Inspiration from Aalto

Alvar Aalto had a way with little details that lent warmth and texture to his modern architecture. One particular detail of his that I love: wrapping handrails with leather strips. It feels nice and looks great, too. I have seen several people coming to AT for advice on what to do with ugly water pipes running up a corner of the room or through a bathroom. It's a problem many of us face in NYC apartments. I think this might be a great solution for that or similar problems where a pliable, wrappable solution is needed! Thanks, Alvar!! -regina

Comments (6)

word of warning don't wrap the heat riser or hot water pipe in leather, it will dry up and crack into pieces.

posted by patrick on 2006-10-18 13:15:11

Besides looking like stripper's pole in a mazo hall. No, strike that - max might like the idea.

posted by Tat on 2006-10-18 14:05:47

Another option is cork ribbon for wrapping bicycle handlebars. Cheap, easy to use, and withstands heat without cracking.

posted by Danno on 2006-10-18 15:09:47

We have a pole in our bedroom AND our bathroom. We have cats, so the plan is to wrap the bedroom pole in cat scratching material - rope. But what to do with the bathroom pole?

posted by Elaine Vigneault on 2006-10-18 18:59:21

This post reminded me of the leather-wrapped handrails at the British Library in London. Not "stipper-pole"-ish at all...warm and very luxurious--almost sensual--to the touch. I didn't know that Aalto had the idea first.

posted by Kris (the one in Michigan) on 2006-10-18 19:13:48

A painter filled the space between pipes and the wall with 'bog' - car filler - when painted, it disappears or looks like moulding.

posted by Deb of Oz on 2006-10-19 06:03:04