Designed and previously owned by one of the giants of American Modernist architecture, Arthur Witthoefft, this upstate New York house built in 1957 has been sympathetically restored by its current owners.

Very few homes in the area when Arthur Witthoefft, a partner at well-known Manhattan architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, first bought this parcel of forest in the late 1950s. And as one might expect of an East Coast architect in the golden era of the Mid-century aesthetic, the 7.5m x 29m geometric block he designed in the greenery of the hamlet of Armonk looked nothing like the prevalent colonial architecture that surrounded it. In fact, local residents initially thought the structure emerging among the trees was a motel.

The house served as the Witthoefft family home for many years, but after their children moved out, Arthur and his wife Eleanor eventually relocated to Florida. Many new owners followed – some with a passion for the house, some not. One of them owned the property for seven years, but never lived there. Fortunately, the resilient steel-structured house survived; even more fortunate is the fact that it’s now owned by two 1950s aficionados. The couple had left Palm Springs and travelled towards cooler climes, looking for a new home to live in. Despite the building being somewhat dilapidated when they first saw it, they could appreciate its intrinsic value.

Priority number one was a home to equal the Mid-century Palm Springs residence they’d left behind. “Of all the projects we had scouted and visited during our research, this house in Armonk was the only one that really left us speechless,” says one of the owners. But first, they needed to restore it. “When we first saw it, it was badly affected by fungal rot, and water was seeping through the roof.”

More good fortune followed: not only was Arthur Witthoefft still alive, he was happy to advise on the project. The plan was to have the house renovated to its 1950s state, and after supplying the original drawings, Witthoefft regularly visited the construction site as an enthusiastic consultant, happy to see his former home sympathetically restored. The renovation and remodelling took two years to complete; during this time, the owners camped in their master bedroom, which had temporarily been equipped with additional radiators for warmth, a small fridge and a stove. Wanting to retain as much of the original design as possible, both of them wanted to stay on-site to keep an eye on every detail. It was a bit of a balancing act to retain the original features while making changes where necessary – but when in doubt, Witthoefft was consulted. This approach helped to preserve almost 80% of the original structure, often with the help of the building materials used at the time, as well as skilled craftsmen.

True to its Mid-century ideals, the house has maintained its simple geometric volume, constructed in steel. The facade consists of alternating surfaces of dense brickwork and large swathes of glass. Daily life is all about the interior and its view of the surrounding nature. The floor plan features a large open space with a service block in the centre; this separates the living and dining area from the kitchen and the breakfast nook.

The simplicity of the interior ensures that the focus is on the collection of furniture – and what a collection it is. Original pieces by legends Paul McCobb, Milo Baughman, Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, and Charles and Ray Eames occupy the various spaces. “It’s not a showroom, but rather an environment in which our love for Mid-century Modern furniture can be expressed,” say the owners. “And where could we showcase this more successfully than in a special 1950s architectural gem by Arthur Witthoefft?”

Don’t forget to sign up to our weekly newsletter for the latest architecture and design news.

The post Armonk House appeared first on Visi.

Channel your inner travel optimist – because these recent hotel additions to the New York scene demand a stay-over.

Arlo Midtown

Midtown might not be your first choice of Manhattan neighbourhood to stay but Arlo is tucked between the much-buzzed development of Hudson Yards and the theatre district, so its position is enviable. Arlo describes itself as a sleek urban oasis, and if the greenery is anything to go by, an oasis it is. “It’s really all about the layers – the seamless mixture of wood, marble, glass, unlacquered brass, plus the abundance of greenery – throughout the space,” says interior designer Gray Davis. Look out for the eight-storey wooden art installation, which runs the length of a concrete wall in a tribute to the nearby garment district.

ModernHaus Soho

Yes, staying here is about being based in this iconic creative district, but at the Bauhaus- inspired ModernHaus Soho, it is also very much about its museum-worthy art collection. Find paintings and sculptures by such legendary names as Alexander Calder, Hans Hartung, George Condo, Harland Miller and Jean Dubuffet throughout the hotel and in every room – an homage to this art-led neighbourhood. Plus, there’s a rooftop pool bar at which to soak up the sun or the skyline views over Manhattan Bridge, spanning the East River. And the greenhouse that is the Veranda restaurant is run by Michelin-starred chef George Mendes.

Ace Hotel Brooklyn

Ace Hotels are notoriously hip, and this new addition in achingly cool Brooklyn is no exception. Floor-to-ceiling windows (with views of Manhattan’s skyline on the upper storeys) offset rooms that feature a minimalist, mid-century vibe, and a muted colour palette of green, white and wood. True to the hotel’s hipster roots, every room also has an acoustic guitar, a turntable and a curated selection of vinyl. One of the Ace’s goals is to highlight the work of artists from the Brooklyn borough, so the rooms are decked out in original textile works, while the gallery in the lobby is home to a rotating exhibition.

Park Lane New York

Okay, so it’s not strictly new – but it’s had such a great revamp that it may as well be. Equally ritzy in location (within walking distance of the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and 5th Avenue, and boasting sweeping vistas of Central Park), Park Lane was first developed as a hotel on so-called Billionaire’s Row in the 1960s by – you guessed it – a billionaire. The revamp sees a thoughtful interior renovation of this historic, post-war building. Holding on to original chandeliers, sconces and other fixtures, but offsetting them with modern design elements, has made for a striking new look. Go for a Bloody Mary on the rooftop – 47 storeys above street level – to enjoy uninterrupted views over the park.

Looking for more on local design or travel? Sign up to our weekly newsletter, here, or take a look at the Robertson Small Hotel.

The post New York’s New Design-Forward Hotels appeared first on Visi.

Local abstract installation artist Lisa Swanepoel uses her passion for colour and light in one of her latest projects, recently exhibited in New York City.

What was your inspiration behind the Blue Butterfly?

I see the world in colour, shape and light. I use light, exploiting it for reflection and refraction, creating illusion and confusion in the multitude of layers and clustering. I seek out inspiration in my trips to New York and Washington. The grand-scale digital light and infinity shows are spectacular and trigger creativity in a new world of installations.

Explain the process behind creating this piece?

The colour is enhanced by changing LED lights on Perspex, and metallic and glittery rainbow vinyl lends the final product a radiant, magical effect. The luminosity is the result of LED light combined with mirror and neon translucent Perspex, but a 3D element is vital for the shimmer and dazzle I’m after. The added colour explosion is achieved by rolling RGB lights to transform it into the colours of the rainbow.

Tell us about the exhibition that Blue Butterfly formed a part of? 

The Butterfly LED installation was exhibited at Carlton Fine Arts in New York. I was thrilled about this as this gallery exhibits works by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Damien Hirst and Keith Haring.

For more information, visit lisaswanepoel.com.

The post LED Light Installations by Lisa Swanepoel appeared first on Visi.

Hunan Slurp noodle shop, designed by New Practice Studio, is a 280 m² modern Chinese restaurant located in bustling New York City that specialises in authentic Hunan rice noodles.

With a streamlined setup that promotes communal dining, the simple interior is made up of light wooden slats and bare, hanging pendant lighting, with a striking arched screen that extends from the walls to the ceiling.

“The rhythmic wood screen with fillet corners reinforces the geometry of the space, while resembling the rice noodle featured in this restaurant,” says the studio on its website.

“The space is conceived as a place to look into and look out from, a continuous volume is carved out from the storefront into the interior so a direct dialogue is established between the street and the restaurant.”

The restaurant’s name is a direct translation from the Hunan dialect “suō”, referring to the process of eating rice noodles. Dishes are created by former artist and chef Chao Wang whose creative drive is powered by the need to cure his lingering homesickness for his hometown of Hunan.

For more information, visit hunanslurp.com.

The post Cool Spaces: Hunan Slurp Noodle Shop appeared first on Visi.

Chicago-based mosaic artist Jim Bachor, who we previously featured here, continues to find creative ways to cover up unsightly potholes in US cities.

His pieces are an attempt to both beautify and draw local government attention to infrastructure upkeep. Recently, he’s taken his stylings to New York in a new series called Vermin of New York. He covered potholes in Brooklyn and Manhattan with mosaics of a pigeon, a dead rat, a cockroach, flowers and a portrait of the US president Donald Trump.

“A lot of my work is pretty upbeat, so I try and be a little unpredictable to keep people off balance — hence the vermin,” Jim told Colossal.

Days after installation, the Donald Trump piece, along with the flowers and cockroach, were removed by the city, something that was never done with the 67 other installations he’s created over the past five years, which you can browse examples of above.

For more information and to view more of Jim’s work, visit bachor.com.

(h/t) thisiscolossal.com

The post New Pothole Art by Jim Bachor appeared first on Visi.

From the mesmerising Morpheus Hotel in Macau to architecture-inspired poufs and a hot dog bus in New York, these are the top VISI team’s top picks of the week series – week 239.

1. Zaha Hadid’s Morpheus Hotel

“The facade of the striking Morpheus Hotel in Macau, designed by Zaha Hadid architects, pays homage to China’s traditional jade carving traditions,” says Content Producer Mary Garner. “This dramatic building forms part of a resort called City of Dreams, made up of a shopping district, casino, two theatres, 20 restaurants and four hotels.”

Image credit: Ivan Dupont via designboom.com

2. Note Design Studio’s Architectural Poufs

“Swedish brand Note Design Studio has created a collection of architecture-inspired poufs,” says Online Editor Lindi Brownell Meiring. “Before deciding on arches, the studio explored a range of architectural forms, including domes and silos. I love the end result.” For more architectural finds, take a look at the World Architecture Festival 2022 Shortlist.

Image credit: Matevž Paternoster via dezeen.com

3. Vilela Florez’s Bamboo House

“Designed by architectural firm Vilela Florez, this 180-square-metre, one-storey holiday house in Brazil is made of bamboo slats that have been laid diagonally between dark vertical ribs,” says Art Director Lené Roux. “What a spot for a summer getaway!”

Image credit: Maira Acayaba via dezeen.com

4. Helle Mardahl’s Candy Collection Lamps

“Based in Denmark, artist and designer Helle Mardahl’s Candy Collection, a series of ornate glass lamps, are all inspired by sweets,” says Managing Editor Samantha Charles. “I love that each lamp is handmade and entirely unique.”

Image credit: hellemardahl.com

5. Erwin Wurm Hot Dog Bus

“Austrian artist Erwin Wurm has, with the help of New York’s Public Art Fund, created a Hot Dog Bus that will deliver 50 000 free hot dogs in Brooklyn Bridge Park over the summer,” says Copy Editor Kay-Ann van Rooyen. “The body of the bus (a Volkswagen T2b Microbus) was created using a combination of styrofoam, urethane, putty and paint.”

Image credit: Liz Ligon via artsy.net

The post VISI Picks of the Week Series – Week 239 appeared first on Visi.

Based in New York City, artist and photographer Kim Keever’s original take on “painting” sees him squeeze bottles filled with paint into a 758-litre fish tank, creating mesmerising results.

Using a mirror and a 100 megapixel camera, he captures his colourful cloud-like works of art before they mix and become a murky mess.

Water art has been Kim’s focus for 20 years – you can find his pieces in institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Modern Museum of Art, both in New York City.

He has also published a monograph featuring his water tank prints, entitled Water Colors, a book which he raised funds to create in order to donate copies to high school students.

Below are 10 examples of Kim’s beautiful creations.

New work available @waterhousedodd For more information contact: newyorkoffice@waterhousedodd.com . . ‘Abstract 36298b’ 28×28”, 44×44” 2018 . . #kimkeever #photography #digitalphotography #recentwork #abstractart #underwater #beauty #art #photos #picture #pic #photograph #fotografia #camera #powerful #goodvibes #color #colorexplosion #underwaterphotography #modern #fineart #digital #watersubmersion #flow #movement #water #artgallery #energy #gallery #waterhouseanddodd

A post shared by Kim Keever (@kimkeever.art) on Jun 10, 2018 at 1:55pm PDT

‘Abstract 37775b’ 2018 . . . #kimkeever #photography #digitalphotography #recentwork #abstractart #underwater #beauty #art #photos #picture #pic #photograph #fotografia #camera #powerful #goodvibes #color #colorexplosion #underwaterphotography #modern #fineart #digital #watersubmersion #flow #movement #water #artgallery #energy #gallery

A post shared by Kim Keever (@kimkeever.art) on May 26, 2018 at 3:28pm PDT

‘Abstract 31916’ 28×37”, 44×59” 2017 . . . #photography #photos #picture#pic #photograph #fotografia #camera #powerful #goodmorning #goodvibes #instaphoto #color #colorexplosion #contemporaryart #modern #fineart #digital #underwaterphotography #watersubmersion #flow #movement #water #artgallery #energy #gallery #nycartgallery #curators#eastvillageart #kimkeever

A post shared by Kim Keever (@kimkeever.art) on Apr 22, 2018 at 3:10pm PDT

‘Abstract 37361b’ 28×30”, 50×55” 2018 . . . #photography #photos #picture#pic #photograph #fotografia #camera #instaphoto #color #colorexplosion #contemporaryart #contemporary #modern #fineart #digital #recentartwork #underwaterphotography #watersubmersion #flow #movement #water #artgallery #gallery #nycartgallery #curators#eastvillageart #kimkeever

A post shared by Kim Keever (@kimkeever.art) on Mar 30, 2018 at 8:58am PDT

Mesmerizing results ? Image available at @waterhousedodd , New York . ‘Abstract 14472’ 24X29”, 41X50” 2014 . . . #photos #picture #pic #photograph #fotografia #camera #instaphoto #color #purple #purplerain? #contemporaryart #contemporary #modern #fineart #digital #underwaterphotography #watersubmersion #flow #movement #instart #photooftheday #gallery #artgallerynyc #waterhouseanddodd #waterhouseanddoddgallery #curators #design

A post shared by Kim Keever (@kimkeever.art) on Mar 7, 2018 at 2:34pm PST

Delicate, soft and elegant shapes… . ‘Abstract 31716’ 28×33”, 50×60” 2017 . ? if you agree! #photo #photos #contemporaryphotography #pics #art #beautiful #abstractart #digital #photooftheday #composition #watersubmersion #underwaterphotography #movement #flow #art? #instaart #creative #instagood #artoftheday #visualdelight #masterpiece #recentworks

A post shared by Kim Keever (@kimkeever.art) on Jan 11, 2018 at 7:08pm PST

New work available @tilloufineart For more information contact : michelle@tilloufineart.com http://www.tilloufineart.com/artists/kim-keever . . ‘Abstract 30690b’ 28×36 “, edition of 5 36×47 “, edition of 5 2017 . . #tilloufineart #photography #digitalphotography #recentwork #abstractart #underwater #beauty #blue #art

A post shared by Kim Keever (@kimkeever.art) on Sep 18, 2017 at 6:04pm PDT

Pinksplosion . . . #photography #digitalphotography #contemporaryart #artist #pink #color #explosion #underwater #nyc

A post shared by Kim Keever (@kimkeever.art) on Jul 8, 2017 at 4:58pm PDT

New work available @waterhousedodd For more information contact: newyorkoffice@waterhousedodd.com . . ‘Abstract 37387c’ 28×31”, edition of 5 50×56”, edition of 5 2018 . . #photography #photos #picture#pic #photograph #fotografia #camera #powerful #goodvibes #color #colorexplosion #contemporaryart #modern #fineart #digital #underwaterphotography #watersubmersion #flow #movement #water #artgallery #energy #gallery #digital @kimkeever.art #waterhouseanddodd

A post shared by Kim Keever (@kimkeever.art) on May 22, 2018 at 7:41am PDT

Recent work. What do you think? ? . ‘Abstract 37193 2018 . . . #photography #photos #picture#pic #photograph #fotografia #camera #instaphoto #color #colorexplosion #contemporaryart #contemporary #modern #fineart #digital #underwaterphotography #watersubmersion #flow #movement #water #artgallery #gallery #nycartgallery #curators#eastvillageart #kimkeever #pink

A post shared by Kim Keever (@kimkeever.art) on Mar 25, 2018 at 4:02pm PDT

(h/t) wired.com

For more information, visit kimkeever.com.

The post Kim Keever’s Water Paintings appeared first on Visi.

Renowned British designer Tom Dixon has opted for a fresher, more crisp colour palette this year, featuring high-gloss black, sharp stainless steel and electric blue.

Inspired by pop art and colour psychology, the new colour palette has been used across some of the brand’s most recognisable designs.

“Electric blue becomes our latest and most visible metallic yet,” says the studio. “Resurfaced with the latest techniques in metal finishing, the hard wearing layer of blue on the Bell table light is created though the futuristic technique of Physical Vapour Deposition.”

While the reflective luminous silver is reminiscent of the space-age, glossy black is a favourite for the studio right now. “The Copper pendants and Bell Table light are transformed by the application of the slick glossy black with a high-shine silver interior to produce a greater light quality than ever before.”

For more information, visit tomdixon.net.

The post New From Tom Dixon: Silver, Black and Blue appeared first on Visi.

Ever wanted to have breakfast at Tiffany’s? Now you can! Tiffany & Co has just opened the stylish Blue Box Café at its flagship store in New York City.

The decor and interior design of the café, which opened on 10 November 2017,  pays homage to the classic turquoise shade that the brand is so well known for, more specifically “1837 Blue” as named by Pantone after the year the renowned company was founded.

The compact space offers breathtaking views of Central Park and miniature display windows function as decor. “The space is experimental and experiential – a window into the new Tiffany,” said Chief Artistic Officer Reed Krakoff in a statement.

The menu, which offers breakfast and lunch options, will be altered according to the season and will offer a refined take on well-known New York dishes.

The café also stocks a range of Tiffany & Co homeware and accessories, including notebooks, sterling silverware, tea sets and stationery.

(h/t) harpersbazaar.com

The post Tiffany & Co’s Blue Box Café appeared first on Visi.

Daniel Arnold, the American street photographer, talks to NOWNESS for its Photographers in Focus series about his journey and process, and shares his take on New York City.

Daniel is known for his off-guard shots of the citizens of New York, taken everywhere from subway carriages to street parties.

“A crucial thing for me, for a successful photo of mine, is that the story is provided by the viewer. There are no captions. There is no guide book. It’s just how the [expletive] is that real?” he shares.

He also delves into why and how the internet influences his art form. He reflects on how social media has created all-new fantasy worlds and how it takes the old “made-up” architecture of success, accomplishment and creative validation and dismantles it. “It ruins the music business, ruins movies, ruins art. But like, thank god, because it just levels it,” he says.

Watch and listen to Daniel talk about how the immediacy of photos on the internet gives images leverage on people that wasn’t there before.

The post WATCH: Photographer Daniel Arnold in Focus appeared first on Visi.