Magnificent Home Improvements

Will Main Street ever return?

<span style="font-family:verdana;">For those of you interested in Architectural History, there was an event in this country in 1893 that influenced the Architecture of America more than any other since.  This event, held in Chicago, commemorated the 400<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> anniversary of Columbus' discovery of the New World.  It was known as the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Colombian</span> Exposition, or more simply, the Chicago World's Fair of 1893.  </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Before the fair ever happened, it was a big deal to even win the rights to have the fair.  Chicago and New York fought for more than a year to see who would host.  When Chicago was chosen in 1891, it seemed almost an impossible task to design all of the necessary buildings in so short a time.  The effort was lead by Architects Daniel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Burnham</span> and John <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Wellborn</span> Root (Root died before the grounds were completed) and they enlisted the best and brightest of their day to participate in the designs of the Buildings and Grounds.   Included among them were Louis Sullivan, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">McKim</span> Meade and White, Frederick Law <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Olmstead</span>, and George B. Post among others.  Now, I won't go into details about the fair itself, but I will say that the aesthetic was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">decidedly</span> Classical.  Columns and p<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">illars</span> as far as the eye could see and all at a scale that was more impressive than Disneyland.  In fact, the buildings were so amazing that it brought in over 1 million people a day at its peak.  That may not seem like a lot, but this was 1893, in the middle of a severe recession, and the only way to travel cross country with any speed was by train.  Considering the circumstances, this was impressive.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">A by product of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Fair's</span> success was the creation of a new style of civic architecture.  People were so taken with the Neoclassical revival that practically every big city adopted the same Architectural Language for the creation of their public buildings.  From state capitals to banks to libraries, many new large projects constructed after the fair bore strikingly similar profiles to those in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Colombian</span> Exposition.  Now this is not to say that Classical Architecture was not used before, just not at the same scale as after the 1893 Fair.  Even the United States Capitol Building in Washington DC was expanded (in 1904) to reflect a grander scale for a rapidly growing nation.  <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Downtowns</span> in every major city were bustling with new buildings and a cohesive Architecture that gave people Civic Pride and a sense of unity in their towns.  </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Now I don't have to tell you what happened next.  In the middle of the 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">th</span> century, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">downtowns</span> and Main Streets were being abandoned for the suburbs with tract houses and strip malls.  People moved out of cities at an alarming rate and many great cities died as a result of this.  Beautiful turn of the century buildings were torn down as developers moved in and bought up city blocks to build office buildings.  The city became a place of business, not a place to live.  <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">McKim</span> Meade and White's Pennsylvania Station was torn down in 1963 to build Madison Square Garden and One Penn Plaza and it's limestone columns were sent to the swamps of New Jersey where they still lay buried in the muck. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Fortunately, time heals all wounds.  Main Streets are being re-discovered for their irreplaceable Architecture and the benefits of city living.  Where I live, the most expensive towns to live in are the ones with beautiful historic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">downtowns</span> where new restaurants and boutiques are thriving.  This has always been a country where you have choices.  It seems we are always at a crossroads waiting to choose.  So with the national economy in the toilet, and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">McMansion</span> housing bubble burst, the question is this:  Can it be possible for future generations to rediscover a smaller, higher quality lifestyle or will <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Walmart</span> wipe out every store in the country?  I think you know which way I'm leaning.</span>

Will Main Street ever return?

For those of you interested in Architectural History, there was an event in this country in 1893 that influenced the Architecture of America...

3:45 PM

Nature in a room: Fiddle Leaf Fig

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHdKHKCoFldgoccQFzWPQmSdZDgAAdeNWCDNEAHdomRc5KgNThRVyavROF_nJyDlbzoYjK6UFBkj0d3_fyMLqeHt6HxzWoBQwRYqAUbrWPMhh8x2jwutTTq0uywfMfdEWx4xS9yBYKn51/s1600-h/hh1-4-f-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374249021053875762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHdKHKCoFldgoccQFzWPQmSdZDgAAdeNWCDNEAHdomRc5KgNThRVyavROF_nJyDlbzoYjK6UFBkj0d3_fyMLqeHt6HxzWoBQwRYqAUbrWPMhh8x2jwutTTq0uywfMfdEWx4xS9yBYKn51/s400/hh1-4-f-1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 336px; width: 484px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1xkWuKbnF8qa6RCSWlaGBO3AhsG7cnwgPROdciTzXSHfmHGAnhZxHWNKDlnKM7iRdkCJB0C1YiQRTPfUG6ZCnI9BUjn6Q-nvsNLoRgsX_2kNMFaEGSzvkl-M7YfzdB4Q6jFTxo9Ss_A6/s1600-h/nature+in+a+room.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374249361608406562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1xkWuKbnF8qa6RCSWlaGBO3AhsG7cnwgPROdciTzXSHfmHGAnhZxHWNKDlnKM7iRdkCJB0C1YiQRTPfUG6ZCnI9BUjn6Q-nvsNLoRgsX_2kNMFaEGSzvkl-M7YfzdB4Q6jFTxo9Ss_A6/s400/nature+in+a+room.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 353px; width: 483px;" /></a></div>Little things keep a room as refreshing and close to nature as an inside plant.  I prefer big leafy plants, like these two pictures housing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficus_lyrata">Fiddle Leaf Fig</a> plants.  How beautiful this plant is?  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">top picture <a href="http://www.peterdunham.com/peterdunham-losangeles-interiordesigner.html">Peter Dunham</a>, second unknown. </span></div>

Nature in a room: Fiddle Leaf Fig

Little things keep a room as refreshing and close to nature as an inside plant. I prefer big leafy plants, like these two pictures housing ...

5:29 AM

The winner is

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rbZnXUIulh4tBKj9ZLrliQkzZuLueulLCA3zyrJ4-Cpri0bI57x8Dd0_QyP-3ZJXQj6m91NAxkw1Ofmhv4bfOmYKl-iWHrrcPHnRHJN46qy-XMtzE41VagTfzIvoBYaA0U_MmsyM1ixn/s1600-h/b0c32a18b0fabd7fb3f77cb4cc017505_Red_xmas_girl_violin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373526307429333666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rbZnXUIulh4tBKj9ZLrliQkzZuLueulLCA3zyrJ4-Cpri0bI57x8Dd0_QyP-3ZJXQj6m91NAxkw1Ofmhv4bfOmYKl-iWHrrcPHnRHJN46qy-XMtzE41VagTfzIvoBYaA0U_MmsyM1ixn/s400/b0c32a18b0fabd7fb3f77cb4cc017505_Red_xmas_girl_violin.jpg" width="518" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The winner of the <a href="http://bellevivir.blogspot.com/2009/08/hot-hot-book.html">Michael Tonello</a> book is the lovely Patricia from <a href="http://coloursdekor.blogspot.com/">colours Dekor</a>.  Congratulations sweet Patricia.</div></div></div>

The winner is

The winner of the Michael Tonello book is the lovely Patricia from colours Dekor . Congratulations sweet Patricia.

6:45 AM

Bluefields Bay, Jamaica

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFypPbqtQ2VGBN-gyAndU057aESBoNC2BF7ziOS_EO3Jmh4ycuQMYvGg10cNYsIYvC2Bo63MefpuayhPOlDFwNWlEjds7N819yWI53CU6LbQdFq6T1t97-uO2pDYNMaWooXQeA5lX1jgXa/s1600-h/main-2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372387583073162594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFypPbqtQ2VGBN-gyAndU057aESBoNC2BF7ziOS_EO3Jmh4ycuQMYvGg10cNYsIYvC2Bo63MefpuayhPOlDFwNWlEjds7N819yWI53CU6LbQdFq6T1t97-uO2pDYNMaWooXQeA5lX1jgXa/s400/main-2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 326px; width: 470px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ggDZ7EIW-9oAQGWKbGqivHzltokIG9r9dMuRFnsFKctJ6byDvbs4y5fwLWGc1ZfCaZlK4y0-1KKkVAArOwP6loHSh9tqu6l-XJHgMkGfKeO1oVaE2x8LHE0idOy4aH5iGDP551MaSBWL/s1600-h/main-5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372387575624570386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ggDZ7EIW-9oAQGWKbGqivHzltokIG9r9dMuRFnsFKctJ6byDvbs4y5fwLWGc1ZfCaZlK4y0-1KKkVAArOwP6loHSh9tqu6l-XJHgMkGfKeO1oVaE2x8LHE0idOy4aH5iGDP551MaSBWL/s400/main-5.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 372px; width: 468px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghroyzbTNcG8-um9CUtFKGJyswW046oRsOsCOv7SZ6aAJAAiJILomRCDGsScyiD_MqA0B4hicwt8umMpM7rRpTtChbJ1BUAut0txZvwgRGafH8GLtFhsBvKbD7EqwKi_uou3P9rMvamPGI/s1600-h/main-4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372387570554979122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghroyzbTNcG8-um9CUtFKGJyswW046oRsOsCOv7SZ6aAJAAiJILomRCDGsScyiD_MqA0B4hicwt8umMpM7rRpTtChbJ1BUAut0txZvwgRGafH8GLtFhsBvKbD7EqwKi_uou3P9rMvamPGI/s400/main-4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 286px; width: 467px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WVXev2TKNTCFK58Jp68sjBsyOYxViFXEbpyBylRJ8nNdat_vQ9EMYc9oCmLzqyHL1SPPTcSVMQzm52uELtVODvznzfu8CQBPEVc9AhN_zk_qyv2XBjVCTxGZ66P0ATpkxqS7O8x3ifiB/s1600-h/main-3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372387562445395474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WVXev2TKNTCFK58Jp68sjBsyOYxViFXEbpyBylRJ8nNdat_vQ9EMYc9oCmLzqyHL1SPPTcSVMQzm52uELtVODvznzfu8CQBPEVc9AhN_zk_qyv2XBjVCTxGZ66P0ATpkxqS7O8x3ifiB/s400/main-3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 307px; width: 463px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD4mkZUcqsi0o_GndlNKcyq6Qc_jZ8Wngq2ZF8SdILzy_WuXk2aVO7dBAmrORh4zzZSCHeurI1QytMuxleH8K9MrswAAifmocKUic52sNf66LQI8Dq_iSMroAlHT_zcULDwXJ6Ta5uY1M/s1600-h/main-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372387560362422306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD4mkZUcqsi0o_GndlNKcyq6Qc_jZ8Wngq2ZF8SdILzy_WuXk2aVO7dBAmrORh4zzZSCHeurI1QytMuxleH8K9MrswAAifmocKUic52sNf66LQI8Dq_iSMroAlHT_zcULDwXJ6Ta5uY1M/s400/main-1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 343px; width: 461px;" /></a></div>I hope you enjoyed your week.  I leave you with these breath taking images of <a href="http://www.bluefieldsvillas.com/index.php">Bluefields Bay Jamaican Seaside Villas</a>, decorated in a gorgeous traditional tropical style.  Have a fantastic weekend.</div>

Bluefields Bay, Jamaica

I hope you enjoyed your week. I leave you with these breath taking images of Bluefields Bay Jamaican Seaside Villas , decorated in a gorgeo...

5:06 AM

Beautiful Eclectic Interiors

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauv66sIe8WzYp9BR7fel12IxX9_zAjo5av0rKghqxYzNWRFz3Vg-bTrZFZXpZzAum0GmJ6FGaCoTFghvzmkdON-MWr4Hb-Ampqrmrfgq_CDgX5D1pBc1EDd1XP98aOdFNxyreBaxUd41K/s1600-h/2_krakoff_den_H.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371334937172361074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauv66sIe8WzYp9BR7fel12IxX9_zAjo5av0rKghqxYzNWRFz3Vg-bTrZFZXpZzAum0GmJ6FGaCoTFghvzmkdON-MWr4Hb-Ampqrmrfgq_CDgX5D1pBc1EDd1XP98aOdFNxyreBaxUd41K/s400/2_krakoff_den_H.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 373px; width: 467px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjp0_L_5zPAEqIWOJ0078WIhsQbLv0XGYm2NLW2eS-hQJMBWy9_gmdxpgvlLKenQbnHF1bMex7MZfN_yUyV0xA-3wB41G2umb2CAxVY8i7iLhobikhcarTNyscLk_8kFeiHWBhGxxnDBp/s1600-h/MH_0108_cruz_family_H.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371334961608834802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjp0_L_5zPAEqIWOJ0078WIhsQbLv0XGYm2NLW2eS-hQJMBWy9_gmdxpgvlLKenQbnHF1bMex7MZfN_yUyV0xA-3wB41G2umb2CAxVY8i7iLhobikhcarTNyscLk_8kFeiHWBhGxxnDBp/s400/MH_0108_cruz_family_H.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 372px; width: 466px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzAkLi6RXhZ_1y6MPU6esLCzEb41bCDflrZZlmCngswtMrgBMmprl6WXXqTxdhyphenhyphen4J9BC34K7wc11n0Zicz4_s2WPfD-XDVBYOubY79jrh_oXPqzo0yjsNMmm6OhWNJIVyb4ba-zuQ56rB/s1600-h/ED0908_Adler_family2_V.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371334952412995394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzAkLi6RXhZ_1y6MPU6esLCzEb41bCDflrZZlmCngswtMrgBMmprl6WXXqTxdhyphenhyphen4J9BC34K7wc11n0Zicz4_s2WPfD-XDVBYOubY79jrh_oXPqzo0yjsNMmm6OhWNJIVyb4ba-zuQ56rB/s400/ED0908_Adler_family2_V.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 569px; width: 462px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWwhjhaHl_J0gXEQHE5MfzbSdSCplXdWQxTLucT9POI6dtD3_ggwWiIiLFU7kkLSAF1BVcicK8zLm5neFmrDjDGwNBpQfpVBYkEcd6x6dQ6huoEGg-NeXz7_tgfUxkD7dyJOr4jCPRrCO/s1600-h/ED_1008_Rowley_den_H.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371334945275606834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWwhjhaHl_J0gXEQHE5MfzbSdSCplXdWQxTLucT9POI6dtD3_ggwWiIiLFU7kkLSAF1BVcicK8zLm5neFmrDjDGwNBpQfpVBYkEcd6x6dQ6huoEGg-NeXz7_tgfUxkD7dyJOr4jCPRrCO/s400/ED_1008_Rowley_den_H.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 367px; width: 460px;" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 85%;">images Reed Krakoff, Blackman Cruz, Jonathan Adler and Cynthia Rowley. </span></div>

Beautiful Eclectic Interiors

images Reed Krakoff, Blackman Cruz, Jonathan Adler and Cynthia Rowley.

5:41 AM

cozy reading corners

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimI4VhGF6y1Ix3qgToYC-XIknCx1evSpAhkTvtq9OMCMVhxiU7Xg8_DjWDDbmfg-usTF0UUM7dDA6bC0dC88i9tsVuC-4hHbL8hXfnU0TEH85v7rtShpQ0rKqfkZpMi9IfqXcxaafHlWvL/s1600-h/Interior_13.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371330458347099554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimI4VhGF6y1Ix3qgToYC-XIknCx1evSpAhkTvtq9OMCMVhxiU7Xg8_DjWDDbmfg-usTF0UUM7dDA6bC0dC88i9tsVuC-4hHbL8hXfnU0TEH85v7rtShpQ0rKqfkZpMi9IfqXcxaafHlWvL/s400/Interior_13.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 405px; width: 467px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1KV0EiPcRJigFLgWJkBn50UegXqkZTxSA5ogITF8fSzrGdtbsf-PORPawnt16auSwykj1bQ7kdcTNf-uGTd3C4Fd7StONmPMdJmVntqlrlk-USBe8BhIR0IG1h9PmTnNtqjg3IjX05At/s1600-h/MH1208_Berryman_family_H.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371334453228316658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1KV0EiPcRJigFLgWJkBn50UegXqkZTxSA5ogITF8fSzrGdtbsf-PORPawnt16auSwykj1bQ7kdcTNf-uGTd3C4Fd7StONmPMdJmVntqlrlk-USBe8BhIR0IG1h9PmTnNtqjg3IjX05At/s400/MH1208_Berryman_family_H.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 375px; width: 464px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7oel2lPAt5LkgGLHzeX47G0-MhMe6dwPNCIHFuzb7q4t3zFl9H8qbNezU0j54cixr-Ec8Wtdo0xS8CEwIdIhdN-IG0GIWM_wqChhQHFlIJVpER7dfB6ytOKdbG-RBYYU4jGHK3BvrBTe/s1600-h/ED1208_WEINRIB_family2_V.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371334447159433682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7oel2lPAt5LkgGLHzeX47G0-MhMe6dwPNCIHFuzb7q4t3zFl9H8qbNezU0j54cixr-Ec8Wtdo0xS8CEwIdIhdN-IG0GIWM_wqChhQHFlIJVpER7dfB6ytOKdbG-RBYYU4jGHK3BvrBTe/s400/ED1208_WEINRIB_family2_V.jpg" width="512" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVamOyEfW7kJsusbsjiaFu63hOeAXn3yRBRaxPOiLCSG0k8DzkD06oQPlUULEJvKDFX71wgu4410Cd_wOrZYtpGt8m17hWISWiqb3uI4CkuM3UdkfSqcZNxPi5kBdjE50oKcYikrYy8Il/s1600-h/04_Apteker_family.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371334401097241794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVamOyEfW7kJsusbsjiaFu63hOeAXn3yRBRaxPOiLCSG0k8DzkD06oQPlUULEJvKDFX71wgu4410Cd_wOrZYtpGt8m17hWISWiqb3uI4CkuM3UdkfSqcZNxPi5kBdjE50oKcYikrYy8Il/s400/04_Apteker_family.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>I would love to have one of these cozy corners to read, think or simply nap. <br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">images from John krenek, Toton Sanchez, Nisi Berryman, Madeline Weinrib, Alina Apteker</span></div>

cozy reading corners

I would love to have one of these cozy corners to read, think or simply nap. images from John krenek, Toton Sanchez, Nisi Berryman, Madeline...

5:20 AM

Being an Architect: Myth vs. Reality

<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">If you have ever seen Seinfeld, you know that George Costanza is constantly lying about being an Architect.  And why not?  It seems to impress the ladies and gives George a sense of reputability and esteem that his normal character lacks.  Having spent the last 17 years of my life in either Architecture School or the profession of Architecture, I can say that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">public's</span> perception of the profession is fairly consistent with the response George usually gets.  Unfortunately, it's also not true.  Below are some of the biggest myths about the Architecture (and Design) Industry and note that they are listed in no particular order.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Myth No. 1 - You need to be good at math to be an Architect.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I suppose in the 'old days'  Architects had to do all sorts of calculations as it related to simple structures.  As buildings got larger and more complicated, Architects handed all liability for computation off to Structural Engineers.  If you are a small shop working on small projects, you can likely have the manufacturer's engineers help you with anything more difficult than reading a chart.  And although you may get drilled with formulas in a college structures course, the real world value of that experience is zero.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Myth No. 2 - Architects get paid well.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I don't know where this one comes from.  On my first day of school our critics told us that if we were going into Architecture to make money, quit now.  Of course, there are famous Architects that make <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">alot</span> of money.  And there are famous actors that make $20 Million per film.  But for every box office breadwinner, there are 10,000 wannabe actors filling in as extras for $100 per day.  That's kind of how architecture is too.  When you graduate, most people will spend the first 3-5 years doing construction documents until you are deemed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">knowledgeable</span> enough to talk to a client.  Once this happens, you might go from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">draftsperson</span> to 'job captain' or something like that.  In a recent survey, starting salaries for Intern Architects averaged between $35K-$45K per year.  It is also worthy to note that a Bachelor of Architecture is usually a 5 year degree.  Between the schooling and the Internship, it will take you a minimum of 8 years just to be eligible to start taking your licensing exams.  You find me a doctor or lawyer that starts at $35K per year.  </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Myth No. 3- You have to be able to draw well to be an Architect.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Having worked with many young graduates, I can tell you that this absolutely is not true.  With computers taking over as the default production method, I don't know why you would even need to draw by hand.  Computers can generate 3D models faster and more accurately than any human.  You can also forget about Penmanship.  What is often referred to as 'Architectural Lettering' is now found only in your font menu as 'City Blueprint'.  Now don't be confused by my tone. I am not happy about it.  It's just the reality of the world we live in. I was probably in one of the last graduating classes that had to stay up for weeks on end inking my final drawings on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">mylar</span>.   Those days are gone.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Myth No. 4- It must be great to Design things all day.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Prior to starting my own firm, I had about 10 years of experience working in various Architectural Offices and I had never really designed anything.  This happens for a number of reasons, any of which may apply.  It could be that the office you work in has a 'Design Director' who spends all day handing off sketches to junior grunts who put it in the computer.  It could also be that the project you are working on is all about budget and the client is dictating every decision based on how much things cost.  Or it could be that you were only hired to produce a set of filing documents because it is required by the municipality that an Architect be involved and no one really wants your opinion about anything (this is most common in retail work where you are just cranking out a prototype established by the Client by their 'in house design team').  In my experience, one of those three scenarios accounts for over 90% of the work.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Myth No. 5 - You need to be licensed to practice Architecture.  </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I find this one to be the most false. I have found that there are two types of Architecture firms: Service Providers and Design Firms.  Service firms are crank out work.  Design firms focus on problem solving using Design as a medium.  Most firms in existence focus on providing a service, not providing Architecture.  Look around your town at what gets built.  In my town, most of what gets built are retails stores and houses.  I would not call a Best Buy a work of Architecture, no matter how big the pointy sign is.  In 20 years, it will not be there.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Now in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">contrast</span>, look at Brad Pitt.  Not an Architect.  However, he has been largely responsible for the construction of more Architecture in  New Orleans than most large firms that I know and he didn't even do the Design.  Brad Pitt has essentially opened a Design Firm (by way of a not for profit organization) and brought together a staff of talented young Designers to conceive and execute thoughtful new housing.  I don't know any big firms that have done that.  So if you want to pursue Architecture, pursue Architecture.  If you want to sign and seal drawings for demanding clients, pursue a license.  Either way, make sure you are doing what you want to do for the right reasons.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Finally, don't mistake my intentions for writing this article.  I love the profession.  And that's why I started a development company.</span>

Being an Architect: Myth vs. Reality

If you have ever seen Seinfeld, you know that George Costanza is constantly lying about being an Architect. And why not? It seems to impre...

2:21 PM

A hot hot book

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0p2_FxmhOXs9OQeXP3xY_BFM1xo9In9GYyVYVoBwfQbaYgPmos6gqiQ-xqcHFLeQTEh2OUMrMDIIv3CaXYQAj4ug4WOn15zWycwlRXHybt2t25Pkwr66B-KJ0kKcqux7wZBvTS7rkmUG4/s1600-h/bringing+home+the+birkin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370268004461536770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0p2_FxmhOXs9OQeXP3xY_BFM1xo9In9GYyVYVoBwfQbaYgPmos6gqiQ-xqcHFLeQTEh2OUMrMDIIv3CaXYQAj4ug4WOn15zWycwlRXHybt2t25Pkwr66B-KJ0kKcqux7wZBvTS7rkmUG4/s400/bringing+home+the+birkin.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 286px; width: 400px;" /></a></div>Some of you may have already heard about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061473340?ie=UTF8&tag=belviv-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0061473340%22%3E%3Cimg%20border=%220%22%20src=%2241Vn3KmY6kL._SL160_.jpg%22%3E%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=belviv-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0061473340%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20%21important;%20margin:0px%20%21important;%22%20/%3E">Bringing Home the Birkin</a>.  I read this book over the weekend and anything I say about it would not be enough.  It's funny, young, light and keeps you interested from start to end.  Michael's adventurous and lucky move to Barcelona opened a whole new fabulous career no one had ever considered before; country hopping around the world in  pursuit of the rich and famous "it" bag.  This book is entertaining; after reading it I'm almost certain that the so famous waiting list for a Hermes Birkin does not exist, or does it?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">"<span style="font-style: italic;">The summer's most adorable chick-lit book...smart, fizzy, and amusingly snarky, with attitude to burn</span>"    -NEW YORK TIMES<br /><br />"The prose is vivid, the tone lighthearted.  Mr. Tonello comes off as...sassy, plucky, optimistic-oh, and he can get you a Birkin."  -WALL STREET JOURNAL<br /><br />And you may be asking what's the point of this post, well <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061473340?ie=UTF8&tag=belviv-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0061473340%22%3E%3Cimg%20border=%220%22%20src=%2241Vn3KmY6kL._SL160_.jpg%22%3E%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=belviv-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0061473340%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20%21important;%20margin:0px%20%21important;%22%20/%3E">this book</a> was so much fun that I wanted to share it with you by giving it away to one of my lovely readers.  All you need to do is, if you are a <span style="font-weight: bold;">blogger</span> go into your dashboard to the left lower corner and add this humble blog to your followers, I may even be already following yours.  If you are a reader leave me a comment and the lucky winner will be announced on Monday the 24th.</div></div>

A hot hot book

Some of you may have already heard about Bringing Home the Birkin . I read this book over the weekend and anything I say about it would not...

6:30 AM

More outtakes

The house by Stevens Lawson Architects on Hawkes Bay's Te Mata Peak that is one of our Home of the Year finalists looks great from every angle, so it's good to have the blog to show you some more of Mark Smith's photographs of it. Here it is from the hill below, showing the northerly elevations of the three staggered, shed-like forms:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgJHcykQ0nwITslV2aD2S3MWfAMyevRqvKMCpUF5podU7t0tS5PDlwX_bVYxt7RjsTSqFkpHwdapzAj3Ecb4gy_DQmp6pRYRuuwDCRNb4lkO6Y6QHxQVWUAwr4gPYboMymUIwuUvCUebM/s1600-h/Mouats+House+up+hill+look.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370803118924317218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgJHcykQ0nwITslV2aD2S3MWfAMyevRqvKMCpUF5podU7t0tS5PDlwX_bVYxt7RjsTSqFkpHwdapzAj3Ecb4gy_DQmp6pRYRuuwDCRNb4lkO6Y6QHxQVWUAwr4gPYboMymUIwuUvCUebM/s400/Mouats+House+up+hill+look.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>The home's central form is punctured by an interior courtyard that brings light deep into the heart of the house. This shot shows the courtyard on the left and the home's more formal lounge on the right, which itself opens onto a sheltered west-facing deck.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-My3Pl1pGvQYQFRpxalbTBibfjR0kyiB0En6dgFcnTiXkOcH6tOtu7RslVoH2ruNvyFmtLTMx7spH_nZ3vJU217Qfv4Bb8bATUbHD3wCdBjEqtFkmut9kDgvHb6PaDcZ5nP-P5GLYDuM/s1600-h/Mouats+House+night+courtyard.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370803117174482482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-My3Pl1pGvQYQFRpxalbTBibfjR0kyiB0En6dgFcnTiXkOcH6tOtu7RslVoH2ruNvyFmtLTMx7spH_nZ3vJU217Qfv4Bb8bATUbHD3wCdBjEqtFkmut9kDgvHb6PaDcZ5nP-P5GLYDuM/s400/Mouats+House+night+courtyard.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> This is one of the owners' favourite shots of the house, showing it perched elegantly on its promontory with the hills of Hawkes Bay fading into the distance behind it.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauOHGc6ARUobpLODlS3_KBc3JIyaUjJRL4BcDv4lBFzmRjoSH_wswJVIvO3sO3vUX2t8Ih0A7Ur3vvPezsLPhQBHmS6XFiTynJpDCbClrJP_3gnKdkj7n3iL1dORcKjJxTcuDl8z4-yvA/s1600-h/Mouats+House+long+view.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370803113176100610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauOHGc6ARUobpLODlS3_KBc3JIyaUjJRL4BcDv4lBFzmRjoSH_wswJVIvO3sO3vUX2t8Ih0A7Ur3vvPezsLPhQBHmS6XFiTynJpDCbClrJP_3gnKdkj7n3iL1dORcKjJxTcuDl8z4-yvA/s400/Mouats+House+long+view.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Each of the home's three shed-like forms is connected with long, lower-ceilinged 'gallery' spaces. This photograph shows the connection of one such gallery space with the kitchen and living room. The sculpture outside is by Paul Dibble.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJ-n6ItR8cOzyQHAWCeLKlfuS1dEnOcEpDVd3aCukYkHK66l4sgduacyfZPhULWVo78-fdLDCFypCSf9RHWIs0vLxVwOAo_AWytLNx28MmevZVEfLjn5h_LGeJHQFpH0ablSKMkT6dsE6/s1600-h/Mouats+House+evening+dining.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370803103679075282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJ-n6ItR8cOzyQHAWCeLKlfuS1dEnOcEpDVd3aCukYkHK66l4sgduacyfZPhULWVo78-fdLDCFypCSf9RHWIs0vLxVwOAo_AWytLNx28MmevZVEfLjn5h_LGeJHQFpH0ablSKMkT6dsE6/s400/Mouats+House+evening+dining.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br />And this view from outside shows more of the Dibble sculpture, as well as the deck opening off the kitchen. The landscape design is by Philip Smith of O2 landscapes.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rR0l_TAbBZTOUGdFGKAsn5dG3bnyAjCTO6HmG3mcMjjLdBkw-3x8D6rJbktormdWR8cxHZZ6Bv8L_HrSW2r4ToCZ0uWqT0M-jEgYW5U0En4Heuh3JFoWiKWQX5unrIPnO4-kp2nODyKD/s1600-h/Mouats+House+dibble+outside.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370803100651140626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rR0l_TAbBZTOUGdFGKAsn5dG3bnyAjCTO6HmG3mcMjjLdBkw-3x8D6rJbktormdWR8cxHZZ6Bv8L_HrSW2r4ToCZ0uWqT0M-jEgYW5U0En4Heuh3JFoWiKWQX5unrIPnO4-kp2nODyKD/s400/Mouats+House+dibble+outside.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> </div></div></div></div>

More outtakes

The house by Stevens Lawson Architects on Hawkes Bay's Te Mata Peak that is one of our Home of the Year finalists looks great from every...

10:35 PM

Meet the Architects

Over the next few weeks we're hosting a series of evenings in Auckland and Wellington offering our readers the chance to come and meet the architects in our Home of the Year issue, and see them present some more of their work. The first talk is tomorrow night in Auckland, with another in Wellington on Thursday evening.<br /><br />Here are the details. Entry is free - just register by emailing the address below. Architects get 5CPD points.<br /><br />AUCKLAND<br />Tuesday August 18, 6pm<br />David Mitchell & Julie Stout<br />Mitchell & Stout Architects<br />Team McMillan BMW<br />7 Great South Road, Newmarket<br />With three appearances in the Home of the Year finals, Julie Stout and David Mitchell discuss their unique approach to creating unforgettable houses<br /><br />Tuesday August 25, 6.30pm<br />Andrea Bell<br />Bossley Architects<br />Jerry Clayton BMW<br />445 Lake Road, Takapuna<br />With two homes in the Home of the Year finals in consecutive years, Andrea Bell reveals the secrets behind her innovative, beautifully crafted designs<br /><br />Tuesday September 1, 6pm<br />Nicholas Stevens & Gary Lawson<br />Stevens Lawson Architects<br />Team McMillan BMW<br />7 Great South Road, Newmarket<br />The creators of a series of unforgettable sculptural homes reveal some of their other plans in development and discuss their ideas of what makes a great home<br /><br />Tuesday September 8, 6.30pm<br />Michael O’Sullivan<br />Bull O’Sullivan Architecture<br />Jerry Clayton BMW<br />445 Lake Road, Takapuna<br />The designer and builder of his own ingenious family home in Mangere Bridge talks about the joys and challenges of doing it himself<br /><br />WELLINGTON<br />Thursday August 20, 6.30pm<br />Gerald Parsonson<br />Parsonson Architects<br />Jeff Gray BMW<br />138 Hutt Road, Kaiwharawhara<br />After designing three baches in the Home of the Year competition, Gerald Parsonson discusses his approach to creating uniquely New Zealand homes<br /><br />TICKETS ARE FREE<br />Please register by emailing the names and email addresses of each person attending to<br />architectstalk@acpmagazines.co.nz<br /><br />Please note that by registering you are giving your consent to receive promotional offers from BMW. If you don’t wish to receive such offers, please say so in your email.

Meet the Architects

Over the next few weeks we're hosting a series of evenings in Auckland and Wellington offering our readers the chance to come and meet t...

4:43 PM

The Stylish Side of Sears Modern Homes

<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lately it seems that every time I pick up a magazine about residential design or construction, someone is talking about 'green' design.  Phrases such as 'rapidly renewable', '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">eco</span>-friendly' and 'prefab' are quickly becoming a part of the general <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">public's</span> vocabulary.  Recently, I started seeing recycled glass tiles and zero <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">VOC</span> paints at the big box stores.  And while all of this is definitely good for the planet, I can't help but wonder how it REALLY affects the architecture of our day.  Are these new products really changing the general consciousness about Design, or is it just a marketing necessity to offer a sustainable option?</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Consider this:  In 1913, Sears Roebuck and Company offered 'kit houses' as part of their general catalog.  For under $2,000 you could get an entire house in numbered pieces including <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Millwork</span>, Plumbing Fixtures, Rough Lumber, Roofing, and Finishes.  You had the option of putting it together yourself with an enclosed instruction manual, or hiring a local crew to do it.  Now the interesting thing about these homes, was not the progressive method of distribution (decades ahead of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">IKEA</span>), but rather the Design of each residence.  With regards to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">millwork</span>, exteriors, and planning, no detail was overlooked.  In order to attract the would be buyers, each model had to be comparable in both price AND aesthetics. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Just for fun, do an image search for 'Sears Modern Home' and you will likely see a collection of modest but very charming homes.  If you do a little more digging, you can probably find images of actual homes still in existence from the first part of the twentieth century.  Now compare these homes with the current 2009 offerings for affordable '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">pre</span>-fab' or 'modular' homes.  The results from this search will be dramatically different.  Now don't get me wrong, there are plenty of companies that make beautiful modern <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">pre</span>-fab homes.  But in my experience, they are not affordable to the average American.  Take the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Kithaus</span> offered by Design Within Reach.  Although visually elegant, it will cost you around $400 per SF for a single 9x13 or 11x17 room.  Ouch.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">So my challenge to everyone out there is this: If Sears could design and produce elegant and affordable homes made from high quality honest materials in the 1920's, then why can't we do it today?  In all this dialogue about Environmental Design and Sustainable Building, perhaps people ought to look at the past before we miss a great opportunity in the future.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>

The Stylish Side of Sears Modern Homes

Lately it seems that every time I pick up a magazine about residential design or construction, someone is talking about 'green' desi...

3:42 PM

A Pink Couch

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;">Every girl has dreamt of having one.  I can't think of a prettier couch other than a pink one.  I prefer the darker the better, although I have to admit that sometimes even the lightest one would get me.  Oh what can I say?  I'm a girl.  Who wouldn't vote for a pink couch?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FCh_rN55eFw_00Ks2zkA4Rk78uH31WJy4kuuVBu1GpQphjD0PM3qmEUyuPUUs5LJl0bPfoRkPgiD4wR14HGKDAkZntdu5IqePMgzTkYivCJfDRUwX0INSimr4RISPbTAipWnLc6a9YAj/s1600-h/sc001ae996.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369417801987613794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FCh_rN55eFw_00Ks2zkA4Rk78uH31WJy4kuuVBu1GpQphjD0PM3qmEUyuPUUs5LJl0bPfoRkPgiD4wR14HGKDAkZntdu5IqePMgzTkYivCJfDRUwX0INSimr4RISPbTAipWnLc6a9YAj/s400/sc001ae996.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 376px; width: 473px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNW-4v8gsLYG5I8n2pXyF1bALVlqHL0Ir0O-etTmlrs1Rf5fzRWGJmIQFqxbOVU5ww4-FUuRL1TW6hMCJCfCWhPXo0leoy4eQm0znpxEeO7u5W49TCWl0Q7KgwQjcv3xxCF-IA77EHcYNC/s1600-h/pink-sofa.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369417565341821826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNW-4v8gsLYG5I8n2pXyF1bALVlqHL0Ir0O-etTmlrs1Rf5fzRWGJmIQFqxbOVU5ww4-FUuRL1TW6hMCJCfCWhPXo0leoy4eQm0znpxEeO7u5W49TCWl0Q7KgwQjcv3xxCF-IA77EHcYNC/s400/pink-sofa.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 339px; width: 470px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrGmUp_q4AmPtJXjKda_ey6lTZ4Y5RyN68ZxdryGNZ8IuCU8CTFDeftFPPyaQcMlYMd6nIHdy3jFvu04dZuX3YHArkm78bZdHFU-EEiXuCrW2QDJzMRQEplzjc6voNkKVi_w1uswup64A/s1600-h/pink500x500.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369417570907584418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrGmUp_q4AmPtJXjKda_ey6lTZ4Y5RyN68ZxdryGNZ8IuCU8CTFDeftFPPyaQcMlYMd6nIHdy3jFvu04dZuX3YHArkm78bZdHFU-EEiXuCrW2QDJzMRQEplzjc6voNkKVi_w1uswup64A/s400/pink500x500.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 471px; width: 471px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtUBs5JyM4kjnRIT4vMtl9p0d3TdmNsUpeMuDZIatpMI33uteByhApp2N5QTp0MKgA0mxkOAD9YIyIWaKEhOwtLzlbsvtwPsNsr4n58zvRkV5BsY1pF9Zuu4fGGwwoJT7w7zt385LWXVS/s1600-h/livingroom2-de-6610362.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369417557548532594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtUBs5JyM4kjnRIT4vMtl9p0d3TdmNsUpeMuDZIatpMI33uteByhApp2N5QTp0MKgA0mxkOAD9YIyIWaKEhOwtLzlbsvtwPsNsr4n58zvRkV5BsY1pF9Zuu4fGGwwoJT7w7zt385LWXVS/s400/livingroom2-de-6610362.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 366px; width: 469px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4AOhlT9t18UXkhpXsisJqKNZdrbxWhj-rvZ12FbYefLwD-oWxwsHaklybJujzK_GHHWGTLiN9QRZMmI_XYpZlGoSYqhwgYWzoNV80m-aH5IvS5pb_M0q3SS-jr6pkqk9kAtEJRsoBIol/s1600-h/atlanta-townhouse-interior-design-by-david-kaplan-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369417551890773106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4AOhlT9t18UXkhpXsisJqKNZdrbxWhj-rvZ12FbYefLwD-oWxwsHaklybJujzK_GHHWGTLiN9QRZMmI_XYpZlGoSYqhwgYWzoNV80m-aH5IvS5pb_M0q3SS-jr6pkqk9kAtEJRsoBIol/s400/atlanta-townhouse-interior-design-by-david-kaplan-1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 307px; width: 465px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy60yYm-aaWZ7xVZA97NzDza-5w6cfLFRQqIwanEkMbbMxqZ1vI2vl0HGFYNa7aXBwVxlZbplBlc6psnU6J4ZZywdAqW1dEwGgkt5vehs5BDiqHbuvtkSj3ekUaY0MXImi8jshWUPcB-4/s1600-h/2660860261_0439cc20b5_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369417540700145842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy60yYm-aaWZ7xVZA97NzDza-5w6cfLFRQqIwanEkMbbMxqZ1vI2vl0HGFYNa7aXBwVxlZbplBlc6psnU6J4ZZywdAqW1dEwGgkt5vehs5BDiqHbuvtkSj3ekUaY0MXImi8jshWUPcB-4/s400/2660860261_0439cc20b5_b.jpg" width="476" /></a></div></div>

A Pink Couch

Every girl has dreamt of having one. I can't think of a prettier couch other than a pink one. I prefer the darker the better, although...

5:00 AM

The Elements of Style

<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It has been a couple of weeks since my last post as I have been taking it easy.  One of those two weeks was spent on a beach with some books that I have been waiting to read for almost a year.  I find that vacations are great for that sort of thing as it totally takes your mind off of all of the things that you go on vacation to forget.  At any rate, I got through about five books in total and there were winners and losers.  The winners were the ones that read very easily with great flow and the losers were the ones where I was wondering why I was still reading it after 300 pages.  It <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">occurred</span> to me that anyone can author a book, but the truly successful writers possess something that makes their work more popular.  That 'thing' is STYLE.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Now you cannot talk about Style at it relates to writing without of course mentioning 'The Elements of Style' by William <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Strunck</span> and E.B. White.  Although this book is small, it is has had a profound impact on the world of literary education.  Having never studied English beyond high school, I first heard about it from Stephen King's autobiographical manual, "On Writing."  </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It goes without saying that artists and architects have their own style when it comes to developing designs for new projects, but I was wondering if there were any connections between the traditional design process and the construction of great prose.  So I picked up <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Strunck</span> and White and here is what I found.  Section V of the book is called "An Approach to Style" (sections I-IV deal mostly with English and Grammar) and offers a look into the enigma of great writing.  The author(s) say:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">"If you doubt that style is something of a mystery, try rewriting a familiar sentence and see what happens.  Any much quoted sentence will do.  Suppose we take "These are the times that try men's souls."  Here we have eight short words, easy words forming a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">simple</span> declarative sentence.   Yet in that arrangement, they have shown great durability. Now compare a few variations:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">-Times like these try men's souls.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">-How trying it is to live in these times!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">-These are trying times for men's souls.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Soulwise</span>, these are trying times.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It seems unlikely that Thomas Paine could have made his sentiment stick if he had couched it any of these forms.  But why not?  No fault of grammar can be detected in them, and in every case the meaning is clear.  Each version is correct, and each, for some reason that we can't readily put our finger on, is marked for oblivion."</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Reading those words made me realize how universal Style is.  Here <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Strunck</span> and White are talking about words, but you could easily replace the grammar of language with the colors in a fabric or parts of a building.  We have all seen structures made of wood, concrete, and brick, but why do some call for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">attention</span> and others 'marked for oblivion'?  Style is something that must be a part of every great designer's toolbox.  Projects that are executed with an eye for function only are functional, but boring.  Louis Sullivan was function with Style.  Frank Lloyd Wright went through multiple styles and the rest of the modernists got together and framed 'the International Style'.  </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Looking back at previous generations, I wonder if we have given up style as a society.  Our cities are populated with the same identical big box stores and landscapes as every other one.  I tend to think that this is good for those who want to think differently.  So I encourage anyone to start their own company or open up your own shop.  I believe you will be rewarded for thinking differently, just make sure you do it with Style.</span>

The Elements of Style

It has been a couple of weeks since my last post as I have been taking it easy. One of those two weeks was spent on a beach with some books...

9:53 AM

A touch of gold

A touch of gold

That unexpected touch of gold never fails. Images from House Beautiful.

8:17 AM

Have a great weekend

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I love how the designers incorporated something new or modern in these spaces to bring a fresh touch to an otherwise rigid design.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvf4vqDK8vFv9AeiweuCQOd_8lkyrxxwbZ5v-uC3OoRAP4N78Y0LPTQC3dxoSriZzigady7zJI9iR2yt3a0E8gtEmzStkj6hoC_GZGyAr-QDiKRFBHQ-C_u7M7_rCWzcaer9Ixcokm4hd/s1600-h/3243953029_6f9a4e994b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364237365134565586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvf4vqDK8vFv9AeiweuCQOd_8lkyrxxwbZ5v-uC3OoRAP4N78Y0LPTQC3dxoSriZzigady7zJI9iR2yt3a0E8gtEmzStkj6hoC_GZGyAr-QDiKRFBHQ-C_u7M7_rCWzcaer9Ixcokm4hd/s400/3243953029_6f9a4e994b.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 521px; width: 476px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The black and white photograph and the modern stool paired with some classic elements keep this room light. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-a3Qz4lIWrm7CwGibOBZBlqYPgwXtQoA5zMb8sd_zN0vkGaFXwnpQIEy4IwfPZCN9XXcs8KQ-dHhlhkjgaW7D3NfQj2O74-MFn474rsH_7ksh0BiD6z8MxBhdwQPrlaEX7WiICQf2BKFI/s1600-h/Tonic+Home.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364236225239020194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-a3Qz4lIWrm7CwGibOBZBlqYPgwXtQoA5zMb8sd_zN0vkGaFXwnpQIEy4IwfPZCN9XXcs8KQ-dHhlhkjgaW7D3NfQj2O74-MFn474rsH_7ksh0BiD6z8MxBhdwQPrlaEX7WiICQf2BKFI/s400/Tonic+Home.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 574px; width: 472px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The new and unexpected finish on the stool brings it up today. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvkufGCvc2jCjBA1YqFCeJJJ6Rhi5MCSHKZ9SmjugX3d6Jw1q1dnR-jTONpVJjcc7CkB-e2OD5O_esBZuBgf03wvSc5JywGZepW4wqAx9A_dWroawRSSkIIw9_xzMUqKkLFu9SAd7pf_1/s1600-h/6c3dc4235e9cde0be101f969eefff11aa0be7e69_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364235823130680210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvkufGCvc2jCjBA1YqFCeJJJ6Rhi5MCSHKZ9SmjugX3d6Jw1q1dnR-jTONpVJjcc7CkB-e2OD5O_esBZuBgf03wvSc5JywGZepW4wqAx9A_dWroawRSSkIIw9_xzMUqKkLFu9SAd7pf_1/s400/6c3dc4235e9cde0be101f969eefff11aa0be7e69_m.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 568px; width: 470px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The black and white wall art makes this room unexpected.</div></div></div>

Have a great weekend

I love how the designers incorporated something new or modern in these spaces to bring a fresh touch to an otherwise rigid design. The black...

6:54 AM

The outtakes

One of the hardest parts about laying out house shoots is showing as much of the house as possible without the layouts getting repetitive. The good thing about having a blog is that we can show you some of Patrick Reynolds' amazing shots of the 2009 Home of the Year by Mitchell & Stout Architects that didn't make it into the final layout. This is one of the first views you get of the house from the bottom of the driveway -- it's a wonderfully intriguing object on the hill, inviting exploration:<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-XvJR3xATfhFvoUs1seGu6fPQ2mh0m2WE3Ux4DlO3N1fz1nqCE6tyBv4MAzA9EzW6gOXvsRGfThf_vf9FivIk5fWphJhl2z8aThN7uiSWrGAXTgszV8HZnxNi6jAuWh14_BqfJSP0S4X/s1600-h/FISHMAN+HSE_6002.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367088576216522082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-XvJR3xATfhFvoUs1seGu6fPQ2mh0m2WE3Ux4DlO3N1fz1nqCE6tyBv4MAzA9EzW6gOXvsRGfThf_vf9FivIk5fWphJhl2z8aThN7uiSWrGAXTgszV8HZnxNi6jAuWh14_BqfJSP0S4X/s400/FISHMAN+HSE_6002.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The house faces the ocean, looking back towards Rangitoto and Auckland City:</div><div> </div><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367089944062533634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mH21X18nAiZcZQt-bllEeqnTWC_DH_eBFCC2HpVG1xb_1ZIC4BawgcgQHsdyPRD7bVv2zBkMeGi5vXCeaNYlI0fyMuum1PG04XB_0_1vYVXOkWqTgeTg2GNAAWZ-27ZGHIYP5URFOBJ_/s400/FISHMAN+HSE_5937.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Upstairs, little nest-like guest bedrooms are sheltered behind the cedar screens, which rest on gas struts and can be opened and closed with a long pole:<br /><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367088559102142530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwk_tpSr8bp_zWExnQ9tanKyOTAQ-e9uV8PdsELZ8LIJ_pd1p5F6NadcK3t74cxlfBhHWNklErhjIXr2SzPwGOSG19Q_XSWOYIHWI7rOqxDF_J-NQ-g0U3wz-lAu0yEoLqSwVuMCOBoti/s400/FISHMAN+HSE_5964.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> </div><br /><div>Below these, the master bedroom features an egg-yolk coloured ceiling specified by the architects, and a window that slides right back to allow access to the garden:<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLqo3x7Mw5dS7mbHniJRHFEPE0lIahYUm0KdB0wNZvclOnc5TynmbH3hLg9i5MHxV5CLhPDCe03a8aKsSk3BRCf0tiO3SedS8KAxWHIowJ7KGNFsGW0cw8sq0SfuIGmfWkesjKwZ4R9Kd/s1600-h/FISHMAN+HSE_5982.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367088568123464658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLqo3x7Mw5dS7mbHniJRHFEPE0lIahYUm0KdB0wNZvclOnc5TynmbH3hLg9i5MHxV5CLhPDCe03a8aKsSk3BRCf0tiO3SedS8KAxWHIowJ7KGNFsGW0cw8sq0SfuIGmfWkesjKwZ4R9Kd/s400/FISHMAN+HSE_5982.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br />Patrick was a little disappointed that we didn't include his detail shots, so here are a couple. They're great, but we just couldn't squeeze them in. This one features the rear of the home, where the verandah roof points dramatically up the hill:<br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTwA6kBqHd_H1ssbVMV8f22KGz3231YiknpdTfDaNsKSWqNJn3WtwTu-NO_1Rnhyphenhyphen04QtvsYCIE1YZUevMsj7MJg2_Tr0xHkcq-kzQk3DizLflYY8q3hleFjzLvgTN5xg-SAtNUo5G8ZU6/s1600-h/FISHMAN+HSE_5948.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367088544908532434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTwA6kBqHd_H1ssbVMV8f22KGz3231YiknpdTfDaNsKSWqNJn3WtwTu-NO_1Rnhyphenhyphen04QtvsYCIE1YZUevMsj7MJg2_Tr0xHkcq-kzQk3DizLflYY8q3hleFjzLvgTN5xg-SAtNUo5G8ZU6/s400/FISHMAN+HSE_5948.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> </div><div>And this one shows a meeting of materials: the exterior cedar, the rusted window hood, and the bright yellow interior windowsill of the master bedroom:<br /><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367090841889783634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwh7wIUqLr7fBZLyVSzWXe7cFnSmYQ_B4YGHPe3o7UXzXNGx12TTOmz5xIxzBHXmnUkX-PLdfpsmnKNQsSZo8aLWh79NlDJDxZ0BNdCyvMKjrui99zC_Vqy7ph-gu8F4NhyphenhyphenfcpFx-WzVe/s400/FISHMAN+HSE_6061.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><div>There are plenty more shots where these came from. We'll post more of each of the finalist homes in the coming weeks. I'm on leave now until August 17, but will resume posting after that. </div></div></div></div>

The outtakes

One of the hardest parts about laying out house shoots is showing as much of the house as possible without the layouts getting repetitive. T...

10:21 PM

Fabulous Small Working Spaces

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHp0Qqkmra63ND9vfmaVudTA4O4gZ902vUIveKAhMu_wMf9w1NpE4OHl-Rh4b98ad7NH-YCI_5PCpKFkpFstk56klefghuJQ3IoQEMKtCRDrnFEKKzw4GmasSoTWe-Lo9uuJP7OItIJ8Td/s1600-h/gasl_mary_mcdonald_08-793753.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366672152375040594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHp0Qqkmra63ND9vfmaVudTA4O4gZ902vUIveKAhMu_wMf9w1NpE4OHl-Rh4b98ad7NH-YCI_5PCpKFkpFstk56klefghuJQ3IoQEMKtCRDrnFEKKzw4GmasSoTWe-Lo9uuJP7OItIJ8Td/s400/gasl_mary_mcdonald_08-793753.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 492px; width: 466px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyCcnwlGaRC1o7hxQGHHCtS_h1XCzjVTqNU-RHuCwrvA_tjBmUC_Ox43rsiu73cmkSFyXhYvk_JGjNP1DacU31rfLmPWu6A2s8IdK4ZaT0Zbmlvkh0ekcyoxqlGGCeOQQwWnK9Yo3NG3B/s1600-h/carolinaherrerajrhouse-736908.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366672152880729442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyCcnwlGaRC1o7hxQGHHCtS_h1XCzjVTqNU-RHuCwrvA_tjBmUC_Ox43rsiu73cmkSFyXhYvk_JGjNP1DacU31rfLmPWu6A2s8IdK4ZaT0Zbmlvkh0ekcyoxqlGGCeOQQwWnK9Yo3NG3B/s400/carolinaherrerajrhouse-736908.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 439px; width: 469px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-fWK-E4ccqYezjUWbFzMTMC96If8MywPzJQ1IG9xXEoJtDS0BYycVgErW1y_gBKaIIHiQ3KxprwVIgmFiCrHqJUCNskO1v4M2v5bQlZfEbYNqaNvR_eBEHMn4ILnNao7soiiODjtV2va/s1600-h/pic4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366672159135241186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-fWK-E4ccqYezjUWbFzMTMC96If8MywPzJQ1IG9xXEoJtDS0BYycVgErW1y_gBKaIIHiQ3KxprwVIgmFiCrHqJUCNskO1v4M2v5bQlZfEbYNqaNvR_eBEHMn4ILnNao7soiiODjtV2va/s400/pic4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 568px; width: 467px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiLVTWowDBHdbqIfXT5l0wMT9tA-YCQRfKUIi_DX_w6OIovQe9yTERLEYFtwUwUi_txdL8p-UJEPkxiW1FO7RZeUy1PyTZ5N3TAyOGe3WB7KNKXHdzZD_8tXSmTxBcEAwH36ouBQ6dBCn/s1600-h/gasl_sunrise_ruffalo_06-720001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366672158101959394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiLVTWowDBHdbqIfXT5l0wMT9tA-YCQRfKUIi_DX_w6OIovQe9yTERLEYFtwUwUi_txdL8p-UJEPkxiW1FO7RZeUy1PyTZ5N3TAyOGe3WB7KNKXHdzZD_8tXSmTxBcEAwH36ouBQ6dBCn/s400/gasl_sunrise_ruffalo_06-720001.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 487px; width: 461px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I would be more than happy opening letters or doing some home related paper work from one of these gorgeous spaces.  I especially love the Carolina Herrera Jr.'s room (second from top) overlooking the fantastic Spanish country side.  For the City I would be content with the top room.  How about you guys, which working space would you pick?</div></div></div>

Fabulous Small Working Spaces

I would be more than happy opening letters or doing some home related paper work from one of these gorgeous spaces. I especially love the C...

5:16 AM

Home of the Year 2009

Home of the Year 2009

It's official - the 2009 Home of the Year is the Waiheke Island house by Mitchell & Stout Architects. Here it is on the cover of our...

5:01 AM

Home of the Year on Campbell Live

TV3's Campbell Live revealed the finalists in the Home of the Year on their show last night, and they all looked terrific.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGfaU57eptBiy1dE3pIch61jK-CRT_f8wTjEor6muYGPlT_oTYhZ2OjaQBNTVH7JdLg1tUB7CCcWiu5WHv7fsR3g8IoetNJuTkywYvE8DCZyqYjlAlmlJYOqswKY8i48mz_Wu29uF7Z_T/s1600-h/Campbell+Live.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365855966016421442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGfaU57eptBiy1dE3pIch61jK-CRT_f8wTjEor6muYGPlT_oTYhZ2OjaQBNTVH7JdLg1tUB7CCcWiu5WHv7fsR3g8IoetNJuTkywYvE8DCZyqYjlAlmlJYOqswKY8i48mz_Wu29uF7Z_T/s400/Campbell+Live.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 323px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> You can view the footage at the link below, and also participate in the viewers' choice vote (and go in the draw to win one of five HOME New Zealand subscriptions). I should remind everyone that the judges' decision has already been made - but we'll be interested to see if we're in tune with the Campbell Live voters.<br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.3news.co.nz/Home-Magazine-showcases-the-best-in-New-Zealand-design/tabid/367/articleID/115048/cat/221/Default.aspx">http://www.3news.co.nz/Home-Magazine-showcases-the-best-in-New-Zealand-design/tabid/367/articleID/115048/cat/221/Default.aspx</a></div>

Home of the Year on Campbell Live

TV3's Campbell Live revealed the finalists in the Home of the Year on their show last night, and they all looked terrific. You can view...

2:32 PM

Do you remember this Kitchen?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtstwZMaSFAEvoC0e4c6QIAFm8MKp929tk642Pt67cJsK5Lpm_0H1yH8w0yR2y2GPe_8m0ket-2og4Va_4Ual5kyLOhEP0oLgpZq3F46YgL7Qt8buY8nFDZsj-9kVu8B3Y9MkKVNnMVui/s1600-h/elle+decor+history+lesson+dimonah+and+megmet+iksel+in+paris+a+kitchen+of+contemporary+and+chinese+blue+and+white+pottery.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364809873123707954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtstwZMaSFAEvoC0e4c6QIAFm8MKp929tk642Pt67cJsK5Lpm_0H1yH8w0yR2y2GPe_8m0ket-2og4Va_4Ual5kyLOhEP0oLgpZq3F46YgL7Qt8buY8nFDZsj-9kVu8B3Y9MkKVNnMVui/s400/elle+decor+history+lesson+dimonah+and+megmet+iksel+in+paris+a+kitchen+of+contemporary+and+chinese+blue+and+white+pottery.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 462px; width: 462px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgVWfcn23KHG5GVeqlXVY07TfDeqpk6hTpgI_klUC_jNjw2nPa_rXqhuasbvhwWk4VpJgES1s8-jpoNSZOeqUZBrWucKeyuJlNrb3u_u3coYyG7hu0m5L-knk3ylePYQ9Z5BVjDkvHdm4/s1600-h/tiledetail_domino.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364809875630045106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgVWfcn23KHG5GVeqlXVY07TfDeqpk6hTpgI_klUC_jNjw2nPa_rXqhuasbvhwWk4VpJgES1s8-jpoNSZOeqUZBrWucKeyuJlNrb3u_u3coYyG7hu0m5L-knk3ylePYQ9Z5BVjDkvHdm4/s400/tiledetail_domino.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 493px; width: 463px;" /></a></div>I was going trough my files and came across this Kitchen of the Paris flat in Dimonah and Mehmet <a href="http://www.iksel.com/">Iksel</a>, featured in <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/custom/StyleGallery.asp?mode=base&id1=147&id2=148&seq=7">Elle Decor</a> some time ago.  The first time I saw it I was so fascinated by its simple yet elaborate and romantic design.  The owners designed the fabrics used in the rolling blinds (for the cabinets), the curtains and also the wallpaper after Iznik patterns.  Somehow the contemporary Thai and Chinese blue-and-white pottery seem to work very well in front of the busy background.  This is possible because the Iznik patterns have the same color scheme all around the room.  To this day I still love it.  I know many of you may find it difficult to live with this Kitchen in an everyday basic.  What do you think?  Would you live in this Kitchen or not?</div>

Do you remember this Kitchen?

I was going trough my files and came across this Kitchen of the Paris flat in Dimonah and Mehmet Iksel , featured in Elle Decor some time a...

4:23 AM

On the waterfront

The latest Architecture New Zealand magazine contains an editorial and subsequent story by editor John Walsh on Auckland's plans (or surfeit of them) for Queen's Wharf. I live not far from the red gates of the wharf that inhibit public access to one of the city's best spaces - and now live in fear of the "development" of the wharf quickly turning into another classic Auckland planning fiasco. As John points out in his editorial, the rush to turn the wharf into party central before the World Cup kicks off could very easily lead to the kind of rushed and foolish planning decisions the city will regret for generations afterwards.<br /><br />So, plenty to discuss. Which, to their credit, Auckland Regional Holdings (the wharf's new owners) are doing, at least with the visit later this month of Rita Justesen, chief planner for Copenhagen City & Port Development. Justesen will be taking part in a talk on Monday 17 August. Given that every city down on its planning luck seems to be looking to Copenhagen for inspiration these days, it could be well worth attending. Here are the details:<br /><br />1. THE WATERFRONT MACRO PICTURE: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE<br />VIP Room, Viaduct Harbour Marine Village, 135 Halsey Street.<br />Monday 17 August, 5.00pm-7.30pm<br />Hosted by Auckland Regional Holdings and Sea+City Projects Limited<br /><br />The seminar will feature three speakers:<br />- Matthew Comer, Auckland Regional HoldingsPresentation: Auckland’s Waterfront: Transition from Harbour Board to a place for peopleWaterfronts of the world and the drivers for successful renewal programmes<br />- John Dalzell, CE and Project Director of Sea+City Projects LimitedPresentation: Place shaping in the Sea+City Project and key work streams<br /><br />Auckland Regional Holdings and Sea+City Projects Limited are pleased to introduce our international guest speaker:<br />- Rita Justesen, Head of City Planning, Copenhagen CPH City and Port company, DenmarkPresentation: Place Shaping & City BuildingUse of design competitions to drive change in design of public space and buildingsPrivate sector investment and how quality design solutions were achieved.<br />RSVP to <a title="blocked::mailto:jenny.cheng@arh.co.nz
mailto:jenny.cheng@arh.co.nz" href="mailto:jenny.cheng@arh.co.nz">jenny.cheng@arh.co.nz</a> or phone (09) 303 9466 and place a diary note in your calendar for Monday 17 August, 5.00pm-7.30pm.

On the waterfront

The latest Architecture New Zealand magazine contains an editorial and subsequent story by editor John Walsh on Auckland's plans (or sur...

8:57 PM