Who: Architect Rad Opacic, Radoslav Opacic Architects, Irvington
Design Philosophy: To create structures, both traditional and modern, with a quiet elegance that revolve around the progression of gracious spaces and the capturing of light and views throughout.
Inspiration: Growing up in the former Yugoslavia, I was always captivated by the amazing examples of Italian Renaissance architecture all around me, as well as the postwar structures that were being built at that time.
Top Tips: High ceilings transform spaces. They not only make rooms feel more spacious, but they offer opportunities for capturing more light and greater sky views.
The main stair is the key ingredient to a graceful circulation pattern in the home. It should be designed to offer comfortable movement and visual interest between floors, and can offer a bit of beauty in one’s daily routine. Never stop at “good enough.” There are always solutions that can improve the functionality of the design without compromising the aesthetics. Always strive for “amazing.”
Hottest Trends: Hot design trends aren’t my focus. Finding new and innovative ways of solving a design problem — specific to the project at hand — is much more exciting to me and tends to have a longer shelf life than trends.
Go-To Home Design
Shelter Magazines (Other than Westchester Home):
Architectural Record
Dwell
Metropolis
Veranda
Westchester Shops/Showrooms:
Marble America (New Rochelle):stone and tile
Radio Guy & Early Electrics (Peekskill): lighting and one-of-a-kind objects
Au Ciel (Irvington): interior and floral design
Klaffs (Scarsdale): plumbing fixtures
Katonah Architectural Hardware (Katonah): architectural hardware
NY Shops/Showrooms:
Ingo Mauer: “a lighting museum”
Bendheim Glass: specialty glass
Chesneys: stone fireplace mantels
H. Theophile: custom door hardware
Hudson Company: reclaimed/custom hardwood flooring
The Apartment by The Line: precurated home furnishings
Brands/Designers:
Philippe Starck: Duravit plumbing fixtures, Starck Collection
Sophie Mallebranche: woven metal screens
Products he loves
1. La Cornue stoves“Le Chateau” series
Klaffs, Scarsdale
2. WETSTYLE tubs/“Cube” or “Be” collection (matte finish)
Klaffs, Scarsdale
​“Made from a more eco-friendly material than acrylic, these tubs act as beautiful, free-standing sculptures, with the crisp lines of the architectural ‘Cube’ collection or the soft curves of the more sensuous ‘Be’ collection.”
3. Zero-clearance glass fireplace doors (Stoll Fireplace/ZC Trimline)
Kelloggs & Lawrence, Katonah
4. Neolith porcelain sheets
Marble America, New Rochelle
5. Vogue black marble
Marble America, New Rochelle
6. Butcher block work surfaces
Brooks Custom, Mount Kisco
7. Clay chimney tops (Superior Clay Corp.)
Bedford Stone & Masonry, Bedford
8. Rustic Tambour lamp
Radio Guy & Early Electrics, Peekskill
9. Harmon hinges
Katonah Architectural Hardware, Katonah
10. Wagenfeld lever (modern application)
Katonah Hardware, Katonah
“This clean, no-frills lever design is minimal without being institutional.”
11. Henry faucets
Waterworks, Greenwich
12. Sun Valley bronze gate latch (traditional application)
Katonah Architectural Hardware, Katonah
13. Custom stained glass
LaRanger Studio, Carmel
14. Robert Josten cast-aluminum dining chairs
Radio Guy & Early Electrics, Peekskill
“These lovely chairs have an industrial look, but the intricate design of the tarnished frame against the polished wood seat transforms them into interesting pieces of art.”
15. Klassik stainless-steel rolling library ladder
index-d, Bridgeport, CT
“This jewel of a ladder is an elegant, minimal way to conveniently access storage in high spaces.”