This 25-room neoclassical showpiece perched atop Bowen Street is the official residence of the president of the Rhode Island School of Design. The exterior is impressive enough, but check out the ‘Design’ section of the Sunday New York Times for a look inside. Current president, Crystal Williams, moved in two years ago and has since made the interior her own. The contemporary elements soften the grandeur of this 19th-century colonial revival pile beautifully. I like it a lot.
I particularly covet the chandeliers, one by Tracy Glover, another by David Wiseman, both RISD alums. And those velvety sofas are luxe but inviting. Of course, Williams has access to some enviable resources:
While hosting nonstop events there, she has staked claim to the interior, intertwining her favorite objects and hues with the creations of RISD faculty, students and alumni.
. . . She lives by herself, needing no one else’s approval for her décor choices, and she gets to choose from options provided by a school community that represents some of the field’s best talents.
Regular readers know that I enjoy checking out the springtime RISD senior shows at the Woods-Gerry Gallery, and back in 2018 there was one piece in particular that I admired in the textiles show:
Don’t miss Siena Smith’s beautiful woven jacquard tapestries. Her young black girls in white dresses would seem to echo Norman Rockwell’s iconic ‘The Problem We all Live With.’
Guess where that piece now resides . . . and it’s not on loan.
Among Ms. Williams’s own art treasures are Siena Smith’s woven portraits of a little girl in white . . .
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“Sitting” by Siena Smith (BFA Textiles, 2018). Jacquard woven.
Gorgeous! Very appropriate for the Rhode Island School of Design to have such a beautiful facility. I hope they have many events and parties here so the community, students and faculty can utilize this beautiful home.