The Nero Chronicles: Where the Wild Things Work

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Where the Wild Things Work

Creating an inviting and engaging professional space presents a particular Rubix cube for any designer. Coupling functionality and efficiency with style, often while navigating the red tape of building and city code, can make for a multi-faceted brain tease akin to a bad headache.

Nero's been out of the official workforce for six years now, and as a result, I often find myself romanticizing during the gym-to-grocery-to-carpool commute the delight that strolling into a stunning office and straight over to the macchiato machine would bring as opposed to, say, Swiffering. And so as Nero daydreams -- nay, deludes herself -- this oddly inventive commercial space, designed by Rafael de Cardenas, instantly had me wanting to fly the proverbial kitchen-coop.

The penthouse quarters, a species of haute hen house, is home to the art gallery branch of the Ford Modeling Agency in New York's Upper East Side. Nero was intrigued, mesmerized even, by the delicate study in juxtapositions -- the earthy bleached wood panels, the vaguely cautionary avian art, the icy velvets and sleek light fixtures, the antique mantel pieces, preserved intact and seamlessly incorporated, likely original to the building. Work is certainly a thing of beauty, fair Nerophytes, and this is just the sort of office that could tempt a gal to clock in for a little overtime.

Labels: All images via Rafael de Cardenas Design

10 comments:

Aspiring Domestic Goddess said...: I definitely would not mind putting in some over time in here!!; January 26, 2012 6:14 PM
Glamour Drops said...: Interesting approach - the last image is the only space which screams "fashion/model agency". The other ones could be for a multitude of industries, which makes it rather intriguing. Very beautifully done. Glamourous - but not in an obvious way.; January 26, 2012 6:40 PM
helen tilston said...: Yes indeed I would work overtime in this office
Great post
Helen xx; January 26, 2012 10:53 PM
Lila Moonlight said...: I love the birdy pillar, owl over the fire and pink carpet and its reflection game on steel sides of the chair and that black desk next to them. Do your weekend plans involve some stud&leopard stroll : )); January 27, 2012 8:06 AM
Alcira Molina-Ali said...: Hi there ADG!

It's some swankness, is it not?
Better go dust off my resume ;)
Cheers, Alcira; January 27, 2012 8:50 AM
Alcira Molina-Ali said...: Dearest GD,

Its subtle somehow -- there's a sort of underlying, almost brutalist vibe at times. An animal agression tamed in shades of gray.
I guess, in a nutshell, that's what high fashion modeling is.
I quite enjoy the vulture overlooking the waiting area. Surely intimidating but prescient for the novice ;)
Cheers, Alcira; January 27, 2012 8:52 AM
Alcira Molina-Ali said...: Dear Helen,

Let's go pack a lunch, shall we?
Cheers, Alcira; January 27, 2012 8:52 AM
Alcira Molina-Ali said...: Cara Aylin,

Strolls in studs and leopard are my raison d'etre ;)

Baci, Alcira; January 27, 2012 8:53 AM
Jimmy The Undercover Designer said...: Beautiful. Outstanding. Thanks for sharing; January 29, 2012 2:20 AM
Alcira Molina-Ali said...: Love ya Jim-Jim.

Thanks for popping by and weighing in.

Cheers, Alcira; January 31, 2012 1:36 PM