BERYN HAMMIL DESIGNS

Interact With Your House Via Apps

2011-05-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

By Guest Contributor: Dustin McMullen of LAViD Designs

Along with the usual daily communications of phone calls, emails, text messaging, and social media interactions, we now have the ability to control how we interact with our lifestyles from a single device.

Imagine leaving the house and pressing one single button to turn off all lights, turn off the HVAC system, and arm the security system. Or while leaving the restaurant downtown, pressing one single button to turn the driveway and entry lights on so when you arrive home, the house is illuminated for safety. These are both examples of how our homes can be controlled by using a smartphone apps.

Smartphones and tablets (iPhone, iPad, and Android devices) can now be used to perform a multitude of functions, including controlling our homes with just a few simple taps.

Lighting & HVAC Control iPad app by Lutron

So I just need an app?

Well, yes…"There's an app for that," but it's not quite that simple. It does require more. For example, you may have seen the recent TV commercial for new Chevy cars that can be unlocked using a smart phone app. One could easily download the Chevy app, but without the car to respond to your instruction, it’s not very effective. The same holds true for home controls.

There are several manufacturers in the home control industry that not only have apps, but also have the coordinating devices to make the home function effectively from their apps.

For home control, there are generally one or more devices within the home that can receive information from the app to “do something,” such as adjust the lights or turn off the HVAC system. Determining which is the correct manufacturer and device depends on what's required by the homeowner, and, of course, your budget.

What will I need?

That depends on what you'd like to control. Let's focus on lighting, HVAC, and window shades since they're the most commonly requested.

Lighting control via a smartphone app is fairly simple. In existing homes and even commercial projects, a traditional light switch can be swapped out to a “smart switch” and then controlled from the app. A huge benefit is that no new wiring is needed.

HVAC systems can be easily retrofitted to operate in the same way by replacing a wall thermostat. Motorized window shades can be installed which communicate wirelessly.

App control of our homes is not only a great benefit to convenience of living, but also contributes to energy conservation. It’s estimated that lighting consumes 35% of a home’s electrical usage, and an additional 30% for HVAC usage. Since smartphones seem to be attached to people 24/7, it easy for homeowners to conserve energy in a very convenient way while also adding a safety factor.

If there's a desire for additional home devices to be controlled via apps (audio/video, security, pool/spa…), there are hardware solutions tailored to each of these, but that's a whole other subject which we can address in the future post.

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Dustin McMullen is the founder of LAViD Designs which specializes in design and consulting of lighting controls, audio/video, and smart home technologies throughout California, Lake Tahoe, and Hawaii. LAViD Designs works with designers, architects, and homeowners to find the best solution for projects. For more information about LAViD Designs please visit www.laviddesigns.com.

HOW TO LEAVE A COMMENT:

If you'd like to leave a comment, feel free to do so. Where? See the tiny, little word " COMMENT" next to my name below this blog? Click on it and there's a place to type in your comments. That's it. I welcome your feedback and input; go for it!

The information contained herein is for guideline purposes only, is not intended as an endorsement of any product, and is no guarantee of the results.

Images courtesy of Lutron, electronichouse.com

Copyright
© Beryn Hammil Designs 2011

San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2011

2011-04-27T22:54:00.000-07:00

2950 Vallejo Street, San Francisco

If you love beautiful homes, (and is there anyone reading this who doesn’t?) then you will love this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase house. Perfectly situated for breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay, what this year’s designers have done with this elegant, Italian villa style mansion gives the word “transformation” a new meaning.

Designed in 1927 by architects Gottshalk and Rist for William R. Clark, a successful paving contractor, the 6,224 square foot house sits on an 8,000 square foot lot. But because it’s situated on a hill so steep that it was deemed impassable for the horse drawn fire trucks of the era, construction of the house includes steel framing, better enabling it to withstand earthquakes and fires than its neighbors. This quality of construction has stood the test of time, and no major work had been done on it in more than 80 years.

The house has changed hands several times in the intervening years until Joseph Tarantino purchased it in 1975 for his family. It is still owned by his grown children today, and that brings us to the Decorators Showcase.

The overall impression one gets when touring this year’s showcase house is of attention to detail, old and new harmoniously combined, and that nothing is spared to give the visitor a wonderful experience of luxurious living. Remember to look up as you tour the house as most of the rooms have interesting details on the ceiling as well.

Entering the foyer one immediately gets the sense of how beautiful this house truly is in its bones; the original floor and ceiling details, the iron grill of the front door, and the shape of the stately staircase are all evidence of a well-designed house. Fortunately, the designers working on this space, Leigh Edwards and Willem Racké of Willem Racké Studio respected the original enough to only enhance the details rather than rework them. A modern sculpture, a nod to the future, is nestled in the curve of the beautiful banister.

To the right of the foyer is the living room. Arched windows frame the kazillion dollar view of San Francisco Bay, which designer Kathleen Navarra maximized by bravely placing a free form sculpture that resembles a winged angel on the narrow balcony just outside one window.

The original fireplace anchors one side of the living room while a table and chairs are the featured area of the other side. Seemingly unrelated textures, patterns, and colors are deftly layered, one upon the other, to give the room a pulled together feeling without it being stuffy or over-done. Even the ceiling is cleverly addressed.

On the other side of the foyer is the formal dining room which one enters through a pair of heavy, arched, wood doors. The floor immediately grabs your attention with its dynamic, bold pattern, but it’s balanced by the soft hue of the fabric on the walls, the drapery panels, and the faux finished ceiling. The wood dining table, highly polished to a reflective glow, and the many chairs around it, fill the room. Each element on its own makes a statement, but the clever combination of modern and traditional furniture with hits of color are so well-put together by designer Grant K. Gibson, that it magically works.

Leaving the dining room, the next area to admire is the kitchen. Designer Tish Key kept one of the original features of the room, the brick arched niche over the cooking area, as the focal point for this part of the space. A bead board ceiling over the breakfast area keeps a sense of period and adds texture. New appliances, white marble, cobalt blue lava stone countertops, and lit niches add modern touches, so the overall effect is that new meets old, and it’s all very efficient, and effective.

Beyond the kitchen, tucked in a tiny, little space is a quiet reading room. Shelves filled with cookbooks and a small writing table suggests that this is a perfect place to plan elaborate dinner parties. The designer, Brian Dittmar, appropriately calls this “The Cookbook Nook,” but a comfortable reading chair suggests that it could also be a private hideaway from the hustle and bustle of the day.

Conveniently located next to this nook is a powder room, beautifully transformed by JoAnn Hartley. Its tranquil non-colors on the walls and floors are a big change from the original materials she found at the start of the project. A dramatic floral arrangement uses a predictable bathroom fixture as a surface and distracts the eye, letting the visit forget that this is actually a bathroom.

En route up the stairs and on this landing, every wall is used to display art, and a number of artists’ works are shown here. They include Richard Misrach and Lee Friedlander represented by Fraenkel Gallery, and photographer Robin Reynolds, who uses the effect of the afternoon light that shines through a dappled glass window to enhance her beautiful images.

The master bedroom is on one end of this storey of the house and spans almost from front to back, so that in addition to the obvious place for a sleeping area, it has its own place for two people to sit and have a lengthy conversation on a pair of chaises that face each other.

Neutral colors form the visual backbone, but one would be hard pressed to think of this space as boring; accessories add pops of color, and draw the eye to specific areas. A black area rug with white stripes ties both sides of the room together to give it a cohesive feeling. Painted portraits and antique furniture add to the feeling that this is a personal space.

There’s a small closet at one side of the bedroom, and in it stand three mannequins adorned with pale grey silk evening gowns. These are obviously of couture quality, and indeed they are; designed by James Tarantino, he is one of the children who grew up in this home. He moved to New York City to make his way (and succeed) in the fashion world, so it’s a lovely touch to have something in the house from one of its original residents.

Adjacent to the master bedroom is a narrow little closet, now very creatively tricked out by designer Tinsley Hutson-Wiley as a shoe closet. A lipstick red chair seems like the perfect place on which to sit while slipping on a pair of stiletto heels.

Next to the shoe closet is the “Shangri-La” master bath, designed and remodeled by Val Fiscalini. Light and airy, this bathroom isn’t a bathroom so much as it’s a place to rejuvenate oneself; the bathtub looks more like a chaise than a tub, the cabinet that holds the double sink seems to be more furniture than plumbing fixture, and the entry to the shower and WC are now symmetrical thanks to moving a doorway to create balance in the room. A club chair with a side table, and a mini-bar suggests just how relaxed one can become in this very tranquil bathroom.

No home of this stature would be complete without a library, and this one is no exception. A small anteroom flanked with cabinets on which hang a pair of antique mirrors is a prelude of what’s to come. Designed by Heather Hilliard, this space looks like it’s been here forever, which is exactly the feeling one wants from a library. Instead of wall-to-wall bookcases, this paneled library has three separate seating areas; against the first wall is a couch on which one could spend hours reading a good book; overlooking one of the most desired views in the world are a pair of chairs and table that would be an ideal place for an afternoon cup of tea with a friend; and another pair of chairs and ottoman flank the fireplace.

As though it was always there, an antique writing desk fits into a small corner space under a pair of windows. Right now the one wall of bookshelves has interesting objects to admire interspersed with a few antique books, but one day it could easy be filled with lots of well-read books. This is a room that’s difficult to leave, which is probably the designer’s intention.

Next to the library is a small bedroom that, in honor of the Royal Wedding, which is the talk of just about every town around the world, designer Josephine Fisher decided should be a romantic interpretation of what a room where a bride prepares for her big day should look like. White silk drapes evoke the wedding gown of Princess Diana. Framed by these drapes is a dressmaker’s form adorned by a beautiful lace gown. On a sunny yellow tufted ottoman sits a white porcelain tray, teapot, and one white cup and saucer, perhaps to calm the jittery bride’s nerves before the big event. A day bed and dressing table are every little girl’s fantasy of pretty and sweet.

Architect Barbara Chambers of Chambers + Chambers Architects collaborated with designer Nancy Hammonds to transform the bathroom adjacent to this bedroom. Despite its small size, the marble counter, mosaic tile, and textured wall covering all combine to perfectly evoke luxury.

The next storey contains several guest bedrooms, bathrooms, as well as a “Rumpus Room." Jonathan Staub, Lowell Tom, and Marion Philpotts, all of Philpotts Interiors worked together to design this space for creative living. It’s a “do what you want, anything goes” kind of place. Light maple floors stand in sharp contrast to the indigo blue walls while tribal artifacts and photographs of tribes-people add color and texture. A large block of wood upon which is placed an upholstered bench style seat is at one end of the room, and a seating area with four comfortable chairs and a low table takes advantage of the view at the other. The Rumpus Room’s potential runs the spectrum from a contemplative place to a party room, your choice, but these talented designers have seen to it that you’ll have fun no matter what you’re doing here.

The next area to view is a pair of bedrooms titled “Two Sides to Every Story” by designers Jeff Schlarb and Lisa Bakamis. Imagine being presented with two color palettes to choose from for the same bedroom; one is colorful, the other neutral. But you can’t make up your mind. Okay, let’s do both. Voilá; two rooms, identical furniture, fabrics, and accessories, but different palettes. It’s like being in a creative alternative universe. One room has orange and brown striped wallpaper, brightly patterned upholstery on the pair of chairs, and a colorful patterned Oriental rug. It’s exciting and energized.

Next door to it is a room with identical furniture, but the feeling of the room is quite different; restful and quiet. If you look carefully, you’ll see that the pattern on the upholstery is identical to the other room, and the accessories are the same, but the palette is completely different. Red wine versus champagne; same principle, different response.

The bathroom for this part of the house was created by Stephen Rice and Lynn DeTienne of Rice and DeTienne Designs. It’s a veritable day at the beach with its stripes of beach blanket colors. Using mosaic tiles, high gloss paints and well designed storage spaces, this small bathroom is the epitome of efficiency.

Moving through the hallway to another guest bedroom, one pauses to admire the art by Jennings Tofel that’s presented by Lost Art Salon. It makes for a quiet moment to catch one’s breath.

Beyond the hallway is the Penthouse Bedroom by designer Cathleen Gouveia. The view of the bay from this room is the most spectacular of all, and on a foggy day the line between outside and in would be seamless with the room’s neutral taupe plaster finished walls. A sense of the wharfs of San Francisco permeates the space and is reinforced by a platform bed that hangs from rope that’s strong enough to tie an ocean liner to a dock.

The En Suite bathroom for this bedroom is a continuation of the neutral palette, but with the added dimension of a very subtle pattern added to the walls. Designer Mark Newman recruited the talents of faux artist Willem Racké to create the illusion. Mimicking the pattern in the stone shower surround, Racké’s formula for how he accomplished the effect on the walls is his secret, and truly memorable. An intriguing use of wood on front of the sink cabinet is an excellent contrast to all the neutrals.

Every little nook and cranny is used in Designer Showcase houses so everyone interesting in doing so has an opportunity to show off their talents and skills. This year’s house is no exception; Elan Evans and Charlotte Meyn of Sonoma Decorative Arts turned a walk-in closet into a gift-wrapping room. Nothing is left out of this wonderful little space, and happy would be the recipient of a present wrapped here.

The downstairs-most level of this home has also benefited from these same designers’ skills. The public powder room is imaginatively hand painted to give the illusion of streams of bubbles traveling up the walls.

A studio craft room is a perfect place to unleash one’s imagination. Clearly, this is what Jeannie Fraise of Lotus Bleu did when she designed this lively room. Color and patterns, textures and whimsy all come together is this little corner of the world. Crayons, chalk, stencils, blocks, and who knows what other tools, are all there to manifest the dreams of budding artists.

Who wouldn’t want to be the nanny for this household if you get to live in the Nanny Suite by Emily Taylor! A little reading chair and lamp are de rigeur for any nanny’s room, but since this one is modern, perhaps reading stories about space travel is more appropriate than Winnie The Pooh. No matter, nanny would be very comfortable here.

Her bathroom is a wonderland of textures and patterns; a pebble-textured wall is juxtaposed to a wall that contains embroidery and texture in the wallpaper. Both just beg to be touched to experience what the eyes behold.

Using classic materials with modern design is an effective way to make the most of a small space. That’s just what contractor Mark Manning of Farallon Construction did when he so effectively collaborated with Sonya Jacobs-Burking of Artistic Designs for Living to remodel the bathroom that’s on this level. Isn’t that exactly what a “Loo” should be?

Hidden in a little corner is the cozy Champagne Cellar by Alison Davin of Jute. With its oak clad walls, it’s the perfect space in which to sip and taste to determine if a wine is ready to serve to guests.

No showcase house is complete without paying attention to the landscape around it. The entry terrace by Kate Michels Landscape Design provides the welcome that a house of this stature deserves. Before it, the entry garden by Christopher Yates Landscapes Architecture is a contemporary interpretation of a traditional parterre garden, incorporating bands of boxwood globes that alternate with perennials in planting beds. Topiaries add a geometric framework to the whole.

As time and opportunity permit, this is a showcase house worthy of multiple visits to absorb all the small details that so cleverly intertwine to make each room as special as it is. And wouldn't it be lovely to be able to live here. Sigh....

SHOWCASE INFORMATION

DATES: April 30 – May 30, 2011

WHERE: 2950 Vallejo Streeet (between Lyon and Baker)

Visit the Decorators Showcase Web Site for information about hours, special events, driving instructions, and links to designers’ web sites.

All proceeds benefit  the financial aid program at  San Francisco University High School

QR Code and the Interior Design Business

2011-04-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

Imagine running into someone at a conference, or even a coffee shop. You haven’t seen each other in years, or maybe you just met. No matter. Now you want to exchange business cards. Not improbable, and we do it all the time. We each whip out our card case and exchange a little piece of cardboard on which is printed our company name, our own name, address, phone number, email and web site address.

We get to our respective offices and manually transfer the information into our computer’s database. Never mind that it’s printed in such a small type that we can barely read it (an old bugaboo of mine).

Sounds like what we do all the time, doesn’t it?

Now, instead of a card case, imagine that we each whip out our smartphone and open a QR reading app that takes a picture of the other’s QR code. And that’s all we do to exchange not only basic contact information, but a video message, examples of each other’s work, links to our web sites, description of our services, etc., etc.

It’s not science fiction. That capability exists right now, and is just one example of what QR codes can do. But it’s not the only information that can be shared with QR codes.

How else is it being used?

In addition to the business card application that I just described, imagine bringing home a package of spaghetti from the supermarket and you use your smartphone to read the QR code that’s on the side of the box to get dozens of recipes for how to use that spaghetti.

Sunbrella's ad in Architectural Digest

Another example, Sunbrella, maker of wonderful fabrics for outdoor and now indoor use, just published this ad in Architectural Digest. Note the QR code on the bottom: It links to a page filled with useful information about their products and makes their print ad truly interactive.

What exactly is a QR code?

“QR” stands for “quick response.” It’s two-dimensional code readable by dedicated QR readers and apps on our smartphones. This capability was developed in Japan by the auto parts manufacturing industry in the mid 1990’s, and is slowly being adopted for other functions like those described above.

How do we get the QR reader app?

Each smartphone app store has several to choose from. Yes, it’s that simple. Just download it and you’re done.

How do we create a QR code?

This too is really simple. Several companies offer this service and a Google search for“QR generators”brings up the best of them on the first couple of pages. As of this writing, my favorite is zxing, but this web site, 2^nd code, has an index and description of about a dozen QR generators.

The future of QR codes

The ability to track your QR code is in the first stages for everyday users like you and me, though obviously, since this was the original purpose of QR codes, this capability has been around for years. Today, about 20% of the Fortune 50 are using them to extend marketing information as described in the spaghetti example.

Like bar codes that we take for granted when we go to the supermarket, department store, or see used in many other inventory tracking applications in business, it will take a while for QR codes to become part of the fabric of our every day lives. But since the technology is so readily available, I doubt that it will take as long to accept as bar codes did because we’re already seeing QR codes in magazine ads, on the side of product packaging, and printed on labels attached to all sorts of products.

If you want an example of how to use QR codes for your own business card function, download an app to your smartphone and use it to read the QR code shown at the top of this story. But if you'd rather just see what it links to, click HERE.

This information is for guideline purposes.

Images courtesy of benchfly.com and plaistow.com, Sunbrella

F3 :: FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION - The Fold Shoe

2011-03-16T08:23:00.000-07:00

This morning, while getting dressed to go out, “The View” was on TV in the background. Whoopi Goldberg, one of the hosts of the show, was telling the audience about this nifty pair of shoes that she was wearing, and the camera panned down to a close up of her shoes. Yup, nifty shoes!

So now it’s afternoon and I’m out and about, window shopping on Fillmore Street in San Francisco with a friend. We wandered into a shoe store that has the most amazing décor. I’m snapping pictures of the Sistine Chapel-esque ceiling of the store and the cork wallpaper behind that glass display shelves, and my eye traveled down the wall to a shelf filled with…. OMG, there are the same shoes that Whoopi was showing off this very morning!

Forget the ceiling, we’ve all seen the Sistine Chapel in one form or another. But these shoes!!!

They’re from United Nude, a shoe company started in 2003 by an architect and a fifth generation shoe manufacturer. The rational for their company's name is described on their web site: “United Nude is part of a creative collective, functioning as a hub of interaction between architects, fashion designers, magazine editors and photographers.”

See; there is a tie-in to architecture in this blog!

Today the brand is sold in stores all over the world and they have their own stores in 5 major cities.

Known to fashionistas everywhere, the highly engineered “Mobius” shoe was their first collaboration. My fave, and what Whoopi was wearing, is the “Fold” shoe. The colors flow and fold on each other in layers that create an aerodynamic pattern as though giving multi-hued wings to every step. For the more fashion-timid, they also come in solid colors. They're available in "hi, mid, and lo" heights, so there's something for everyone.

Here’s the link to The Fold’s page: https://www.unitednude.com/products/the-classics/fold

Clearly, United Nude has given us a way to put our best foot forward.

Are You Prepared for an Earthquake?

2011-03-12T07:54:00.000-08:00

EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS

The major earthquake in Japan and the recent smaller one on the East Coast serves to remind us that we need to be prepared for a disaster of any type in our own homes whether we live in “earthquake country” or not. And even if you don’t think your region is prone to earthquakes, you can never be sure.

Did you know that the heartland of America experienced one the greatest earthquakes in recorded history along the New Madras fault? It was so strong that it repositioned the course of the Mississippi River and church bells as far away as Boston clanged as a result of the shaking.

Here are links to some useful web sites that have information about how to prepare your home and your family. Read them, learn, and prepare.

USGS – US Geological Survey’s comprehensive web site with links about what to do to prepare your home, includes a downloadable handbook about living in earthquake country, and other useful links.

Quake Kare – an excellent web site put together by emergency preparedness experts, and includes information about what should be in your preparedness kits, a list of supplies you should have at home, in your car, at work and at school.

Disaster center – a comprehensive bullet point list to elevate your sense of awareness about what you should be doing.

Where Design and Technology Merge

2011-02-22T09:42:00.000-08:00

By now you know that in addition to all things interior design related, I love technology, even to the degree that I’m now writing a new blog called "Design Tech Tonics."

For me, technology is all about how “normal” people can use their devices, whether it’s a smart phone or a computer, to make our lives easier and our work more efficient.

To that end, recently I was invited to curate a section for the news aggregating app Taptu that’s available for download on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and Android phones.

My section is aptly named “Classical Interior Design.” The blogs that I’ve selected represent what I believe to be a good cross-section of all the blogs out there that make us smarter about interior design and that I also find to be entertaining. These blogs are updated frequently, if not daily, so there’s always something new to learn.

To find out which blogs I’ve included, please download the app and add “Classical Interior Design” to your folder.

http://www.taptu.com

Resources We Love – Solar Shingles

2011-01-27T10:49:00.000-08:00

As someone who believes that the exterior appearance of a home is as important as the interior, and who also believes that whatever we can do to be more energy efficient is a good thing, here are solar panels that are as attractive as the homes they’re serving.

Whether you call them solar shingles, photovoltaic shingles, or building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs), they’re solar cells designed to look like conventional asphalt shingles but they contain thin film photovoltaic cells to harness the sun’s power.

Because they’re so discrete in their appearance, they blend into the appearance of conventional roofing materials for a seamless look.

Are these asphalt or solar roof shingles?

To designers, architects, and homeowners alike, it’s an amazing breakthrough in the solar energy market, and especially useful if the esthetics of a house matters to you.

There are many companies in the market who have introduced solar shingles, and even one who offers solar roof tiles that conform to the curved shape of clay roof tiles.

These curved solar panels are from SRS Energy.

A Google search for “solar roof shingles” brings up many vendors. Here are just a few of them in no particular order of preference:

Premier Power:http://www.premierpower.com/solar_energy_residential/roof_solar_tile.php

OkSolar

http://www.oksolar.com/roof/

Uni-Solar

http://www.uni-solar.com/

SRS Energy

http://www.srsenergy.com/

Note: This article originally appeared on my "Resources We Love" blog site but since President Obama talked about it in his State of the Union address, I thought it relevant enough to post here too.

This article in no way endorses either the companies herein or the products they offer. It’s merely intended to point you in this direction.

Resources We Love - The Murphy Bed

2011-01-19T10:54:00.000-08:00

The adage “Necessity is the mother of invention” holds absolutely true with the Murphy bed.

The original "Murphy Door Bed"

In the early 20^th century, William Murphy lived with his wife in a small, one room apartment in San Francisco, and their bed took up most of the floor space. Wanting to entertain guests, but not wanting the bed to be the main attraction, he invented what is now simply known as “The Murphy Bed,” a bed that pivoted on the doorjamb of a dressing closet, and then lowered into a sleeping position. In 1916 he was granted a patent and The Murphy Wall Bed Company began production. The rest (forgive the pun), as they say, is history. The company is still in business and is one of the oldest furniture manufacturers in America.

Murphy beds are an immediate go-to solution for decorating small apartments, guest bedrooms, college dorms, or any room where floor space is at a premium and there’s a need for multiple functions within the area.

The Murphy Bed concept is no longer limited to having a bed fold out of a closet. Bookcases that incorporate a fold down bed are becoming increasingly popular, as well as wall units that convert from a dining or work table to a practical, if not luxurious, sleeping space.

The design of the Murphy Bed has come a long way since its inception.

A Google search for “murphy bed” will show you thousands of sites for how to incorporate this clever idea into a design solution. The Murphy Bed Company is the original resource to find this solution. California Closets is another maker of “wall bed” solutions, while Flying Beds' European resource leans to a more modern approach with clever shelving solutions in their designs. If you want to build your own wall bed solution, you can buy just the mechanism and be limited only by your own imagination.

The Murphy Bed is truly a Resource We Love, and one we couldn’t do without!

This article is for informational purposes only and in no way endorses specific manufacturers of the products shown herein.

Photos courtesy of The Murphy Bed, California Closets, and Flying Beds.

Resources We Love - Lyptus Lumber

2011-01-18T08:43:00.000-08:00

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT "LYPTUS LUMBER?" YOU SHOULD!

The lyptus tree is a natural hybrid of Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urophylla andis a species that thrives in the warm climate of Brazil as well as other South American countries. Its fast growth in this warm climate permits harvesting in just 14 to 16 years as opposed to 50 to 70 years in colder regions. Lyptus forests produce 30 times the volume of lumber per hectare per year when compared to an unmanaged temperate forest.

Plantations are a mosaic of eucalyptus and native tropical forests which were previously agricultural and grazing lands. More than a third of these plantations are managed as permanent native forest dedicated to environmental protection and are certified to Brazil’s national sustainable forestry standard.

Mills that transform the trees into building products use virtually every portion of the log, and then the residuals are used as bio-energy for the kiln drying operations.

Characteristics and Benefits

Lyptus lumber’s properties are comparable to hard maple, and with a straight, even grain it rivals cherry and mahogany in its appearance.

Trees are manually pruned during their growing years, so logs are more uniform and have fewer knots resulting in a high conversion rate of logs to clear lumber.

Lyptus lumber has good working qualities:

- It’s well suited for a variety of interior applications, including flooring, cabinets, and laminates.

- It has good machining and turning properties.

- It holds glues and fasteners well, and sands to a smooth, semi-polished surface.

- It absorbs both oil and water based finishes and stains evenly.

Additional useful information about Lyptus Lumber can be found here: http://www.lyptus.com/

Vendors that sell Lyptus lumber and products made from it can be found with a Google search.

And now you know about Lyptus lumber.

Photos courtesy of Lyptus.com's web site.

Eddie Bauer and Airstream Collaborate

2011-01-16T07:45:00.000-08:00

Ever wish you could just walk out the front door, turn the key,and travel to parts unknown for an indefinite period of time?

Eddie Bauer and Airstream will soon make this wish a reality: they’ve collaborated to bring you a new experience in road travel: the Eddie Bauer Airstream.

This 25’ Aistream trailer comes complete with a queen-size bed made up with an Eddie Bauer goose down duvet, pillows, and throw, maple and soapstone laminated surfaces throughout, and stain-resistant Sunbrella upholstery on the interior. It even has an oversized hatch for loading and unloading things you want to have on this adventure, like a bike and a kayak.

The Eddie Bauer Airstream will unveil at the Sundance Film Festival later in January, and be available to purchase in February. At an MSRP of $73,702, it’s not for just any traveler, but for someone who wants the adventure of the open road but not leave behind all the comforts of home.

Of course, you’ll also need the appropriate vehicle to tow it, but that’s another story.

This is definitely a RESOURCE WE LOVE, or maybe it's just the fantasy of it. But in any case, it's worth dreaming about...

Specs and details are available to view here: http://www.airstream.com/products/travel-trailers/eddie-bauer-airstream.html

RESOURCES WE LOVE - New Posts

2011-01-13T12:29:00.000-08:00

Okay, so some of my followers haven't been to the new blog site that I created specifically for my Resources We Love posts.

To make it easy, here are the two blogs that were posted this week:

Solar Shingles

Eddie Bauer and Airstream Collaborate

Be sure to sign up so you'll be notified whenever a new posting appears. You'll be glad you did, 'cause you never know when or where you'll see just that thing you were looking for, and perhaps didn't even know you were looking for, like a cool Airstream!

DESIGN TRENDS: A look forward, or not.

2010-12-31T05:00:00.000-08:00

As an Interior Designer, every year I’m asked to comment about the upcoming “trends” in home décor, and I respond with a vague waving of my hand and shrug of my shoulders. Why? Not because I don’t notice what’s happening around me, but rather, because trends are so, well, trendy.

When you’re designing a home, which, by necessity, involves something of a financial commitment, it’s not as simple a process as changing the color of your eye makeup or the clothes you’re wearing. Designing a home takes time, forethought, and the willingness to make a commitment.

The need for a quiet place to curl up and read or
have an intimate conversation transcends all trends.

In the earlier part of this century there was a trend towards the “McMansion” style of décor with everything oversized and over-wrought, a true reflection of the trend of excess, and look where that got us!

Conversely, over the past five or six years we’ve seen a movement in the interior design world towards simpler décor, cleaner lines in the furniture, and bolder statements with “feature” walls painted a different color than the rest of the room to make a statement or draw the eye. Is that a trend, or a not so subconscious wish for a simpler, less complicated life in a time when everything seems to be very complicated? The Bauhaus design movement of the 1930’s was similar in its scope, and if you look at history, it’s easy to understand why.

A perfectly white space calms jangled nerves
at the end of a long day.

As for trends in color, major furniture retailers have pushed the consumer towards neutrals: putty, taupe and “greige” are their only choices with entire spaces shown this way, including the walls and floors. But when you see a whole room in this palette, in my humble opinion, it looks depressing. And while that may be a perfect reflection of the economic times, it’s not something I want to come home to every day. I want my home to be a sanctuary, perhaps even an escape hatch from the realities of the harsh world out there. I want to close the front door behind me and feel comfortable, and yes, comforted, by what’s around me.

A small dining encourages conversation
over a well-prepared meal.

Having said all of this, as a designer I’m certainly aware of what’s being touted by the trend-setters, but I believe that a person’s home should be a reflection of what they like rather than what’s hot, or cool, right now. And whatever style you call it, modern, traditional, or eclectic, a person’s home is a by its very nature, a personal statement and shouldn’t be driven by a trend.

After all, who a person is is not based on a trend, but rather the ability to adapt to external influences. The same goes for one’s home; incorporate the influences of color and shape but don’t be driven by them. Be your own person.

F3 :: FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION - Shoot 'N Share Camcorder Projector

2010-12-21T16:58:00.000-08:00

Having trouble sharing a video with friends on a teensy tiny screen? Wish the screen is a little bit bigger than 2” x 3”? I mean really, huddling around a Smart Phone screen is challenging, and heaven forbid that the video has sub-titles. Impossible!

Now there’s a solution that gives you chance to share that video on a white wall, a movie screen, a drape, even a handsome guy’s T-shirt!

You can also shoot those videos with the same device.

It’s the 3M™ Camcorder Projector Shoot 'n Share CP40.  Now you can shoot an HD video, then project and share it instantly.

INSTANT SHARING

• No need to upload — project and share the video right after you record it

• Up to 65" projected image means everybody can see it

EASY TO USE

• Push a button to record video

• Push a button to project and share

• No cords to hassle with

FLEXIBILITY

• By inserting a microSD™ card get up to 20 hours of video

• Connects via USB so you can upload to your PC and more

It also works with your iPhone, iPod, mobile phone, DVD player and/or gaming consoles

TECH STUFF

• Projects up to 165cm (65") image size on white wall

• Embedded rechargeable Li-Polymer battery

• R.G.B LED technology with long lifetime up to 20,000 hours

There's more tech stuff on the web site: http://www.3m.com/shootnshare/

It’s available to purchase right now on 3M’s web site as well as Amazon.com, and other tech on-line sites.

At $299.00 it’s expensive, but for early adopters it’s a wanna-have right now.

F3 :: FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION - Hex watch band

2010-12-07T15:06:00.000-08:00

There have been many attempts to create a watch band for the iPod Nano 6G, but none so stylish and well integrated as the Hex watch casing, a great example of form following function.

There are no fancy fittings for the Nano, you just pop it into place and it sticks perfectly to the watch band enclosure. The band is made out of silicone, protects your Nano thanks to its full coverage, has push-through button covers and an audio port cover. It’s available in nine colors and costs $25.

Will it replace the Chanel watch for Fashionistas? Who knows, but it gives Nano owners the coolest watch on the block.

Having said that, I’m still waiting for a Bluetooth headset so we can finally cut the cord between our players and our listening devices, a.k.a. our ears! Maybe Aliph, the maker of the Jawbox and the Jawbone, will merge those two devices and solve this design dilemma in a form that truly follows function.

http://www.shophex.com/

F3 :: FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION - Jawbox

2010-12-05T09:26:00.000-08:00

American architect Louis Sullivan coined the phrase “form follows function” in 1896. In the intervening years nothing has changed as we simultaneously lurch and surge forward in our endeavor to merge form and function in the aesthetics of our materials goods.

To this end, a new section of my blog site will seek to discover and share with you items that I find in my never ending quest for that which does what it’s supposed to do and simultaneously pleases the eye, heart, and soul.

THE JAMBOX

The Jaxbox, a wireless speaker that's no bigger than a butter dish.

The inspiration for this blog section is a wireless speaker by Aliph, the San Francisco maker of the Jawbone wireless headset. Designed by the company’s CEO, Yves Behar, this butter sized wireless speaker fulfills the “form follows function” criteria perfectly. It’s elegant, functional, practical, and an indicator what’s to come in wireless technology for media.

http://www.jawbone.com/product-jambox-overview

FOOD FOR THOUGHT – Dining by Design Event

2010-11-18T12:51:00.000-08:00

This year’s Dining by Design event, sponsored by DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, was a splendiferous experience of over the top, eye-popping table settings that are sure to elevate our own table settings for the upcoming holiday season.

Held at the San Francisco Design Center’s Galleria, the venue provided the perfect backdrop for thirty-five imaginatively created table designs presented by members of the Bay Area’s architecture and interior design community. The largest were on the main floor, while each of the other three floors gave guests the opportunity to promenade amongst the tables while nibbling on delicious treats, sipping wine, and socializing.

Words cannot properly convey the level of creativity and imagination, never mind the scope of the elaborate construction and detailing that went into each of the tables. Fortunately, that’s what pictures are for, so without further ado, browse and enjoy.

Made of cardboard, this presentation is a total environmental experience designed by John Lum Architects for 7x7 and California Home + Design

Hart-Howerton's constructed steel cage included an exotic bird.
Designers wore animal handler suits, just to be on the safe side.

Restoration Hardware's environment,
designed by Gary Spain with Will Wick,
was garden-esque and serene.

The Design Center's own presentation was elegantly assembled by Candace Barnes.

Billy Cook collaborated with Gump's for this tasty treat.

Valley Forge Fabrics' intimate tented table was created by Brayton Hughes Design Studio

Gensler and Haworth's presentation was a teepee wrapped in photographer's slide viewing sheets to tell their story.

Ralph Lauren Home brought their ponies to the show
with this horse show gazebo

Tiobet Therapeutics table was serene yet stimulating.

If you like watching TV while dining,
then Hok and Teknion with Sidemark's designs are perfect for you!

Panels behind Kravet's table setting of fabric covered boxes
and exotic floral arrangement make for an intimate dining experience.

Hartmann Studios' environment was a study in blue light with lucite chairs to keep the space feeling airy.

The Academy of Art School of Interior Architecture and Design
fulfilled their name perfectly!

Antiques & Art Exchange display included 4 mirrored pillars
from the Doris Duke estate for added glam.

Napa Valley Linens took their assignment literally and created this touching memorial to AIDS victims.

Several designers collaborated on creating International Furnishings and
Design Association's festive presentation.

Pollack Architects, Steelcase and GCI's presentation was very,
well, architectural and modern, of course!

Adeeni Design Group creatively combined elements for Poggenpohl's table.

Ketel One's table was designed by Jute, using elements from
nature to tell their story.

Split wood as only nature can do is the table underneath the setting that was
designed by MTP Architects and Ted Pratt
for the table sponsored by Drs. Diane Havlii, Art Martinez and Brad Hare.

Only one word can describe this display by Kriste Michelini Interiors for
Barbara Waldman and Dennis Winger's table, and that word is "YUM!"

John Gidding Designs Inc. is responsible for this intriguing table for
HGTV. Note the table itself; a true work of art.

The light fixture is the main attraction with each table setting different in
Shari Steele Designs and Studio Karliova table

Dots of light from the custom chandelier are reflected on the
surface of Studio Bradfield's table design.

Kaye Fleming Design and Atmospheres by Joseph Cunningham's
table uses light and flowers as the focal point.

Ian Stallings' design for Chandler Properties' table uses nature in a
grand scale to add drama and intimacy.

How The New Yorker magazine sees San Francisco is the inspiration for
Michael Friedes table designed for Sterling Bank & Trust -
The Seligman Family Foundation

Wilson Campos Designs uses whimsy for MOMS Pharmacy's table.

For a change of pace, The Weaver Design Group presented this
table setting that was inside McCrae & Company's showroom.

If you look very closely, you can see real fish swimming inside the vases
on Edward Nglam's intriguing table design for John Vaughn and friends.

The Rustic Chateau table was designed by Mimi Durand-Suhl,
and tells its story perfectly.

Imagine Alice in Wonderland lost in the Egyptian museum.
Designer Donald O. Greene makes it easy to do in his fantasy filled tableau.

The Emerald City is the fantasy presentation by Wildflower Linen and
Passiflora Designs.

For more information about DIFFA's Dining by Design, you can visit their web site by clicking here.

All photographs by Beryn Hammil.

Resources We Love – Laura Villaseñor

2010-11-11T11:42:00.000-08:00

A Wonderful Surprise in A Simple Request

Recently, a friend was visiting San Francisco and we spent a joyful day together going to museums, catching up with each other, and sharing our delight in having a few hours together where 3,000 miles weren’t separating us.

At the end of the afternoon, as we were crossing the courtyard of the Legion of Honor museum, I politely asked a young woman if she wouldn’t mind taking a photograph of the two of us with my iPhone’s camera. She politely agreed, but I detected a faint shrug, and took the iPhone from me. She suggested an alternative place for us to stand than where we were; she put our backs to the setting sun. A few seconds later, click, click, and we were digitally recorded for posterity.

But wait! As she handed me my iPhone, she reached into her tote bag and pulled out a professional camera. What’s happening?

Unbeknownst to me, this young woman is a professional photographer and wasn’t satisfied to capture our happy moment with just a cell phone’s camera, even an iPhone!

In thirty seconds she snapped half a dozen pictures with her own camera. Done! Thank you’s were expressed, and I gave her my business card so she could email me the pictures.

A few hours later the pictures arrived in my in-box. OMG! What she captured was no less than amazing. Not so much the subjects, modesty prevails, but the lighting, the emotions, the depth of feelings that my friend and I share; all recorded by this women’s amazing sense of the moment. And all in thirty seconds!

After looking at Laura Villaseñor’s web site I was astounded at the images I saw there. Not satisfied to send her just an emailed thank you note, I called and we agreed to meet for lunch. We met a few days later, and I sat in rapt attention, listening to her amazing story:

After studying photography and working for 12 years as a photographer in her native Mexico, Laura Villaseñor came to San Francisco four years ago to study photography at The Academy of Art College. Her talent was immediately recognized by the college and she received their prestigious Presidential scholarship.

The images she captures of her subjects contain, as she says, “the essence of the person.” That’s her main objective when looking in the viewfinder. “That, and the feeling of the moment. It changes quickly, and I have to be sensitive to what’s happening in front of me.”

Her studies have included how to maximize the images she captures. “Now the photographer has the lab in the computer, so changes can happen there instead of someone else doing it.” With the true eye of an artist, Laura now has the ability to completely control the final image the viewer sees, both of the subject and her ability to capture it.

Laura photographs people, of course, but also architecture and interiors for designers, special events, and being an artist who sees the world somewhat differently than the average person, what she sees is reflected in her fine art images. Her work has been seen on numerous magazine covers in Mexico, as well as in marketing and PR campaigns.

Laura Villaseñor’s professional photography web site is viewable only with computers and devices that have Flash players: http://www.lauravillasenor.com/, but in the meantime, here’s a small sample of her work to peruse.

Into the Wood - SF Junior League's House Tour

2010-11-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

When two great organizations collaborate to present homes for viewing, the results are nothing less than amazing!

Elle Décor magazine and the San Francisco Junior League put their teams together to present a tour of five homes in the St. Francis Wood neighborhood of the city.

One home, the Elle Décor showcase house, experienced a major transformation at the hands of some of the city’s best interior designers. Three of the other four had designers’ magic wands waved over them to reveal their full potential in short order. The fifth house, a California Spanish style home that’s on the market, had selected areas fluffed and buffed to put its best face forward. All of them are worth seeing if you have an interest in what the highest quality materials can look like when the imaginations of great designers are at work.

Each home has its own unique style; they’re architecturally different from one another, yet there’s a similarity in how fabrics and colors are harmoniously combined in each to create a sense of elegance, grace, and comfortable living.

Pay particular attention to how tile has been used in bathrooms and kitchens. The patterns are interesting, the materials in some cases unusual, and the applications are most interesting.

All five homes are open for viewing on Saturday, November 6^th, and the “showcase house” will also be open for two more weekends; November 13^th and 14^th and November 20^th and 21^st.

For more information about the tour, its location and hours, please visit the Junior League’s web site and follow the links there.

Here are a few images to whet your appetite to see great design applied in imaginative ways.

San Francisco Fall Antiques Show

2010-10-28T18:13:00.000-07:00

Chinoiserie. The very word conjures images of the Orient and antiques made of porcelain, carved items, magnificently woven fabrics, beautiful art and furniture.

“Chinoiserie” is the theme of this year’s San Francisco Fall Antique show and it doesn’t disappoint. From the minute you walk into Ft. Mason’s exhibit hall and pass between six red painted structures styled like pagodas standing vigil, you know you’re in for a treat.

Architect Andrew Skurman designed
and supervised the construction
of the six pagodas that stand vigil
at the entry of the show.

Booth after booth displays the wares of seventy antiques dealers who have come to San Francisco from far and wide to show off and sell, their finest pieces. Of course, most of the deaalers presented Oriental themed items from painted chests of drawers to tapestries to art. Those dealers who presented more traditional antiques made an endeavor to get in the spirit of the event with walls painted an appropriate shade of red, yellow, or blue to evoke the feeling of the Orient. Flower displays were also appropriately themed, and begged to be replicated at home.

The show is vetted in cooperation with the Antiques Dealers of California Association, which ensures that the visitor will see the highest quality merchandise available for purchase.

The Antiques Show runs through Sunday, October 31^st, and benefits Enterprise for High School Students. Their web site gives details of hours and location: http://www.sffas.org/

Here's but a small sample of the treasures that delight the visitor.

Resources We Love – Pam Morris Designs Exciting Lighting, Inc.

2010-10-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

Luminaries Inspired From Within

Pam Morris is a truly gifted artist who uses her intuition to turn metal, glass, and light into more than just a light fixture, but rather, an illuminated work of art. And the results are magnificent.

Slumped, blown, and cast glass combined with formed and cast metal are the elements she works with to create these avante-garde luminaries that defy the imagination’s boundaries.

“Light is an intimate experience and should be a pleasurable encounter,” is Pam’s philosophical approach to designing fixtures for her enviable list of clients located all over the world.

She says, “You can think of my work as very expensive light fixtures or very inexpensive works of art.” And when you see them, you know that they are indeed works of art, because, as with any great piece of art, she uses the magnetic attraction of light to evoke a visceral response.

Fire appears to be held by mankind, illuminated glass seems to float from the ceiling like a piece of paper blown by the wind, fire frozen in time, and autumn colored leaves fall, their last breath illuminated from within. These descriptions apply to just four types of light fixtures that Pam has designed. As poetic as the descriptions are, they pale in comparison to actually seeing them.

Her studio is structurally well organized, but then there’s that sense of the chaos that’s necessary for true creative genius to emerge. And emerge it does!

Her iconic fixture is, well, a fixture at
San Francisco's Postrio restaurant

Looking at her small physique, you wouldn’t think that Pam casts the curved glass shapes herself in custom designed kilns, or bends metal, twists wire, and coaxes and cajoles otherwise unwieldy elements into shapes that defy logic, but she does and the results are stunning.

Stories about her work have been published in numerous magazines and are available to read on her web site.

Pam Morris Designs Exciting Lighting, Inc.

Sausalito, CA

415-846-6858

www.pam-morris-designs.com

pam@pam-morris-designs.com

By appointment only

Photographs by Pam Morris Designs and Beryn Hammil, all used with permission.

Resources We Love – ArtHaus

2010-09-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

Carolyn Meyer, Portrait of Geometry

WHERE ART FEELS AT HOME

In the art world not everything is always as it seems, and one plus one doesn’t always equal two. Case in point: ArtHaus.

Annette Schultz and James Bacchi are the two that equal much more than this mathematical equation suggests. As the creators of ArtHaus, a most interesting venue for artists to display their work in San Francisco’s SoMa district, they’ve combined their talents as eagle eyed scouts of up and coming artists as well as established names in the art world to make this art gallery a destination in which to discover, enjoy, and of course, purchase, contemporary art.

Instead of their galley being a large neutral, white space in which to display art, it’s comprised of several spaces, rooms, if you will, each with its own feeling and personality. Art is displayed museum-style, juxtaposing different artists’ styles and medium together for the viewer to browse. The feeling one gets in the gallery is how art should be seen in someone’s home; different artists sharing the same space for maximum impact.

Recently voted “Best Art Gallery” in San Francisco by the Best of the BayList, it’s easy to see why: Annette and James bring warmth and human-ness to the process of acquiring art. For the uninitiated or neophyte to the world of collecting art, it’s not a daunting or intimidating experience to be in their gallery. Rather, they welcome people who want to dip their toe into this environment and make the process of learning about art and its creators a pleasurable one.

The list of artists that they represent is long and impressive, and includes guest artists as well. Gallery shows rotate to give their audience an opportunity to see a variety of styles and media, so there’s sure to be something there for just about every taste and preference. Their web site also includes a rotating presentation of artists’ work, and is entertaining and well as informative.

In addition to being able to view works in the gallery, ArtHaus works with interior designers to bring artists’ works to special events throughout the Bay Area, including the always well-attended Designer Showcase houses.

Kenny Mencher, Lake George, oil on board

Carolyn Meyer, Tuscan Illuminato, oil on canvas

Maxine Solomon, Japel, oil on canvas

Joanne Landis, My Mother Was Beautiful

Adam Kurtzman

Centaur and Leaded Mica Lamp

Michal Venera, Farris Wheel, sepia photograph

ArtHaus

411 Brannan Street

San Francisco, CA 94107

415 977 0223

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Friday 11:00 – 6:00, Saturday Noon – 5:00

http://www.arthaus-sf.com/

Resources We Love – Artist Peggy Del Rosario

2010-09-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

MAGICIAN WITH A PAINT BRUSH

The feeling that one has when stepping into a space transformed by artist Peggy del Rosario is that you've just taken a sip out of Alice's bottle in Wonderland, and been shrunk small enough to fit into Tiffany's Christmas window and walk around in a miniature diorama of delightful, artistic surprises to your heart's content. But, in fact, you’ve stepped into Peggy’s own reality, her home, where design fantasies have come to life.

Every surface of every room is the beneficiary of the delicate hand of a true artist as Peggy orchestras a palette of copper, rust, verdigris, celadon, and dusty miller like a conductor, blending and mixing the colors into a harmony for all the senses to enjoy. The walls are textured so the softly fauxed, multi-colored paint absorbs light rather than reflecting it, giving rooms a dream-like quality.

Windows are draped with transparent silky fabrics so the natural light is gently diffused, adding to the dreamscape. And even in the daytime, Peggy lights candles so their soft glow casts a magical spell on the tableaux of interesting objêts d'art that delight the eye at every turn.

Beautifully arranged objects create tableaux for the eye to settle upon and rest.

Upholstered furniture is an extension of the softness of the walls, and invite by virtue of their gentle lines. Wood furniture that isn’t of excellent antique quality becomes another venue for Peggy’s paintbrush; she adds layers of interesting finishes so even the most mundane piece of reproduction furniture takes on a newfound glory.

Days after visiting her home, the dream-like feeling returns in waves like an addictive desire for a magical potion and I want to return to her cocoon of gentle illusion and stay forever.

People wishing to have a little piece of this heavenly effect in their own homes can purchase refinished furniture that Peggy sells through several shops in the Portland, OR area. And, in addition to the furniture, Peggy has a collection of her paintings available for purchase as well.

Of course, should you want to have a room faux finished by Peggy, and several of my own client’s rooms have received this special treatment, the airport isn’t too far from her home and her bag and paint brushes are always packed and ready to go.

Stores where Peggy Del Rosario’s items are available to purchase:

PLEASE BE SEATED

Laurie Austin, proprietor

8309 SE 13th Avenue

Portland Or 97202

503.595.1736

JUSTIN & BURKS

Justin & Carol Burks, proprietors

8301 SE 13th Avenue

Portland, Or. 97202

503.234.6414

Peggy Del Rosario

http://peggydelrosario.com/

And who wouldn't mind going to work here;
the computer area is in this beautifully dressed alcove.

415 271 4264

This drape disguises the closet.

Details of the way Peggy combines elements; antiques, nature, and found objects.

A simple medallion with ribbon accent that draws the eye to it.

Objects in the workroom await attention.

The artist's work space is a work of art itself.

Photos by Beryn Hammil and Peggy Del Rosario and are used with permission.

Resources We Love – Jefferson Mack Metal, Inc.

2010-09-01T18:26:00.000-07:00

Heavy Metal Man

The most obvious question that comes to mind when meeting a craftsman of an antediluvian art form is, “What drew you to this profession?” In the case of Jefferson Mack, the ultimate Iron Man to architects and designers, the answer is a bit surprising. “I felt like I was connecting to something in a past life,” he responds with absolute sincerity.

Forging iron and steel into works of art, practical household items, and the ultimate in green furniture is not a profession that one goes into lightly. It requires an intimate understanding of how to make metal do what you want it to do, innate physical strength, and an ability to translate a vision into reality using materials that are heavy, unwieldy, and often uncooperative. Jefferson Mack has those skills and more, and applies them with sensitivity to both the material and the environment.

His most recent ecological find is architectural steel bracing bars dating from the mid 1880’s that were used in a now dismantled building. Jefferson is transforming these bars into cabinet hardware that maintains the unique characteristics of the old iron. Instead of honing and polishing the metal beyond recognition, he focuses on those interesting details so each piece tells its own story.

Repurposed bracing bars become cabinet hardware under Jefferson's care.

In this same spirit, Jefferson is fabricating a large, curved bench for a client. Made from steel plates that were commissioned several years ago for barges but were never used, it will be the breakfast banquette in a conscientiously green home. Instead of recycling them into new steel, the owner of the plates sold them to Jefferson.

Breakfast banquette fabricated from steel plates from a dismantled barge.

“By using the plates in their present state we saved that step and reduced their carbon footprint.” Again, when designing this piece of furniture, Jefferson focused on the unique details of the steel. In the end, the finished piece of furniture tells the story of the metal and the artist who made a practical work of art instead of sending the metal to the scrap heap.

Tools of the trade and pieces of metal

iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch users, please click here to see the video on YouTube

Jefferson’s team of talented workmen construct heavy metal into his designs for lighting fixtures, fireplace screens and utensils, cabinet hardware, and banisters. Jefferson Mack Metal, Inc. also works with architects and designers to fulfill whatever their imaginations can conjure for custom pieces.

An artist and businessman, Jefferson Mack knows that an old art form has a place in saving the environment and making beautiful objects at the same time.

Jefferson Mack Metal, Inc. pieces are sold through designers, select retail stores, and the company’s web site: http://www.mackmetal.com/

Photos and video by Beryn Hammil

Resources We Love – The Joe Ruggiero Collection

2010-08-25T09:53:00.000-07:00

360 Degrees of Decorating

From every angle imaginable, Joe Ruggiero’s all encompassing design career has impacted the industry in a meaningful way. From fabrics, upholstered furniture, case goods, lighting, and art, his ideas contribute to making homes beautiful, yet practical.

When most people of a certain age are considering retirement, Joe is enthusiastically looking for new venues for his ideas. And, as evidenced by the accolades his collection is receiving from the furniture industry, he’s right in staying front and center.

Joe freely acknowledges that he's inspired by Hubert de Givenchy, the French fashion designer credited with creating iconic styles for Audrey Hepburn and Jacquellne Kennedy Onassis. “Givenchy’s attention to detail set a standard for me, and I follow it to this day.” This standard is clearly evident in all the designs that carry Joe Ruggiero’s name.

From fabric designs for Sunbrella® to implementing those fabrics on Miles Talbott Furniture, Joe’s practical sense leads his design sense; everything is kid and pet friendly and beautiful at the same time.

Joe's concept of furniture design is, as he says, "A nod to the past but with a look to the future," and that "every room can be a living room." These principles guide him in his work and are clearly evidenced in the results: fabrics that are beautiful and practical, and furniture that's simultaneously classic and modern.

In addition to fabric and upholstered furniture, Joe designs case goods for Gat Creek. He applies the same elegant and practical approach in this area as well by taking a holistic approach to designing and building wood furniture. The woods used in his pieces are from sustainable and growing forests, and are artisan made in the USA. When a piece is finished it includes the signature of the craftsman who built it.

Why stop at designing just the furniture? Casa Fiora is the company that translates Joe’s fabric designs into table linens, bedding and draperies to give a room that “completed” look where all the fabrics in a space complement each other.

And when all the fabrics and furniture are in place, the lighting is the element that gives them the satisfying glow of a room beautifully designed. Craftsmade works with Joe Ruggiero for a lighting collection that fulfills this request.

Additionally, Craftsman produces Joe’s collection of all-seasons outdoor wicker furniture so the outside living space of a home has the same elegant appearance as the interior.

The final element, graceful art, is one more piece of the Joe Ruggiero Collection. E. King Ambler, Inc. produces fine art giclee reproductions of Joe’s original artwork and photographs from his world travels.

To see these beautiful fabrics on his designs for upholstered pieces, the wood furniture, bedding, drapery and table pieces, all beautifully lit and complemented with an art collection sets one’s imagination in high gear for how to create a pleasing room for the entire family to enjoy.

Beyond all his professional endeavors, Joe’s life is well-balanced because, as Joe says, “It’s important to replenish your soul with good memories.” Everyone who's in contact with Joe comes away from the experience with a wonderful memory of being near him. He’s truly a person who walks the talk.

Each aspect of The Joe Ruggiero Collection is available at select retail furniture stores and at design showrooms through design professionals. For more information about the collection, you can visit Joe Ruggiero's web site: http://www.joeruggiero.com/

All photographs used with permission from The Joe Ruggiero Collection.

Resources We Love – Sandra Jordan Textiles & Home

2010-08-14T03:00:00.000-07:00

Imagine going to work in a studio that’s in a small, wooden building surrounded by vineyards, fig trees, and goats grazing on a nearby hillside. Now imagine that the building houses yards and yards of magnificent alpaca fabric, the fax is ringing with orders coming in, and the scheduling board is filled with upcoming events where people are looking forward to meeting the designer of this sumptuous fabric.

You have a just seen a small slice of Sandra Jordan’s life.

Owner of the eponymous firm that specializes in all things beautiful, Sandra Jordan spends her time smiling, entertaining guests, and working. But the satisfaction in what she does in her very busy day is evident in her calm countenance.

The building adjacent to the studio is a barn, but not your ordinary hay-on-the-floor, animal inhabited structure.

Instead, walking through the oversized door is like falling through the rabbit hole into a designer’s wonderland filled with furniture of Sandra’s design. Silver and horn objects that she also designs are artfully juxtaposed and displayed. The two-storey high walls are covered with art, another in-the-works project of this multi-talented woman. The light filters in through windows high on the walls, bathing the beautiful objects and furniture in a soft glow that magically enhances the tone of the space.

Sandra Jordan’s furniture is upholstered in her signature alpaca fabric. The wood frame is painted the exact same color as the fabric to give antique styles a modern twist. The table and accessories are just some of the products sold by her company.

A glowing display of silver creates a focal point in the large space. All items are available through Sandra Jordan’s web site.

The table is a replica of a French wine table; the zinc canisters hold ice to keep the wine bottles chilled. It’s another one of the many pieces in the Sandra Jordan line of furniture.

Furniture shown in this magnificent space isn’t just for being admired; this wing chair and complementary ottoman are used by guests during concerts that are held in the “barn.”

French champagne riddling racks line the walls of the warehouse where items are packaged and ready to be shipped to clients.

The tour continues to another building, this one a more utilitarian looking structure. But again, its exterior belies the wonders within. Collecting antiques on her travels is another of Sandra’s interests, and the large space filled with beautiful furniture is testimony to her exquisite taste. Everything is for sale, but by appointment only.

Antique chairs and a dresser are lined up, awaiting delivery to a fortunate client who purchased these beautiful pieces.

Small antiques are looking to find a new home.

A treasure trove of statuary, large urns, framed art, and mirrors are just a few of the items in this interesting collection of found objects.

Barrels and baskets are stacked in front of armoires and cabinets. There’s something here for just about every style of decorating.

Antique doors are lined up in the entry of the barn. They’d be wonderful as doors on a remodeled house, or to be repurposed as headboards, tables, or whatever else your imagination can conjure.

Cardboard tubes stand in the ready for fabric orders to be packed and shipped.

Vineyards just across the road are idyllic for inspiring creativity.

Sandra Jordan fabric is available through interior designers and decorators at showrooms throughout the country, and the silver and horn items are available at retail stores and through the company’s web site: http://www.sandrajordan.com

The Devil Is In The Details

2010-08-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

When you walk into a room and it feels “right,” it’s because someone paid careful attention to the details; the colors, the balance, the proportions, the furniture placement. When these elements all work well together you feel comfortable in the space.

Some basic thoughts as you look at a room and consider why is doesn’t feel right:

  Furniture that’s either too large or too small for the space throws a room out of balance because the proportions don’t feel right.  
Colors that aren’t harmonious with each other make a room feel visually noisy.  
When furniture isn’t placed properly relative to the traffic flow of the room and other pieces, the room feels awkward.

A great way to train your eye is to look at pictures in shelter magazines; these rooms were chosen for publication because they work well. Note the scale, proportions, color palette, and placement of pieces. When looking at the pictures, also note how the rooms are accessorized; a simple detail like a bouquet of flowers that picks up the color of a piece of furniture can make a room look wonderful.  

Look at how the rooms below are arranged, how the colors work with each other, and how they're accessorized to learn how to create spaces that you'll love coming home to every day.

A small room gets a small sofa. Note that its color picks up the color in the art to create a harmonious balance in this small space.

The color of the wall is complemented by the color of the dining chairs and the front of the console cabinet.

A high ceiling requires dramatic window treatments to keep this space in balance. Small drapes would have thrown the proportions off.

The lap robe casually placed on the sofa picks up a dominant color in the art on the wall above, thus tying the room together and creating balance to the eye.

This tonal palette lets the colors play off one other, each complementing and enhancing the other. The art and patterned area rug add interest and balance to the area.

Hillwood Museum & Gardens

2010-07-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

There is no good way to describe Washington, D.C. when there's a heat wave in that town. "Oppressive" is a good word, but it doesn't clearly convey what it feels like to be hit in the face with a hot, wet towel when you walk out the door of your hotel.

But despite the oppressive heat, my short visit there was filled with new experiences, including visiting HIllwood Museum and Garden, the former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post.

I arrived early and was alone in the house for most of the time, able to walk through the rooms as though I was on a personal visit rather than a tour of a museum. I could imagine Mrs. Post descending the marble staircase in an evening gown and bejeweled, greeting me and inviting me into her home.

The Georgian-style mansion was designed by John Deibert in 1926, for Mrs. Henry Parsons Erwin. In the 1950’s Mrs. Post purchased the property and hired New York architect Alexander McIlvaine to completely redesign and expand the old mansion. What the visitor sees now is the result of that effort.

The house is situated on 25 acres in the northern part of Georgetown in what was once a very rural part of town. It made for an easy get-away retreat for city dweller. By today’s standards of McMansions, it’s not a large house, but because the dining room can seat more than twenty-four guests, it’s clear that entertaining was a high priority. It also has a home theatre with velvet upholstered walls and magnificent parquet floors for stay-at-home evenings of watching movies with friends, just like today, but much grander.

All the rooms are filled with magnificent antiques, art, and her collections of small objets d’art on view in wall cases and on display tables throughout the house. Because of her wonderful displays, I’m inspired to both continue collecting lovely objects on my travels and to find new ways to show them.

The people in charge of the museum make every effort to keep the house as Mrs. Post left it, even with a few idiosyncratic things in place. This serves to maintain the feeling of her personal impression on the property for all to enjoy.

No photography is allowed inside the house, but it's okay to take pictures outside in the gardens, so I’ve posted a few here for your enjoyment.

Hillwood has a comprehensive web site that includes a list of items on display in the museum. In lieu of actually visiting the museum, I encourage you to visit the site and browse.

http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org/

Flea Market Primer

2010-07-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

In light of the announcement that a new “world class” flea marketing is coming to San Francisco’s Candlestick Park on the third Sunday of each month, I’m republishing this article that I wrote for the SF Chronicle’s Home & Garden section several years ago. I thought the information is timeless and useful enough to share it with you here.

Candlestick Park Antiques and Collectibles Faire

Date: Third Sunday of every month

Time: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Price: $15 from 6 to 8 a.m.; $5 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Parking: Ample parking at Candlestick

For more information: www.candlestickantiques.com

ANOTHER PERSON'S TREASURES
Flea market bargains make decorative sense

Looking for silver candlesticks, exotic fabrics, an old steamer trunk, a brass bed? An iron gate to turn into a headboard? Old buttons, Wellerware pottery, Superman comic books? If you can imagine it, you can undoubtedly find it at a flea market.

The list of worthwhile "finds" is long at these emporiums of the unusual, the vintage and the uncommon. Even if you have to shop for a finicky, hard-to- please uncle, cousin or sibling during the holidays, the flea market is a perfect place to find something different -- and that can't be returned.

There is no official history of the flea market or of how it got its name, though several theories exist. The first references to "flea market" appear in two stories set in Paris in the 1860s. One theory contends that the name comes from the fleas infesting the upholstered furniture sold at open-air markets. The other has to do with the redesigning of Paris streets, when merchants were forced to "flee" elsewhere to continue their trade.

Whatever the origins, flea markets exist around the world, and the shopping method is universal: The vendor brings merchandise to sell, you see it and want it, and the two of you bargain until striking a price that makes you both happy.

Then you pay for your found treasure and take it away. It's that simple.

Because everyone has their own taste, the flea market appeals to many different shoppers. There's a fine line between treasure and junk, but it's barely perceptible since what one person considers junk, another person treasures.

A single silver candlestick may not mean much to someone who wants a pair, but for the person who wants a more eclectic look and is willing to have five mismatched candles sticks to create an interesting effect, that single candlestick may be the perfect one.

Vintage clothing can be very expensive if all the buttons are properly in place and the item is nicely pressed. But for someone who's handy with a needle and thread, the flea market offers a plethora of opportunities to find just the right piece to complement their wardrobe.

Some people shop the flea markets looking for items to add to their collections, like silver or china with specific patterns or a decorative style that goes with their furniture.

There are well-known stories in the flea market world of invaluable antiques sold for the price of junk, but these are few and far between. So don't expect to fund your retirement on what you find in the heaps of art and hotel silver.

Instead, if you have an eye for the unusual, interesting or fanciful, the flea market is the perfect place to unleash your imagination and risk a few dollars. Skip the vendors selling new household products, toiletries, socks and T-shirts, and head to those selling one-of-a-kind finds.

Typically, these vendors scour garage, yard, and estate sales as well as the classifieds looking for older, more interesting and collectible items, things they think they can sell to people who want a variety of interesting selections in one place and don't have the time to make the garage sale circuit.

It's important to inspect an item you're interested in very carefully, as there usually is a "no return" policy on everything sold at a flea market. And because some merchants sell only when they have enough to make the effort worthwhile, you may not be able to find that vendor to make a complaint the next time the flea market is held. The shopping rule truly is caveat emptor -- buyer beware.

Bargaining is a given at flea markets. When you bargain, consider that the merchant priced the item high with the expectation that it would sell for less.

But he or she still has in mind a price that they will not go below; otherwise they won't make a profit. Keep this in mind when you make an offer that's below their asking price. Be flexible and be as willing to come up in your price as the merchant is willing to come down in theirs.

Cash and carry used to be the only means by which transactions took place, but now, in addition to cash, checks and even credit cards are accepted by some vendors.

Remember, if you don't like something you buy at the flea market, you can always sell it at a garage sale. Just don't be surprised to see it turn up at another flea market if you do.

MAKE YOUR 'FIND' LOOK FABULOUS

How do you make those items you've found at the flea market look like expensive treasures? By using your imagination and a few handy tips.

Almost anything can be made to look terrific when artfully repaired, refurbished and effectively placed in your home. Here are a few tips:

-- Use paint remover to reveal an old dresser's original wood. After light sanding, it will take a stain finish and look like an old family heirloom. Or apply a new coat of paint and add a touch of whimsy with fun knobs and handles.

-- "Shabby chic" is a designer term for old and worn-looking furniture and upholstery that no one wants to refinish or re-cover. But it's a studied look; estate-style old should not be confused with dilapidated, so use caution when attempting to develop this style in your home.

-- Tarnished silver and brass look awful, but polishing makes an amazing impact. The difference in price between a silver teapot bought at an antique store and a tarnished one from the flea market is worth a little bit of elbow grease.

-- One old suitcase won't do much for a corner in your living room, but stacking a few of different sizes and colors and putting a plant in the open one on top makes an interesting collection that could provide extra storage space in a small apartment.

-- Five mismatched silver candlesticks placed on a mantle or table add visual interest to that part of the room. Use different heights of candles to emphasize the difference for an even more intriguing effect.

-- Place objects with interesting textures and shapes in groups of three. Materials that complement each other, like brass, ceramic and leather, create pleasing visual effects that add dimension to a space.

-- An old iron garden gate can be a found treasure even if you don't have a garden. Think of it as a headboard, a coffee table top or a decorative detail above a doorway.

-- Think of something you'd like to collect and use the flea market as your best resource for it. This gives you focus as you hunt through vendors' wares. If you're collecting silver, for example, decide on a pattern and look for the same pieces as you go around.

Categories of collectibles vary considerably, but over time the whole can become more valuable than its parts. Once you become a collector you'll get to know other collectors and then you can swap and trade up.

TIPS FOR SHOPPING

To ensure that shopping at flea markets is fun and successful in finding treasures, here are some tips to guide you:

-- Don't get emotionally involved with an item you're interested in. You gain bargaining power if the vendor thinks you could walk away from it if the price didn't please you.

-- Haggle for a better price, but remember that the vendor needs to make a living, so let the other party save face.

-- If you want it, buy it; it probably won't be there when you come back for it later.

-- Bring cash and use denominations smaller than the $20s you get from the automated teller machine. Pay with exact change when possible, especially if you've negotiated the price down. Imagine how it would look if you bargained the price to $5 and you gave the vendor a $20 bill.

-- Inspect items closely before purchasing. While an item may be damaged, it might be easily repaired and worth the expense if it'll look terrific when fixed.

-- Some vendors, especially of jewelry and silver, have stores or private clients, so if you strike up a friendly relationship that vendor might be able to find specific items for you later.

-- Bring a magnet if you're interested in brass; a magnet won't stick to real brass.

-- Bring a small magnifying glass if you're looking at jewelry or silver; it helps see markings and the quality of settings.

-- Buyer beware: If the price of something seems to good to be true, it probably is. Vendors typically know their stuff, so don't expect to find an original Rembrandt oil painting for $15. Similarly with jewelry; cubic zirconias and diamonds look a lot alike, and only a jeweler using special equipment can tell the difference.

Photo credit: SF Chronicle

WHY THIS ROOM WORKS: Country House Master Bedroom

2010-07-19T04:00:00.000-07:00

OBJECTIVE: Because this couple often invites people to spend the weekend, they wanted a master bedroom suite that’s multi-functional; a place for sleeping, obviously, but also include a place to sit and read or watch television when they want a quiet moment away from their houseguests.

DESIGN APPROACH: When constructing this home the master plan included having a large enough bedroom that would offer more space than just a place for the bed. Storage space was essential, and also provided a place to put a television that wouldn’t be visible when not being watched.

WHY THIS ROOM WORKS: The luxury of having a large bedroom gives the homeowner an opportunity to have two distinct areas within the room; a sleeping area and a sitting area. Because it’s a bedroom, the colors are neutral, yet warm. Patterns on the fabric are tone on tone to help keep the visual effect calm and soothing, yet interesting.

The fabric on the headboard and bench at the foot of the bed are the same. The bed skirt and throw pillow on the bed also match each other, thus giving the sleeping are a sense of harmony. Complementary fabric on the club chairs and ottoman allow the two areas to relate to each other. Shutters on the French doors keep the room cool in the afternoon.

The cabinets in the sitting area of the bedroom provide ample storage. The shirred fabric inside the doors is the same fabric as on the skirt and throw pillows of the bed, yet again unifying the bedroom. A television is inside one of the cabinets, and the doors recess into the sides of the cabinet to make viewing easy.

An oversized mirror on the wall opposite the bed gives the illusion that this large bedroom is even larger. It also reflects the vineyards outside, and brings the country feeling inside.

The pattern in the custom-made Tibetan wool rug incorporates the same pattern as the fabric on the headboard and bench, but on a larger scale. The leaf design is another reflection of the country outside. Each chair has its own reading light. Their electric outlets are recessed in the floor, just under the edge of the rug. One ottoman is shared by both chairs and is on casters so it moves easily.

When A House Speaks

2010-07-11T02:00:00.000-07:00

While meeting with a client recently in preparation for her move to a smaller home, she said, “The move is motivated because my house is kicking me out.”

“Interesting statement,” I thought. She went on the explain that little by little the house was giving her a clear message that she should no longer be living in it, but rather she should move to a smaller home, preferably to an apartment where the maintenance would be handled by someone else.

When I returned home later that afternoon I looked at my house and thought about what it’s saying to me. I take very good care of it, maintaining, painting, and repairing it whenever it asks, and sometimes before it does. I’ve upgraded it structurally a few times, once because I wanted to, and more than once because it asked me to, an expensive drainage system being a good case in point.

My house is my sanctuary, my interior design laboratory, my family’s home, and my pride and joy. I love showing it off to guests, holding guided tours with commentary when requested. And the house glows and sparkles proudly. We’re a good fit, my house and me.

I’ve lived here for a long time; this house was my “starter” house. It’s now my “downsize to” house. (I skipped that whole McMansion thing.) And it’s my dream to live here for many more years to come.

So, house, speak kindly to me, and I’ll always take good care of you as you do of me.

WHY THIS ROOM WORKS - Wine Country Home

2010-07-05T12:12:00.000-07:00

OBJECTIVE: Create an environment where the homeowners could walk in the door on weekends and immediately decompress from their every day lives. It should also be a home where guests would feel welcome and family members with young children can gather for weekends and holiday festivities and no one has to worry about the furniture being too precious for the grandkids.

DESIGN APPROACH: The communal living spaces (living and dining areas as well as the kitchen) subscribe to the open floor plan approach whereby people have an opportunity to share time with each other no matter what the function. For example, socializing can still occur when meals are being prepared.

WHY THIS ROOM WORKS: A neutral palette of calm greens was chosen to bring the feeling of the outside into the large space. Because the ceiling is so high (30’ at its peak), the room was grounded with a large Tibetan oriental rug that set the tone for colors in the upholstered furniture. The custom blended wall color complements the kid-friendly fabrics and warm, rich woods of the furniture. To keep the scale of the room in proportion, large elements were used in high places throughout the room. These prevent the eye from wandering too high.

The Tibetan oriental rug provided the inspiration for the color scheme of the room. Solid, kid-friendly fabrics were used on the large pieces of upholstered furniture, while rich, textural tapestries were used on the backs of the dining chairs and for throw pillows on the sofa and window seat. The entry door is oversized to maintain scale in the large room.

The natural element above the fireplace grounds the space. A pair of console lamps on the table behind the sofa provides lighting to read by.

The chandelier over the breakfast counter helps draw the eye down to “people” level and simultaneously provides task lighting. Accessories above the cabinets keep the eye from wandering too high into the lofty ceiling.

The window seat is a separate place in the large room where someone can curl up with a good book. Storage drawers beneath it were designed to not look like drawers at all, but are a good place to keep the grandkid’s games.

Busy, Busy, Writing, Writing

2010-07-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

It’s been a productive few weeks and I’ve been busy writing articles for several publications. The planets and stars have aligned and all these articles published at the same time.

Here’s a handy little guide with links to each article. Just click on the title and you'll be taken there:

The IS Collection: Feature article on “Backyard Getaways”

The San Francisco Bay Area Women’s Journal; “Secrets to Decorating Small Spaces”

Growers and Nomads, Notes on the Meaning of Home; “Making a Home Filled with Laughter and Love”

And of course, my Examiner.com "Interior Decorating" column.

I suggest you subscribe to this blog for updates and links to new articles.

WHY THIS ROOM WORKS - Cool Contemporary Living Room

2010-06-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

OBJECTIVE: A couple who are now empty-nesters wanted to completely update their living room for quiet evenings together, alone and sometimes with guests.

DESIGN APPROACH: By removing their over-sized furniture and updating the fireplace, it was easy to make the room feel more modern. Then, to take advantage of the light and size of the room and make it feel more spacious, I designed simple furniture that would maintain the open feeling.

WHY THIS ROOM WORKS: The thing one sees first is the transformed fireplace. It invites a guest into the room, beckoning to stay for a while.

The same warm off-white color was chosen for the walls, ceiling, floors, and furniture. But what separates these elements are the textures; the two chaises are a creamy ultra-suede, and the carpet is looped wool for a rougher feeling when seen against the smooth walls and furniture.

A custom made coffee table and colorful art add personality to this otherwise neutral palette.

Before the transformation, this living room looked comfortable, but in an old pair of sneakers and comfy sweat suit kind of way. Nice, but you wouldn’t want to wear them out on a date. The oversized furniture also made the large room look small and cluttered. The fireplace was nice for a traditional home, but next to the high ceilings and large windows there was a definite clash of architectural styles.

Recessed lighting, on dimmers, naturally, were added in the ceiling to highlight specific areas of the room and modulate the light in the evening.

Colorful art warms the space and attracts attention without distracting from the calm feeling one gets from the space.

This custom made metal coffee table with oval glass surface is a soft, curvy visual element in a space comprised entirely of straight lines.

The original mantel was removed entirely, and “Absolute Black” granite replaced the beige stone. A new surround and mantel were constructed to give a stepped effect. This element adds dimensionality in a very neutral space.

A set of three throw pillows adds textures and interest to the simple lines of each of these custom made chaises.

WHY THIS ROOM WORKS: Waterfront Home

2010-06-17T04:00:00.000-07:00

OBJECTIVE:

When an older couple went looking for a house that would allow them to live closer to their grandchildren they found this home on the waterfront. Obviously, the view is spectacular, but the house itself looked dated when they purchased it.

DESIGN APPROACH:

Though the “bones” of the house were good, major remodeling was necessary to bring the 1970’s style architecture up to date. In the living room this meant removing a poorly placed powder room and coat closet so the beauty of the magnificent view could be fully realized the minute they walk in the front door (see the floor plan). Casings were removed from all the windows and doors to give the space a more modern appearance.

The floor plan of this large, remodeled room indicate the way the furniture should be laid out to its best advantage. A powder room and coat closet once existed where the piano now stands.

WHY THIS ROOM WORKS:

Furniture placement was important to maintain the open feeling yet give sufficient seating for entertaining. Pieces that kept the open and airy feeling were selected. And since the grandchildren would be spending time at their grandparent’s new home, fabrics that could handle both the afternoon sun and the wear and tear of children living on them were chosen. But since it’s also a home for elegant, grown-up entertaining, the fabrics, besides being practical, had to have a sophisticated appearance.

Naturally, the homeowners were thrilled with the results of their remodel, the new furniture, and to be so close to their grandchildren in a home that looks this and feels so lovely.

The backs of the chairs that face towards the entry of the house are open so the room maintains an inviting sense. Looking from the living room towards the dining area, the sofa back provides a visual room divider so there's a distinction between the living and dining areas of this large room.

The end wall of the large room is a warm red color to draw the eye towards that side of the room. Fabrics on the six dining chairs and the front sliding doors of the console cabinet are the same red. The two arm chairs next to the console can be brought to the table when seating for eight is required. Their fabric is the same color as the six chairs, but a different pattern, and match the bench that’s in front of the fireplace, so if more seating is needed in the living room, they can be brought over and fit in nicely.

The fabric on this bench matches the two arm chairs from the dining room. The art slides to the right, covering the shelves, to reveal a flat screen TV that’s built into the wall. Its components are in the closed cabinet.

Recessed lighting above the glass shelves as well as ribbon lights along the front leading edges of the cabinet, illuminate the collection of art glass. Additionally, they provide soft lighting in the evening.

The area rug is custom designed to bring the feeling of nature into the room. It’s made of synthetic fibers so it won’t fade in the strong afternoon sunlight and can withstand a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that might accidentally find its way to the floor.

WHY THIS ROOM WORKS: Contemporary Family Room

2010-06-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

OBJECTIVE:

The focal point of this family room is clearly the fireplace. Along with the original furniture and media center, it was stuck in a previous design era. The goal: The client asked us to bring it up to date and make it a more comfortable room for every day living and entertaining.

This is what the fireplace looked like before we worked our magic. It's clear evidence of a dated room.

DESIGN APPROACH:

The transformation of this family room would necessitate remodeling the fireplace. But rather than tearing it out, new framing was applied over the bricks. This provided a foundation for a modern mantel and tumbled limestone tiles. The art over the fireplace was the only thing that remains from the original room and was the inspiration of the design direction for everything else.

WHY THIS ROOM WORKS:

Besides a significant update to the appearance of the fireplace, contemporary furniture in neutral tones made a huge difference in the way this family room looks and feels.

A pair of ottomans can be easily moved to accommodate the social needs of the moment. To add a bit of color to the otherwise neutral room, throw pillows on the sofa pick up the colors in the ottoman.

The media center is now a flat screen TV hung on the walls. Do you see any wires leading up to it? They’re hidden in the wall, keeping the feeling modern and efficient. Its components are in the Asian style cabinet below. As an accommodation to the husband’s need for sound quality, a pair of speakers and subwoofer were included, along with speakers built into the walls behind the sofa.

A contemporary ceiling fan keeps the space cool while woven rush shades help maintain the feeling on hot summer days. Recessed lighting in the ceiling highlights sculptural elements on the new mantel.