Putting on the Ritz

Living in a high-rise doesn't mean you can't be adventurous with your decor. With the right design and help, you can transform every aspect of your apartment interior from the formal living areas to bedrooms and bathrooms.

This refurbishment, in the Ritz-Carlton Towers in Boston was completed in just six months. Designed by Richard Fitzgerald and Michael Lee of R Fitzgerald & Co, the project was managed by Tony Polletta of Woodmeister Corporation.

Much of the interior now features intricate wood detailing by Woodmeister, including new, multi-piece cherry crown mouldings throughout the common space. The company also removed and replaced the flooring in these areas.

A large, built-in wall unit in the living room was designed for audiovisual equipment. This features retracting doors and leaded-glass door display cabinets. Cherry wood, with a multi-step stain and glazed finish, was specified to create and aged, antique look.

Woodmeister also custom fabricated two storage cabinets in the living room. These have a faux finish with Asian-themed painting details.

New tray ceilings and ceiling domes add an opulent look to the interior. Tony Polletta says these posed challenges.

"As the renovation project was on a high floor of the building, we needed to compensate for the building sway. Technical solutions were engineered to prevent cracking due to movement."

Other additions included a cherry-paneled study with leather accent panels, which features a number of complex mitered panel joints. This also involved reorientation of the existing HVAC unit.

Woodmeister also custom fabricated and finished a hutch-style cabinet in the dining room, new bathroom vanities, closet inserts, elaborate mirrored paneling in the powder room, a built-in audiovisual cabinet in the master bedroom.

For details, contact Woodmeister Corporation, 62 Washington St, Worcester, Ma 01608, phone (508) 753 5343. Website: www.woodmeistercorp.com.

Story by: Trendsideas