Code in Color

If anyone has ever done CODE calculations for the Building Department, you would know how boring and dull the charts can be. So I created my own charts, to indicate and identify the information as a colorful graphic as opposed to just black and white. If you'd like a copy of the charts in a DWG. file, send me an email!

2 Cooper Below Street Level

Project Profile: 2 Cooper Square

Space: Lounge & Cafe in Cellar Club area

Square Footage: 4,000 SF

Total Building Square Footage: 120,000 SF

Architects: GKV Architects, New York

Client: Atlantic Development

A Taste of New Orleans!

These pictures are from my weekend in New Orleans with friends for a bachelorette party. 

We visited: Pat O'Brien's, Redfish Grill, House of Blues, Cafe Du Monde, and several Bourbon Street bars. 

No words, Just Images

Photos above were taken at Storm King Art Center

IIDA NY- Sustainable Quilt Project- 2010

Last night, I dreamt Heidi Klum was critiquing our quilt design for this year's IIDA NY Quilt Auction..."Is this supposed to be a jewelry store?" she asked in her German accent. Thank God I woke up from that nightmare whereby my teammates were trying to hanging rhinestone studded jewelry from the face of our quilt. 

Once again, GKV and friends have teamed up with IIDA NY to produce a king-sized art-quilt for the Sustainable Quilt Exhibit and Auction sponsored by Dwell Magazine. This year's quilt is more complicated than ever. Although it seems harmonious & effortless, each individual square is carefully crafted with coordinating fabrics to make up a larger square. In the tradition of quilt making, members of our team make individual 9" squared or larger pieces  on their own time, then we collaborate and place pieces together. There are only four members on our team this year, so we have been putting lots of man-hours in for this one!

Above are pieces from my section that I sewed at home. Fabrics are recycled samples from our resource library at GKV. My favorite fabrics are the modern KNOLL samples.

This is the quilt pieced together at 85%. I can't wait to see it completed.

This year's exhibit and auction will be held at OPEN SPACE at 201 Mulberry Street, NYC. Below is a photo of my teammates, Bryan Bennett and Brett Kaplan, at our monthly Haworth workshops.

Port Ten

While working on 2 Cooper, our project team was asked to step in and re-design the Gym, Lounge, & Cafe at Port Ten. I looked at this as an opportunity to take a break from the stamping of shop drawings for 2 Cooper and pull out trace paper, colored pencils, and use my imagination! (Branding image by Tag Creative)

I took the role as one of the lead designers to develop this space. The idea of a youthful and industrial space was originated due to the site's proximity to a garbage lot surrounded by corrugated metal fences. YES! GARBAGE! However, Our client decided to make his building as hip and cool despite its neighboring lot, after all IT IS along the trendy and happening HIGH LINE.

Pictured above is the Cafe. We used rusticated woods and metals to give the space an industrial feel. The idea of using a circular bar was introduced to increase circulation as tenants moved into the entrance space into other amenities spaces. Adjacent to the bar is a lounge with a large over-sized couch, flat screen tv and pinball machines. Thru the glass doors on the other side of the bar, is the gym space. 

Pictured below is the Gym. We left the columns and ceiling as a raw concrete finish. The room is simple in its color palette of grays, complementing the machinery and concrete, with pops of color throughout.

(renderings not by me; plans by me)

They grow up so fast, don't they?

2Cooper New York City from Kimberly Payne on Vimeo.

Positano 70's STYLE

Have you ever been inspired by an old postcard or one of your parent's vacation photos? The above photo is NOT a postcard that I found, it's one that I made from my album taken in Positano, Italy.  I wanted to create a vintage vacation photo album, so I edited my photos using a 1974 filter with a rounded edge. I typically do not like editing my photos in such a fashion, but couldn't help it when I saw the beauty of POSITANO...This place is extra special. 

I created my own signature LOGO for Positano out of yellow circles that represent lemons. Lemons are an Amalfi Coast favorite. Lemonchello is sold in almost every corner store and served as an after-dinner drink. 

Positano is also known for its handmade sandals and shoes. I had a pair made for me in twenty minutes by a local craftsman. 

I chose the style of the sole & the strap color and style. 

I couldn't believe how fast he made these shoes for me! 

Arrivederci Positano...You will be missed!

Packing for Positano!

I did not have time to go shopping before my vacation, so I have to be creative about what I am bringing to Italy. I will be taking my NYC style to the Amalfi Coast (whether they like it or not)! 


1. White Fedora because baseball hats and visors are for Americans! I live in the east village- not far from the craziest street selling anything from sunglasses to fedoras in every shape, size and color: St. Marks Place! You must bargain with the vendors for the best price. I paid no more than $15 for mine.


2. Red lipstick. Red is very Italian! Thats why I am bringing Viva La Glam Cyndi Lauper lipstick. Also, this purchase goes to MAC Aids FUND to support the fight against Aids.

3. Mix-and-Matched bikinis! To be clear, I do NOT own a pink leopard print bikini but I do plan to mix my corals with blacks, etc.

4. Barbie Video Camera. I actually do NOT plan to purchase this video camera...but I thought this video was cool. Not sure how the Italians would feel about me carrying around Barbie into the Pantheon and the Vatican. 

5. iPhone Wine App. I recently bought the Approach Guides WINE App off of iTunes. This app does not require internet connection, so when traveling out of the country, you don't have to worry about roaming charges. Plus this app is handy when picking wine and food pairings.

6. Italian Speaking Boyfriend. Check!  I have been learning some things on my own. I have been using LiveMocha learning phrases like: La Donna e' grassa...haha...which will be ME after I get back from Italy!

7. Positano Playlist. A vacation is not complete without a PLAYLIST to get you in the spirit of traveling. Some songs on mine: "We No Speak Americano" by Yolando Be Cool & Dcup, "Hey London Remix" by Chiddy Bang, "Armour Love" by La Roux, "Paris is burning" by Ladyhawke, "Holiday" by Madonna, "Ca plane pour moi" by Plastic bertrand and "Girl from Impanema" by Babel Gilberto.


8. Sequin Sweater. JCrew has a fabulous sheer sequin sweater that is perfect for dining on the coast. The breezes from the Mediterranean sea will keep the nights cool, and this sweater will keep you warm!


9. Non-expensive jewelry. When I travel, I bring a few necklaces and a couple of earrings. Its not necessary to bring your jewels with you to a foreign country. I go to Urban Outfitters, Target, H&M, and thrift stores to look for statement necklaces and earrings that will jazz up an ordinary black dress. 


10. Red rimmed sunglasses! I chose an aviator style for me, but the classic 80s style in red is a nice touch too.

Dead or Alive at MAD

I wanted to share some of my photos of art work from the Dead or Alive exhibit at the Museum of Arts & Design in New York City. These pieces of art are made of organisms that were once alive. At first, I thought some of it was crap, to be honest with you, but then I watched a video of how the artist came to conceptualizing the installation. It may have not been the way I would have conceptualized the idea...but it was natural...it was organic...so I began to appreciate the art more for its developmental values than just what meets the eyes.

The images above are from a piece called SPICE SKULLS by Helen Altman. This was one of my favorites. If you stood close enough to the skulls you could smell the nutmeg or the rosemary or the curry that made up each individual skull. I wanted to take one and use it in a pasta later that night.

This is where all my donated "locks-of-love" hair went! I knew it! This installation CAUDA EQUINA which means "Horse Tail" in spanish, is by contemporary artist Keith Bentley.

Intrinsecus by Jennifer Trask was simple and beautiful. The once alive coral draped the corner of the frame and extended beyond its perimeter.

This chair was not apart of the Dead or Alive exhibit. It was on the home-design floor. I thought it was interesting and colorful. How'd I love to spec something like this for a building I am working on!