Magnificent Home Improvements

Merry Christmas

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9kO-cY5qrk8Xadq6pU8BOAXGw4qj61aoYoldG8BXqdx198VpawgsQc7u_9qkw5CJjOjwv6Gp3gJoupglumWTK4knR7UUltni6lPAbe4ZrLBTMKgwMNbdSuqwmAnjmp6VhMSEwERE9zU/s1600-h/mcdonald-beverly-hills-1108-6_lg.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418045009082755650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9kO-cY5qrk8Xadq6pU8BOAXGw4qj61aoYoldG8BXqdx198VpawgsQc7u_9qkw5CJjOjwv6Gp3gJoupglumWTK4knR7UUltni6lPAbe4ZrLBTMKgwMNbdSuqwmAnjmp6VhMSEwERE9zU/s400/mcdonald-beverly-hills-1108-6_lg.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I wish you a very exited and beautiful Christmas.  I'm taking a few days off starting from today and will be back next week.  Looking forward to continue inspiring those who keep coming back.  Until then, <span style="color: #ff6600;">MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!</span><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">images from Veranda, design by Mary McDonald</span></div>

Merry Christmas

I wish you a very exited and beautiful Christmas. I'm taking a few days off starting from today and will be back next week. Looking forward to continue inspiring those who keep coming back. Until then, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!images from Veranda, design by Mary McDonald…

22Dec2009

Christmas in the country

Christmas in the country

images from Vogue Australia.…

18Dec2009

Mini Christmas trees

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWVz_8mbE1uPR5WCohz279Z9EFBfmBFkYfaueJS4IYCQopofz33rgS9NNgm-MsBM046Rcfk777suANNURDM6KAQ8i6O2geI9MyhoyE9U8W2cgxVEGKrDTrk04WBhBs7ICZWZnDXrOAyw/s1600-h/Mini-Christmas-Tree-Tinsel-GTL1206-de.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415503047758653794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWVz_8mbE1uPR5WCohz279Z9EFBfmBFkYfaueJS4IYCQopofz33rgS9NNgm-MsBM046Rcfk777suANNURDM6KAQ8i6O2geI9MyhoyE9U8W2cgxVEGKrDTrk04WBhBs7ICZWZnDXrOAyw/s400/Mini-Christmas-Tree-Tinsel-GTL1206-de.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS9KAsk_ZF909GPb284_YOrdAqvn7yiqnAcsk9J8F7LQc3JEnuTn0tsbUoEPinfy-GbrSjB8n2S0PAjrDekWtC6hlwBlSDBd7o75EZHsEjjSPUjWp5vZ9tJVaCRqaDOznMT-VodXqd_M/s1600-h/Mini-Christmas-Tree-Pearls-GTL1206-de.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415503045848808642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS9KAsk_ZF909GPb284_YOrdAqvn7yiqnAcsk9J8F7LQc3JEnuTn0tsbUoEPinfy-GbrSjB8n2S0PAjrDekWtC6hlwBlSDBd7o75EZHsEjjSPUjWp5vZ9tJVaCRqaDOznMT-VodXqd_M/s400/Mini-Christmas-Tree-Pearls-GTL1206-de.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODlDBlpm6AFWlu40tNc7sLCD1_CS2WRZukVxf4C8PlxLD3p5JxRK9Cz20iYoDEfFOKiTFaswvEM0r4UVHnUeCtkrRVy__GIU8DRN-G5JJThWQYgZwtt60kN7SEgtrBHx5R2_q93Rc_TQ/s1600-h/Mini-Christmas-Tree-Doves-GTL1206-de-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415503046265718914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODlDBlpm6AFWlu40tNc7sLCD1_CS2WRZukVxf4C8PlxLD3p5JxRK9Cz20iYoDEfFOKiTFaswvEM0r4UVHnUeCtkrRVy__GIU8DRN-G5JJThWQYgZwtt60kN7SEgtrBHx5R2_q93Rc_TQ/s400/Mini-Christmas-Tree-Doves-GTL1206-de-1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTKmYaj2k1KacMkqBnPQFqEetD3Uot7A9kxlgMha6_cko24UMkkr7xbVfGNFDTYgws8qZ9m2UlbyHMo2Q2TI1zhdPMW-dVeksx_vwwpyby8E1E0pgfn52_eFxvDv_6slhCJ0WsGO16no/s1600-h/Mini-Christmas-Tree-Birds-GTL1206-de.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415503039909497970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTKmYaj2k1KacMkqBnPQFqEetD3Uot7A9kxlgMha6_cko24UMkkr7xbVfGNFDTYgws8qZ9m2UlbyHMo2Q2TI1zhdPMW-dVeksx_vwwpyby8E1E0pgfn52_eFxvDv_6slhCJ0WsGO16no/s400/Mini-Christmas-Tree-Birds-GTL1206-de.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Simplicity</span> is sometimes all you need when is combined with imagination.  Especially in small spaces. <br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">Images from <a href="http://www.countryliving.com/homes/how-to-get-the-look/decorate-christmas-trees-1206?click=img_sr">Country Living</a>.</span></div>

Mini Christmas trees

Simplicity is sometimes all you need when is combined with imagination. Especially in small spaces. Images from Country Living.…

15Dec2009

More outtakes

More outtakes from our current issue: this time, the house on Great Barrier Island designed by Paul Clarke of Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects. The photographs are by Simon Devitt.<br /><br />This one shows the house's open-air (but covered) corridor. On the left is a storage cupboard, a small laundry alcove, and a toilet. The bedrooms are on the right, with the main living area at the end of the corridor. The open-air corridor may make for a slightly chilly trip to the bathroom in winter, but Paul believes that it's important to remain connected to the elements at a holiday home, something the owners heartily agree with.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQ4I84iIRuDmf2KgX5qypLPG9B1yhkxmfGbLw3BXXkJB7OLMHDiEPBuVwnzMbMA7MU_sn2xUaRz2JVGdYyIpUR3Cc_R8Gw3-N92BbAwX1eyFJETESKVdlu9VhTYoU-1g8q640XHZAU9Qw/s1600-h/G7691.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415287459117939474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQ4I84iIRuDmf2KgX5qypLPG9B1yhkxmfGbLw3BXXkJB7OLMHDiEPBuVwnzMbMA7MU_sn2xUaRz2JVGdYyIpUR3Cc_R8Gw3-N92BbAwX1eyFJETESKVdlu9VhTYoU-1g8q640XHZAU9Qw/s400/G7691.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> This arresting view looks along the home's eastern flank, showing its cedar exoskeleton.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVeV3Yebr-YP_RF6PxbDPceJWQW8rA_w51mtSyB0YEwxUfsyjrLo9Z81z891YCcFH_n5x0pQGIS2J7hjrxGFtKtMno42zHUkxtp4aH0mrrPJCwhF1alHitjJHJIeBz5eM-PxzZmKY21xm/s1600-h/G7637.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415287450991214562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVeV3Yebr-YP_RF6PxbDPceJWQW8rA_w51mtSyB0YEwxUfsyjrLo9Z81z891YCcFH_n5x0pQGIS2J7hjrxGFtKtMno42zHUkxtp4aH0mrrPJCwhF1alHitjJHJIeBz5eM-PxzZmKY21xm/s400/G7637.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />Here's a view of it in its bush-clad setting, in a field a little back from Medlands Beach. This is like the view you get of the house when you approach - it's an intriguing object from the driveway, with its monopitch roof pointing optimistically skywards.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Yctg17Poah8K1vq6vDJSiF3vVaSovFjHAHgdlhsHdTk_46YvPr0syD3IPq-bg8T4Bgyo7XycUqwwNP2-p_IuUGC9e_7Lc5PekXuCMR1Dh85ImlrDJQVsp7Er6SE4jM2gxPNAsRWwKMbW/s1600-h/G7486.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415287444220249538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Yctg17Poah8K1vq6vDJSiF3vVaSovFjHAHgdlhsHdTk_46YvPr0syD3IPq-bg8T4Bgyo7XycUqwwNP2-p_IuUGC9e_7Lc5PekXuCMR1Dh85ImlrDJQVsp7Er6SE4jM2gxPNAsRWwKMbW/s400/G7486.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />Paul Clarke wished we had included this shot in our layout, so I've put it here for him. He likes the way the home's exoskeleton mimics the verticality of the trees. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkra6dliIKsMTRHUuGGyoKiCjmqnK1q3yOtjoj2Ye_Uv8MsPV6VcGWHffYdrw7lAm14ukTJT9k33LqHNx6qE10TVLk5Ii3-JrWQbfBuMVdT9G2w9h7MVrFNMc4vrOkuaADsp88fBgz7q-q/s1600-h/G7499.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415287439114333426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkra6dliIKsMTRHUuGGyoKiCjmqnK1q3yOtjoj2Ye_Uv8MsPV6VcGWHffYdrw7lAm14ukTJT9k33LqHNx6qE10TVLk5Ii3-JrWQbfBuMVdT9G2w9h7MVrFNMc4vrOkuaADsp88fBgz7q-q/s400/G7499.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </div><div>And this is another view through the home's deck and living area.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKjqGfNFnOMPhXNPAkNTE8txHVcS1C-gdQTfHAJVeztesZvoZV1kFhjYyjgy5BChM96DZ-KWA6_tIYCZsY2p6JgV54BB8bb4HQ1LLGst-PuCaKfXcVMLj729mvoYiQ3d0r1bwbRA0jhL0/s1600-h/G7462.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415287433181903810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKjqGfNFnOMPhXNPAkNTE8txHVcS1C-gdQTfHAJVeztesZvoZV1kFhjYyjgy5BChM96DZ-KWA6_tIYCZsY2p6JgV54BB8bb4HQ1LLGst-PuCaKfXcVMLj729mvoYiQ3d0r1bwbRA0jhL0/s400/G7462.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></div></div></div>

More outtakes

14Dec2009

TV3's Sunrise focuses on architecture

TV3's Sunrise focuses on architecture

TV3's Sunrise has recently been featuring a series of great homes that have previously been seen in HOME New Zealand. We see it as another opportunity to tell people about the importance of using a good architect when creating a home, whether it be a new home or an alteration. You can see the footag…

14Dec2009

Outtakes

A lot of people are very interested in the house by Amanda Yates that features on our cover. The beauty of this blog is that it allows us the luxury of featuring extra images of it. Amanda's aim with the project was to reference early Maori earthern architecture, dwellings that were actually part of the land, and you can see here how the house on the Coromandel Pensinsula follows the contours of the land.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><br />The way the home's interior slope meets the rock face outside is immaculately detailed, as you can see in this image (all the photographs are by Paul McCredie):</div><div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415259570931986578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7girmcYoNidwETsfHvGEv3CfNAM8XB0-_57grJ739q8omGNHoq-a5OI-vaM_tqfbHRYquvwtHo19eiyvVICeQLpwNbU-G_elV-ReiS2LkFUrBGxrjd0W2fGbQBFio7XBB8kqcVUAFHRg/s400/Flaxmill36.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /> </div><div>One of the great things about the house is the way the mood of the slope changes through the day under different lighting conditions.</div><div></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415259587617344546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVX-2oA4y841QUZD6aSLrEGFu5D4KZcMPIQXl3gg7D1QYPTXGm57yOPst4XKaaRo3I1ZMLys_tUHrhE_0UPbankVHI5rfWWcdU3aaFQJWSDklxKN8Any8Nvxys8hQnk7Mc2m1o2otsIuH/s400/Flaxmill42.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415259581837570482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEILrFyFcY8bxVEhXMkUZD8gY20Jr6b5Pl1OPicFV5Vkmoj7q3rxdL2fS7CD1sy6j1koPsBzSx7csyl1CtqClhRja8AAHzf89K2fQyHLx6ECNI4m_5orym3mw9A6rxWAIhZnbOb9ZgzVy8/s400/Flaxmill41A.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415257791727584642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNE7iJjIV62rZJPvtJP50tyIgoCFEP49JOzq_Aqub1yYeHePWg6uIcMpWjbqObsHtJ4gc29Rmwyh6sOzcn7j5CEeL_5IMHjZVFFD0gJuiD98GplPUiCX_J_IeHZRYI4Vtl3_6byN24H8p/s400/Flaxmill24.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 271px; CURSOR: hand" /></div><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415257780340338066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAbxASAuCSJlqVsBtFMz6oDMJ6PwE6QAYbxXwKLT4f8Gf-XL5FGqnMm_Ycsfi4oUFcdFL6ApdlgVaLSo5j285eI2HTVWzxNnrBPOWXn4sgZ3I88dt-XMY0DiCBkF3A5STKc1W6vC9wBx8/s400/Flaxmill6.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" />Outside, the home's roofline also follows the slope. Upstairs is a self-contained studio used by Amanda and her partner when they visit her parents, who live there full-time.</div><div><div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415257772754296018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6sjuzQNsK9NwSC8ULufGAxRZTpQUmEdANm6H3FRoeZz9qHR-znuCVL7QhyphenhyphenBl23v8AG4-ztBVEXxeIl_tyU-y9NRlE_DWvCNAJsmh9JsCTilL3lbU_aKjjAt_gaCoMFmbXx5lgDNzax7s/s400/Flaxmill4.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" />Roy from SGA Architects requested a context shot in our layout that showed the home in its location. Here is one that shows a wider view of it on its site:</div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415261448616728722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLKNqI-E7LBwGhkNRcu14hIhW-SjQSkEl7ebaGv7cFlxx7W31YEx68U8s45_YJ4_mAaUqjp3xoJYOtfwzqSEdlhLgqekBDTEw-a02oDrzktF9R-w7u_FRU-3KJOGCmlz7tANMDQFmZ2Of/s400/Flaxmill55.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 304px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Outtakes

14Dec2009

We're back

We end this long and embarrassing silence (blogging seems so easy to start with then suddenly, it becomes difficult to think of things to say ... then you're out of the habit) with an announcement of a recent innovation: from our December/January issue onwards, we are publishing special (and hopefully collectable) subscriber-only covers.<br /><br />This is the newsstand cover for our next issue, a photograph by Paul McCredie of a house on the Coromandel Peninsula designed by Amanda Yates:<br /><p><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415249299084325122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLEx1CRrpeEMfwEFcxdswflUSO9Wm499aw89FZjK_Trur2yCqRHa1exf_60zpcuZZzbEaQ-Lm0UKbePukr2TMm-KjTk-HZJUHCBNhBG302-a1VNwfcRk6Yae33zDqBp7qt9mdgOZRiyQw/s400/Dec+Jan+newsstand+cover+for+Paul.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></p><p>And this is our subscriber-only cover, another photograph by Paul of the same house.</p><p><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415249308192793170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tmBpS6MGuXBf2N6-aSEhHeOcnduPWbpW_9WTxnLPxRTLh9Z8JDurw5Kt6nypqXmM2z6dn_URJsFCWexTlSY55qlw_C3wJjZggNeeDZOpVNBRLaESnrTCExElhVkjDJXW5sf46pQGbx8W/s400/Dec+Jan+subs+cover+for+Paul.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /><br />You'll see that we have the luxury of being a little more pure with our subscriber cover. We are no longer subject to the tyranny of the barcode, and are under less pressure to include lots of coverlines to shout from the newsstand. Hopefully it's an object that will sit more serenely on your coffee table or beside the bed.<br /></p>

We're back

14Dec2009

American Traditional

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZc40yYXvlwBlQA22UWtSJcCJVyWK1RWFR0POaCfkZj-kTxDEmwMCshK2DnQEG26K3uogVJmRj9lenuPc7F6Wc1_5g3Jg1WKw3HTDWedx6-EWVaRSUrdXMBudbjDNhKB_du6Zfss7g8eA/s1600-h/10-comfortlasts-guestroom-0108-xlg.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412497629674032498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZc40yYXvlwBlQA22UWtSJcCJVyWK1RWFR0POaCfkZj-kTxDEmwMCshK2DnQEG26K3uogVJmRj9lenuPc7F6Wc1_5g3Jg1WKw3HTDWedx6-EWVaRSUrdXMBudbjDNhKB_du6Zfss7g8eA/s400/10-comfortlasts-guestroom-0108-xlg.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQ9RuwRpgWARoTxEhXE41q6HfM62kEkH4dd8c26CMOyME1AL3maikxcWbvTxUw7pDdwPnWoTpbpyW3m4UzRD1TGBHauASSxmyez__o2faKByHMzZVOsu_reYIgms3OQvkjlinHg4BZdc/s1600-h/9-comfortlasts-bath-0108-xlg.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412497617694504978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQ9RuwRpgWARoTxEhXE41q6HfM62kEkH4dd8c26CMOyME1AL3maikxcWbvTxUw7pDdwPnWoTpbpyW3m4UzRD1TGBHauASSxmyez__o2faKByHMzZVOsu_reYIgms3OQvkjlinHg4BZdc/s400/9-comfortlasts-bath-0108-xlg.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWudqDOslJtPmDD4Py-NEttIbNGM9aD-UI_Cn0JJbkIB40vASTrSe6vGrEey4XsP0oOY522905EM7XXZ5zUFjRmmuW-W4ZhwLR1RmMqn2m5Jb31Ty3Fu86MN8zD6rCFMMPYmaKwdsb0I/s1600-h/7-comfortlasts-familyroom-0108-xlg.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412497616783053698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWudqDOslJtPmDD4Py-NEttIbNGM9aD-UI_Cn0JJbkIB40vASTrSe6vGrEey4XsP0oOY522905EM7XXZ5zUFjRmmuW-W4ZhwLR1RmMqn2m5Jb31Ty3Fu86MN8zD6rCFMMPYmaKwdsb0I/s400/7-comfortlasts-familyroom-0108-xlg.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjKstbFo5F86eR24I2LRXd5blaKgUyRsUD5l26qXJfhJ010uE4AkJvW_j7JV9IJBYRE8Asy8JAJH5VsWCPOsXEDmziuHQrohiKzh1_7qPY99Z75e2dmu7zh08O-dYrrlVczh46TvwUqc/s1600-h/3-comfortlasts-foyer-0108-xlg.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412497608711419714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjKstbFo5F86eR24I2LRXd5blaKgUyRsUD5l26qXJfhJ010uE4AkJvW_j7JV9IJBYRE8Asy8JAJH5VsWCPOsXEDmziuHQrohiKzh1_7qPY99Z75e2dmu7zh08O-dYrrlVczh46TvwUqc/s400/3-comfortlasts-foyer-0108-xlg.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>Interiors by William Hodgings featured in <a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/comfort-really-lasts-0108?click=img_sr">House Beautiful</a> January 2008 issue.</div>

American Traditional

Interiors by William Hodgings featured in House Beautiful January 2008 issue.…

07Dec2009

Can Craftsmanship survive the 21st Century in America?

<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A friend of mine recently returned from Europe proclaiming that she saw the most beautiful Architecture there.  When I asked her which buildings she saw, she could not remember any specific names but had lots of photos of carved masonry friezes, ornamental metalwork, and highly detailed glazing.  After looking at the photos it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">occurred</span> to me that everything she had admired was not so much the work of an Architect, but the work of the Craftsmen who brought the Architect's vision to life.  Sadly, these great laborers of bygone days are almost extinct with no great revival in sight.  Will these highly specialized trades disappear all together, or just scrape by on wealthy patrons alone?  To answer this question, let's take a brief look at the history of Craft and how we got here.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">To begin, let's skip through thousands of years of tools and craft and head straight to the Industrial Revolution.  People discovered that through the use of machinery, certain tasks could be expedited and completed with a high level of consistency and efficiency.  You have heard me say that the Crystal Palace was actually <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pre</span>-fabricated way back in 1851.  At the beginning of mechanization, designers were trying to figure out how to balance craft and industrialization so that the soul of a thing was not lost.  Some designers are still trying to balance these things today.  Look at Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Gehry</span>.  He thinks that he is an artist making sculptural forms, yet I don't know many sculptors that need complex computer programs to make their art stand up.  And while the Design community has tried to figure out where this balance lies, all of the crafts people have moved on to white collars jobs in 6x6 cubicles where they don't have to break a sweat all day.  We have gone from a laboring society to a servicing society and craft has disappeared along with it.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I remember being at a conference and remarking that 'Craft' does not exist anymore to which someone replied "I don't know how I'm going to live without their Mac and Cheese."  Yes, it's true, the most popular thoughts about Craft have to do with pasta not plaster.  And that pasta is also a good example of why the other Craft is dying.  One box plus once sauce packet plus milk and butter and you have a complete meal in one pot.  What could be easier?  Oh, except for the easier version that you just microwave and eat?  Yes, that is easier.  </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Here in America, we are fixated on convenience.  We now install plumbing lines in houses made entirely of plastic tubes that clip and glue together without any soldering at all.  We have ceilings made up of tiles that we just drop into a grid, and we have mouldings and false beams made of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Styrofoam</span> that you cut with a utility knife and glue to your wall.  People are not interested in craft because craft takes time and time is money.  Here in America, we only care about getting the best version of something for the cheapest price so that we can keep as much money for ourselves.  Forget about the betterment of society.  Forget about creating an urban fabric where each building actually enhances the other buildings around it.  That only happens in those Socialist European countries.  No, here in America, we would rather hire an uneducated laborer to glue some fake stone to the front of our house than pay a fourth generation mason to work each piece perfectly.  Here in America, we would rather go down to the discount furniture superstore and buy a dresser (that was made in a country where factory workers make 6 cents an hour) than pay a woodworker to create an heirloom piece of furniture.  Those kind of luxuries are reserved for the wealthy and those who can afford such quality.  </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Well, I'm here to tell you that those kind of luxuries used to belong to everyone.  Towns were full of tradespeople and craftsmen who served everyone.  From blacksmiths to cobblers to cabinetmakers to bricklayers, craft was the right of every citizen.  For many, coming to America was and is more than the promise of work, it is the promise of pursuing that which makes you happy.  I recently read a statistic that over 70% of Americans hate their jobs.  I think that's because most people are working solely for the money rather than the satisfaction that a job can provide.  So here's how I propose we get out of this all-consuming disposable society of convenience rut and preserve craft for generations to come:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">1. The children of today need to learn that there's more to life than video games, TV, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">cel</span> phones.  Instead of giving your child a technological baby sitter, teach them a skill or enroll them in a class at your local arts and crafts store.  From baking to painting, there's a class for it.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">2. Instead of purchasing lots of cheap things, purchase a few things of good quality.  This will encourage more businesses to focus on quality items rather than cheap items.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">3. Support local businesses and encourage the development of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">downtowns</span>.  Wouldn't it be nice to go to the butcher shop to get your fresh meat instead of the Sam's club?</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">4. Introduce craft back into your life.  Visit websites like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">etsy</span>.com and find a unique piece of art for your house instead of some framed poster from a big box store.  Buy a handmade quilt for your bed, or better yet, learn to make one.  Get a sewing machine and learn to use it instead of just watching Project Runway.  Shop at Antiques stores for interesting pieces of furniture that you will use.  Old desks and tables are useful in any house.  </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">In movies, the future is always portrayed as a dark place where everything is automated.  If we are to avoid this fate then we must put our faith back in people and be amazed at what the human spirit can accomplish.  Become an individual who appreciates the labor of others and I guarantee you will start finding fulfillment in something other than your checking account balance.</span>

Can Craftsmanship survive the 21st Century in America?

A friend of mine recently returned from Europe proclaiming that she saw the most beautiful Architecture there. When I asked her which buildings she saw, she could not remember any specific names but had lots of photos of carved masonry friezes, ornamental metalwork, and highly detailed glazing. Af…

01Dec2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff6600; font-family: lucida grande; font-style: italic;"><br />"Joy, comfort and beauty is what makes a home" I wish you have these three key ingredients at your table tonight.  </span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOkSuuOselOag7La_a5QGwqTa_XEhzRgAkD5q6NvSgIG-2Pf0LTvLO6imxh6-7VCKmxBB_VQnfx8RRN75NDjELJOoWg7ZllAWGcECmgKcY15i9fT-PvgagR11t-N-rb2gWz7DzK1sH78/s1600/b0af2bd361920150f8ce8ac4434e87dc-77.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408456800550012338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOkSuuOselOag7La_a5QGwqTa_XEhzRgAkD5q6NvSgIG-2Pf0LTvLO6imxh6-7VCKmxBB_VQnfx8RRN75NDjELJOoWg7ZllAWGcECmgKcY15i9fT-PvgagR11t-N-rb2gWz7DzK1sH78/s400/b0af2bd361920150f8ce8ac4434e87dc-77.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff6600; font-family: lucida grande; font-style: italic;">Happy Thanksgiving!!!</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">image from <a href="http://www.sarahkaye.com/stylists/laurence-pasquier/homes-and-interiors">Laurence Pasquier</a></span></div></div></div>

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Joy, comfort and beauty is what makes a home" I wish you have these three key ingredients at your table tonight. Happy Thanksgiving!!!image from Laurence Pasquier…

26Nov2009

the book goes to...

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76NFhiUtL7fPKm55vyneqgkug7cP6NNSCxSa3Krpra1KRIKgPTJNsr1McrdG4rf8Xsc71oderJ5aPCDo8GlHiH3ZNrRC1PSMGGrmwn3MEtiiNF4pdBDFzeCDof0YbBlIi4gdwnGmF8qU/s1600/b0c32a18b0fabd7fb3f77cb4cc017505_Red_xmas_girl_violin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407699189550561554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76NFhiUtL7fPKm55vyneqgkug7cP6NNSCxSa3Krpra1KRIKgPTJNsr1McrdG4rf8Xsc71oderJ5aPCDo8GlHiH3ZNrRC1PSMGGrmwn3MEtiiNF4pdBDFzeCDof0YbBlIi4gdwnGmF8qU/s400/b0c32a18b0fabd7fb3f77cb4cc017505_Red_xmas_girl_violin.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>Congratulations to <a href="http://www.sarahklassen.com/">Sarah Klassen</a> from Sarah Klassen/Haute Design.  Sarah I'm sure you'll have fun and get a lot of ideas from reading <a href="http://bellevivir.blogspot.com/2009/11/book-giveaway-contest.html">Elaine Griffin's book</a>.  Please email me your address so I can forward it to Gotham Books Publishers. They will mail the book to you.  Enjoy.</div>

the book goes to...

Congratulations to Sarah Klassen from Sarah Klassen/Haute Design. Sarah I'm sure you'll have fun and get a lot of ideas from reading Elaine Griffin's book. Please email me your address so I can forward it to Gotham Books Publishers. They will mail the book to you. Enjoy.…

24Nov2009

Lovely bathroom

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-myCC_4hAZia1Y1O5xOCKReNrL8DufD7tvBEX-qiVr0fTIS1LOL-B-bcn_gpEUdkveZTDyKjZXI_QUA8xL4YxVuMDG5RA8ANYO1XqsiJ3x13J9mbJTRyx9bseBXjUGexiLqls3gbWcho/s1600/main-2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407294480815269250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-myCC_4hAZia1Y1O5xOCKReNrL8DufD7tvBEX-qiVr0fTIS1LOL-B-bcn_gpEUdkveZTDyKjZXI_QUA8xL4YxVuMDG5RA8ANYO1XqsiJ3x13J9mbJTRyx9bseBXjUGexiLqls3gbWcho/s400/main-2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 450px; width: 450px;" /></a></div>I love the tent looking curtains framing the French doors.  I also love the warming effect the wood and fabric bring to this bathroom.  <span style="font-weight: bold;">P.S.  remember the wonderful giveaway </span><a href="http://bellevivir.blogspot.com/2009/11/book-giveaway-contest.html" style="font-weight: bold;">here</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">. The winner will be selected tomorrow. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">image from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Coastal</span> Living.</span></div>

Lovely bathroom

I love the tent looking curtains framing the French doors. I also love the warming effect the wood and fabric bring to this bathroom. P.S. remember the wonderful giveaway here. The winner will be selected tomorrow. image from Coastal Living.…

23Nov2009

A Designer's Guide to Making Money - the abridged vesion

<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It goes without saying that when you work in Design, you meet a lot of really talented and creative people.  Unfortunately, very few of these people are appropriately rewarded or compensated for their talent.  You would think that talent must grow on trees if all of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Creatives</span> that I know are struggling.  I can assure you that it doesn't.  What can be said is that all of the talent in the world won't do anything for you unless you apply it.  Knowing how to apply it is really the challenge and the subject for today's conversation.  </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I will keep this short and simple.  If you want to make money with your design skills, then make something.  Make T-shirts, make stickers, make posters.  Just make something.   The Design world is currently divided into two types of companies:  Design Firms and Service Firms.  The service firms are the ones who crank out chain stores and insurance company brochures.  The Design Firms are the ones who make plaster molds out of coffee lids and turn them into a wall treatment.  The current economic climate has made mince meat out of service firms.  They are laying people off because their big client has cut their budget and therefore they are out of work.  The Design firms are picking up the trash from this economic tornado and making stuff with it.  In short, there is always money to be made with great Design, but service providers are a dime a dozen.  Let's look at some examples.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Kate Spade started out at a magazine as a Senior Editor in charge of accessories.  She was providing a service, competing with all of those other magazines out there. Every month racing around to compile pictures and reviews of the best belts, handbags, jewelry and shoes.  Think about how exhausting that must have been.  She was not designing anything, although she clearly had the eye and talents of a designer.  One day Kate decides that there are no great handbags out there and starts her own line.  She has a bunch of them made and gets a booth at a big show at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Javitts</span> center.  Immediately, orders from all the Fifth Avenue stores start rolling in and the rest is history.  Kate made the switch from service provider to Design provider and now she is a household name.  </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Martha Stewart started a catering business in 1976 and catered many high profile parties in NYC.  At one such party, she met a book publisher who loved her recipes and offered her a book deal.  I think we all know how that one turned out.  Now Martha could have gone on catering parties and providing a service, but now she's got her name on everything from Furniture to Paper Products.  You could make a million meals and never be successful, but make one cookbook and it will sell while you sleep.  To sum up, make something.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I recently came across a graphic designer who sells all sorts of 'swag' on his web site.  He puts his name on a pocket comb and calls it a 'hair organizer'.  It sells for $3 and people buy it.  Why can't anyone do this?  Anyone CAN do this.  While working for a big architecture firm, I realized that I was killing myself making them <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">a lot</span> of money, but I wasn't getting anything out of it.  I was just providing a service, and at a meager wage at that.  Many of us have jobs.  Many of us make our companies <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">a lot</span> of money.  But many of us are still <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">unfulfilled</span> creatively and as a result, no amount of money will ever seem like enough.  So let me offer you this advice.  Brand yourself.  Make something that screams of your personality.  Whether it's a special kind of cupcake or a typeface or a prefab composting shed.  If you put it out there, someone is bound to see it.  And if you are as good as you think, you will be rewarded for your efforts.  </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>

A Designer's Guide to Making Money - the abridged vesion

It goes without saying that when you work in Design, you meet a lot of really talented and creative people. Unfortunately, very few of these people are appropriately rewarded or compensated for their talent. You would think that talent must grow on trees if all of the Creatives that I know are str…

18Nov2009

A book giveaway contest

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrWgjZCjEh-KFSp1ELProNamALNV-coYoeiPbdhQlqoZmXi3yiMXKLDQH713g4nEC-jYZH6fn2yK88ZUWUOFAgBcKyMSkXgyUwDGuHnCnH_c9eIQtLYQNcd4HhCW7zViF6UYJxvAvl08/s1600/elainegriffin+(3).jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404858620759591474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrWgjZCjEh-KFSp1ELProNamALNV-coYoeiPbdhQlqoZmXi3yiMXKLDQH713g4nEC-jYZH6fn2yK88ZUWUOFAgBcKyMSkXgyUwDGuHnCnH_c9eIQtLYQNcd4HhCW7zViF6UYJxvAvl08/s400/elainegriffin+(3).jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 335px; width: 450px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztLF0GHvaapPXJoRBXt0T4pezyFQCx_FuzaZ8T-ozUmU_5cuImhxU5JSr2lHVUxrx2DQp40W0CyiT7zUuyG4EhoKXhU4Z5rVZSQzRHElRFm4ASNTA5YWo8vBXLqW7OG2dQDjlIxA7Ph0/s1600/design-rules-cover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="590" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405053319777698834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztLF0GHvaapPXJoRBXt0T4pezyFQCx_FuzaZ8T-ozUmU_5cuImhxU5JSr2lHVUxrx2DQp40W0CyiT7zUuyG4EhoKXhU4Z5rVZSQzRHElRFm4ASNTA5YWo8vBXLqW7OG2dQDjlIxA7Ph0/s400/design-rules-cover.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>We all know who <a href="http://www.elainegriffin.com/index.html">Elaine Griffin</a> is, unless you've been living under the rocks,  her incredible interiors have been featured in many Interior Design magazines.  I personally love her lush elegant interiors and I am more than honored to host a give away of her "first in its kind" book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_3_12?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=design+rules+the+insider%27s+guide+to+becoming+your+own+decorator&sprefix=design+rules">Design Rules, The Insider's Guide to Becoming your own Decorator</a>.  Yes, you heard right, Elaine generously is giving her readers those great Interior Designer's secrets that we all wonder about.  I have the pleasure to have read her book over this weekend and it's easy and enjoyable to read.<br />At first I was hoping to see more photos of her gorgeous interiors but as I was reading it I understood that Elaine's intention is not for readers to copy a photo or image but to provide the tools to let our own creativity flow.  This book is a must-have for all those do-it-yourselfers who struggle with the basic how-to's and ideas.  <span style="font-style: italic;">Design Rules, The Insider's Guide to Becoming your own Decorator</span> will give you valuable advice and ideas to make your home the best reflection of yourself and your loved ones.<br />"If you are a patient and creative genius, make your own wallpaper from newspaper, graph paper, or gift wrap-affix to the wall with thin white school glue diluted with water to resemble a soupy paste..."  is one of the genius ideas you will find in this Elaine's book.  But if you don't believe me about how helpful this book can be, believe Margarette Russel when she says "...Translating the basics of chic design for the nonprofessional, she provides irresistible foolproof tips that make sense for every taste, style, and budget."<br />To enter the contest, leave a comment in this post and I'll select a random lucky winner next Tuesday, 24th of November.  The book will be sent to the winner directly from Gotham Books Publishers.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-0d7BVq4xltzHQpij5LmzfoAOUOZvGOaEDY6gjAYdXVPauTBZ6E0_cno2BKB3hwYFVSadm1mbhUynDTnjIAx-G9RQoVMwZInkXOhFGpJlOP_hQErq8P_xO5Zh1M_pdSzPxmUcYZbIpU/s1600/061342ea-c066-5658-9bc0-5757ef72ce04.image.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="560" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404858623492405410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-0d7BVq4xltzHQpij5LmzfoAOUOZvGOaEDY6gjAYdXVPauTBZ6E0_cno2BKB3hwYFVSadm1mbhUynDTnjIAx-G9RQoVMwZInkXOhFGpJlOP_hQErq8P_xO5Zh1M_pdSzPxmUcYZbIpU/s400/061342ea-c066-5658-9bc0-5757ef72ce04.image.jpg" width="459" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div>

A book giveaway contest

We all know who Elaine Griffin is, unless you've been living under the rocks, her incredible interiors have been featured in many Interior Design magazines. I personally love her lush elegant interiors and I am more than honored to host a give away of her "first in its kind" book, Design Rules, Th…

17Nov2009

Displaying collentions

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocJvn0iSOwDcahkLJ8oKlR3Q6Ujn2lgRP0TaL_WSt2aitKBvPc0iGcqo-qULJ8-8RoD605vecHlBr-EmcG2qxkzxxF1C-BvV8dsrAI6DKN5XCD1fb5h4RFK3C1lizTxbx-SWGKOTK6K4/s1600-h/photo-location-east-sussex-10.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402103877114164562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocJvn0iSOwDcahkLJ8oKlR3Q6Ujn2lgRP0TaL_WSt2aitKBvPc0iGcqo-qULJ8-8RoD605vecHlBr-EmcG2qxkzxxF1C-BvV8dsrAI6DKN5XCD1fb5h4RFK3C1lizTxbx-SWGKOTK6K4/s400/photo-location-east-sussex-10.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrao7J8p7mm9vAQTe-L-6QxQGIB5__ARoSBtUwK1Micb1XsPx1xYKQDSTWLOQrNm9CAhfM9_PbzuNsQmIU92zwbeJmLSC2gQzGxBxomn2MBNqX1Ul5lIjK3fpIRlGEg9vyCOa7zHkQQQ/s1600-h/massuco+warner+miller.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402103870094603298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrao7J8p7mm9vAQTe-L-6QxQGIB5__ARoSBtUwK1Micb1XsPx1xYKQDSTWLOQrNm9CAhfM9_PbzuNsQmIU92zwbeJmLSC2gQzGxBxomn2MBNqX1Ul5lIjK3fpIRlGEg9vyCOa7zHkQQQ/s400/massuco+warner+miller.jpg" width="457" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tg7ESjF7OJlKzHECClErPSzYJlNeD8QXhwtvze3sHcuUTN7QZZjDKGE_B7-gy8aGoKjQA4_stoTfIQh9sKTxFevNz6_tWMTUgEVllTcaNtXlChH8J9CtWjvhhHtWeXh_Bdh2JPjaYc4/s1600-h/05.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402103866169775922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tg7ESjF7OJlKzHECClErPSzYJlNeD8QXhwtvze3sHcuUTN7QZZjDKGE_B7-gy8aGoKjQA4_stoTfIQh9sKTxFevNz6_tWMTUgEVllTcaNtXlChH8J9CtWjvhhHtWeXh_Bdh2JPjaYc4/s400/05.jpg" width="489" /></a></div>Bookcases are great platforms to display our beloved collections.  From old recipes books to beautiful Beach accents.<br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">from top to bottom second Massucco Warner Miller third Tom Scheerer.</span></div>

Displaying collentions

Bookcases are great platforms to display our beloved collections. From old recipes books to beautiful Beach accents.from top to bottom second Massucco Warner Miller third Tom Scheerer.…

09Nov2009

The magic world of Hermes

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQtMxRMgKCsmIGkCbKX7gX6mT5XISM1Ux1UTdLivV2kDGF_bYSF1f64W_8ceYnHdEOpQa5gzb55ii-6pcHF9vBpODUTDSPkHCGkosvc3E8KWvP1dnIcsBoLOPRl7S03EVUMsklvBcIP8/s1600-h/hermes_gold_necklace.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400971781941049746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQtMxRMgKCsmIGkCbKX7gX6mT5XISM1Ux1UTdLivV2kDGF_bYSF1f64W_8ceYnHdEOpQa5gzb55ii-6pcHF9vBpODUTDSPkHCGkosvc3E8KWvP1dnIcsBoLOPRl7S03EVUMsklvBcIP8/s400/hermes_gold_necklace.jpg" style="height: 450px; width: 450px;" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEDA7-Il_bP_NlE5wi8_CT0eAg5WvY2yqYi2EhnSo4ojQMGjT0madX708GJSvN3hJHlDbW9oj1fsc8DXuqydAk9kriBaENsF4c0BxxxD-lap_h_2e5H73s-9uTPkCx3o6ZV-y_Ihnep0/s1600-h/hermes2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400971781058162962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEDA7-Il_bP_NlE5wi8_CT0eAg5WvY2yqYi2EhnSo4ojQMGjT0madX708GJSvN3hJHlDbW9oj1fsc8DXuqydAk9kriBaENsF4c0BxxxD-lap_h_2e5H73s-9uTPkCx3o6ZV-y_Ihnep0/s400/hermes2.jpg" style="height: 397px; width: 450px;" /></a></div></div>Once in a while I love to go into <a href="http://www.hermes.com/">Hermes</a> website to get carried away by its one of a kind magical world.</div>

The magic world of Hermes

Once in a while I love to go into Hermes website to get carried away by its one of a kind magical world.…

06Nov2009

A house full of personality

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrca0s8nOSQy7Ubs31QjFoKTv7qHc-Kl5GiLmMLDtJ1-LD4tuTZsvf2DU-HFtsL-mFCA7s_kUJQeDI7n4kfn0PDaYaNquboM0Yb0qNLht19y7hKSmjGxjnas165FpzTx9GEOTKZLgne_k/s1600-h/380_4_2g.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399687639115870898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrca0s8nOSQy7Ubs31QjFoKTv7qHc-Kl5GiLmMLDtJ1-LD4tuTZsvf2DU-HFtsL-mFCA7s_kUJQeDI7n4kfn0PDaYaNquboM0Yb0qNLht19y7hKSmjGxjnas165FpzTx9GEOTKZLgne_k/s400/380_4_2g.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTNSPKUV4ufxZE7l7g0bGvdOHM1JMFWXj0o6rJyngpMtYTSCu9azpeKpdLBTSdTBysX2tGKRMzAfEQal0-1yg9FkBg6XejXNGRYWvIl3cdoWtzaxJ58vLVHRE1iU-xWFSqEklt9jWMJs/s1600-h/380_4_10g.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399687634381548370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTNSPKUV4ufxZE7l7g0bGvdOHM1JMFWXj0o6rJyngpMtYTSCu9azpeKpdLBTSdTBysX2tGKRMzAfEQal0-1yg9FkBg6XejXNGRYWvIl3cdoWtzaxJ58vLVHRE1iU-xWFSqEklt9jWMJs/s400/380_4_10g.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzzMnY-QTCi3EeKzpOXlu3SFhHkMCtsPhlI2TtW-S2JGP3s27ERgbYk4TIuD4lQDQrVLB78grH-XesThu6hd3_f7ajt-SID9uw6tsOJZmdTqxQTPQi80VzPgzMS4LaUpo6Z0zx4x6PWY/s1600-h/380_4_6g.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399687631506840722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzzMnY-QTCi3EeKzpOXlu3SFhHkMCtsPhlI2TtW-S2JGP3s27ERgbYk4TIuD4lQDQrVLB78grH-XesThu6hd3_f7ajt-SID9uw6tsOJZmdTqxQTPQi80VzPgzMS4LaUpo6Z0zx4x6PWY/s400/380_4_6g.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe-6Uy9LtsRJgJ9-FRUSl3gh3zDSH_Zd_838TuHMA1Wlzs2Q-6E9LxYxID_biz7bl0Mytj63oN4sL5G7x0Ne3CbspgVxFH8NgxUUtcumTYuuYkWQQuIu9R6O3tfbjeQnvJxPqT1d_YI4/s1600-h/380_4_7g.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399687625303030034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe-6Uy9LtsRJgJ9-FRUSl3gh3zDSH_Zd_838TuHMA1Wlzs2Q-6E9LxYxID_biz7bl0Mytj63oN4sL5G7x0Ne3CbspgVxFH8NgxUUtcumTYuuYkWQQuIu9R6O3tfbjeQnvJxPqT1d_YI4/s400/380_4_7g.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAchtfmvWc1E3Bufps9TrlJ-NTD9n1m_9JIh5Gwv3luct6ceM54xbRxJazdA98YJ94Kg2N4fJfIeIgCnkn8IID7kgOzUNSAJx_v9fN3NzVtd32kEWPfMu-AWzxTpdLRGRJTTcNgyXcho8/s1600-h/380_4_5g.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399687619909292946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAchtfmvWc1E3Bufps9TrlJ-NTD9n1m_9JIh5Gwv3luct6ceM54xbRxJazdA98YJ94Kg2N4fJfIeIgCnkn8IID7kgOzUNSAJx_v9fN3NzVtd32kEWPfMu-AWzxTpdLRGRJTTcNgyXcho8/s400/380_4_5g.jpg" style="height: 465px; width: 500px;" /></a></div>My favorite rooms in this house are the bathroom and breakfast area, although I wouldn't mind living in all of the others as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">images from Nuevo Estilo.</span></div>

A house full of personality

My favorite rooms in this house are the bathroom and breakfast area, although I wouldn't mind living in all of the others as well.images from Nuevo Estilo.…

03Nov2009

Who Killed Modern Architecture?

<span style="font-family:verdana;">While I would like to believe that there are Modernists a plenty out there, all the evidence unfortunately speaks to the contrary. The latest evidence of this is how many Modern shelter <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">magazines</span> are either folding or getting noticeably thinner, while Architectural Digest seems to hold steady amid the rough economic seas. My latest issue of Residential Architect (which focuses mostly on progressive Residential buildings) tops out at a whopping 59 pages. While I don't fully understand most people's bias towards "traditional" styles, I have to wonder what it is about Modern Design and Architecture that turns people off? People don't seem to mind trading in their old car for the latest model or going down to Best Buy for the most technologically advanced Audio Visual experience. So why is it that in the year 2009, people still want to build houses in styles that were fashionable 200 years ago? After all, we weren't building Medieval Castles in the 1800's? So the question remains, Who Killed Modern Architecture?</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">When you look at the history of what we call Modern Architecture, it is hard to divorce its origins from the rise of the Industrial Revolution. Machines gave us the technology and the ability to grow buildings faster and stronger. Most people will cite structures such as Joseph Paxton's Crystal Palace, the Eiffel Tower, and the Brooklyn Bridge as being some of the first truly Modern accomplishments. Those gave way to breakthroughs such as modern glazing, the elevator, and prefabrication technologies (the Crystal Palace was a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pre</span>-fab building in 1851). From there, the founding fathers of Modernism enter through the likes of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">LeCorbusier</span>, Louis Sullivan, Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Lloyd</span> Wright, Walter Gropius, and finally <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Mies</span> Van <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">der</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Rohe</span>. In the early 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">th</span> Century, Modernism was in full swing, also commonly referred to as "The International Style". The Museum of Modern Art (under the lead of Phillip Johnson) organized a pivotal exhibition that changed the face of Architecture forever. By the late 1940's Modernism had arrived and permeated every publication and merchant builder throughout the country. Have you ever seen an issue of Better Homes and Gardens from the 1950's? How about Fortune Magazine? Google them sometime and you will be shocked. They're all progressive and modern. The prevailing style of that day is now known as Mid-Century Modern and objects from that era are highly sought after due to their originality and quality. What happens after the 50's is a product of two different phenomenon that was like a 1-2 punch to all things Modern.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">First, you have the Depression era <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">children</span> growing up and reaching the age where they want to buy a home. Growing up during a depression leaves you with some pretty lasting memories. (I have a friend who still ties together broken rubber bands instead of throwing them away, but we'll save that for another day.) Since homes were (and still are) the largest single investment that the average person is likely to make in their lifetime, this group had no interest in risking their hard earned savings on the latest and greatest trendy home. They wanted security and comfort and chose older homes with time tested styling. The second part of the double whammy has to do with all of the wars which were being fought in the 40's and 50's. The world was not as small as it is today and resources were rare. Modern Architecture often relies on the latest materials to execute the greatest gestures with the least effort. Steel, Glass, and Wood were considered too valuable to be cladding houses with, so the era of vinyl began. And then all of these soldiers came home and needed somewhere to live. The Government was giving them cheap loans to go buy a house and everyone wanted to settle down and make babies. Builders saw the opportunity and started cranking out tract homes. Cities like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Levittown</span> in Long Island grew up overnight. And as you can guess, there were not many tract home developments where each home was designed by an Architect. Builders made <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">alot</span> of money building the fastest and cheapest house they could and they couldn't keep up with demand. And the rest, as they say, is history. The era of the tract home began and the media now had to change focus on how to decorate and style your brand new tract home. 50 years later, the major publications such as Better Homes and Gardens are still doing the same thing, except now they are decorating <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">McMansions</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">faux</span> bungalows.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Of course, there are still those who want Modern housing thanks in part to magazines like Dwell (my latest issue was REALLY skinny). But now that the latest recession has all but wiped out traditional funding for new and innovative companies, will the Moderns just give up or regroup? If only Ayn Rand were here...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span>

Who Killed Modern Architecture?

While I would like to believe that there are Modernists a plenty out there, all the evidence unfortunately speaks to the contrary. The latest evidence of this is how many Modern shelter magazines are either folding or getting noticeably thinner, while Architectural Digest seems to hold steady amid t…

31Oct2009

Happy weekend

Happy weekend

I hope you can find sometime set-aside for yourself this weekend.…

30Oct2009

Fireplace in the bathroom

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lXqIP5xihiiyhwSMs1gOZeRzetcmtdQ4y_FoOA1mcd9ZUywQaq8VMwdwU9GS6dyePr5gygQw7Im2dwUqTevcnJyoUHo_VU59c66ntCrUY-TLgJwJhrkLEb6ehwgww59NPng7wN2f12M/s1600-h/peterdunham_0014.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397632434098238946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lXqIP5xihiiyhwSMs1gOZeRzetcmtdQ4y_FoOA1mcd9ZUywQaq8VMwdwU9GS6dyePr5gygQw7Im2dwUqTevcnJyoUHo_VU59c66ntCrUY-TLgJwJhrkLEb6ehwgww59NPng7wN2f12M/s400/peterdunham_0014.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnU3BhSjx_RqPNLiFb3Am10VqmXhx8N27KQnTsL-ByI57h8drlIvVWW4R0PUIuPNSyOvbbH_-ikYUG1xdA8lUiKfWiQWj526Ymba2cUFJ_GxVVZGC64wlxFckCmB-JeUbOZJrPtz9D-E8/s1600-h/main-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="460" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397632143221747250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnU3BhSjx_RqPNLiFb3Am10VqmXhx8N27KQnTsL-ByI57h8drlIvVWW4R0PUIuPNSyOvbbH_-ikYUG1xdA8lUiKfWiQWj526Ymba2cUFJ_GxVVZGC64wlxFckCmB-JeUbOZJrPtz9D-E8/s400/main-1.jpg" width="460" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2Jy1EAmPoOTGyM84-7TCLT8wpgdIghmtNG0R6RF6RJRBZ7JMo9D3ykinsl39-ICtz-y08eYPZABylOR4MHfHEcthFraDg7X3BvxIiXyZMk-YJx4ZS-9IRrSXvgtV8I13sXxlYpnri6k/s1600-h/main-3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397632631957613554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2Jy1EAmPoOTGyM84-7TCLT8wpgdIghmtNG0R6RF6RJRBZ7JMo9D3ykinsl39-ICtz-y08eYPZABylOR4MHfHEcthFraDg7X3BvxIiXyZMk-YJx4ZS-9IRrSXvgtV8I13sXxlYpnri6k/s400/main-3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 450px; width: 450px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm a follower of bathrooms with a fireplace.  If my bathroom were big enough I would definitely install a fireplace to look at the soothing fire while soaking in my tub at the end of a busy day enjoying a glass of wine.  I can't think of a better way to unwind after a hectic day.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">top image is from Home & Garden, second from Peter Dunham.</span></div></div></div>

Fireplace in the bathroom

I'm a follower of bathrooms with a fireplace. If my bathroom were big enough I would definitely install a fireplace to look at the soothing fire while soaking in my tub at the end of a busy day enjoying a glass of wine. I can't think of a better way to unwind after a hectic day.top image is from H…

28Oct2009

Why all the fuss about e-readers??

<span style="font-family:verdana;">Architects LOVE books.  I have talked about this before.  In fact, pretty much every creative I know loves books.  As an admitted bibliophile, I have personally spend hundreds if not thousands of hours combing through used book stores to find rare and out of print titles on my favorite subjects.  There is something very comforting and romantic about curling up with a great book and cracking it open to discover what lies within.  For me, it is something that started when I was very young and it has been a romance that has lasted my entire life.  </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I have also talked before about great companies and how great companies embrace great Design to change our world.  Last week, Barnes and Noble announced that it had developed a new e-reader called "the Nook" to take on Amazon's Kindle head to head in a battle for the e-consumer.  Amazon is also fighting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Walmart</span> over prices of digital book downloads.  You would think that a person who loves books AND design would be excited about the potential of bringing a new distribution network to book lovers.  Unfortunately, I don't see what the big deal is.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">First and foremost, I believe that e-readers are a fad.  The reason being is that book publishing (when done properly) is an Art.  How many times have I been attracted to a book simply because of the cover design or the font on the spine?  Choosing a good book is like choosing a good friend, even if the relationship is only temporary.  When a great narrative is married with a great layout and produced on a high quality medium the results are extraordinary.  I have built a collection of books that I hope to pass on after I have gone and I revisit most volumes fairly often.  (I will say that many of my books are non-fiction and are not read in the traditional sense.  I use many of them on a regular basis for their imagery and inspiration.) As a great book is a work of art, the classics constantly appreciate in value.  A vintage first edition of any major work accompanied by its dust jacket is always a prized possession.  How can an e-book compare to this?</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The e-book is the '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">McMansion</span>' of the literary world.  Just another way to try and deliver more for less.  The problem is that the consumer ends up with no tangible product for the money.  Why would I pay $10 for a new digital novel when I could buy a hard copy in a used book store for $5 a month after it comes out?  The argument for e-books is that you can carry hundreds of books in your pocket.  I don't know about you, but I only tend to read one novel at a time, maybe two.  If I have ever brought a book with me on a train or to the beach, it has often been a conversation starter with a random stranger asking if the book was any good or sharing a story about a part that they liked.  What is the new alternative?  A nation full of people staring down at a screen all reading the same book?  </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We live in the most technologically advanced society the world has ever known.  We have conveniences that our parents could never have dreamed of.  With all these gifts however, we are losing our ability to feel and communicate as humans are meant to do.  School age children learn to type before they know how to write in script (Do kids even learn script anymore?  Or is called cursive?).  We have taken experiences that are meant to be emotional and we make them mechanical.  For this reason, I don't believe the traditional book will ever go away.  Like everything else of quality, they may increase in price, but hopefully this will make it such that only the great books get published.  One can only hope.</span>

Why all the fuss about e-readers??

Architects LOVE books. I have talked about this before. In fact, pretty much every creative I know loves books. As an admitted bibliophile, I have personally spend hundreds if not thousands of hours combing through used book stores to find rare and out of print titles on my favorite subjects. Th…

27Oct2009

Furniture in the bedroom

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlGT8-5kzEG8qzyV0cEJaMs4la0PWn629hyphenhyphen5sjdnteakcTe3C8mlHLvM5iSCnrGxL-iNP_l-ji-hkH5XILxmd3ngJvVWlFXh53QDfapYLxY7_GcFV_f6eX_1Is2AR53oODPoe79_YKZU/s1600-h/Orient_Tanger_S2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396880344727074786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlGT8-5kzEG8qzyV0cEJaMs4la0PWn629hyphenhyphen5sjdnteakcTe3C8mlHLvM5iSCnrGxL-iNP_l-ji-hkH5XILxmd3ngJvVWlFXh53QDfapYLxY7_GcFV_f6eX_1Is2AR53oODPoe79_YKZU/s400/Orient_Tanger_S2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 461px; width: 461px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAu9bwzlLi7m05a_0HD0U8jOHvrcVApd5v_3fABIvVAkfVrqR6ioCzCo99dIuTdMqXq3c4ZpTX28p2ZGsUzlomA-lklSwN27w_8DPKxj_zaLp5CRsRNyy3jlfzqPpGCsb4k5YeBMqAgII/s1600-h/kelly+wearstler+-+brentwood+estate.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396880342992192738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAu9bwzlLi7m05a_0HD0U8jOHvrcVApd5v_3fABIvVAkfVrqR6ioCzCo99dIuTdMqXq3c4ZpTX28p2ZGsUzlomA-lklSwN27w_8DPKxj_zaLp5CRsRNyy3jlfzqPpGCsb4k5YeBMqAgII/s400/kelly+wearstler+-+brentwood+estate.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 317px; width: 468px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99Eyzy3Vm3HKa7_-UI2xH3gL-gFOAxbcWpd_PDfUR3nm9I8NRdBJ1ipCEUwBUH64nZ79384zWtO-NE-4zOfiC7Jca-ZCw_RpygUXf6AXTixYIw9AwKDCzT09HIcVHl-aOxg9gnuNGNp4/s1600-h/barry+dixon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396880337504677026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99Eyzy3Vm3HKa7_-UI2xH3gL-gFOAxbcWpd_PDfUR3nm9I8NRdBJ1ipCEUwBUH64nZ79384zWtO-NE-4zOfiC7Jca-ZCw_RpygUXf6AXTixYIw9AwKDCzT09HIcVHl-aOxg9gnuNGNp4/s400/barry+dixon.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 351px; width: 464px;" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 85%;">images from top Alberto Pinto, Kelly Wearstler and Barry Dixon.</span></div>

Furniture in the bedroom

images from top Alberto Pinto, Kelly Wearstler and Barry Dixon.…

26Oct2009

The origin of the Decorator

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOtr9uNpjlDl0zt7pRCX831d5GQI8TSnDCz8mx7FdmCKcil4vV6ztR6Vi2ZJM6m9VpYnoyC9BK_iBfGpHwInu7lgpHaKuQzp6SvN-6guo_nF16okK4w82SpDbCrrtCTxheUc-yb_HydI/s1600-h/origin+of+the+decorator.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395768943491756098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOtr9uNpjlDl0zt7pRCX831d5GQI8TSnDCz8mx7FdmCKcil4vV6ztR6Vi2ZJM6m9VpYnoyC9BK_iBfGpHwInu7lgpHaKuQzp6SvN-6guo_nF16okK4w82SpDbCrrtCTxheUc-yb_HydI/s400/origin+of+the+decorator.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 428px; width: 453px;" /></a></div>Did you know that, according to Interior design & decoration 6th ed., in Renaissance France (c.1500-1610) the profession of the Decorator was created due to the need of a constant or frequent knowledgeable supervisor capable to use the talent of each artist to the best advantage, to arrange every piece of furniture and position them to best effect.  The decorator or <span style="font-style: italic;">ornemaniste</span> was also an engraver who was able to facilitate his client with a vision of a final result through the medium of engraving.  The Ornameniste Abbe Jaubert once wrote "To excel in this art, which has been born before our eyes, it is necessary to have a good eye, to have a good knowledge of design, to understand perfectly the merits of each piece of furniture, to show them in their true light, and to create an ensemble that will give pleasing impression".<br />No wonder France is been always the <span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-style: italic;">Center of the arts</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 85%; font-style: italic;">image from cartoon stock</span></div>

The origin of the Decorator

Did you know that, according to Interior design & decoration 6th ed., in Renaissance France (c.1500-1610) the profession of the Decorator was created due to the need of a constant or frequent knowledgeable supervisor capable to use the talent of each artist to the best advantage, to arrange every pi…

23Oct2009

Le Palais rhoul

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">Dreaming of being in Hotel <a href="http://www.palais-rhoul.com/main_en.htm">Le Palais rhoul</a> in Marrakesh.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnM-WseJ9_wGqruJ00LemQKYTsaoFkiekTGvVpUbM3hNB1XWQ3RMhc5ODPUh0xkTI6YVGI1bHY_ja-nkEeqZSME7ZMChMt6nKWfjAFRg4zR2tBsJgeToKd-GGtGD_kacJAOy5kYTyZs8I/s1600-h/378_1_4g.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394676534133177826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnM-WseJ9_wGqruJ00LemQKYTsaoFkiekTGvVpUbM3hNB1XWQ3RMhc5ODPUh0xkTI6YVGI1bHY_ja-nkEeqZSME7ZMChMt6nKWfjAFRg4zR2tBsJgeToKd-GGtGD_kacJAOy5kYTyZs8I/s400/378_1_4g.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7BxVJ0vwMA-39gfs4zIhHo_aAC6UWOXQB63KSUf8F1WRwKfUrtU8y7du1AiBf5xHrM64K-PeObK2uWqo8lTs3TCtu6HFhyZZNo71EwotI771W8BTeP9CO9v9XeP-7AFJGAFb3l8FBxk/s1600-h/378_1_9g.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394676520805183250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7BxVJ0vwMA-39gfs4zIhHo_aAC6UWOXQB63KSUf8F1WRwKfUrtU8y7du1AiBf5xHrM64K-PeObK2uWqo8lTs3TCtu6HFhyZZNo71EwotI771W8BTeP9CO9v9XeP-7AFJGAFb3l8FBxk/s400/378_1_9g.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCY1iILHTaXDH5YXlHJldbYE404tzzXyeOcFYrHQPO6KIa9t1dBhMy1mbzgC9nISv8TpN1-GS2EXljOIWAD4Uptjbovg1XICo-OCuDJJtppoaQVWbJuiMAS7Prk3ku2QhdBPG76sG87E/s1600-h/378_1_8g.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394676530813113954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCY1iILHTaXDH5YXlHJldbYE404tzzXyeOcFYrHQPO6KIa9t1dBhMy1mbzgC9nISv8TpN1-GS2EXljOIWAD4Uptjbovg1XICo-OCuDJJtppoaQVWbJuiMAS7Prk3ku2QhdBPG76sG87E/s400/378_1_8g.jpg" width="512" /></a></div></div>

Le Palais rhoul

Dreaming of being in Hotel Le Palais rhoul in Marrakesh.…

20Oct2009

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Fireplace in the bathroom

Why all the fuss about e-readers??

Furniture in the bedroom

The origin of the Decorator

Le Palais rhoul

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