Aaaaah, Madrid

That alone says it all. Just there in April for a few days, Madrid simply took my breath away. Filled with history, Madrid teems with old world charm and chic, with its beautiful 18^th century architecture and classic gardens. Walking through the City I found myself constantly in awe of Madrid’s elegance. There were flowers everywhere, the streets were immaculately clean and the people beautifully dressed.

The Plaza Oriental

A street off of Opera Plaza.

With only 4 days to spend and so many things I wanted to do, I planned my time rather carefully. I wanted to hit the “big things” and still have “down time” to just “experience” the city. I managed to tour the Royal Palace, view fabulous art at Museo del Prado, stroll the Gran Via and walk through the Jardin Botanico. I spent a lazy afternoon sipping sherry in the Plaza Mayor and strolled through the nearby Mercado San Miguel, a feast for the eyes. I had tea at the Ritz, shopped for Majorica pearls and picked up a few pairs of colorful espadrilles for friends. I experienced the Rastro Flea market on an early misty Saturday morning, followed by a coffee again on the Plaza Mayor, where I witnessed men in their 70s and 80s trading stamps and playing chess, most of them in suits and hats – really old world charm. I spent a wonderful evening experiencing the beauty of flamenco and another evening tasting Tapas in a little jewel of a restaurant on the infamous Cava Baja.

A bull fighter in full regalia.

A plastic sculpture.

One of the many beautiful fountains.

Plaza Mayor I.

Plaza Mayor II.

The Royal Palace.

Beautiful tree-lined streets.

Open Plaza.

Vegetable vendor.

Famous Market.

Fresh tapas.

Me with a lamp post.

I will return to Madrid. I will return to Madrid.

Barbara Ashfield

* All photos copyright by Barbara Ashfield for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.

Behind The Scenes at William Switzer Headquarters: Part 3 of a series

William Switzer pieces as seen in context.

After arranging my trip to Vancouver last year, I was excited to have scheduled a tour of William Switzer headquarters as part of my journey, which I reported on here.

On arrival at the Opus Hotel in Vancouver’s Yaletown, the lobby interior was designed in a colorful, modern way with a few lively, heavily carved antique pieces. The antique pieces were what caught my eye. They looked like they might be William Switzer pieces, but I wasn’t sure given the context. I thought this a great coincidence if they were!

When I went on my tour of the William Switzer factory, my host Mr. Adam Switzer-Bellas confirmed that these were indeed William Switzer pieces adorning the lobby of our hotel.

Robert Bailey Interiors was asked to freshen up the interior of the Opus hotel lobby earlier in 2010, and conceived the new, fresh color palette. In his blog, he writes about it here.

The Opus Hotel entrance sign.

William Switzer Venetian Louis XV occasional chair.

The Opus lobby leading to the bar.

William Switzer Palazzo Caponi Centre table.

Robert Bailey Interiors was asked to freshen up the interior of the Opus hotel lobby earlier in 2010, and conceived the new, fresh color palette. In his blog, he writes about it here.

The original lobby colors were in the Olive/Burgundy family and not, in my opinion as suited to the playful nature of the already designed space. The new color scheme, which included re-upholstery of the existing Switzer pieces, was implemented shortly before my arrival.

The original color scheme for the Opus Hotel showing Olive and Burgundy.

David Hansen

Photos:

Photos 1-5 copyright by David J. Hansen for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.

*Last photo of Opus original scheme from hdinspirations.com

Behind The Scenes at William Switzer Headquarters: Part 2 of a series

Our visit to William Switzer in Vancouver started off here with the more glamorous side of the company’s headquarters, their showroom. Now we visit the less inviting, but more intriguing side of their business…the factory where it all begins.

Most of the furniture manufactured for the William Switzer Collection has some hand carved element, if not the entire piece. I learned on my visit that theses pieces are manufactured in factories in either Italy or Spain through relationships built by the company’s namesake William Switzer decades ago. The hand carved pieces, which include anything from mirror frames and chairs to beds and breakfronts are then sent to William Switzer headquarters as natural wood and then finished by artisans in the Vancouver location.

Having specialized in wood and cabinetry throughout my career as a designer, I was most fascinated by the finishing process. The pieces I saw in process included exotic veneers, gold and silver leaf preparation and chemical distressing. There were even a couple of amazing prototypes that had yet to be unveiled to the public.

I must once again thank Mr. Dean MacCracken from our local San Francisco showroom, as well as my William Switzer host, Mr. Adam Switzer-Bellas.

Here is some of what I saw at the factory:

My host and tour guide, Mr. Adam Switzer-Bellas.

Furniture that had been returned and would be sold in a once-yearly sale.

Unfinished English Georgian style mirror frames.

Storage for large unfinished furniture pieces.

Various unfinished hand carved chairs waiting to be finished.

An unfinished Curraghmore table next to solid wood sideboard.

Unfinished furniture pieces in exotic veneers.

Detail of unfinished desk with burl Walnut and Zebra wood veneers.

Poster spotted in the factory publicizing a 1993 summit in Vancouver with President Clinton and Boris Yeltsin where William Switzer furniture was used.

A William Switzer artisan applies and undercoat for a gold leaf finish.

An overview showing how the colors in the undercoat change with the detail of the hand carved mirror frame.

Preparing a solid wood, hand carved sideboard to be finished.

One of the finishing department spaces with console tables lined ready to be completed.

The Upholstery department working on a variety of pieces.

A prototype of a new table top finish.

The next installment will feature William Switzer furniture in context at my Vancouver hotel.

David J. Hansen

Top photo shows a Palazzo Capponi Center table that has been chemically distressed.

* All photos copyright by David J. Hansen for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.

Behind The Scenes at William Switzer Headquarters: Part 1 of a Series

While visiting Vancouver last September I had the privilege of visiting the headquarters of the renowned William Switzer furniture line (my apologies in taking so long to present this). While I was there I got to see their Vancouver showroom located at 611 Alexander Street. I was also able to tour their adjacent manufacturing, finishing, upholstery and shipping operations. Special thanks must be given to Mr. Dean MacCracken of our local William Switzer showroom for putting me in touch with Mr. Adam Switzer-Bellas the grandson of William Switzer who, along with his family operates the company in Vancouver, BC Canada.

William Switzer started his namesake company in 1952 as an Interior Design firm, and in 1978 became a business strictly for the manufacture and distribution of handmade furniture, many which were used by Mr. Switzer throughout his career.

Coming up in later installments will be photos from the warehouse etc. along with some William Switzer furniture that adorned the hotel where I was stayed while visiting Vancouver.

The Showroom. This installment shows photos of the William Switzer showroom in Vancouver, which is in an adjacent location to their manufacturing facility. I’m sure the showroom has changed since I was there, but these illustrate how much William Switzer product they are able to show in one place. William Switzer also manufactures and distributes the Lucien Rollin Collection, originally conceived by another noted Interior Designer, and now made exclusively by their company. The great thing about the showroom is that they are able to show nearly all their pieces and finish options in one place. All pieces are made to order and custom finishes are available.

The building at 611 Alexander Street Vancouver.

The courtyard leading to the showroom entrance.

The door to the William Switzer showroom.

An English Chippendale style mirror in White finish on mirrored wall.

A vignette with large Wing Back style Louis XV chair and matching ottoman.

A vignette with multiple chairs and Zebra wood Art Nouveau buffet.

Austrian Biedermeier secretary and matching chairs.

Large Louis XVI Transitional mirror with reflection.

Vignette showing Mid 20th Century Berger arm chair and matching ottoman.

A room showing different options for Dining rooms.

English oval Birds mirror with ginger jar and matching urns.

Vitrine in Silver finish with gold accents.

Hand carved mirror with bedroom vignette in reflection.

Two Swag Back side chairs.

A new annex to the showroom that was just being finished and arranged.

David J. Hansen

Photographs:

The top photograph is from the William Switzer web site.

All additional photographs are by David J. Hansen for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc. All photographs were taken in early September 2010.

Happy Earth Day!

Have a wonderful Earth Day and Easter weekend!

Barbara Ashfield & David Hansen

Antique map image via imagespark.com

VIVA ESPAÑA – SAN SEBASTIAN!

Just back in town after a wonderful 10 days in northern Spain where I visited Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian and Barcelona – the perfect itinerary.

With that being said, I must admit to having a favorite and that was SAN SEBASTIAN! I’m not sure if it was the people, the hotel, the weather, or the days spent riding my bike along the ocean Promenade that made it so amazing, but it was just that. And what could be better than ending the day at sunset watching the surfers whilst sippingon the perfect mojito! Truly postcard perfect.

Here is a sampling of San Sebastian through my eyes…

Barbara Ashfield

All photos by Barbara Ashfield for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.