Digest Q3 | 25 Diagonal is an agency for artisans and artists that works with design professionals on projects worldwide. Diagonal works with luxury finishes and materials for high end…
Tom Engel’s Vision
Digest Q4 | 25
Glass Masterclass | Eglomise-Decorative Finishes & 20th Ocean liners
SS Atlantique | First Class Dining Room
The transatlantic ocean liners of the early 20th century showcased the finest work of architects, interior designers, and artisans from each ship’s home country. In a sense, they were much like the world’s fair expositions—projecting a nation’s image to the world while celebrating its culture, history, and art. These vessels enveloped passengers in a glamorous and beautifully crafted environment, embodying the aspirations and achievements of their countries of origin. With the best architects, designers, and top artisans in mind and generous budgets at their disposal, what better place could there be to study verre églomisé and the applied decorative arts for inspiration?
Sometimes this technique was used to disguise architectural elements, and other times to accentuate them. In certain spaces, églomisé helped organize the layout while introducing an artistic focal point; in others, it provided richly thematic artworks that transformed otherwise utilitarian areas into immersive experiences. It’s important to remember how dark and confining the interiors of ships could be—verre églomisé added light and dimension through its varying levels of reflection and density of imagery. In large spaces, smaller-scale artwork created a sense of intimacy.
Modern architects such as Gio Ponti used decorative finishes to fuse architecture with art. As someone who works in the decorative arts alongside designers and architects, I am continually studying the work of the great masters to understand how they collaborated with decorative artists to shape spaces, explore new applications, and develop design solutions. I am equally fascinated by how these masters embraced the material constraints—panel joins, seams, size limitations, and utility requirements—to achieve beauty within the boundaries of practicality.
SS Atlantique | First Class Dining Room – Designer Pierre Patout worked with Jean Dunand’s studio on this dining room. Pierre Patout went on to design many Parisian lobbies in his “Paquebot style” Deco design, drawing lessons from ocean liners. The large-scale open artwork in the lacquer used on the corners draws the viewer’s eye across the space, elongating it, leading to the entranceway. The ceiling and windows bring in light, while the light-colored background of the lacquer creates a feeling of expansion. Can you see the panel splits and the corner cap?
Ile de France | Cabin Class Solar – Design: Maison Boucheron. The eglomise mural draws the viewer in with steps that mimic the entrance stairwell, while the mirrored background opens the space, adding dimension and light. The illusion of two chandeliers, one behind the back-painted artwork, gives you a feel of how much the reflection is a part of the design, while the back-painted artwork appears as a hedge.
SS Normandie | First Class Lounge – Eglomise panels by Jean Dunand, designed by Rothschild.
SS Normandie | Rouen Suite – Artwork surrounded by a mirrored border for the headboard wall and door panels.
SS Atlantique | Provence Suite – Eglomise headboard wall with mirrored background, and a possibly backlit arched panel.
SS Normandie | Private Dining Room – Shows the power of inset panels to fuse art with architecture.
SS Normandie | Stateroom Dining Area– Mural art and Chinoiserie
SS Normandie | First Class Cabin – Quilt gilded headboard mural.
SS Normandie | Deluxe Suite Studio – A mirror behind the bed/sofa faces the desk mirror, both surrounded by eglomise artwork that wraps the ceiling.
SS Atlantique | First Class Cabin – Reverse-painted glass inset into high-gloss, marble-like wood finish.
SS America | First Class Entrance – Nine-panel layout surrounding the entranceway.
Andrea Doria | First Class Library – by Gio Ponti
Andrea Doria | First Class Zodiac Suite – by Fornaseti.
SS France | First Class Game Lounge
LOS ANGELES
© 2025 Diagonal USA
LOS ANGELES
© 2025 Diagonal USA