One-of-a-kind loft is up for rent
Via: Brand X
Abstracted Victoriana
A tired San Francisco Victorian duplex is transformed by Oakland firm Envelope Architecture + Design in collaboration with owner and interior designer Claire Bigbie and landscape designer Flora Grubb. Claire, a RISD trained designer, purchased this Noe Valley duplex in 2005 with her partner Jay Shapiro after returning to the US from London (where she worked for the hip interior design studio Precious McBane) to take a position as the style editor for ReadyMade Magazine. The house was in need of serious renovation, and the resulting project transformed the typical series of dark, cellular rooms into contemporary live/work spaces which respects the existing historic fabric while re-imagining the altered structure. Three days after Claire and Jay moved in, Claire began consulting on projects with Envelope A+D where she now leads the interiors component of the collaborative design process.
Architecture Firm: Envelope A+D
Landscape: Flora Grubb
Article: NY Times - When Skaters Grow Up by Penelope Green
Photo Gallery: NY Times
Photography: Todd Hido
Wall displayed airplants at the Bardessono Hotel
A very nice indoor vertical garden designed for a space without irrigation or drainage at the platinum LEED certified Bardessono hotel in Yountville, California.The simple solution uses airplants (Tillandsia, members of the Bromeliad family) attached to metal rods which protrude from the wall. The visual effect of hundreds of Tillandsia "floating" within these alcoves is striking. And while some of the plants will need to be changed out occasionally, it is a much more sustainable solution than the typical hotel lobby floral display.
Link: Thigmotropism
| Designers: | Kevin Smith |
| Flora Grubb | |
| Boor Bridges Architecture |
Article: NYT
Location: L+L Maps - Bardessono Hotel
CA Boom 2008
Okey dokey, very quiet around here for CA Boom time of year... yes we are usually buzzing with activity. Alas, not this time. We will have some stuff to share with y'all later, buy you'll just have to wait. In the mean time, here are some links to tide you over:
LA Times was there, and they were snapping pictures:
LAist was there... first timers? Dunno, but they put together a nice photo essay from the Hangar: And the NY Times was there too... no comment: Props to the Curbed LA peeps for stepping it up this year with some nice coverage of the home tours:
- Kanner Residence | Kanner Architects
(we were there back at CA Boom 2... just had to say that) - Felderman Keatinge Residence
- Alan-Voo House | Neil M. Denari
- Red Barn House (for sale with questionable use of "stone")
- House of Sand | lee + mundwiler architects (another one for sale?)
- Modern-Shed on the Prefab Floor | Modern Shed (for sale signs galore!)
Combination steam bath / sauna / shower
Ideal Standard's new Tris Sauna-cum-Steam-cum-Shower Room is a dream come true. The only downside? The price tag!
While working on a private house for a client, I have been researching into steam/shower rooms and to my delight I have been coming across some fantastic work by product designers alike.
Tris by Ideal Standard in particular has caught my attention (and the client's too!)
Link: Tris
We've discussed IKEA here in the past and some our our topics have touched on the topic of altering those inexpensive pieces we purchase from our favorite blue and yellow big-box store. Little did I know that there was a blog dedicated to such exploits. Anyway, look closely at the photo on the right and you'll see an IKEA Effectiv cabinet topped by a quartz-slab countertop in this Eichler remodel. Perhaps not quite a "hack" but still I think it looks pretty slick.
As for the other "IKEA Hacks" on the site, it looks like a majority are geared more towards the dorm-crowd (not that there's anything wrong with that) but have a look around, you might just find something useful. Allen wrenches not included. :)
Read: Open to the Outdoors(Sunset.com)
Via: IKEA Hacker
Sticking it to the man....well actually the wall.
For those of you not buying into this wallpaper revival (you'll all regret this down the road!!) will surely appreciate the alternative brought to you by Pop Cling.
Their peel and stick adhesive art is a great way to revamp a space without committing to a future bitch fest of scraping off old wallpaper.
Pop Cling reproduces art. All kinds of art. For the moment, that mostly means adhesive-backed art that you can peel off and stick to any smooth surface. Some people stick our prints on concrete floors, or on sliding glass doors leading to balconies, or right on the walls behind couches. You don’t need a frame, you just need a blank space. Voila, you have fresh pop art on your wall from new, favorite, and cutting edge artists.Seen above is Albany, California artist Attaboy's contribution. Detail after the jump.
Link: Pop Cling
Link: Attaboy
Retail therapy for a little less coin.
There are some kickin summer sales going on out there.
West Elm is a retailer we want to hate but can't help but love. West Elm has a rather large inventory of discounted merchandise at the moment.
Design Within Reach is currently hosting a nice summer sale. In addition to their normal selection of overstocks and discontinued items, they have a limited time page where certain merchandise is discounted.
For a limited time, of course.
There are bargains to be had at the Moma store as well. While the selection isn't quite as large, I found something I just couldn't live without. This spice grinder is coming home to live with me.
More sales:
Link: Sprout Home
Link: Well Dressed Home
Link: Crate and Barrel
Link: cb2
Link: Room and Board
Honoring the role of design in daily life
The Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design has announced the winners of the seventh annual National Design Awards. The finalists and winners will be honored at an event on October 18, 2006.
"Cooper-Hewitt is delighted to once again recognize, through the National Design Awards, some of the greatest contributions to the world of design made in recent years." Cooper-Hewitt director Paul Warwick Thompson said. "Each year, the Awards grow in scope, and this October we are introducing National Design Week, a new education initiative created to promote better understanding of the role that design plays in all aspects of our lives. During National Design Week, Cooper-Hewitt will host programs and panel discussions on design, and on our website, we will launch design education content for teachers nationwide."Awards are given in eleven categories:
- Lifetime
Paolo Soleri (previously - L+L) - Design Mind
Paola Antonelli - Design Patron
Craig Robins (previously - L+L) - Corporate
Nike - Special Jury
Syd Mead - Architecture
Thom Mayne (1, 2, 3 - L+L) - Communications
2x4 (Michael Rock, Susan Sellers, and Georgianna Stout) - Fashion
Maria Cornejo - Interior
Michael Gabellini - Landscape
Martha Schwartz (1, 2 - L+L) - Product
Bill Stumpf
Designer of ‘Human Environments’
Albano Daminato is an interior architect and designer based in Singapore. His recent projects have included small scale hotels, private residences, retail stores, restaurants, bars and cafes, from overall concepts through to the design of furniture, objects and even uniforms.
His work is rigorous and architectural in approach as is evident in the form, detailing, spatiality and materiality of his projects. There is a duality to Albano's work; it is subtle yet strong, minimal yet complex.
Link: Albano Daminato
Wallpaper and paint for the eco-stylish
Farrow and Ball wallpapers and paints are beautiful, tactile and unparalleled in quality and finish. Think of them as hand-crafted products that use time-tested palettes for their line of paints, and employ a 19th century method of dragging and stripping for their papers. Sound old-fashioned? Maybe, but Farrow and Ball wallpapers, Emulsions, Exterior Masonry and Eggshell paints are environmentally preferable with low VOC emissions; the same goes for their papers. As a user (ok, F&B addict) I can testify to the fact that there is little to no smell after an application, and the matt finishes allow light to blend with the colour rather than reflect off of it. There are over 100 Farrow and Ball colours to choose from, most of them with unconventional names and descriptions like Dead Salmon and Pigeon, but they do not custom blend, which can be a downside for some. On the plus side, Farrow and Ball paints are to be stirred not shaken and they don't separate when left to stand. Furthermore, most distributors offer free (with purchase) in-home consultation. Sample pots are available, and recommended, before committing to a colour.
Link: Farrow and Ball
W.S. Tyler Wire Cloth for Architecture and Design
Facade, screen, ceiling, shelter, sound and fire barrier are just some the things that the architectural wire cloth series from Haver & Böecker can be. A thoroughly versatile steel mesh, it can take on harsh weather and pollution, and is often used along highways and in industry as a filter. The aesthetic qualities of architectural wire cloth make it ideal as a skin allowing subtle changes of colour and light at different angles. It also offers a myriad of options for interior application as ceilings and screens. Haver & Böecker have been producing woven wire cloth since 1887 with their first operation in Hohenlimburg, Germany and are distributed worldwide by their parent company W.S. Tyler.
Link: W.S. Tyler
Link: Haver & Böecker
Super Potato does block 7
A 'city within a city' is a phrase used in Japan to describe a cluster of buildings connected by industry type, restaurants, recreational facilities and occasionally residences. Shiodome Shiosite is one of Tokyo's newest complexes consisting of skyscrapers that house media giants like Nippon Television and Dentsu Inc., one of the largest advertising agencies in Japan. The Caretta Shiodome is 51 floors of Dentsu inc. office space, restaurants and bars, museums and retail. However, stop at the 7th floor and find something different: an open concept project called My City designed by the interior design firm Super Potato Co. using 11 materials salvaged from the city to build walls and add texture and detail.
Link: Super Potato
Celebrating London and the UK's creativity
The third London Design Festival is taking place all over London, September 15 – 30, 2005.
The festival of exhibitions, events, seminars, lectures and parties will highlight a broad range of design disciplines including: Applied Arts, Architecture and buildings, Creative business, Fashion, Furniture, Graphics and branding, Interiors, Product, and Photography.
Link: London Design Festival
Design / build remodel of industrial space into loft apartments in Tel Aviv
Designed and built by Tel Aviv, Israel based partnership U-I, Avi Laiser and Amir Shwarz, the lofts were built in an old diamond polishing factory that was vacant for more than 10 years. The project is aimed at a young population who look for contemporary rental spaces in the center of Tel Aviv’s business/industrial district, and desire a creative lifestyle.
The lofts were built on a very low budget in a speed time of 4 months using a flexible wall construction method that allows joining two spaces or more to create larger spaces in the future. The polished concrete floors are continuous and each unit got a colored wall or box that defines the usages of the open space. Right now the project is fully occupied with happy tenants.
UPDATE (7-29-09): Avi Laiser now has his own firm AR/Arch. We're not sure what Amir is up to these days.
Studied and eclectic interiors
We featured Istanbul design firm Autoban a while back for their groovy plywood furniture and accessories shown on their temporary website. Well, their new web presence is now live and includes a more extensive portfolio of their works. Of particular note are their interior design projects ranging from clubs and restaurants to stores and offices as well as homes and special events.
Seyhan Özdemir and Sefer Çağlar have an eclectic and unique design sensibility that is modern but highly layered and influenced by historical precedent. They often mix old and new, incorporating existing architecture with new elements or using antique furnishings with pieces of their own designs such as their ply items we like so much.
An efficient bathroom remodel
Red glass tile wraps from floor to wall to ceiling in this efficient bathroom by husband and wife design team Adam and Lisa Christie of Portland, Oregon based Prototype Architects. The side walls are covered in waterproof cement plaster, and the fourth wall features a floor to ceiling mirror.
The entire bathroom is conceived as one continuous space, rather than little compartments. The floor surface is open and uninterrupted thanks to the wall mounted sink and toilet. Custom designed stainless steel fixtures include towel bars and shelves, and the large trough sink which is hung in front of the mirror wall and features two double-jointed kitchen faucets.
A stunningly clean and efficient space.
Firm: Prototype Architecture
Swedish apartment interior - not Ikea
The Stockholm apartment of director Jonas Åkerlund is a cool, eclectic, contemporary space. Åkerlund magages to pack in lots of stuff... and we all have "stuff" don't we... and work within an existing structure to create a very interesting "lived-in" modern dwelling.
Other than the page of photos featuring Åkerlund's apartment, we aren't exactly sure this website is about... real estate, or something. The only Swedish we know, sadly, we learned from Ikea and the Swedish Chef. :-T
1960's California stucco box house updated on a budget
Updated and refreshed on a budget, this house in San Gabriel, California is an example of significant cosmetic transformation on a budget... specifically my budget.
Building on the simple stucco box form, the design is clean, modern and simple. Throughout the house and property, the key was to get the most bang for the buck by using a minimal palette of materials and to reuse much of the existing material on site.
Design: Studio J2L
Hotel designed by Los Angeles and Berlin based Graft
Designed by more fellow SCI-Arc grads, the new Q! new hotel on Kurfürstendamm in Berlin is a 4 star hotel with 72 rooms, four studios, one penthouse and a bar and spa (wellness area).
The interior of Denari-esque undulating planes was designed to fit into the shell of the new building designed by another architect. Continuous surfaces (where floors wrap up to become walls, seating areas, beds, counters and ceilings) are used throughout the hotel providing a "cocoonlike" effect.
Firm: Graft
Link: Q! Berlin
Via: Architectural Record
Location: L+L Maps - Hotel Q!
The London Design Festival 2004 website has been launched
This ten day festival taking place between September 20 and 30 in London, England, features all manner of design from graphics to products, photography to fashion, architecture to interiors and everything in between. The festival spans the city with exhibits, lectures, screenings, parties and seminars. Events are individually priced.
Link: London Design Festival 2004
Via: Dezain
New York restaurant owned by a design firm
This cool restaurant in New York City is owned by AvroKO, "an idea driven, integrated design group that creates and enhances high-style brands, products and environments." And what an environment they have created here.
Without becoming a "themed" restaurant, Public is filled with design references (literal and subtle) to public spaces from the library to the post office to the common streetscape. The concept is to offer a unique and adventuresome menu in an accessible setting.
Very nicely done.
The union of the innovative New York based design group and the acclaimed kitchen team from London marks one of the first successful collaborative restaurant ventures of its kind.
Link: Public
Firm: AvroKO
Location: L+L Maps - Public
An architect's house in East Hampton designed and built on a budget
While certainly not an inexpensive or small house, this residence by New York architect Michael Haverland was created out of a process of budget minded editing and attention to detail making it much less costly to build than the neighboring Houses at Sagaponac.
The home incorporates an eclectic mix of classic modern and antique fixtures and furnishings while the design of the architecture is also modern yet timeless.
"Modernism is really about economy of means and rigor, and how you design space. If you lose those values, it's just a superficial treatment of modern surfaces."Link: Michael Haverland Architect
Via: New York Times - The House That Homework Built
An exhibition of Europe's worst interiors of 1974
So bad it's good. Yeah, there is some bad stuff in here, but then again, we kind of dig some of the ideas. It begs to be said... totally groovy. Can we help it if we are children of the ´70's? Just wait until we are looking back at 2004 in thirty years. Seriously.
Link: EUROBAD '74
Via: Things Magazine
Jackie Terrell fell into interior design out of necessity. The former painter reinvented her life and living space with a fuss-free chic that relies on creativity, not cash.
Los Angeles interior designer Jackie Terrell and her Park La Brea apartment featured in the Home section of the LA Times.
In the earnest, too often self-important world of interior design, Jackie Terrell's irreverent take has helped her stand out.Link: Los Angeles Times
Her three-bedroom apartment works as an airy artist's statement against excess, and as a ringing endorsement for cleverness over cash.
See also: Doing more with less
Less is more.
"The [Washington Post] magazine's Spring Home and Design issue explores the theme of less is more: An avid collector learns to let go of years of treasures, an Annapolis couple downsizes from a 6,000-square-foot house to a boat and a renovation of a school into a residence shows the success of a clear, strict vision."
Link: Washington Post Magazine
Photograph: Timothy Bell