Sarayi
The commission to build a unique new structure was granted by a client who desired a proper setting for the splendidly costumed Harem figures created by the talented James Carrington of London. My inspiration came from recent recordings and distant echoes: namely, the glorious voice of Sarah Brightman on her Harem album, and also from my visit to Istanbul many years ago, where the fantastic glittering palaces along the Bosphorus intrigued me immensely. The imperial Harem at Topkapi, palace of the Ottoman sultans, offered veiled glimpses of a mysterious life in that ancient city. Sarayi is Turkish for palace, and this unusual miniature is like a small oasis, a glimmer from the pages of history in a far away place. This first set of photos shows Sarayi as finished by the artist and delivered to the owner. In the second set of photos, see Sarayi at home as dressed by the owner.
For more details, click on the thumbnail views below.
Welcome to Sarayi |
Splendor Exposed |
Enter the Delight |
Bejewled Imperial Apartment |
Pool of Serenity |
Splendor Defined |
Mirage of Splendor Reflected |
A Forbidden Sight |
Mysterious Oasis |
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Stylistically, we took some license with this project. The decorative elements of Sarayi include individually hand laid glass rather than ceramic tiles. These are in unique patterns using two color schemes of jewel tones, with a distinct palette for each level. Parallel mirrored walls bounce infinite reflections of detailed woven trim with threads of gold, and of the crystal and ruby chandelier. Dark fabric covered ceilings of starry skies add to the mystery, and an elegant skylight by Sharon Sipma-Hammell invites moonbeams to grace the interior. The lower level "Room with a Fountain", is connected to the upper level by an exterior staircase. The upstairs apartment overlooks a decorative indoor pool below, and also includes a small outdoor terrace. One can imagine colorful roses floating in the pool, the fragrance of rose petals gently tossed from the balcony, drifting in the air. Music descends from the rooftop lounge, where seekers look out toward distant mountains, dunes and the unknown.
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Sarayi at Home
The owner has achieved her goals for Sarayi as a home for the splendid harem figures of James Carrington. The resident characters are comfortably at home in this palatial setting. The owner-collector offered these thoughts on how it came to be:
"Sarayi became a reality after I bought a harem group of Jamie Carrington's figures and called Mark with a plea to design something Moroccan to house them. I never dreamed he would create such a magnificent and appropriate dwelling, but I was more than thrilled with the final structure. Mark's inimitable vivid imagination has housed the sheik and his women admirably, as usual."
Below are six photos showing Sarayi in its permanent home — furnished and dressed by the owner as she describes above.
For more details, click on the thumbnail views below.
Dreams of the Dance |
Evening Flute |
Night Watch |
After the Dance |
Royal Entertainment |
Music of the Night |
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Construction is solid pine with birch plywood, hand painted.
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© 2006 Pine Island Designs