Project The Renwick Graphic History Artists and authors inspire a hotel revamp by Stonehill & Taylor By JoAnn Greco Photography by Rick Lew L ines are a critical part of both painting and writing-so it's no wonder that New York-based Stonehill & Taylor chose this quintessential graphic element as a central motif for the Renwick. "When it came to transforming the unique history and soul of the building into something more fresh, we thought the line as a basic element was a great place to start," says Kim Edwards, senior designer for the recent rebranding and gut renovation of the tired property, which had served as both housing and workspace for many an artist over the years. Rooms at the 173-key New York hotel, located not far from Grand Central Terminal, feature touches that echo those found in a writer's or artist's studio, including charcoal-colored felt bulletin boards adorned with gold push pins and carpeting that appears as if it's spattered with paint. A wide black band of inky 56 www.newh.org From top: In the Thomas Mann suite at the Renwick, a chevron pattern on the wall references the author's famous novel, The Magic Mountain; the lobby in the circa-1920s building features a poured terrazzo floor.http://www.newh.org