Tips from the Trade: What To Do When the Kids Use Your Coffee Table as a Trampoline? (Part 2)

Yesterday, New York-based interior designer, painter and home furnishings expert Joe Ginsberg shared tips for fixing a damaged coffee table that he had made for a client. Today, he will tell us the steps he took in order to rejuvenate a poorly treated wood-based coffee table.

GDG: How did you start the process of bringing the coffee table back to life?

JG: The first step I took was to strip off the entire finish and sand it down to reveal the raw wood, but you must be careful not to gauge the wood when doing this. Once this was finished, I carefully removed absolutely all of the sanding dust so that the wood is smooth and clean. To maintain the integrity of the original smoothness and complexion of the wood, I then used a good quality wood filler to fill in any blemishes and holes.

GDG: Once the wood is stripped, are you then able to begin rejuvenating the wood?

JG: Preparing the wood for the staining process first requires sanding and smoothing it once more. I stained the wood with a soft brush and followed the natural grain of the wood. Allowing it to soak in for a few minutes, I lightly sanded the wood again and continued staining and sanding to strengthen the stain. Once this was done, I applied a final varnish to match the original condition of the piece and allowed it to dry for at least 24 hours. After this, it was good as new!

GDG: What is your preferred wood to work with?

JG: I use a lot of domestic and exotic words, including mahogany, poplar, cherry, oak, beech and teak. They are all very different and give varying and beautiful results.

Stay tuned for more Tips From the Trade with Joe, and if you have any questions about rejuvenating over-loved wood product, contact Joe to learn more.

Tips from the Trade: What To Do When the Kids Use Your Coffee Table as a Trampoline? (Part 1 of 2)

Last month, New York-based interior designer, painter and home furnishings expert Joe Ginsberg taught us about the work behind creating paint pigments. Now, Joe tells us what he does in the event that a coffee table is treated harshly—or in his words, "like a trampoline."

GDG: What sparked the job of retreating a table as you describe it?

JG: I was working on a project for clients that involved making from scratch their loft apartment from floor to ceiling. During the interior design process, I created a custom two-tier wood coffee table for their living room. The table turned out so beautiful that I incorporated it into my personal furniture line as a standard design!

GDG: What were the needs of the table in its damaged state?

JG: The coffee table was in need of an entire refinish! At some point during the life of the table the clients’ children began playing with their toys on it but also, unfortunately, crawling on, standing on and using it as a trampoline! I brought it back to my studio to refinish it and bring it back to life.

GDG: What do you find different about working with wood over other materials?

JG: Wood is a very interesting medium to work with because each species produces a different result. The various grains and properties of wood affect how it carves and stains as you work with it.

Stay tuned for Tips From the Trade with Joe tomorrow when he shares the step-by-step process of bringing a coffee table back to life.

Tips From the Trade: Joe Ginsberg on the Creation of Paint Pigments (Part 2)

Yesterday, New York-based interior designer, painter and home furnishings expert Joe Ginsberg shared his attention to the process and work of painting and paint-making. Today, he will tell us the ingredients we need for making paint pigments and tips to keep in mind when mixing.

GDG: How do you create a color spectrum to work off of?

JG: By using pigments of lemon yellow, cadmium, cobalt, ultramarine, fuchsia, raw and burnt umber, sienna, marigold, flame red, crimson, and turquoise, the primary color spectrum is created. These colors can then be mixed into endless combinations to achieve the full spectrum of secondary and tertiary colors as desired.

GDG: What kinds of ingredients are used in creating paint pigments?

JG: The ingredients for the colorant include raw pigment powder, resin, linseed oil, lithopone, and gum arabic.

GDG: How does the finished product feel when you have played a role in each part of the process?

JG: For me personally when creating art that is completely handmade, I feel it is more pure and raw. To invent my colors and not have them be a manufactured version of the colors makes it more authentic and that's exactly what I envision for my work.

Stay tuned for more Tips From the Trade with Joe, and if you have any questions about creating paint pigments and mixing paint, contact Joe to learn more.

Tips From the Trade: Joe Ginsberg on the Creation of Paint Pigments (Part 1 of 2)

Last month, New York-based interior designer, painter, and home furnishings expert Joe Ginsberg taught us about the art of glass making and how to best shop for your glassware. Now, Joe tells us about the creation of paint pigments.

GDG: When did you first become interested in the art of painting?

JG: Before I became an interior designer and home furnishings designer, I was first and foremost a fine artist and painter. To this day, I still paint and practice fine art.

GDG: How did you decide to start making your own paints?

JG: It's truly in my nature to conceive the work as much as the process itself, so this is where it began.  Many years ago, I began making my own paint pigment because I felt I could achieve the true character of the color myself.

GDG: Do you feel you're better connected with your painting by doing so?

JG: Yes, in creating the paint from scratch long before I put brush to canvas, I'm brought closer to the creation of the piece. Being close to the process and the work is always my goal with my work.

Stay tuned for Tips From the Trade with Joe tomorrow when he will give us his list of ingredients for creating paint pigments and what to know when mixing.

Tips From the Trade: Joe Ginsberg on the Art of Glass Making (Part 2)

New York-based interior designer, painter and home furnishings expert Joe Ginsberg has been sharing his Tips from the Trade on how to better understand a few different crafts within the industry. Yesterday, he shared his love for the art of glass making. Today, he will to tell us how to purchase fine glass art.

GDG: Can you share a brief step-by-step process of glass blowing?

JG: First, clear glass has to be gathered and joined with color in order for it to fuse. From that point various techniques are employed to shape and blow the glass into the particular form you're designing. Once the final form is achieved, the piece is put into a cooling oven called an annealer. Glass comes out of the furnace at 2300 degrees fahrenheit and is cooled to the point of being stable. The length of the cooling process depends on the weight, thickness, and size of the glass object, so patience is key!

GDG: Any advice on what to look for when purchasing glass?

JG: When selecting a glass object, look for pieces that attract you and that you have a feeling for, whether functional or just decorative.

GDG: Do you have a favorite part of the glass making process?

JG: The more time I spend working with this medium, the more I am inspired by its elegance, translucency, and sculptural quality. This material’s versatility allows for it to be forcefully shaped as well as to move about freely. When working with glass you have to be fluid. At times it dictates the process for you, and if you go along with it you can end up with a beautiful unforeseen design that is workable. I love that.

Stay tuned for more Tips From the Trade with Joe, and if you have any questions about the fine art of glass making, contact Joe to learn more. You can also watch him at work here.

Tips From the Trade: Joe Ginsberg on the Art of Glass Making (Part 1 of 2)

You may have read Tips from the Trade on specialty materials and how to best use them in design projects. Now, New York-based interior designer, painter and home furnishings expert Joe Ginsberg, tells us about the art of glass making—another of his many specialties.

GDG: When did you first become interested in the art of glass making?

JG: The different mediums of art have always attracted me. The reason for this is because of its potential to create an amazing array of functional and decorative forms. It is a fascinating art since it allows for the creation of a planned piece, yet still maintains its natural ability to present the unexpected.

I was already making my own pigments for paintings when, about 10 years ago, I began making and designing with glass. I've been incorporating the art of glass making into my repertoire ever since.

GDG: What were some of your first projects with glass making like?

JG: One of the first paid commissions I received was for American Express; I designed trophy-like centerpieces for a corporate event. After the success of that project I received more client commissions and continued to experiment with glass.

GDG: What are some of the tools and supplies needed when glass making?

JG: The most common tool in glass blowing is the pipe and a good set of lungs! A variety of paddles and ladles are also used to form the shape of the object.

GDG: What kind of advice can you share on the techniques you love?

JG: Much of the glass blowing process is unforeseen so you must be patient and fluid when delving into it. All the techniques of glass blowing have merit during production.

Stay tuned for Tips From the Trade with Joe tomorrow when he will give us a brief step-by-step process on the art of glass making and tips on how to purchase fine glass.

Tips From the Trade: Joe Ginsberg Explains How to Use Specialty Materials for Interior Design

We recently introduced you to our newest Guest Blogger, New York-based interior designer, painter, and home furnishings expert, Joe Ginsberg. Here's what he shared with us on specialty materials and how to best use them in design projects.

By Joe Ginsberg

Being a fine artist most of my life has allowed me the opportunity to experiment with specialty materials and their uses as elements of interior design. I work perfecting them until they are durable, while maintaining their natural characteristics. Through this experimentation I've learned how to create a wide selection of materials and finishes including acid etched stainless steel, cast resin, dyed-gilded glass and dyed encaustic for use in interior design by designers and architects.

When deciding on a particular material and its application, it's important to understand the contours of the room and consider the available natural light. A good example of this understanding is the creation and installation of cast resin doors I made for an apartment. The hallway was dark but got natural light from the windows of the bedrooms.

I wanted to find a way to harness the light into a soft glow that would emanate through the hallway. I decided to use resin because it is a polymer with properties that can achieve a translucent, gemlike glow. The finished result was a beautiful gold toned light in the hallway whenever the resin caught the sunlight.

The right specialty material applied in the correct way can dramatically enhance an interior. The goal is to have the material work with the light, furnishings and architecture to achieve a one-of-a-kind look. While it can take time to learn how to perfect this, your clients and projects will be improved!

Stay tuned for more Tips From the Trade with Joe, and if you have any questions about how to best use specialty materials in your interior design, contact Joe to learn more.

Meet the Designer: Joe Ginsberg is Master of Many

We recently had the chance to chat with New York-based interior designer, painter and home furnishings expert, Joe Ginsberg. He's the driving force behind many new initiatives at Joe Ginsberg, Inc. and he took a breather to tell us a little more about himself.

GDG: What sparked your interest in all three of your specialties?

JG: I've always been interested in art, architecture, photography, design, film and nature, so my pursuits included several fields. My education includes degrees from textile design, graphic design, and filmmaking, and at Pratt Institute, I studied and then taught the techniques of the many varieties of printmaking.

My career includes painting and exhibiting in Florence, Sicily, Paris and New York. I used my skills as a fine artist to transition into creating specialized materials like acid etched stainless steel, cast dyed glass, and cast dyed limestone. Because of these material creations I have had the experiences of working with Ian Schrager on The Gramercy Park Hotel and at the landmarked Beekman Place residence of architect Paul Rudolph. All of these experiences have allowed me to put to practice all of my interests.

GDG: What made you love the industry you’re in?

JG: I started out and continue to work as a fine artist. The transition into design and working in the design industry affords me the opportunity to be productive with the creativity that drives me every day!

GDG: What has had the most impact on your work?

JG: My perseverance and conviction allows me to learn from the challenges that the process confronts me with. I often work on multiple projects at once, so I am fortunate to have a terrific team that assists me with keeping everything on schedule. But really, my inspiration mainly comes from within. I also draw inspiration from nature's elements including the ocean, dogs, and even old pencils I find in the street that are the tools for creating something new.

GDG: Has anyone had a profound influence on your work?

JG: Looking at Picasso's work always fills me with joy, taking me to another place. Working and living in New York City influences my work tremendously.

GDG: What are a few things you've been busy with lately?

JG: I just created new lighting and hardware collections and they have really turned out successfully. I'm really looking forward to launching them eventually and working on a few other projects that are in the pipeline for companies in the industry.

GDG: Can you tell us something about yourself that many people don't know?

JG: I'm never without my camera! Even when I'm driving I'll stop my car to take a photo of what caught my eye.

Joe is one of GoDesignGo's newest guest bloggers, so stay tuned for his upcoming posts on Tips From the Trade.