Welcome to Patrick J Hamilton — patrick (the other one) — one of the bloggers trying out for a place on the Apartment Therapy editorial team as a House Tour Contributor. Enjoy his work!
Name: Nick Rigg
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Size: 1,200 square feet — 2 bedroom, 2½ baths, 2 floors plus roof decks
Years lived in: Just over 2
Spoiler Alert! This House Tour features TRANSIT SIGNS. And a piece of art that treads dangerously close to "Keep Calm and Carry On." But if there's anyone who deserves to wear the badges of Travel and Calm with honor, it's got to be Nick Rigg.
Nick Rigg is a busy man. President of Leopard Films, the production company that brings us, among others, Dear Genevieve , and Home Rules, he criss-crosses the Atlantic for career and family the way many New Yorkers take the PATH train from Hoboken. So Nick knows "busy."
And no doubt he's paid attention to the "factual reality programs" (Brit-speak for "Reality TV") he's brought to HGTV, because Nick also knows a thing about how the condition of a home helps or hinders the life it contains. His own, quietly occupying the top two+ floors of a Brooklyn brownstone, is a study in the calm he undoubtedly savors between screentests and check-ins at JFK and Heathrow. How does he create a place as cool as a cucumber in a Pimm’s Cup? Careful control over the stuff of life, and a printmaker's eye (he was originally trained to be one) that's drawn to linear looks, type-driven artwork, simple shapes and an edited color palette.
But the minimal, mostly white space is not at all lacking for warmth. It gets it (visual and actual) from two fireplaces, accents of party-ready red, honey wood furnishings, a happy scattering of family photos, floor-through views and a skylight that tracks the sunshine from the surprisingly panoramic Brooklyn skies.
Then there's his cheeky sense of style, evidenced in technicolor Union Jack pillows and a larger-than-life Nixon (is that redundant?) poster, which is, ironically, viewed most often through the bars of the stair railings. Talk about art in context!
It's interesting to see such iconic images of the American (and New York) experience through a decidedly British filter. And after an afternoon at Nick's home, you leave with some newfound appreciation for stars, stripes, transit signs, trophy mounts, Union Jacks…and even Tricky Dick.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: Clean and simple and calming.
Inspiration: Mid century / but I love modern eclectic design and collections.
Favorite Element: Roof deck. Favorite piece: the flag or the wooden stag head.
Biggest Challenge: Carrying everything up 4 floors. Those plants were a killer.
What Friends Say: Love it. Feels like a hotel.
Biggest Embarrassment: Hmm…do I have to answer that? Large picture windows at night — and nosey neighbors…
Proudest DIY: I try and stay away from DIY but I transformed the deck single handedly from a blank cold space to a little oasis. It was a labor of love.
Biggest Indulgence: Several bottles of Pimms watching the sun go down from the roof deck. I'm British after all.
Best advice: Get an elevator if you're planning a roof top garden!
Dream sources: Velocity Art and Design, The Future Perfect
Resources of Note:
ARTWORK
- • "Calm" print by Louise Bourgoise — Tate Modern in London
• Vintage flag: Flea market in Park Slope…for $15! (unframed)
• Penguin print: "Alfonso" by Alexander Von Reiswitz, gal
• Nixon poster: International Poster Gallery in Chelsea — auction. Bargain $50 (unframed)
• Painting in media loft/living room: Homeowner's own
Thanks, Nick!
Images: Patrick J Hamilton
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I wanted to try out for House Tour contributor, but I simply don't have the time at this point in my life. Thank goodness I didn't -- P(too) would have been formidable competition.
That said -- give him the job.
Yay! Go p(too)! And I second Mid-C Frank--Patrick is perfect for the job.
Ohh -- and by the way -- terrific apartment!
this is my dream house.....i love everything about it! awesome job!
patrick should be a shoo-in. also, a very fresh writing perspective that isn't tossing out the baby. or something like that. great tour!
great job patrick. great house too
This is a beautiful, well thought out space. I agree with the comment about Nixon, though. His picture takes the coziness away.
Yay, P(too)!! loved the post, esp. the keep calm disclaimer. funny, articulate, & empathetic, patrick is a shoo-in my opinion too. plus he's a great stylist. love nick rigg's space by the way & its similar humor. not too many spaces that could carry off that nixon poster in such style!
Lovely place. And count me as another one for team Patrick!
Go Team P(too)!
i'm so glad to read a post where the word, 'we', wasn't used as if it was going out of style. take notice AT contributors.
Always one to make a comment when it comes to those friggin' "calm" pieces, Louise's last name is spelled, "Bourgeois". She gets a pass on the trend.
Well done, Patrick!
So nice to see a well-written, properly edited post about a truly interesting person's home!
"I don't understand how anyone can make Nixon a centerpiece of their home."
The occupant of this home clearly has a sense of irony...
Perfect amount of closeup shots vs room shots plus that view can make anyone jeolous. Beautiful apartment. Well done Patrick!
I agree Patrick is a shoo-in. He's a great writer and a great designer.
This is a beautiful home, although I have to say, with light and views like that, any decor scheme would look fabulous!
What are the pictures above the bed of? Just curious.
Go Patrick! Great post, great photographs. Love Nick Rigg's gorgeous home. I have a feeling you have a whole arsenal of great places up your sleeve. Can't wait!
Such bold, striking art in this house tour! I love the idea of using flags in the decor, they’re so vivid and graphic. I like the Tricky Dick poster too, it’s unexpected, and heck, the man was interesting and photogenic no matter what his flaws. I was thinking about getting a Barry Goldwater poster myself actually.
P2, good job! I'm sure you've been busy, but it seems like a natural fit for you to be a contributor.
Pretty please, with sugar on top, could you include a floow plan next time? We all love them.
And I actually just saw a keep calm poster I would own. It said, "Keep Calm and Carry Rum" lol
Another vote for Patrick. It's very refreshing to read a well-written post.
beautiful appartment especially your roofdeck — where is that frank lloyd wright poster from?
P2 has a lovely writing style and I'd love to read more of his house tours.
This apartment is great. It's very well edited and I love all of the art.
One small quibble, though: American flags should always be displayed with the union to the viewer's upper left. United States Flag Code on Wikipedia. But it's not your fault you didn't know, your flag is symmetrical :)
great post. i love the writing style (it has humor and personality), and the tour was great too. p(too) gets my vote! as others have said, he'd be a natural fit as a contributor.
Patrick had me hooked in the first paragraph. Hire him!
And a beautiful house tour, to boot.
Like the tour- and especially patrick (other) - I hope you get to keep sending us more good stuff.
I want that marble fireplace.
Great job! To the writer and the designer!
Very nice! Although contemporary, there were a few folk art pieces added that I really like. The framed flag and the yellow car on the stand are my favorites. I also like the artwork and British touches, which adds warmth and whimsy. I'll repeat what others have said...great job on the home and the post.
Oh yeah....I love the rooftop deck with the views and the garden...had to add that.
Love the photos...P2's helping articulate the concept, or, rather, I suppose, the *effect* of the concept/design is so interesting.
As opposed to often with house tours, I feel like I've stood AND sat in the space, rather than looked at "pictures" of it, or, sometimes, more insular still, "pictures" of the "vignettes."
great place and great house tour!
I think he should be hired based on his frequent and on-point comments on AT posts alone. Clearly super-knowledgeable about design, very tasteful and respectful, and regularly a voice of reason when comments get out of hand. This try-out post is also well photographed and has good copywriting.
This is why I read AT. Thank you, Patrick. Wonderful flat (even if I can't figure out exactly which block of Carroll Gardens it's on...curses!); fantastic writing, with a point of view that's distinctive yet respectful (just like Patrick's posts). I got some great (re)decorating ideas here, too. Add me to the Patrick and Nick fan club.
I would love to see Patrick be a House Tour Contributor. He has wonderful style himself, he knows your audience, and above all, he can write. I'll bet he knows a lot of interesting people with interesting homes, too.
The only downside if you hire him is that we will miss his witty comments on other topics.
Luisa in Dallas
What an amazing space!
And Patrick, not that you need it, but you can add me to your fan club :)
So, here I learn something else new at AT, through the collaboration of the homeowner, the space and the photographer--
midcentury modern sensibility "spared down" the particular/intuitive point of view of the images/icons, colors and materials= in this case
very eerie and beautiful almost early American (sorry, late British :) moments that because of how they get grounded with the textures, wood, lightning-rod lines, escape both folk and dreamscape.
This house tour gives us...
midcentury modern as a structure!
Prerevolutionary modern? Postrevolutionary modern? :)
Maybe that's a duh, maybe aesthetic can always mean structure. Forgive me, having a bit of an epiphany.......
I think P2 would be a fab contributor...just as long as it won't prohibit him from commenting on other threads!
Yep, loved it.
And I would love to read more from Patrick -- this tour felt unique and definitely stood out, specifically due to his personable writing style, use of humor, and perspective. Bravo!
I usually go straight for the pics with these house tours, but Patrick sucked me in with that first paragraph. AT would be lucky to have him join their team.
Fine work. Hire the man.
Fine work, hire the man.
Does anyone hear an echo?
he had me at "spoiler alert"....
Love this. While Patrick is a bit quick to enforce happy-talk concentration camp rules in the comments, his taste and prose style are simply head and shoulders above 90% of the other AT bloggers. Can LA get someone of equal stature?
I love reading the comments from this man. That his house is equally interesting and complex makes me say that he's clearly qualified for the job.
ps: I love the pops of red in this apartment. Stunning!
Except for Nixon, this is a really great home.
Very nice and unpretentious place. Seems to be comfy.To nit pick... I would replace the penguin picture or find a new place for him to hang out. He looks very out to place next to the stars & stripes. And I think the Stay Calm thing reminds me of the old song "The Party's Over". It's quickly getting dated. Love your Nixon poster (thank you for getting us out of Viet Nam... Kennedy's and Johnson's war) and kid pics are always colorful and bring a smile. Very livable and sharp place :-)
Everything my Brooklyn apartment wishes it could be, right down to the Bourgeois shout-out. Really well done! Same goes for Patrick!
I think it's pretty much a given that Patrick would make an excellent addition to the AT team - he has the writing ability, the contacts and, apparently, the photographic skills.
My only criticism would be that the blurb is a little overcooked, but I'm sure it will settle down once Patrick gets the gig.
As for the home, I love the dynamic thread of emotions running through the art collection - the faded flag, the Tricky Dick poster, the I AM A MAN picture, the racecar photo etc. It's so vibrant. I also like the Shaker aesthetic in the dining room and the sophisticated use of colour.
I don't understand how anyone who can make Rudolph a centerpiece of their home.
This gig and the other Patrick are made for each other. And I agree with the other poster who hopes that it won't preclude him from contributing his comments on other posts!
How could AT not sign on someone with a built-in fan club like Patrick(too)'s? I mean.
The house is GREAT, it's exactly what my house would look like if I were male, single, childless and living in New York. But stop dissin' the Keep Calm poster, OK? Some of us need that little dose of visual Xanax every day as much as some other people need their five o'clock martini.
zachk , you picked up on the flag being reversed also.
Great space
A pleasure to read this - like petro, I too usually skip straight to the pics. That terrace is lovely!
I thought the writing was great -- engaging and to the point. Not enough photos that show the full home for me. I prefer roomscapes over cornerscapes.
I agree - hire him. The fact that he can spell is a big plus for me.
Ditto on loving the flat and on hiring Patrick (surprising, actually, he hadn't officially joined the team ages ago).
Love the writing! Is it bad to admit that this is my favorite post (in terms of writing) that I've seen on AT in quite a while? The tour was also quite nice, but I would have liked some wider room shots and even though they're not really necessary for explanation, I really like it when the pictures have captions. It's a little thing, but I wish more house tours had captions.
And for the house itself--great! I loved the art. It made me smile.
So the penquin pic had me smiling for about ten minutes.
Lovely home, but a little "white" for my taste. Your view is phenomenal. I didn't like Nixon at first, but once Patrick pointed out he was "behind bars" I laughed.
is he single?
I very much enjoy patrick (the other one)'s comments on tours, so it seems like a natural choice for him to get the job - good luck, p(too).
What irritates me is fellow Brits (I'm from, and live in, the UK) 'making up' phrases for the benefit of Americans and purporting them to be 'British'. I have never - EVER - in all my hours, months and years of watching British reality TV, heard it referred to as "factual reality progams", NOT EVEN when I'm watching a program ABOUT the making of reality programs in the UK.
This apartment isn't to my liking, but I'm not in the habit of being negative about other peoples' taste, so that's all good. But Nick, please don't pretend to have a cache of "British" phrases to impress your colleagues with - AT has a huge Brit following, you know...Keep it real!
Great writing, Patrick! The most interesting house tour I've read so far on AT.
I very much enjoy patrick (the other one)'s comments on tours, so it seems like a natural choice for him to get the job - good luck, p(too).
What irritates me is fellow Brits (I'm from, and live in, the UK) 'making up' phrases for the benefit of Americans and purporting them to be 'British'. I have never - EVER - in all my hours, months and years of watching British reality TV, heard it referred to as "factual reality progams", NOT EVEN when I'm watching a program ABOUT the making of reality programs in the UK.
This apartment isn't to my liking, but I'm not in the habit of being negative about other peoples' taste, so that's all good (although I think I can say that had the title been different and Nick's nationality not been referred to, I would never have known he wasn't from the US).
Also, Nick: please don't pretend to have a cache of "British" phrases to impress your colleagues with - AT has a huge British following, you know...Keep it real!
Beautiful place! This is how I would live if I had buckets of money at my disposal!
ifiwereyou--
The inclusion of the "factual reality" was mine, taken from the Leopard Films website (although hrhprincessfiona is correct, should have gone with "programmes"!). Please don't penalize Nick for my fascination with the novelties of language! My guess, anyhow, is that is industry terminology.
And Ansela, Nick represents a UK-based company here in the states, so it's not exactly the job-raid scenario you describe. Besides, with Simon leaving Idol, it all evens out, no? :)
PS: Thank you, tremendously, for all the support. And if I do get the gig, I PROMISE there will be a wide-angle lens involved!
Patrick, I think your photographs are beautiful. Lovely lighting and composition. And now you say we have wide-angle lens to look forward to? You tease!
patrick (the other one) - point taken :)
sorry my post came up twice - I thought the first one didn't complete, changed it, then they both came up. two bursts of egginess, so apologies.
Full of awesome, PII (and Nick!)
I'll admit that I scan for P(too)'s comments. They are always spot-on. And--lookie there--he's got the writing and photo chops: He'd be a great addition to the team.
But, Patrick, if you become "the Man," please don't lose your edge ;-)
Well done!
I'm just going to echo everyone else and say that I always enjoy patrick (the other one)'s comments and he also has an ability to be critical without being overly harsh or condescending. Not to mention that your writing and photos are pretty awesome, too!
patrick (the other one) for president! ;-) I enjoy the playful edge he presents in comments, calmly and cheerfully wrangling wayward, negative commentors. Definitely a great addition to AT.
zachk, the Union Jack is not actually symmetrical. I believe that though he may have committed the ultimate faux pas in the display of the Stars and Stripes, the Union Jack cushions on Mr. Rigg's exquisite couch are correctly oriented.
http://www.phespirit.info/places/notes/union_flag.htm
When flown upside down at sea, it signals distress. Although I suppose one could use a "Keep Calm" poster and hang that upside down instead.
Though obviously, those are Irish Union Jacks.
The Nixon poster through the bars -- P(too) perfect!
I've always loved Patrick's comments - finding them to usually be an echo of my own but more eloquently (and witttingly) stated! And I always read the article and usually find it to be lacking - this was one that actually had me chuckling at my desk. The apartment is beautiful - calm with lots of light and gorgeous views. I would feel very comfortable here, even with the enormous Nixon! :)
Please hire Patrick! I cannot wait to see more of his tours!
I think you meant enormous Di... um, never mind.
Loved the art work and accessories. Other than that the apartment is cold. Whoever mentioned that it was cozy needs to have their Cozy Meter recalibrated.
what is the name of the painting with the orchestra and wrestlers?
lovely! 2 questions: is that window shade (in the first image, white) fabric? And sub-question, does anyone know an affordable source for something similar? Also, that basket in teh bathroom is perfect, what a nice touch.
I love dark kitchen cabinets. Great posters too.
outstanding work. patrick definitely deserve a chance!! good pics, good commentary, good eye.
I love this home. Its welcoming and visually appealing, light-filled, art filled - - yeah! Nick did an outstanding job.
I'm also glad to see the delightful Patrick (the other one) jump up from the comment pages and come to the fore as a contributor.
Three cheers for both apartment and commenter!!!
I love this apartment and great tour Patrick I look forward to more from you.
i like your writing style patrick, p(too), etc!
The space and write-up are fantastic. P(too) is even moreso. Hire that man, Maxwell!
I vote for P2 for sure, unless it precludes him from making inappropriate (or maybe most appropriate) comments on other posts. I don't think I could do without those. We'd all have to take a lesson in wittiness to take his place.
P2...I have always enjoyed your comments...natural fit! You have some snarkiness and bite that comes out that I always appreciate. Sociomath; what kind of brownies did you eat before your epiphany and subsequent post...I want some! These digs are pretty cool. Some pieces were spot on, others seemed out of place but it all balanced out and felt unique, homey and aesthetically pleasing. **I would LOVE to know where that cozy looking sectional is from. I am thinking Bo Concepts but cannot be sure. Anyone know??
I am searching for a good clean, modern yet cozy sectional. Not easy!
Where can I get an apartment like this??
Very nice job - both of you! I love the art. Very well edited.
Also, Patrick, thank you for a picture of the street. I often wonder what the neighborhoods of these homes look like.
I love this. And I love the art. You describe your style as calming and simple. That it is. And beautiful, too.
Great job Patrick! Your writing is wonderful. I tried out for LA... I hope I can get half as many positive comments when my "try-out" tour hits the blog!
could you please give the name of the painting on the mantle ?
questionman--
I'll try to get the painting's/painter's name from the homeowner... I do know it is a Brooklyn-based artist.
another vote for patrick -
and, lovely apartment, amazing view!
Does anyone else think that Nixon probably doesn't elicit the same immediate emotional response for a Brit that he does for an American? Ditto the American flag (and how it should be officially hung)?
I think of Mao and Che paraphernalia in American homes as comparisons. I don't know if Americans have the same emotional reactions to these political figures as the Chinese and Argentinians/Cubans may have, and I wouldn't expect them to.
Graphically speaking, the flag looks better hanging vertically than it does horizontally. I'm not certain if it's because of the novelty of that positioning or--and not to get all new-agey--just that it seems to express better "chi" that way in that it syncs with the table.
Please hire Patrick. Please.
His writing and sense of humor made me want to see the whole tour. His photos are clever (the transit sign half blocked by the door) and a good balance of wide angle and detail. I like that his detailed pictures were more than a zoom in on a personal vignette (the corner the fireplace shows a great detail and is abstract art in its own right).
Wonderful job Patrick!
But if Patrick becomes a "contributor", does that mean no more commenting? If so, please don't give him the job - his commentary is the highlight of my coffee break each day! =)
My vote is also for Patrick. He loves what he does and comes across so well in writing. I also have long thought his comments and mediation have added their own value and continuity to AT, something which could be a job in and of itself.
Go Patrick!
I vote for Patrick (the other one). He's consistently excellent.
Yay Patrick! I "ditto" all Ptoo love; he'd be great for AT. (And I'm one the those readers who often scoffs at the florid or ungrammatical or simply ridiculous writing of some of your writers.) However, in consideration of Emily the Cat's concerns, I hope that Maxwell and the AT Team won't bar Patrick from commenting once he is on staff.
And the home we toured? Beautifully, thoughtfully done. Very witty. I wouldn't have expected to enjoy so much "type-driven artwork", but I loved it, and now think it works best when there is a certain mass.
Any info on the facts-cf-truth artwork would be appreciated.
Super slick apartment, nicely photographed and endorsed by ... P(too), who totally deserves the job and can only enhance AT.
Who IS this man? And why is he living in my home??
Love it, love it, love it.
It's hard to imagine AT without patrick (the other one) --it seems to me that he's already an essential part of your team. Actually, his comments were the thing that initially kept me coming back to AT when I first discovered it. The appreciation for House Tours and other features came later. Hopefully this is a much a no-brainer for you as it is for us.
And oh yeah... nice crib.
What a great house! (And love the "spoiler alert" - made me laugh.) I'm a big fan of P2, and always have been.
Really enjoyed Patrick's writing, and would be very happy reading more of his words here.
However there are way too many repetitive detail shots (same object, slightly different angle), and not enough room shots. Unfortunately this is a common issue with most House Tours on AT.
Beautiful work Patrick! Your many talents are very well showcased in this entry. Love the house tour pictures as well.
I wish i had a place for P. to decorate.
team patrick!!
This is great; the apartment is amazing, and the lucky owner got his place talked about by one of the VERY best voices on here!
Of all the lovely details, the one that stood out to me was the way the toilet shape, with the lid edge flush to the tank, matches the vanity countertop, with its' edge flush to the cabinets- an unusual and clean detail.
(.... I am fighting so hard not to comment on my use of the word "flush"... it is the correct word, not a stupid pun... damn, I failed.)
Brooklyn is a large borough. Could you be more specific with the neighborhood in future posts?
Great work Patrick....!
Love the place. and the rootop has me green.
Where's the dresser from?
Thks
Nice job all around. Gorgeous simple light filled apt. I love the warm wood and light countertops...always stops my heart.
Well written post also - no bs, to the point, witty and engaging..
Oh and I am a fan of the vignette pictures - in addition to wide shots...I guess its the nosey parker in me that likes that.
Finally anyone know the source of the artwork that mentions truth being more important than facts?
Ta much!
saer
http://cravenmaven.com
Ansela-- he's MAKING jobs, not taking jobs! He owns a production company in the US. What a ridiculous complaint--I'm surprised you didn't get deleted!
http://www.leopardfilmsusa.com/people/leopard-usa/rigg
I see those bentwood dining chairs in so many posts, does anyone know where they come from or what they are called specifically?
enahan--
They are Hans Wegner "Wishbone" chairs, available vintage on Ebay, and new via places like HiveModern and Room & Board.
Thanks Patrick!
Anytime!
GREAT !
Great job, p2! I'm glad to have made it to the coronation.
(@ 1:10 pm: I worried that you no longer made naughty jokes, but it seems you're irrepressible.)
Congrats!
Patrick's work is OUTSTANDING! I've been lucky to see several of his designs and I'd have him re-do my bedroom in a heart beat. IMO, he'd be a wonderful addition to the Apartment Therapy team!!!