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Local Talent for World-Class Design: The Canyon Ranch Lenox Dining Room

The article highlights the successful renovation of the main dining room at Canyon Ranch Lenox, emphasizing the crucial role of local Berkshire talent in achieving a world-class design. Originally designed in 2003, the dining room required an update by 2014, with the design team aiming to integrate elements of the 19th-century Bellefontaine “cottage,” built in 1899 by Giraud Foster, while incorporating contemporary 21st-century aesthetics. The core challenge was to create a light, bright, and progressive space that also felt authentic through detailed 19th-century craftsmanship. This blend of historical authenticity and modern design was made possible by skilled local artisans who met stringent quality, time, and budget requirements. Key to the renovation was the extensive use of stone for bases, casings, and passages, replicating the historical use of stone in such estates. Jay Swift of Bedrock Design, a stone sculptor based in Middlefield, was instrumental in this phase. Using state-of-the-art computer-operated Italian fabrication equipment, Swift produced massive acid-washed stone elements that perfectly matched the original weathered stone of the Bellefontaine facade, effectively grounding the new interior in the past. To address structural and aesthetic challenges in creating stone pass-throughs, particularly for the ceiling elements, Joel Haynes from Great Barrington, a master in faux finishes and trained at The Ringling College of Art and Design, created faux stone panels that seamlessly blended with the real stone installed by Swift, making them indistinguishable from genuine stone. Another significant feature of the renovation was the garden room trellis. The design sought to recreate an authentic stick-built garden room reminiscent of those found in Newport, an element that once existed in Bellefontaine before a 1949 fire. Cullen Grace Joinery, located in Becket and led by Ken Smith and Steve Petrie, fabricated all the intricate components of the trellis off-site in their shop. This pre-fabrication allowed for a rapid installation, minimizing the closure time of the dining room and proving to be a cost-effective solution compared to on-site construction. Sculptural elements for the trellis circles and cantilevered shelves were provided by ceramicist Stephanie Boyd from Williamstown, who collaborated closely with the design team to create finely detailed pieces that completed the aesthetic of the space. Bob Kelly, a renowned wallpaper hanger from Lee, known for his work in high-profile locations including the White House and museums, was responsible for installing the wallpaper in the garden room's ceiling circles. His expertise ensured a flawless and efficient installation. Additionally, lighting and art elements were sourced locally; the grand lampshades, including a five-foot diameter center piece in the garden room, were crafted in a drapery workroom on Main Street in Great Barrington. The abstract expressionist paintings adorning the end wall and an orange gouache color study were also created by the design team in Great Barrington. The project underscored the idea that while design ideas initiate a project, its successful execution relies heavily on a harmonious team of skilled craftspeople. The Canyon Ranch Lenox dining room renovation stands as a testament to the exceptional local talent available in the Berkshires, whose contributions are now showcased to an international audience at the destination spa. #CanyonRanchLenox #InteriorDesign #LocalCraftsmanship #BellefontaineRenovation #StoneFabrication #FauxFinishes #GardenRoomTrellis #CustomWallpaper #BerkshiresDesign #CanyonRanchLenox #InteriorDesign #LocalCraftsmanship #BellefontaineRenovation #StoneFabrication #FauxFinishes #GardenRoomTrellis #CustomWallpaper #BerkshiresDesign

85 months ago

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