1 phone call and an hour later I am standing talking to Laurent, a guy from french Polynesian who designed, installed and maintains the Phyto Universe green walls (his wife is the manager of the spa - Phyto is a skin care range).
Laurent was so enthusiastic and willing to share his knowledge. He flew Patrick Blanc (of Museum fame in Paris) over to consult on his 1st project. He has since refined the design and system and now holds the US patent.
The wall is a triumph - a mass of tropical plants that have now been in place for just over a year. They are thriving, inside they have the lights on 16 hrs a day, the ones on the window side just at night time to illuminate the garden.
Water is just 3 mins a day broken into 1 min intervals, a nutrient solution is added to the irrigation system as needed.
He has just finished installing a job at the Sheraton in Toronto so I look forward to seeing that when I am there.
I then had the opportunity to visit the roof garden of Kips Bay House, a house that has been donated for a charity event. A different designer has completed each level. Competition for a spot is high as its one of NYC biggest charity events. All the big magazines and the NY Times spend a week there taking photos.
Daniel Richards and Plant Specialists won the roof top space so we climbed our way up 6 floors of amazing interior fit outs at every turn, over the guys carpeting the stairs, balustrades being painted and furniture derived to the roof- a peaceful oasis with views down the street to the MET.
I then went with Daniel to a site meeting at the Lauder Residence (as in Estee Lauder family) a roof top apartment in Park Ave...... another world.
I then popped around the corner to the Frick Collection - an amazing museum that was originally a private residence. An enormous internal atrium courtyard full of palms, lillies and orchids with a pond in the middle.
Each room was a feast for the eyes and that's not including the collection of art. The detailing of the panelling/cornices/floors/architraves/window frames etc was amazing. Each room was different from the massive ballroom to a tiny vestibule that housed an exquisite shell & coral collection.
The collection is very interesting, small yet eclectic. A Cezanne, Monet, Degas, Renoir (all ones that I have never seen, even in print as they do not loan any of the works) some beautiful religious works by Piero della Francesca and an amazing collection of Limoges china.
The gardens were amazing (unfortunately I could only view them through the gates) The garden facing central park has 3 very old huge Magnolia soulangiana all about to burst into flower. The rear courtyard garden designed by Russell Page in the 1970's is very simple with a pond in the middle, home to 2 resident ducks.
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