It’s always a good idea to have extra seating, but in small spaces, it’s not always easy to make a room arrangement work. Apartments, lofts, condos…pulling up dining chairs isn’t necessarily the best solution. What is a great solution is something low that does not block the scene and can be easily moved to change the groupings.
Footstools, benches, poufs, ottomans…as an ensemble with a chair or a stand-alone piece, the options are endless. Trends are often spawned from necessity or convenience of not change for the sake of change.
Bedrooms can also offer footstool/ottomans when there is only room for one chair. For reclining to read or as a pull-up for a second seat.Benches are a great seating option.It’s not a wonder that we have sold numerous of these clever SURYA Cotton Poufs in myriad colors in our shop!
Often used for coffee tables – with a tray for stability beneath drinks, benches or ottomans can double as a foot rest or table-like surface.
An upholstered bench can be pulled in front of the fireplace or used as a cocktail table with a sturdy tray.
Something as simple as a rattan stool can be easy to pull-up.
A pair of ottoman frame a seating area. An ottoman never has its back to anyone or anything.
You can seat more than one person on a good-sized piece.
A round one can have guests facing different directions to join in different conversations around the room.
Low in front of a fireplace, tucked beneath a coffee table or a console table, they can easily be pulled out when needed.
Here a pair of square cubes are stowed beneath a console and pulled up to the group for extra seating.
They add a splash of color or pattern.
Or they can meld in with the color scheme.
These cats think they are hiding on these custom fabricated cow hide stools. Cow hide camouflage makes the perfect perch for these cats…but they are intended to be handy for guests as pull-up seats around the coffee table in front of the fireplace.
Look at your room and see if it wouldn’t benefit from an extra low-profile seat or two.
It’s that time again…the end of summer and getting kids back to school…exciting, hectic, a bit stressful and today, very nostalgic. I (who saves everything) still have my little black and white Sony TV, embroidered fiber art that hung on my wall, floral twin bed sheets and bath towels! I remember the white chenille bedspreads that I got – giving one to my bestie/roommate so we’d match – even though she was a red accent person and I chose blues and greens!! We picked each other, our college and designed our neat and tidy package.
Earlier this weekend, as Victoria navigated this information highway that is the lead-up to getting her dorm room assignment, roommate and all the related details, she texted her yet-to-meet roomie and asked what her color scheme was going to be. Victoria, having established her pink (dusty rose) and grey scheme last fall upon entering her freshman year elsewhere, was hoping that she was not going to have to share her intimate space with a shocking orange scheme or similarly discordant color. All of a sudden, from the back seat came a exclamation – “NO Way!” To what, we asked – “What?” And she said “Guess what her color scheme is? Pink and Grey!!! YAY!!! What were the chances?”
Well, strolling through the stores with their piles of offerings displayed in tempting color-coordinated arrangements, pink and grey still carries over from last fall in a big way – so the chances, it seems, were not all that far-fetched!! LOL.
With the prominent pink and grey, popular turquoise and grey and for the boys (if we are being color/gender-esque) black and grey – seems grey is the common denominator facilitating merchandising and keeping everyone in color-trend order.
Pro-tip #1 Make a list of what you’ll need prior to hitting the stores with their limitless temptations for dorm decor! It can be daunting if you go shopping – cold. It can be daunting anyway – but best to attempt to be prepared! As I looked around all the displays leading these trends…leading these kids…I wondered how many – if any – might veer off course and pick an orange and lime green theme or brilliant cherry red…and what does it say about one if they buck the established trends? Some might be oblivious to the trends – despite being bombarded in every store by the “must have” selections. Those independent thinkers who like what they like – if it matches or not. The eclectic ones who are driven by memories, personal expression and acquisitions gathered and honed over the years that were not guided by trending decor influencers.
However, it is entirely possible to genuinely LOVE the trends and invest in the colors for more than the first semester of eager dorm room decor! We were living it! What was purchased last fall was saved and expanded upon, with new-found knowledge of the tips learned from the pros! There are boxes, bins, rugs, lamps, staplers, desk organizers, linens, bulletin boards, throw pillows, blankets and throws – all color coordinated making the job relatively easy and swift.
The stores are prepared. Welcoming students – their signs
are out and their shelves are stocked! Rows of pillows, mattress covers, foam
pads, artsy accessories and accents galore…all to enhance the otherwise bare
rooms that will soon come to life!
The morning of the move, they staggered the move-in time to insure an orderly point of arrival and processing to the rooms. We were assigned 9:30 and met curbside by a handsome posse of volunteer boys who were armed with rolling cartons cleverly created using carpet-wrapped moving dollies upon which were mounted large, sturdy cardboard cartons. These rolling bins were piled high with contents from the cars and wheeled into the dorm rooms with efficiency. Co-eds in red t-shirts identified them as the RA staff – the ones with the answers to all of your questions.
Being organized is key. Victoria had benefit of a previous semester where she watched the pros and got their tips! Pro-tip #2 Be organized!
To that end, utilize your limited space to the max! Capture all available real estate! Pro-tip #3 Bed risers. The beds are high – high enough to stack storage drawers/bins beneath them. They can be raised even higher with risers. Pro-tip #4 The plastic stacking drawers are cool because they make easy access to contents just like added dresser storage space.
Victoria had it all figured out. Pro-tip #5 To consolidate luggage, she packed a lot of her clothes
in the bins – all in very specific order and folded making it easy to transfer
once in the room.
Once in the room, she raised the bed even higher on 4 cone-shaped plastic riser units that she had purchased. She then placed her new mini frig (Pro-tip #6 Get a mini frig) and bins beneath the bed in an organized fashion. She emptied the bins one-by-one into the chest of drawers thereby freeing the bins for other supplies such as snacks, kitchen supplies and miscellaneous other necessities.
Having a mini frig in the room keeps personal perishables under control and handy instead of having to label things in the shared frig down the hall.
Pro-tip #7 Take
extension cords and multi-plug surge protectors. This was handy for the reading
lamp waaaaay up high above the now super high bed and also to run power to the
mini frig. You can never have enough power sources and another bonus was that
one of the set of four bed-riser units had power outlets and a short cord!
Pro-tip #8 Get a collapsible shoe rack/shelf (for ease of storage and transport). They have nifty wooden ones – but we took ours back as the closet had a tidy set of built-in shelves perfect for shoes.
Once the power was all connected and the bins organized clothes put away, it was time to make the bed and add the finishing touches.
It was beginning to look like a home-away-from-home! Pro-tip #9 With hanging implements that will not harm the wall like Command Strips, the walls will gradually come to life with strings of photos clipped with clothes pins, twinkly lights, bulletin boards and other imagery.
Pro-tip #10 Take photos – the memories are priceless!!!!!!
Everyone loves before and after shots – they are so telling, dramatic and fun to compare. How about during? This week, we are nearing completion of a project that has been in the works for the past few months. Not quite finished, here is a little story about the stages of the design process…
Are YOU planning a remodel…a room an entire house?
Once a project is identified, the options are studied. Usually each party involve has their preconceived notions…images and ideas come to mind. The mind is that arena from which it is tough to articulate images and especially between people. The design process requires that ideas need to be expressed, defined and argued – pros and cons.
This room was dated and fussy. The finishes were tired and needed refreshing. The project was described as a complete makeover to compliment other recent updates in the home.
The scope of work was to remove the tub, replace the cabinets, add a second sink and create an opening into the guest room. At that point, the “what ifs” began.
Healthy arguing ensues – meaning sharing ideas back and forth, explaining the approach and concepts. More like presenting than arguing. It’s actually a fun, creative process – full of choices, ideas and seemingly limitless opportunities. It’s the “What if…” stage. Sketches are used, arm-waving and samples, photos and words all contribute to the compilation of the ultimate design. Each person contributes to the process until a common plan is adopted.
Whether formal plans are needed depends upon the code requirements, if applicable (“cosmetic only” changes requiring no modifications to structure, electrical or HVAC – for example – might not need formal drawings). Therefore, the development of documents is dependent upon the requirements of the municipality and/or methods of the contractors. Regardless, sketches begin the process.
If code requirements necessitate permitting, the process
must proceed through that stage prior to commencing the work. So after weeks of
ideas being tossed about, a plan was conceived, client approved drawings were
made and the process moved forward.
The scheme was set with the first materials selected – glossy glazed imperfect wall tiles for an interesting and textural herringbone pattern with a stone mosaic for the floor.
The demolition – always a shock – but “you have to break and egg to make an omelet!” Unbeknownst to anyone, the floor was rotted beneath the toilet and required repair. Mirror, glass block, tile and much sheet-rock was removed.
Old cabinets were removed and after all the dust had settled, the bare bones exposed and a clean slate presented, the new work began.
The new cabinets were to accommodate a second sink and slightly longer counter-top. To make sure access between the shower and counter-top was not too restricted, I designed a radius to ease the squeeze. Enrique made a template of the radius that would be represent his end shelving and counter-top. When Rocky Mountain Stone arrived to shoot their lasers to measure for their templates, the radius template Enrique had made was very helpful.
The end of this cabinet will have radius shelves with counter-top following the radius. Until then, Enrique made a template of the shape so that the counter-top could be measured in advance of end piece being completed and installed.The laser process to template the counter-top begins…with the help of the mock-up of the radius!
Decisions regarding lighting had not been finalized, with the completion of the plans. Having eliminated the desire to have recessed fixtures, whether to use a center sconce, two flanking sconces or a single pendant in the center between the sinks was still up in the air. Love the pun! Debating a full height panel of mirror versus two wall hung framed pieces, was also undecided.
But here’s an “oops” when we discovered the power for the light fixture off-center for a center-hung pendant.
Taking the risk to be disappointed, but with little investment
to do so, our client elected to buy the
two curvy framed mirrors that almost promised to be too small. Upon arrival one
of the two mirrors were broken. Bummer.
The inevitable, unexpected happens on every project…we had decided not too use these so rather than have the one of the pair replaced, we requested a refund. However, upon further study, we modified the design to accommodate both mirrors – we are re-ordering the second mirror.
But in an effort to determine if we wanted to have the
broken mirror replaced or refunded. We held it up on the wall, as we feared, it
was confirmed that they could not carry the space. We asked that the company
not replace the broken mirror, but refund the cost.
We really loved the
whimsical quality of the curvy framed mirrors and their distressed turquoise finish
was a great addition to the otherwise blue and white scheme. So, a week later,
after pondering the dilemma of the mirrors…I offered what seemed to be a radical
suggestion (but not really), and that was to install a full-panel wall mirror –
backsplash to ceiling – and then mount (over it) the two mirrors. To do so, our
very able and talented glass master, Robert, would have to cut (prior to installing) holes
in the mirror panel located behind where the framed mirrors were prepared for hanging. The result would be the
pair of mirrors hanging on top of the full panel creating a floating, multi
dimensional effect. Watch for “afters” in a couple weeks, of this
completed installation.
As the project proceeds, the flooring is nearly completed and all but the finishing touches remain.
Pilasters were added at each end to stop the tile on an inside corner, rather than having it quit flush on the wall. The shower will not have a door, but nearly encapsulated with frame-less clear glass to give an illusion of a more spacious room.
Best to stop here and reserve the finale for the finished “after” shots as promised.
When designing for a vacation rental property, the first order of business is to select things that are durable and easy to maintain. This means finishes to furnishings. I know this from practical life experiences and also working with commercial/hospitality interiors. To do so, one needs time to place and receive the orders with enough contingency for mishap. It is also dependent upon the housekeeping arrangements planned for on-going maintenance.
In this recent project, the work began 12 months out – plenty of time you think…but it was all about the physical remodel. We began with the drawings for floor plan re-configuration and specifications for new lighting, cabinets and finishes throughout. The decision to furnish was not made until nearly 10 months later with a deadline to complete in less than 7 weeks. The delay was partially due to an indecision over how many of the 4 units (all on one floor) were to be short-term or long-term rentals. Then a new city ordinance imposed a moratorium, of sorts, on short-term rentals and while that was tossed about over several weeks…more indecision ensued.
It’s a riot to see overnight design projects transform interiors in 24 hours. That’s due to a free-reign for design decisions, a team(s) and vehicles to pick-up/deliver, all trades on deck, a single director calling the shots and an organized chaos that results in a magical finished project – yes, like magic. Open your eyes, be stricken with awe, cry a little and exclaim repeatedly that you “just can’t believe it!!!!”
Real life is generally not like that. Real life has in-put by owners, limited schedule openings by the various trades, little spontaneous decision-making and fleeting time riddled with unwanted surprises and delays. Real life, in this case, was a theme provided by the owner, a preconceived “look” developed in the mind’s eye and scratch paper of the designer during the selection of finishes and floor plan modifications and vacillation for several reasons, of what units to furnish and when. Over the course of a year, leading up to less than the last 30 days, the project was to be fully furnished and finished – ready to rent!
The good news is that with controlled frenzy, changing
availability of products, focused efforts and teamwork, we are pleased to present
the Lobster! Completed all but hanging the TVs by the requested July 1st
deadline, it is beautifully appointed and offers a colorful and a bit
whimsical, spacious, clean and did I mention enviable location- 2 blocks from Pacific Beach
in San Diego?
This entire project, except the move-in this last week, was done long-distance with the owner in Maine, her management company SHORE on-site in California and we the design team in New Mexico. This is not at all unusual, but Maine prompted the owner’s desire to name the unit Lobster. Not your spiny lobster from the local waters, but the New England version from the Atlantic with the classic recognizable form that accompanies the imagined crustacean – including the brilliant reds of the often appreciated steamed version!!
With fond memories of her childhood helping her elders maintain this property, the owner wanted to commemorate the building with an entry plaque visible from the street on the new redwood gate (soon to be completed). In addition, we suggested an individual name/theme for each of the 4 apartments which were all initially designated as fully-furnished short-term rentals – hence the bold identity for each! I designed the new name plaques and had them fabricated by Artistic Bronze in Florida. The backing was built by our talented Enrique Jimenez, in New Mexico, and all shipped to California. Bronze was selected for its timeless presentation, handsome durability and commanding respect. Parisienne was the font I selected which may now be used to identify the property as though a logo to tie-in with the on-site signage. Subliminal cues that are recognized even slightly are effective reminders and triggers for recognition. The idea was intended to offer a fun, but lasting, introduction and identification which was to be reflected in the interiors. The Lobster was the largest unit with 2 bedrooms. It was ultimately chosen to the be one fully-furnished unit and owner’s second home when visiting the area.
For budget and availability, we sacrificed certain durable
features that would have been better long-term investments, resulting in some
knock-down furniture that was never intended for much abuse. Fragile painted
table surfaces – for example – better in laminate, wood or stone…but time
will tell.
The look is clean and fun, colorful and beachy – with a slightly up-scaled twist. Cool aquas accent a few walls in the otherwise crisp white interior. Red punctuates effectively in lobster accent pillows, decorative accessories and the full-wall mosaic glass tile treatment in the kitchen. Yes, once again, we like to treat tile on the walls as not mere back-splashes, but wall-covering full height and width!
Weathered grey toned LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) in the way of interlocking planks were an easy to maintain and durable floor finish. The faux wood adds warmth and is softer underfoot than other hard surfaces. Perfectly matched with all trim pieces, this flooring is fabulous!!
Lighting is key and here we added recessed directional lights to spot the walls and related artwork. Switching was also an important detail to have options for the lighted areas and accents.
The owner found a novel lobster rug with a great textural,
tufted, yarn system that brings fun and great color and warmth to the bunk-bed
room! Busy, colorful bed dressings intentionally selected (over the hospitality
white that is still trending) contrast against the bright white bed frames
stacked for space optimization and a little kid fun!
A cool find in the way of the glass vessel lamp…where
usually the stem with electrical cord feeds down through the center of the base
and of the back, this one feeds from the socket stem with a cork top that
removes allowing the vessel to be filled with treasures – in this case southern
California beach shells and fragments! And for a little more animation, I found
a carved wooden shark to insert cruising above the shells to make the lamp even
more interesting!!!
A pair of vintage photographs of a lobster shack and fishing
boat contributed by a friend in Albuquerque – taken by him in Maine in 1962 –
were enhanced with bright red mats in their original polished silver metal
frames along with a large painting on canvas of a Maine lobster/fishing boat sent
by the owner in Maine provide interest to further perpetuate the lobster theme.
The master bedroom is a comfortable retreat with another
lobster pillow for punch! To give the room the best approach and make it feel
as large as it can be, placing the bed in front of the windows was the
solution. Beds facing the entrance to the room are always preferable to
arriving into the side of them – for visual space and a more inviting
orientation.
The original bathroom layout was all one space with tiny
appointments jammed together…so we removed the tall storage cabinets and sink
vanity allowing more room for the commode beside the tub/shower and added a
privacy door. Then the new cabinets and counter have their own space with
another privacy door resulting in a two-compartment bathroom area for maximum
use and enjoyment. Red mosaic glass tiles were repeated from the kitchen to further
coordinate the theme.
The bold color scheme was thoroughly distributed throughout
the unit which is an intentional design emphasis especially effective and novel
in a short-term vacation rental – where such a thorough scheme might be too
intense for one’s primary place of residence.
Effective design both functionally and visually should be a significant asset in the marketing of rental property. When used consistency in marketing material with logos and repeated features, this and other properties with attention to detail should attract the discriminating guests. Once there, repeated stays are the key to maintaining a strong guest population – of desired visitors.
Please watch for the entire slide show of before and afters of this dramatic transformation in the commercial projects section of our website, in coming weeks, entitled Emerald Green Beach Rentals – Lobster!
Building a new home? There are many ways to go about it. Here are a few photos of a semi-custom home, in the framing phase, that is currently under construction. Watch for a future blog featuring progress photos and finished shots!
Upon arrival, here at the entry, is a recessed niche – or as we say out here in New Mexico, a nicho! It is a perfect focal point, yet the dimensions are not illustrated in an elevation. The owners have an opportunity to have it sized for an existing piece that they own, plan for a custom piece or allow it to be framed-out by the contractor, without further specification, and find something that works.
From a tract home, with all the decisions distilled to a narrow selection featured in a model home and/or sales office…to the very custom where the owners select everything, from a world of choices with their consultants, there are commonalities that are worth noting to assist with the process .
In the tract home, a price for a finished product is presented and all standard, pre-priced details are included – within a range of narrow selections. The selections are recorded, but not often incorporated into the plans which are is usually generically pre-designed. Changes are usually not an option. It is efficient, for both contractor and owner. In full-bore custom projects, all is decided, selected, designed and recorded on the plans to the last detail prior to pricing and breaking ground. All costs are identified, yet changes are often in the mix as owners have new ideas that they have the prerogative to change. They exchange or pay for every modification – every “change order”.
In the middle is the “almost custom”, but still packaged product. This is a package that is presented with pre-established designs and details, budgets and allowances. Potential buyers are shown examples of homes – models or occupied recent completions. A cost for construction is determined based upon square footage and amenities, as illustrated in the examples. This is a great way to get a more custom home with easier to execute plans and design details.
Which process best describes your project? In any of these new home design and construction approaches, there are similarities that challenge the owners along the way. Even for the seasoned professional, circumstances alter cases (changes in availability of materials, weather delays, clients who continue to visualize, imagine and fine-tune their ideas and involvement in the details). All can challenge the schedule and alter the intended smooth progression of the project.
With the tract home approach not many, if any, of the on-going wish-list items can or will be implemented. They are not set-up to make changes, alter plans or deviate from offerings and the signed-off package, in any way.
In the very custom design-from-scratch home, with the “world is your oyster” approach, changes are welcome and accommodated – after all, that is the goal – to create the perfect home, for this client who is paying for the flexibility, world of choices and luxury of it all.
In the middle is the interesting situation where the owners perceive custom flexibility, have budgets assigned and make selections based upon those numbers. Once these numbers are created to establish the budget, examples are usually presented so the owners have an idea about what their dollars will buy during the selection process. Often that method is a bit unrealistic. As estimators know, this is a tedious process – yet presenting it, in an overview, seems easy.
After examples have been shown, floor plans drawn, finishes and other design details have been budgeted, the owners sign-off on the basic idea of the home and then set out to fill-in-the-blanks. What will the flooring be? What light fixtures? What door hardware and finish? What sinks, faucets and towel bars? What countertops? What wall tile, paint or other treatments? It is usually not until that very process of assembling all the selections that an owner will know if the budget they created will satisfy their ultimate needs and desires.
With this sense of “custom” paired with the packaged example, comes the owner’s complacency – through no fault of their own – to miss details that arise from the attempt to create a unique product, plan, design – but without having seen the actual example. It doesn’t exist – anymore than it would in the very custom home. That’s why it is unique. However, unlike the very custom home, where there are layers of design assistants from architect, interior designer, lighting consultant, A/V consultant, landscape designer, general contractor, and subcontractors who work together to best explain options, implement wishes and get it all on paper for clarity, the middle approach proceeds with pre-determined practices that don’t require recording on plans and rarely elevations, as all is based upon an expeditious course-of-conduct for the like-kind of homes presented, at the out-set. But having seen the examples/model/features, the homeowners make their plans guided by the project managers which might include a general contractor, subs and a few hours with an on-staff design consultant. Inevitably details are over-looked in the process.
Here are a few tips
for proceeding with a new home project.
Don’t be afraid to ask for sketches of design details or
photos of examples.
Walk through the floor plans, in your imagination. Start at the front door and shut your eyes and try to visualize the progression. Make notes along the way. Do the same from the garage or any other alternative entry, into the home. I will suggest you do this several times – each time with a different focus.
Be mindful of window locations…exterior fenestration and interior placement as they relate to furniture and artwork. Consider them both from inside and out! One they are framed and ordered, this is either difficult, expensive or impossible to change.
The first focus might be to walk through from each exterior entry and visualize where the light switches are located and what they operate. Do you want some of your switches to be three-way? This means, for convenience, that there are two different locations to switch on/off the same light or appliance.
Secondly, as you walk through the spaces in your mind, picture if there are things that you wish to highlight such as a piece of art on a pedestal or painting on a wall, sculpture in a niche or even a spot on a table for games or hors-d’oeuvres. Some things might be lit by free-standing lamps – depending upon where they are located. Beware the dreaded, but often necessary, floor plug!!
Light fixtures….locating the power sources – the junction boxes…will you have recessed fixtures, surface-mount, suspended, or wall mount? Consider the heights of the ceiling, what is centered or not, from where you will see the fixture, and where you want it to illuminate and how. This will help plan the location of the j-boxes.
With changes in technology, wireless systems, phone apps, etc…these details will change. Know the pros and cons of advancing technologies and select the best for your present and future needs. Consider the longest period of time you will be in this home and design accordingly – aging in place.
Consider what things are easy or cost-effective to modify later, if needed, and what makes sense to install initially, to be the best investment. This might be temporary light fixtures, in favor of more expensive ones once you recuperate your cash-flow! Perhaps you don’t need glass shower enclosures at the outset – can be added later…additional cabinets…many things can be upgraded later. While other items such as the flooring material, cabinets/countertops, wall treatments, skylights, electrical sources and others…should be considered in the first-pass.
At every turn, when you are walking through the space in your imagination, see your focal point. As you enter – what is dead ahead? As you turn to the right – what do your face? Do the same to the left and make your way through the house and see each focal point, in front of you, to determine what will be placed there, how will it be lit (with each exercise – imagine daytime and nighttime), does it require power, is there enough room to place the piece you intended to go there? Inches might count.
While walking through and around the plans or even during the early stages of construction, also look out the windows. What do you face? What do you see? Capture views and avoid what you don’t want. Should the wall be higher? Will this be a landscaping opportunity or necessity? Check patio covers and light sources. Consider the compass – what faces what? Seasonal temperature considerations are worth a nod. And think about exterior lighting.
A spectacular upgrade of over-sized sliding glass doors and flanking windows were selected to maximize this view…only to learn, after the slab was poured and framing up, that there was a massive corner column planned to support the yet-to-be erected patio cover . A modification was still possible, by sharing the load on two separate well-spaced columns and cutting back the patio cover between them to avoid a cantilever that was said to be cost prohibitive.
Check to see if things, inside and out, that should be centered ARE centered. And if they don’t, make sure from all angels that it won’t matter – or will in some advantageous, artfully, asymmetrical manner.
Per the plans, the island was not centered beneath the skylight. The cabinet-maker was doing his field dimensions and asked it this was the desired position. To which we replied – no – as it impacted the location of the pendant lights in addition to being off-center from the skylight.
Furniture layouts should be placed on the plan before you finalize the plans and certainly before you break ground. If you visualize a sectional sofa from which to watch the TV – make sure you can plan for one that exists. If it is from a sofa that you will view the TV- is there a space for an adjacent guest? Make sure some collection of desired furnishing or possibilities is realistic. If you have actual pieces you own – it is an imperative and so easy to accommodate on paper before the slab is poured and framing begins.
By not centering the bed and coordinating TV and dresser which was intended to occur on the opposite wall, the master will have a entire seating area off to the side. Had the recessed niche for the TV along with wiring and backing installed for the articulating wall-mount bracket, the bed and flanking nightstands would wither have been forced to center or been awkwardly off-center to best utilize the floor space.
As previously mentioned, beware the dreaded floor outlets – will you need them? Layout the furniture, to have the best chance of getting the location right.
Yet-to-be installed fireplace, in the far corner of the room, dictates the furniture placement. Floor plugs will allow lighting to be located, on floor or tables, away from the wall – floating in the center of the space. They were placed prior to a furniture layout having been specifically planned. This might pose a challenge.
Ask friends for their opinions. Examine their suggestions from every angle. Don’t wait to ask friends for their opinions too late, in the process!
A fun snail shower enclosure will have no door…but the placement of product niches, termination of the wall tile and transition of the floor tile are critical details.
In any approach to this process…plan. Don’t guess anything that you don’t need to guess.
In about 3 months, this patio will be in full-swing for entertaining. Hopefully all the anxiety of the process will be left behind…….
Be prepared to have new or changing ideas as things proceed – but prior, proper, planning will better serve the entire process.
Don’t be that guy like in the old joke about purchasing a vehicle…after signing the purchase agreement, you realize something is missing and mention it to the agent who replies, “Oh, you want wheels on that car?”
Have you ever had a moment or period of time when you longed
to create something just for fun? It might be to crochet a blanket or knit a
scarf. It might be to build a model
plane or learn how to cast a bronze. What have you longed to create?
It seems that everyone needs a creative outlet even though
they might not recognize it as creativity. When speaking to a guy about his interest in working on cars, he
didn’t consider his work “creative.” To work on a car for purposes of
enhanced performance, restoration, maintenance or repair all takes a certain
amount of creativity. The thought process of problem solving and taking action
requires creative thinking.
Gardening, painting, sculpting, carving, pottery, collage…there are so many outlets for relaxing creativity. The idea is to not do it under pressure. Lest one defeat the purpose of the relaxing aspect – just for fun – pure joy.
Yesterday I spoke to an architect who said that her creative
juices needed exercising. Despite the fact that her daily work required lots of
creative thought, it was not pure pleasure. It was not all fun. She
wanted/needed another outlet. So she set forth, to do some creative design time,
purely for her leisure. She started creating desert floral collages, in a size
that could be shared, as greeting cards. She brought them to show me, with a
modest timidity, and was most surprised and thrilled when I received her work
with great enthusiasm!
Rebecca has found the medium of paper to be quite
satisfying, It is clean and precise, crisp and conveys her intent. She loves
flowers, lives in the high desert and communes with cacti and appreciates all
flowers – and with that her exciting, yet quiet, introspective, personally
satisfying, creative expression has found an outlet.
With positive feedback from several people, she wants to
launch a re-sale card line! Now the creative process goes another step. She
needs to establish a brand – at least a name for her card line. Will she want a
logo? What about her entire experience can she list in words and cull and
distill to result in the perfect identity?
There are two parts to this situation and the first is to recognize the need for and find an outlet for the relaxing exercise of expressing creative juices and the second is receiving positive reinforcement for your efforts. Inasmuch as the second might seem unnecessary, it is a great affirmation and valid “feel good” feeling to create for the fun of it and have your work appreciated!
It need not be commercial – but “selling” your idea or creative project is even MORE flattering. Although, it is usually not for compliment much less profit.
Creativity can be relaxing, if it is not in a demanding framework. It’s therapeutic. In pondering this subject, I wanted to know more. Seems that this is a complex topic that deserves more investigation. So, I did a bit of reading…I found the Handbook of Creativity edited by Robert J. Sternberg from the Cambridge University Press 1999. In the first section – The Concept of Creativity: Prospects and Paradigms by Robert J. Sternberg and Todd I. Lubart it states “If one wanted to select the best novelist, artist, entrepreneur, or even chief executive officer, one would most likely want someone who is creative.”
It is true for those of us doing hiring – looking for that
spirit that can see beyond…create…are desirable traits. Yet everyone has a
certain creative element in their person. It is the degree to which they have
it and in what capacity or direction which might be more applicable or
desirable, for consideration in a
certain position over another.
The Concept of Creativity
further states that “Creativity is the ability to produce work that
is both novel (i.e., original, unexpected) and appropriate (i.e., useful,
adaptive concerning task constraints) (Lubart, 1994: Ochse, 1990; Sternberg,
1988a; Sternberg & Lubart, 1991, 1995, 1996).
The aforementioned seems obvious.
So is creativity a divine gift? One that makes it difficult to study much less
quantify or discern from another? That is not the purpose of his blog…but to
not mention that query would be leaving something that one might ask – out.
As a professional designer, creativity is part of the daily job description. Yet you will find most designer’s exercise creative outlets that are different from their work. This spring I too launched a greeting card line. It was spawned from hours on the road between San Diego and Albuquerque, with the practice of harnessing myriad ditties that continually race thorough my thoughts. A sudden lightning bolt on one of those trips suggested that I doodle to accompany my ditties. Hence, DATE NITE CARDS were born in March of this year. Little ditties and doodles to bring a smile, start a conversation, set a date, make new friends, rekindle the spark, celebrate friends, love, anniversaries, romance…
It’s true. If you think designer’s projects go more smoothly than the ones they do with and for you, you’re wrong. It’s true – they don’t! It’s about Murphy’s Law and I have been remodeling our master bath for months. Starting in November and as recently as this weekend personally installing (DIY) the stone surrounding our mirror, it is still not finished. But it’s close.
The full-wall mirror was re-used. During the removal and transportation to be cut-down, the edge cracked and had to be cut down…we lost an inch or so – no big deal EXCEPT that it then affected the dimensions of the new stone surround that had already been determined. Oh well…we now will have to cut the tile – had intended not to have to do that. One of the many little surprises and delays. We had to order more stone and will now engage the installer to cut the ones that would not fit the new and slightly non-parallel conditions .
It’s actually fun to tile…until you have to cut it. It is like frosting a cookie and then pressing it onto the wall. It goes quickly and gives instant gratification. But when things are not perfectly parallel, something has to give. That’s when we cut. (Or call someone to cut!!!)
The effect, of having almost all of the mirror surround finished, gets us that much closer. The effect is great and is beginning to feel like the intended design.
The shower before and after is providing the open expansive look that our little shower enclosure didn’t provide. Despite the facts that the footprint is nearly the same and the old enclosure was all clear glass – albeit framed in gold finished aluminum – this new single panel of 1/2″ clear glass and white-on-white floor and walls looks clean and open. Not a snail design – but, no door. Prepared to add a white shower curtain on a custom curved aluminum ceiling track once winter returns – but for now we’re enjoying the refreshing and comfortable atmosphere.
We elected to use stacked stone on the rear wall of the shower as our house sits at the base of the majestic Sandia Mountain and selecting stone seemed more grounded and contextual than other decorative options – of which there are a million from printed concrete, glass mosaic, embossed porcelains…the list goes on…
Decorative elements are beginning to “read”
against the new finishes. The same Portuguese ceramic footed rectangular
container holds a bouquet of white washcloths. Yes, I think that the rolled
terry towels look like rosebuds and I have always enjoyed the softening effect
they provide amidst all the other hard surfaces. Plus they are handy on the
countertop for clean replacements.
Footed Italian porcelain has had wash cloths in it for years and stays on the new counter top in a slightly different location.
Behind the terry rosettes, notice the pair of Heisey open and lidded pair of stemmed glass vessels that I use for make-up brushes and cotton balls respectively.
The same crystal wide-mouth vase holds and dispenses the facial tissues. I love the effect of the white-on-white coiled folds of the tissues. They are soft and read interestingly through the cut crystal.
I’m a LEO and find myself discovering and enjoying subtle references to lions. Our front door knocker and this cache pot that I’ve had for over 20 years as examples.
Nothing in this new scene is new. These accessories are all
the exact items that were scattered on the countertop previously! Funny how the
exact same decorative accessories work so well in this new interior!
A silly little collection of found things in a family inherited vintage pressed glass bowl including a glass marble, square frosted glass coke-bottle-colored mosaic tile, various sea shells and fragments, a squashed bottle Coca Cola bottle cap from Mexico, a hemp cord DIY necklace with a shell pendant…
Another glass tray that was also on the previous countertop presents my fragrances, a few products, a bobble-head turtle, my Waterford ring stand stacked with costume glass rings, my tragic, yet miraculous jade bracelet (save for another story), a fossilized bone – in – stone I found as a child, my white framed sunglasses which might seem selected for the new color scheme – when, in fact, they are a result of my love for white framed glasses and these that I bought even though I didn’t like the would-be “reader” small lenses – I kept. I don’t like the way they look on – so have relegated them to the master bath for emergency dashes to the outdoors, on the upstairs deck when my other sunglasses are downstairs!
Still to complete…the stone mirror surround, hang the glass shade for the new pendant light fixture, install the towel/robe plugs, install the polished chrome drawer bar handles to match the new square door and drawer pulls, clear all the remaining stone pieces, thin-set and grout bags and boxes from the tub deck, install the new window sills…
Re-evaluate your existing accessories (and/or furniture)
before feeling the need to change everything when you remodel. Watch for the
completed before and after shots of this remodel soon to come. Well, relatively
soon!!
Is your story important? Does anyone care about your story?
And what does this have to do with interior design?
Whether you are marketing yourself or your business, your story has merit. It is about identity, branding and connecting. It is about letting people in a bit. It is about sharing history, experiences and process. It is about your unique reason for doing what you do.
For the past several months, I have been working with a
client on a combination of interior design, graphic design, exterior
design…it is all intertwined. A successful design laces together all these
design elements. And that brings me to “the story.”
Even Facebook features a section to tell “your
story.” Yet, my client resisted
presenting/using the story of this new business venture as a part of the
design. He told me that was “so seventies.” That he had read that it
was a dated concept that was no longer relevant. I begged to differ. For months
I begged to differ! We agreed to disagree.
I believe that this is similar to many interpretations of design. What might be considered “dated” is often the manner in which it is used or done – not the thing itself. Whether a color, a font, a style of furniture, a wall tile or wallpaper, an architectural detail or form…so many design elements are considered dated due to their context. Often, this is fair to observe. But, mix it up a bit and use things differently or with other different elements than the original trend presented and – Voila! You have a perfectly valid, even fabulous design – think outside the box!
The idea of a “story” is not unlike the “mission statement” which became a standard feature decades ago in every company’s presentation on printed media, lobby plaques, conference room walls, break rooms… Some say it is passe, but when something is good and has meaning – re-consider. Like “the story”, “the mission statement” identifies goals and intent…when paired with the story, it provides an overview of the who, what, why that inquiring patrons want to know.
So back to the story…about “the story.” When a business or any concept is respected or
liked, revered or praised, it is natural for people to wonder “How did
they get started?” “How did they come up with this idea?”
“What is their history in this business?” These are common questions
that clever ideas or designs invite. So why not satisfy that interest, create a
buzz…Let’s give them something to talk about!!!
In this world of disconnection, making connections seem all
the more important. What used to be a natural exchange – of communication,
ideas, sharing – is now something that has to be inserted with greater
intention.
So this new business, for which I have been designing, is a barbeque establishment. There are a million. They have certain things in common. Without my enumerating them here – can you envision some common denominators that you might connect with barbeque joints? As is true with any venture, I asked: “What makes this one different? Better barbeque? Maybe. Cool interior? Hopefully. Are those the only unique traits? Is that the memorable take-away? It certainly isn’t a bad one – the idea is to have great food – and a fun environment, but what else might contribute to the experience of this barbecue being unforgettable? What might you have, to tell your friends, to spread the word?”
My opinion was a combination of an intriguing brand and “the story.” But before I go further, they coined a word to express their beer brewing prowess – exbeerience! This will enter into the story as we go along.
Now maybe my opinion about their story was so worthy of consideration because there was so much to this story. That certainly helps. It happens to be a great story with layers of interesting twists and turns – riddled with history and significance. Plus, it had a local interest angle that has the potential to create a buzz far beyond their actual location.
To begin to tell the story, I encouraged the development of
a unique logo for this specific branch of the brand. Taking the lead to design
it, and incorporating it into interior/exterior
design was part of my vision for a complete design package and presentation. Extracting
from the story to create the logo seemed natural. The private persona was
becoming public.
As we developed the logo, featuring a wood-carved graphic of an original log cabin/smokehouse, the story was recorded and edited down to a summarized version.
It was available for printed material, social media, and as art to be presented on walls. Yes, it was intended to become a decorative element too.
The Story became a focal piece in the interior along with authentic, original photos of the log smokehouse and an interpretation of patchwork quilts entitled Urban Piecework made from leftover ceramic and porcelain tiles, glass and clay assembled in wall-mounted panels throughout the interior and exterior spaces.
Photos of the original smokehouse in North Carolina will soon be presented to further reiterate the story on the interior walls.Urban Piecework commands the interior with bold mosaics reminiscent of patchwork quilts – an intriguing backdrop installed both inside and out.
Connecting with patrons, followers, clients, friends, family and acquaintances is valuable. As a business, it wraps who and those elements that are important to you in a familiar cocoon of context. It can instill a level of comfort and confidence in addition to sparking additional interest that might have taken longer to establish, without the introduction of your story.
The final multi-dimensional and multi-textural wall-piece featuring the story and mission is a striking 4’x6′ multi-textural panel. It offers patrons an opportunity to get a few questions answered as they enjoy their “exbeerience” at BLUE.
It was a privilege to promote, extract and produce this story and contribute such an important and valuable element to this business’s marketing and solidifying it’s new, exciting chapter of their brand.
Consider your story. Own it. Share it. Celebrate the uniqueness of your story. Design with your story in mind.
A few years ago, awesome
crept into our vernacular and took over. It stole our ability to select
options for descriptive excess or exception. Everything from accolades for a
job well done, positive reinforcement for anything, to a spectacular sunset, a
great new outfit or a startling meteor shower – everything from a tad past the
norm…to something truly fantastic – became awesome. Our language offers so many superlatives, yet
we have gotten so lazy.
At the expense of sounding like an advertisement or
otherwise paid spokesperson, I write today of a late-night confection
experience that is truly like no other. An experience so artful that I could not
take enough photos. Artistic delights at a bustling urban eatery where flowers
and gold leaf adorn each piece of fanciful frosted awesomeness. Ha -there it is! Had to add more to the mere “awesome,”
though!
Extra ordinary – extraordinary
– beyond the norm – beyond ordinary, yes, that is an understatement for what I
am about to reveal. Yet, that is the moniker of this extraordinary establishment
– Extraordinary Desserts!
Several years ago we were treated to a late night surprise.
Not knowing our intended destination, we were taken winding through the streets
and came upon this little structure the read like an Asian garden. Twinkling
lights peeking through wooden slats softened by lush tropical vegetation – the
scene was magic. Once we realized the focus of this cozy pocket, we were
enchanted. Patrons stood in line to pass along the “extraordinary”
dessert cases displaying all manner of outrageously beautiful desserts. Once they
decided and paid for their selection, they gathered in intimate twosomes or small
groups to savor the delectable delights they had chosen.
Last night, we decided to rediscover this uniquely sweet
spot and Googled our way into downtown San Diego. What we found, by happy
accident, was a second location – an urban edifice presented on a crowded
sidewalk packed with people waiting eagerly to be seated and begin their
indulgences.
After leaving our name with the greeters at the podium, we
squeezed through the throngs to get a peek at the cases full of magical
wonders. Ok – you think I exaggerate…so now begins the photos…
When extraordinary is an UNDERSTATEMENT, you know you are in the presence of something quite special. Maybe that’s why people invent words like splendiferous or supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
The rich velvety and textured frostings and layers of fabulous flavors awaited us as we scanned the displays.
Floribunda- yes, gilding the lilies (orchids as it were) – nothing was too over-the-top! The rich velvety and textured frostings and layers of fabulous flavors awaited us as we scanned the displays.
Seeing so many astonishingly spectacular desserts in one place all for the spontaneous taking is almost too much to bear. You mean I can HAVE that right now??? I can have a piece of many of them – RIGHT NOW?????
Emulating fine Cerelene Limoges, the would-be doilies of parchment paper rimmed with gold detailing and lettered with Extraordinary the details were dazzling! No stone left un-turned, they thought of everything to make this a tantalizing treat and patrician presentation!
The interior offers seating at the bar and tables organized
throughout. Two tops or ganged together for a crowd, everyone was so focused on
their prizes – beauty set before them – animated chatter wafted through the
sugar-spun air! Some chose to sample
several knowing that they would take a goodly portion home. Others savored a
single serving of a beautifully flavorful masterpiece.
And yes, there’s a book about the cakes – Karen Krasne – appears
to be the brain behind this bounty. I look forward to meeting her. She has an
amazing machine with a well-oiled staff. Everyone was efficient and friendly
and shared in the enthusiasm that was being expressed all around.
The shelves are filled with teas and other sweet
temptations, interesting vessels and serving pieces.
The lighting is dim and the structure envelopes the interior with white-washed frosting of voluminous space punctuated with dark cylindrical pendant lights and pierced bubble-like panels back-lit for added interest, subtle luminosity and dimension.
Raw, polished concrete floors, steel tables and molded wood
chairs give a nice balance of warm and cool, rigid and suave – while clean and
almost hygge in feel.
Perhaps, in the world of custom confections and TV foodie competitions, these desserts might be within some semblance of a norm – but only from the finest of creatives, in circles of which we usually do not run.
But having cavorted last night through the cheerful melee of confection connoisseurs – albeit one doesn’t have to be clubbed over the head or knighted by the cooks of the kingdom to appreciate what we experienced – we are sufficiently spoiled both visually and flavor-wise to be tough to ever satisfy again. Good design. Great design. Extraordinary design is often still an understatement!
Busy lives in a new town, he in his residency and she working
in a busy OR, they bought a house – their first house – and asked for help
making it theirs.
They have traveled the world and collected art along the
way, a disparate inventory of things that caught their eye, spoke of their
experiences and reminded them of people, places and things to savor once home.
Home, that was the task. Create HOME in this new, old house. Built mid-century, it was simple, clean with some patchy remodeling from previous owners reflecting rather common decisions, with limited funds. We needed to discuss priorities and budget, evaluate what should stay and what needed to be changed.
They both had a love of Guatemala. Their travels there left
them with dreams of color and pattern, handmade functional art and an exotic
sense of place. Having these elements ingrained in their longing, they
expressed a desire to have that sense, but with a bit of a modern twist.
Assembling the colors and materials…
We salvaged the existing natural granite slab countertop and
unfortunate surface-mounted sink. The granite was a practical save and the sink
came along for the ride. In order to integrate the granite as though
intentional, I selected a multi-colored
Talavera tile that specifically had a dollop of mustard glaze in the design
picking up that Dijon field color in the speckled granite. As is my usual
preferred mode of installation, we took it wall-to-wall as a complete wall-covering.
We also saved the cabinet boxes and doors, but needed to
give them a lift from their median caramel stain on oak. Deconstructing the
colors in the design of the Talavera, we
knew we wanted blue cabinets – so the paint shades were fanned and the color
pinned-down. To give the cabinets that wabi-sabi look of loving wear, we sanded
the edges after the painting was finished. We also added cabinets over the
stove for additional storage space and utilization of that blank wall.
We removed all the doors and drawer fronts, filled the holes from the old pulls/knobs and painted them off-site. We painted the boxes in the field. Granite was salvaged along with the sink. New paint, Saltillo flooring, Talavera tile and cabinet pulls along with new appliances gave an updated look to the scene.
In real life, when
practicality rules, certain things have to give way for the good of the
whole. The whole being the pocketbook and other elements that take precedence
at the time. So we live with the radiant heaters, keep the chandelier for now,
until they have one fabricated to their specifications, use a machined rug
instead of a handcrafted piece and know that over the years they will massage
this starting place and truly make it their home.
Continuing to dissect the colors from the new wall tile, our
colorful young couple wanted more color…we chose individual values of bold
paint colors – smoky turquoise, slightly
burnt orange and brilliant golden yellow to intersect the planes throughout the
space.
Typical mahogany doors common to that era of home interiors,
the decision to match the white trim would have been easy, but we labored over
the existing natural, tropical wood and decided to keep it in the mix.
Although the nearly immaculate, original hardwood oak floors
were revealed after removing the wall-to-wall carpeting, the kitchen floor
throughout the rear vestibule and laundry room was an inexpensive and
uninspired sheet vinyl. Saltillo clay
tiles were the answer to furthering the Guatemalan feel. More commonly
associated with Mexico, these clay tiles are historically the plebian choice.
Taking many forms, some artful enough to be the cornerstone of patrician interiors
in fine mosaic installations and other patterns and designs, clay tiles –
glazed and unglazed always add an artful, soulful human element. Speaking to
that, we inserted 2″x2″ glazed Talavera accent tiles into the floor’s
new Saltillo field in the vestibule creating
an almost area-rug-like definition.
The dated floor-plan enclosed the kitchen separating it from the rest of the living area. The very first comment made by our clients was questioning if we could open that wall – connecting with the living room and large picture window beyond.
The mottled cobalt blue light fixtures add another punctuation of color over the bar along with the parrot green barstools that our home-owners spontaneously nailed in an irresistible lust for even more color!!
Rather than trying to continue the existing “Dijon” granite, white Talavera tiles were used on the new pass-through bar counters – both high and low on the new cabinets.
The first phase of this colorful project has set the stage for an enjoyable work-in-progress for years to come as they now have a basis for design, more collectibles to come, and all they enjoy from places near and far. The upcoming annual trip to Guatemala, in April, will reinforce the joy and appreciation for this special place “home base” in their lives.
The dogs look in eagerly, but are limited to their expansive backyard, their vestibule and full run of the master suite.
Although they selected a durable denim twill fabric to reupholster their sofa and loveseat that they were gifted from a friendly neighbor, the primary living area is – for the most part – “off-limits,” but that seems to work for everyone in the family!!!
