Think Big Apple

In his projects, Erik Bruce usually is looking for a consistent approach to the windows, allowing the window treatments to be very architectural. But what if the rooms being furnished show such a big difference in scale that this is not an option? Erik Bruce’s «Carte Blanche» for Création Baumann in New York City offers an inspiring and astounding solution. For the living room and master bedroom of a modernized townhouse in Gramercy Park, the designer and creative director of Erik Bruce Fabrik developed an entirely different program for each. With a clear vision, sophisticated textiles and a little help of breaking the rules.

I’ve been working with Création Baumann for quite some time now. I appreciate their creative process and, having visited their facilities in Langenthal, I’m also very impressed by how they operate. Their textiles represent the same quality and innovation we at Erik Bruce Fabrik find so important in window treatment design. The fact that Création Baumann designs and makes their own products is directly aligned with our approach to design and manufacturing.

All the windows in this project are facing north, yielding low light. The spacious master bedroom has a very low, wide window. We chose to focus on the horizontal feeling of that space in a dark sophisticated colour palette. In the Living Room, we had a window that soared over 6 meters high. In this room, we wanted a sense of pattern in a scale appropriate for the room. We focused on the ombré effect of 5 different colourways creating our own pattern in the curtains. It’s a really beautiful effect.

There is a richness and elegance in both the textures and colours. I also love the use of technology like the luxurious jacquard ARTEMISIA.

The great thing about residential applications is we can ‘break the rules’ a bit. We can use a heavy upholstery fabric like VICTOR for blackout curtains. And the extra wide linen is amazing. Création Baumann has a long history of producing linen. It’s the best textile for sheer treatments in my opinion. The slubs and texture filter the light beautifully.

GINGER, the linen we used for the shades in the Master Bedroom. Because of the way it diffuses the light.

The three favourites off the top of my head are EPRISMA, a novelty, the very technical MALTA and PAMINA which represents classic luxury.

What sets Création Baumann apart is their ability to produce their own designs and offer their own guarantee of excellence and tested results.

We think of the Swiss as reliable, timely, innovative, and inspiring creatively – all of these factors play a role in defining the Création Baumann brand for me.

The first things I focus on are the light and how to frame, filter, or block it out. In other words, I ask the question ‘Why do we need window treatments in this room?’

Textiles play both a decorative and a functional role in interior design. I focus on window treatment design because I appreciate textiles ability to block light, as well as filter light. But I also love the tactile nature of textiles.

Modern glass architecture (i.e. Mies van der Rohe) created the need for functional curtains. I have a deep appreciation for architecture in general. But as it relates to what I do, I am passionate about modern glass spaces. The challenging part is mostly about making the window treatments disappear or add value to the space when not in use.

The world-renowned architects I work with, but also the ability to work with textiles hands on. I try to let the material be what it is, free of the constraints of poor craftsmanship.

Organized, minimal. No curtains yet – only roller shades.