REJECTED: Concepts From the Cutting Room Floor

"I don't get it." "It's just wierd." "Yeah... no."

At MHLI, we're dogged defenders of original design, fiercely anti-trend, and perpetually averse to the obvious choice. If it's already been done, I'd sooner stay in bed. I'll always swing for the fences and I'm relentless in my pursuit of territory beyond the known horizon because I firmly believe that impossibility is fertile ground for the most rewarding opportunities. My ravenous curiosity about the world around me and the way things work inspires me to make our next work our best work. 

That manifesto will never change, and it's why our clients want to work with us. The most fulfilling and authentic projects emerge with those who share my maverick tendencies and want a home that's not just different but distinct. Sometimes, that vision is simply too expansive, and I've experienced my fair share of rejection. But that won't temper my urge to push the envelope and create one-of-a-kind, never-to-be-repeated interiors. Here are some of concepts from our catalog of projects over the past 15 years that never saw the light of day. 

CENTRAL PARK PIED-A-TERRE

DRESSING TABLE

I wanted to turn up the volume on bedroom corner with a geometric, mixed media mirror that played on the theme of shattered glass. The client preferred a simpler silhouette, and this half-moon mirror was ultimately selected. I did, however, capture the intended mood with a geological, jagged-edge tabletop vessel to hold overscaled arrangements. Click the image above to explore this project.

STAIR RAILING

I was beyond excited to present this bronze, brutalist-meets-deco railing concept for a Manhattan duplex condo. In an open, double-height, stone-wrapped stairwell with towering mirror panels to visually double its width, the angled fins added a gentle rhythm and, in tandem with hand grips of varied shapes, created a screening effect. I don't repeat concepts for new clients, but I still dream about this one and may just resurrect some version of it in the future. 

BOREUM HILL TOWNHOUSE

MILLWORK CABINET DOORS

I ask my clients at the beginning of each project if they're comfortable considering items outside of the established budget because I have access to a universe of options they'd never otherwise encounter. 9 times out of 10, they answer affirmatively. I consider it part of my service to them to expand their horizons and exceed their expectations. So when I found the work of this ceramacist, I envisioned a soaring wall of tiles as an art piece in their modernist living room. But the timeline for engineering functional doors of this scale was a bridge too far for them and, ultimately, they opted for open shelving. Tap the image above to explore this project.

MADISON SQUARE PARK APARTMENT

NIGHTSTANDS

I have to hand it to this client. I pushed some wild concepts, including a latex-upholstered platform bed, and he didn't once bat an eye. These snakeskin-faced suspended racetrack drawers were no exception. While we retained the bronze bedside fins, the drawers were sadly scrapped to satisfy other critical components of the project. Nonetheless, this home remains one of my proudest achievements, and I still have severe envy. I'd move in yesterday! Tap the image above to explore this project.

MEDIA CABINET

As a nod to the client's Iranian heritage, this wall-mounted, egg-shaped media cabinet was inspired by Arabic architecture, specifically Gereh-chini detailing and Mashrabiya screens found throughout the region. Intended as a functional art piece sculpted of semi-transparent wire mesh, it was to hang above a low, monolithic stone fireplace between two decorative wall sconces. Ultimately, the client opted for a more traditional installation, and I designed a mirrored chimney breast with an articulating panel to disguise the TV.

FIND THIS POST USEFUL? Subscribe to our newsletter for more behind-the-scenes and expert advice.

Have a project you want to discuss? Click the INQUIRE button above to share your details.