Window Seats
Photos by Sean LitchfieldHouse at a GlanceWho lives here: Busy professionals and their three childrenLocation: Harlem neighborhood of New York Designer: James Wagman ArchitectThis lovely bay is off the entry at the end of the living room and looks over the sidewalk and street. New built-in seating makes good use of the space, creating a favorite reading spot for the kids and a place to take off and put on shoes. The designers brought in a bright array of colors and lively patterns via the textiles on the bench seat and the throw pillows. The walnut seats lift up for storage. New windows and improved insulation were a big part of this project. Because the home is in a historic district, the designers used casement windows that simulate double-hung windows to suit the building’s architecture but give the family the easy function of crank-outs.Pendant light: Random pendant, Moooi; window seat and cushion textiles: Folia Flavia, Folia Verena and Folia velvet fabrics in Pistachio and Tabasco, Harlequin Fabrics
2. Ash. Ash is a tough hardwood known for its heavy weight, strength, hardness and shock resistance. It’s so tough that it’s used to make baseball bats. Ash has a visible, distinct grain, which is good for bringing a natural element into your home. Its natural color varies from creamy white or gray to light brown.Commonly found in: Hardworking spaces like mudrooms and laundry roomsEndangered species: Ash is an at-risk wood species, but over-harvesting isn’t to blame for the situation. An invasive beetle called the emerald ash borer was brought to the U.S. on an infested shipping pallet in the 1990s and has been decimating ash forests ever since. Hundreds of millions of ash trees have been killed by the beetle since it was discovered in 2002. Purchasing ash furniture does not contribute to the endangered status of the ash tree. In fact, it’s a good use for dead ash trees, which can be cut into lumber instead of going to waste.
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