Re: Brandon Thompson - Library
Dear Mr. Kahn,
The Library ofMr. Epstein in St. Thomas is very, very impressive. All 24 columns are very richly carved as well as upper section supported by the columns.
When you enter the Library what is really strikes you is "sameness". The idea oflime-wash is good but as I have been taught at the Academy of Fine Arts, every good design is son of governed by the function. All the woodwork at the Library is treated the same. There is no distinction what is important or what is not. Surely, the column has different function than the base, moldings differ from the panels. There is no question that the Library needs help at this time and on a different levels.
When I arrived at St. Thomas, the weather was beautiful, dry and pleasant. On the close inspection of the wood, I noticed that the wood must have been exposed to a high humidity as well. The reason I think so is because the wooden grain is rather wide open. Also there are many tiny checks in the wood as well as wood shows roughness in many places especially at the window. This calls for treatment. The second observation ofmine is that the panels and some other sections of the wood are not uniform is color. Some of them not only stayed not white washed but some of them are purplish now. Most likely, they have to be stripped of current finish and fresh lime-stone finish re-applied to render uniform look again of all panels.
The third, there is a difference between the craftsmanship and artistry.
The current lime-wash did not reach full potential for the finishing of the Library. The design on the woodwork reminiscences Art Nouveau
in style.
This might be a novel idea, but I would suggest to treat most of the decorations with various colored wax to further indicate sea life evocative by design. These have to be done with sensitivity: a pastel son of treatment. I can elaborate on the idea.
The other and very important factor in the Library is the ceiling. The idea of painting clouds is good, but everything is the same: the same feelingofsameness.
The clouds do not differ from the bottom of the ceiling to the top. All is the same. We all know, that the sky is either lighter on the horizon
or light emerald color.
The color at the top may be more misty to imitate distance. I sincerely believe, that the ceiling shall be re-designed to give the greater illusion of space.
I would suggest painting a trellis, like a metal construction and in-painting vine or other decorative elements on it. To incorporate the
EFTA00853619
rectangular construction on the ceiling would be necessary to greatly increase illusion of space. The rectangular construction at present time looks artificial and estranged from the rest of the room. It actually should tie the designof the woodwork with the design of the ceiling. When you turn the lights on, inside the rectangle, you have very strong image ofshade. It is almost disturbing look. The inside of the rectangle would have to be changed so the shadow will not appear when the lights are on. I was thinking about it and there is a way out of this problem, but only if Mr. Epstein will agrees to it.
I could produce a design to this effect.
Please, let me know which way do you want me to go and I will write specs and design the treatment accordingly.
Now I understand why Mr. Epstein told me he does not need decorator. I feel too many peoples gave him wrong advise. Very kindly,
Brandon
PS. I hold Masters Degree in Arts and I can easily handle every inside project.
what is your bid?
please advise
thank you
Richard Kahn
HBRK Associates Inc.
575 Lexington Avenue 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022
tel
fax
cell
please provide prices for each suggestions / scope of work thank you
Richard Kahn
HBRK Associates Inc.
575 Lexington Avenue 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022
te
EFTA00853618
fax
cel
Dear Mr. Kahn,
flow much work do you wish me to do at the Library?
Do you want me to handle just the woodwork? As I mentioned to you before, I would treat the sections differently to make it logical looking. I would emphasize some architectural elements ( very gently ) to make more "important" than the others.
Do you want me to strip certain sections and redo the white-lime-wash? Also I mentioned to you about introduction of light pastel colors to various carved elements.
The Library is a great interior and I really would have to concentrate to finish properly this time to make it exceptional.
Do you want me to address the ceiling? I can produce the design for Mr. Epstein, so he can than decide about the ceiling.
The rectangular pan would have to be redone. Inner section of the rectangle would have to be treated in a way that will loose the shadow from
the side lighting.
The way I can see this work, is to fill immediate interior step of the rectangle and make it dome-like. This way the lighting will be dispersed and the design possible to make great illusion ofspace. The trellis could be in-painted and the decorations on the trellis. The inner section would be again painted in much gentler fashion to make the illusion superior to the present one. Mind you, the cloud is not only white spot like right now. It has shades and picks other colors from the sides.
If you want me to produce the design for the ceiling, I can do this this week. I can make a scaled project and submit to you within 5-7 days. I
will charge for the design 53,500.-
Very kindly,
Brandon
Dear Mr. Kahn,
Ofall my works, this Library will be one of the most challenging projects. The reason I am saying this is because you have to strike perfect balance between lime-wash finish and moldings, baseboard and upper construction. One very important factor will be to balance matte surfaces and semi gloss. Also there will be color interaction and all together have to play like musicians in concert.
Library Wooden Pan;
I. Wash the panels
- that became "purple".
Wash the surfaces ofall the moldings designated for finish change.
Wash the surfaces chosen to have color change.
Refinish the panels with white wash / lime wash , so they will blend with the rest of color.
Polish initially all surfaces with higher shin.
Polish the moldings designated for higher finish.
Color decorative elements on the columns and upper frieze.
S. Balance surfaces finished with shin and matt.
- Wax all surfaces to protect them against high humidity.
- Complete work of this scope
Modification of the Rectangle
.36,500.-
I. Fabrication ofthe dome like molding on inside of the %mangle, an appropriate angle that will hide the shadow from side lighting.
Rounding the comers on the %mangle to prepare for painting the new design.
Sealing and priming the newly fabricated areas for painting.
Complete work
$7,200.-
Painting New Design
I. Repainting the Sky and the Clouds
Modify the lower part of the Sky and Clouds with glazes ( if is possible to save time and money ).
Paint the Sky and Clouds over fabricated area.
Paint the Trellis design, starting in each corner of the Library.
- 4A. The Trellis design will consist of tree rods in each corner of the Library supporting Upper Trellis, a rectangular structure which will confirm with the shape of the new fabricated Rectangle. This will open window-like space for in-painting Upper design that will give the illusion of much greater space.
Painting vine that will interwove around the Trellis design (preferably with the local vine)
Painting some local birds sitting on the Trellis design.
Application of the painting varnish to finished painting.
- Complete work
..$33,500.-
Total surface of the Ceiling approximately 1,400.- square feet If the changing of the Sky on the lower portion of the Ceiling will not work, I will re-paint it at my expense.
If both projects would be accepted, the fabrication of the Rectangle shall proceed the project, as will require drying time.
Brandon Thompson
numbers seem to high.. please advise what you would like done and i will negotiate thank you
Richard Kahn
HBRK Associates Inc.
575 Lexington Avenue 4th Floor
New York NY 10022
le
EFTA00853617
fax
cell
i spoke with Brandon regarding Library Wooden Part of scope below as all his other ideas were paintingrelated and i assume you prefer Ion for that..
I was able to negotiate his price down to 25,000 for labor and 1,500 for materials - 26,500 I pushed for 20,000 however he would not budge and feels that he underpriced his NYC work by 10-15k..
Brandon estimates 4-5 weeks to complete assuming he can work 10-12 hour days and 6 days per week Ile will do the job by himself however he asked if his son who is 19 years old can come down and assist with I week of work Brandon would cover all costs relating to his son
Other costs associated with project would be as follows:
| Airfare (est) | 900 |
|---|---|
| Misc (ny transportation, etc) | 600 |
| Food 50 per day x 30 days - | 1,500 |
| Accommodations " 150 per night x 30 nights - 4. 10 | Accommodations " 150 per night x 30 nights - 4. 10 |
| 7,500 |
(" Assumption that you do not want him to stay on LSJ at Sam's place)
Total project cost estimated to be 26,500 + 7,500 = 34,000
Please advise
Thank you
Richard Kahn
HBRK Associates Inc.
575 Lexington Avenue 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022
te
fax
cel
send him 10k,
On Tire, Jun 23, 2015 at 10:57 AM, Richard Kahn c › wrote: Brandon called again asking if we could release remaining 50% or 12,500.00 Below is detail of expenses incurred Our agreement with him was we would pay his airfare and he quoted expenses at 1,500.00 which we sent him before job began Expenses below of 941.28 should be deducted from 12,500.00 for a net payment due of 11,558.72 Please advise if ok to release or wait Thank you
Туре
Date
Name
Memo
Amount
| 15200 Furnishings & Equipment | Airfares/seating - Bartholomew Thompson | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 15208 Library | Woodwork | ||
| Restoration | |||
| Credit Card Charge | 04/21/2015American Airlines | CQFFGE - JFK to STT - Bartholomew Thompson - Library Woodwork restoration | 187.80 |
| Credit Card Charge | 04/21/2015 American Airlines | CQFFGE - Seating - JFK to STT - Bartholomew Thompson - Library Wordwork restoration | 58.00 |
| Credit Card Charge | 04/29/2015American Airlines | YXSPTZ-STT to JFK - Bartholomew Thompson - Library Woodwork restoration | 280.80 |
| Credit Card Charge | 04/29/2015 American Airlines | YXSPTZ-Ticket change - STT to JFK - Bartholomew Thompson - Library Woodwork restoration | 293.00 |
| Credit Card Charge | 04/29/2015 American Airlines | YXSPTZ - seating - STT to JFK - Bartholomew Thompson - Library Woodwork restoration | 68.00 |
| Credit Card Charge | 05/28/2015American Airlines | APUSMT - STT to JFK - Bartholomew Thompson - Library Woodwork restoration | 320.80 |
| Credit Card Charge | 05/28/2015American Airlines | APUSMT-seating - STT to JFK - Bartholomew Thompson - Library Woodwork restoration | 58.00 |
| Credit Card Charge | 05/16/2015Delta Air | HH3JA3 - JFK to STT - Bartholomew Thompson - Library Woodwork restoration | 240.80 |
| 1,507.20 | |||
| Supplies/Materials/Damages | |||
| Credit Card Charge | 04/23/2015Home Depot | plaster - Brandon Thompson - Library Woodwork restoration | 105.28 |
| Credit Card Charge | 04/21/2015Home Depot | Supplies - Brandon Thompson - Library Woodwork restoration | 202.92 |
| Credit Card Charge | 04/21/2015Home Depot | INV.82010000540393: supplies - Brandon Thompson - Library Woodwork restoration | 81.21 |
| Credit Card Charge | 05/21/2015Home Depot | supplies - Brandon Thompson - Library Woodwork restoration | 14.56 |
| Credit Card Charge | 06/03/2015Home Depot | supplies - Brandon Thompson - Library Woodwork restoration | 10.78 |
| Credit Card Charge | 06/14/2015Home Depot | supplies - Brandon Thompson - Library Woodwork restoration | 6.28 |
| Credit Card Charge | 04/23/2015 Industrial Finishing Products, Inc. | Aniline Stain powder - Brandon Thompson - Library Woodwork restoration | 54.76 |
| Credit Card Charge | 04/23/2015Michael's | Airbrush - Brandon Thompson - Library Woodwork restoration | 111.16 |
| Credit Card Charge | 06/09/2015Palmetto Motorsports | INV. 10545937: Kawasaki mule repairs - Bartholomew Thompson | 354.33 |
| Total 15208 Library Restoration | Woodwork | 941.28 | |
Total
2,448.48
Richard Kahn
IIBRK Associates Inc.
575 Lexington Avenue 4th Floor
EFTA00853616
New York, NY 10022
te
f
cell 917-414-7584