When fashion designer and high-end furrier Dennis Basso was a patient at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, he decided its chapel was "nice and neat," but not nearly reaching its inspirational potential.
In the hospital for routine care, Mr. Basso told The New York Times, "A friend came to visit," according to the report, "and we decided to go down to the chapel. We looked at each other and we said this is the greatest hospital in world with the finest equipment, but this chapel really needs some help."
He got in touch with Laura Forese, MD, Weill Cornel's COO and executive vice president, after hosting a fashion show to benefit the hospital to talk about a special donation. "I told her, 'I don't want to do an X-ray machine, I don't want to do a waiting room,'" he told The New York Times. "I told her, 'It's great there are people who want to do that. I'm a designer. I'm creative. I want to do this.'"
So Mr. Basso and his husband, Michael Cominotto, called on the expertise of Kenneth Alpert, their personal interior designer, who also designed Mr. Basso's Madison Avenue store, according to the report. Mr. Alpert assisted with the renovation of the 60-year-old chapel, which now includes planters from France, candleholders from Italy and chandeliers that are reminiscent of the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, France.
He frosted over a window in the foyer that overlooked a less-than-scenic courtyard, but otherwise followed "the bones of the room," opting for a classic look, according to The New York Times. The biggest challenge was adhering to hospital-approved materials, particularly for the carpet.
Though Mr. Basso and Mr. Cominotto are self-proclaimed practicing Catholics, the project is nondenominational and has no visual religion. Mr. Basso's only requirement was to make the chapel a beautiful place, "no matter what your religion is," according to the report.
The redecorated chapel opened last week and was dedicated to Mr. Basso's late parents and Mr. Cominotto's late father and to his living mother, according to the report.
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