograph of me was taken by Annie Liebovitz for a photo book celebrating women's empowerment. I was selected because the team were excited about the work we are doing at Surface Workshop. They had never heard of sustainable furniture and were intrigued to learn more about it. I flew up to New York City for the photo shoot where I had my hair done by the famous stylist Sally Hershberger and makeup by Elaine Madelon. Ms. Liebovitz came into the dressing room to meet me and take a look at me in person. She remarked about how cute I was dressed and loved my style. She pulled a similar colored sweater and some jeans for me to wear at the shoot and I kept the lace up green…