DesignArchitectureDecor

Divine Inspiration: Modern Church Design

2012-06-19T16:26:00.000-07:00

A look at a few modern churches that dare to inspire in new and creative ways.

Church of Santa Monica- Madrid, Spain

Vicens & Ramos Architects

Jubilee Church- Spain

Richard Meier

Sao Paolo Parish Complex- Foligno Spain
Fuksas Architects

Farewell Chapel
OFIS

Martin Luther Church- Hainburg, Austria
Coop Himmelb(l)au
Courtesy of Dezeen

Oh You Pretty Things

2011-09-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, a little paint, fabric, art, and fresh flowers can help a girl feel like, well, a girl.

See how I make over my bedroom to satisfy my feminine side....

An old dresser that was cream and gold in a previous life, gets a black an white makeover.

A mirror, flowers, photos, vases, and an organizer dress the dresser.

A birthday card and homemade art from a friend are inspiration for the quirky color palette.

Divide and conquer.

Stripes of varying width and color add interest.

Chalkboard paint on the door allows for creative drawings or inspirational notes.

Just outside the bedroom, old cupboard doors go from 70's oak to white with chalkboard paint inserts (yeah, I was trying to use up the quart). Simple pulls are added for some sparkle.

Pattern Palooza

Fresh flowers and books are added to makeshift night stand. The headboard goes from dark wood with caning to white and bright with graphic pattern fabric.

A girlie hook allows for a place to hang bags.

Even the boys appreciate the updates.

Spotlight On: Julius Shulman

2011-08-11T20:51:00.000-07:00

Time to take a moment to appreciate iconic architectural photographer, Julius Shulman. He captured modern architecture and the city of Los Angeles like no other.

The late Shulman's pictures have stood the test of time and look as fresh today as they did in the past....just like the buildings he loved to photograph.

Hocus Pocus

2011-08-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

One, the "invisible" bathroom by Rapsel is a definite study in minimalism.

With covering trays made of slatted larch wood, you no longer have to look at those pesky plumbing fixtures when you walk into your en suite. And even better, your wash basin, wc or shower tray can do double duty as shelving or extra seating.....Hmmm, ok.

I will admit that it looks pretty nice, but ehhh, I don't know. I'd hate to mess up the "look" with a bottle of hand soap. And where does the toilet paper go- can they hide that too? I'm just saying.

I understand that larch wood is waterproof and used in the construction of yachts, but I wonder how long will it really stay looking good in my bathroom? Cleaning it looks like it would be a pain, but maybe I'm just being grumpy.

In the end, I can't decide if the installation of One would produce an uber-minimalist paradise or a logistical nightmare... for me, the jury is still out.

What do you think?

Now you see it.....

Now you don't....

In the Hood

2011-07-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

D+A+D has always had a thing for range hoods, but this crop take that feeling to a whole other level. They are easily passable as chandeliers, sculpture or art. Love it.

Not surprising, these designs come out of Italy (with the exception of Miele, which is based in Germany), where they have been jumping ahead of the curve for years. Some of the models like Star and Legend have been around for a few years now, but I have yet to see anything like them come out of the States (please someone correct me if I'm wrong). It will be interesting to see what turns up in 2012.

Oh range hood, the affair continues....

Vertigo Double- Best Sorpresa Collection

DA 5341D Decor- Miele

Murano Alfa- Futuro Futuro

Space- Elica

Murano Moonlight- Futuro Futuro

Sinfoni- Elica

White Stream- Elica

Legend- Elica

Star- Elica

Take a Stroll: Abbot Kinney

2011-07-24T21:27:00.000-07:00

It was a perfect day to take a stroll down one of my favorite streets, Abbot Kinney, in Venice, California.

The street is lined with shopping, restaurants, bars, and art galleries that can keep you busy for the whole day. From vintage to modern, it has something for just about everyone. And when you are all tuckered out from walking and exploring, you can head down to Venice beach for some rest and relaxation.

Abbot Kinney is pet friendly, so grab Fido and make a day of it.

Global Refinement: Donna Karen Lenox Collection

2011-07-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

New York fashion designer Donna Karen has partnered with American tableware company Lenox, to produce a tabletop line that is organic and refined. Hand-crafted in places like India, Thailand, and Nepal, the collection reflects Karen's love of the exotic and her nomadic spirit.

Singing Bowl

Sculpted Metal

Artisan Glass Glacier

Porcelain Touch

Burnished Metal Candlestick

Artisan Glass Black

Abstract Coral

Hand Carved Wood

Source: Lenox

Ride the Wave- Architecture Takes Another Step Outside the Box

2011-07-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

As computer-aided design programs progress and become more advanced, so do the buildings that today's architects produce.

It is no longer required that office buildings, skyscrapers, houses, or museums come in the form of a box. Architects now have countless shapes at their disposal.

Of course, we have seen the deconstruction of traditional architecture for quite sometime with the likes of Frank Gehry, Rem Koolhaas, and Daniel Libeskind (to name a few), but the new wave we have seen in some recent buildings seems to have taken a softer, more composed approach.

Here are a few notables:

Residential Skyscraper, New York- Frank Gehry

Museo Soumaya, Mexico City- Fernando Romero

Education Executive Agency and Tax Offices, the Netherlands - UNStudio

Education Executive Agency and Tax Offices-UNStudio

Aqua at Lakeshore East, Chicago- Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects

Absolute Towers, Toronto- MAD w/ Burka Architects

Absolute Towers at night

Rococo, Rococo

2011-07-14T10:47:00.000-07:00

Light-hearted, flirty- Rococo was a departure from Baroque's massive, rectilinear, and sometimes overbearing style. Devoted to pleasure, fantasy, and gaiety, the Rococo style suited the hedonistic tendencies of France's noble class of the 18th century.

Some of these pieces get classified as Neo-Baroque. However, to me, the curvilinear, feminine, and lightness of design speaks more to the Louis XV style.

Today, designers continue to revisit the whimsical furniture, adding modern twists, turns, and colors.

Royal Arm Chair- Modani

Ginetta- Slamp

Glamor- Eurolegno

Pattern Bent Wood Chair- Brocade Home

Cassiopea Lamps- Modani

Louis Ghost- Philippe Stark

Lace Pattern Wall Art- Brocade Home

Silhouette Console Table- Brocade Home

Chesterfield Sofa- Modani

Queen of Love Chair Outdoor Chair- SAW Italy

She's Crafty: Do it Yourself "Inspiration Board"

2011-07-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

I decided that I wanted an inspiration board for pictures and clippings for my office. However, I found that I couldn't quite find one that I liked. So, what was the solution? Make my own.

Materials- Stretched canvas ( I chose 30 x 40), fabric that tickles your fancy, ribbon, scissors, staple gun, fabric tacs, brads, and something to measure with

First, lay out fabric and place canvas on top. Pull fabric taut over the width sides of canvas.

Next, staple fabric to wood frame.

Trim extra fabric and staple the other width end.

Take corners and tightly wrap around as if you are wrapping a gift. Staple.

Trim fabric on the two remaining sides.

Staple the sides to the frame.
**disclaimer**
You can make this as messy or neat as you want, as long as the fabric is pulled tight and looks nice on the sides. Admittedly, mine is a little messy.

Now, decide how you want to lay out your ribbon, measure, and mark lightly on fabric. I decided to space the pieces 5 inches apart.

I start by placing my middle piece.

Once you have proper placement, staple to back side of frame. I added a vertical staple for added stability after this picture was taken.

Traditionally, the ribbon is placed at a diagonal across the board, but I decided to make my pieces perpendicular for a modern look.

Time to secure the ribbons in place. I'm using a furniture tack to create a hole for the brad- they go through the canvas easily.

Place brads and unfold in the back to secure.

You can continue the ribbons throughout the board, but I like a little variety.

Time to decorate.

You can tuck pictures behind the ribbon or pin them to the board.

Back to work. Happy Crafting!

Beachy Keen

2011-07-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

Outdoor Woven Pillow- West Elm

Driftwood Hurricane- Anthropologie

Go Porch Swing- Design Within Reach

Dune Revderie Beach Towel- Anthropologie

Sea Life Dinnerware- thomaspaul

Kayu Teak Dining Table- Design Within Reach

Little-L- Royal Botania

Surf- Royal Botania

Spotlight On: Yellow Goat Design

2011-07-05T15:16:00.000-07:00

Looking to get your socks rocked? Then just check out Yellow Goat Design.

YGD designs and constructs lighting fixtures (as well as furniture and architectural screens) that range from the amazing to the purely sublime. Their goal seems to be to create pieces that you have never seen before and that you will not soon forget.

Materials range from glass, crystals, metal, wicker, lycra, and more. You will find them showcased mainly in hotels, clubs, and casinos, but they also design for residential projects.

Happy to collaborate, YGD often works creatively with architects and designers to produce the perfect piece for their project.

The company is based in Australia, but they will ship anywhere.

Check out their website- you will not be disappointed.

Chrysalis

Bombe

Nessarose

Dipped

B&S

Play Misty For Me

Points

Floppy

Halo Vert

Celeste

Catseye

Aurora

Savoy

Novotel- Brisbane

Crown Casino- Melbourne

Art 101

2011-06-30T14:10:00.000-07:00

Last semester, I had to take a 3-d art class to fulfill one of my prerequisite requirements. I have to say, I was not keen on the idea at first (especially when I learned I would have to work in the wood shop) but, the class quickly grew on me and I ended up having a lot of fun.

Here are some my projects:

Plasticine Modeling Clay

Shot of the "cap"

2-sideded cast gets filled with plaster....many times

and turns into this- "Fantastic Mushrooms"

I was inspired by the work of Katharina Fritsch

Little Wood Shop of Horrors...

With my partner, we produced "Deconstructed Tree"

Final Project- Create a mask!

I used chicken wire and a helmut

Covered in plaster...

All done!

KiDz

2011-06-19T12:18:00.000-07:00

A good friend of mine recently had a beautiful, bouncing, baby girl (shout out to Ryann!) Her arrival got me to wondering what is new and cool for baby, toddler and the parental units.

Here is a sampling:

Offi Nest Bassinet- Scott Wilson

Skline Sleep Sack- DwellStudio

Bit Toddler Bike- Giodos

Duck- Hans Bollling for Architect Made

Billie Alphabet + Wall Art- Olli & lime

Canvas Diaper Bag- Nest

Vitra Eames Children's Elephant- Charles + Ray Eames

Sophie Dresser- Tiffani Thiesen + Lonnie Paul

Dodo Rocking Bird- Ovia Toikka

Cohen Glider- Oliio

Coco Baby Lounger- Bloom

Owls Bibs/Burp Set- DwellStudio

Toro Stroller- Micralite

Loft High Chair- Bloom

Animals-Dwell Baby

Teardrop Mobile- Wallter

Playball Chair- Littlenest

Rock with Me

2011-06-08T11:10:00.000-07:00

Stingray Bentwood Rocker- Thomas Pedersen

ArmShell Rocker- Charles + Ray Eames

Buttercup Rocker- Blu Dot

Voido Rocking Chair- Magis

Mod Rocker- Iglooplay

Mamma Rocking Chair- Patrick Messier

Pet Swag

2011-06-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

Hemp Dog Bed- Amenity

ModKat Litter Box- Brett Teper + Rich Williams

Magis Dog House- Michael Young

Series 3 Deluxe Pet Feeder

Hepper Roost Bird House

KittyPod- Elizabeth Paige

Illuminating Luminaries:

2011-02-16T17:54:00.000-08:00

Perhaps it's the lighting class that I'm enrolled in this semester....whatever the reason may be, I've got my sights set on some amazing light fixtures that are currently on the scene.

Here are some of my favorites...

Apaya Collection- Aqua Creations

Pullman 30- Phosphoria

Crystal Teardrop Chandelier- BoneSimple

Ether- FDV Group

Furry- Phillips Collection

Hexagon Chandelier- Dan Golden

Black Dragon- Hudson Furniture

Atlantis- Hudson Furniture

Mother- Hudson Furniture

Cash120NH- Hudson Furniture

La Vie en Rose- Brand van Egmond

The Medusa- Geraldine Gonzalez

Spotlight On: Architect-Daniel Libeskind

2011-02-16T16:27:00.000-08:00

Even if you think you have never heard of Daniel Libeskind, you probably have. He is responsible for the master design of the World Trade Center Memory Foundations, currently under construction and scheduled for completion in 2015 in New York City.

Mr. Libeskind and his design studio have a myriad of other world-renowned, award- winning projects under their collective belts as well. Often grouped along with other deconstructivist architects such as Frank Gehry, his buildings are more like sculpture than, well, buildings. Often clad in titanium siding, Libeskind's buildings employ strong angles, sharp lines, and sometimes seem to defy gravity.

Before Libeskind ever built his first building at the age of 52, he was told that his designs were "unbuildable". Well, Libeskind proved his detractors wrong and has produced museums, concert halls, hotels, universities and more. Although he has many fans, Libeskind still has some shaking their heads at his designs.

I, for one, think that the projects that he produces are provocative and interesting to look at. I can't wait to walk through one myself sometime in the near future. But hey, what do I know?

What do you think?

Contemporary Jewish Museum

Contemporary Jewish Museum-Interior

Residence-Connecticut

London Metropolitan University

The Wohl Centre-Interior

Denver Art Museum

Extension to Denver Art Museum

Rendering for World Trade Center Memory Foundations

Obsession: Bones

2011-02-15T22:17:00.000-08:00

I love them! I have for a while now and I'm not sure why. I'm not a hunter nor do I enjoy the slaughter of animals- I think animals are cute (ok, ok, I am a meat eater). But there is something about them that I just love.

Apparently, I'm not the only one. Bones and skulls are popping up all over the place lately. Luckily, there are no real bones to be found here-mostly resin casts. The game can rest easy tonight.

Here are a few of my favorites...

Source: Restoration Hardware, Steer Horn

Source: Restoration Hardware, Ridged Antelope Horn

Source: Restoration Hardware, Deer Antler

Source: Pedlars, Skull and Horns

Source: Pedlars, Enormous Stag Cushion

Source: Unknown, Antlered Deer Vinyl Wall Decal

Source: Foile a Deux Handbag

Not If You Were the Last Blogger On Earth....

2011-02-15T21:27:00.000-08:00

So, here we are... Pigs must be flying and hell must be freezing over because I have decided to enter the "blogosphere".

I'm not quite sure what has brought on this sudden need to blog...maybe I'm feeling a jolt of inspiration or perhaps, I'm just avoiding mounting studies and projects that loom large. Whatever it may be, I am here and happy for it.

It probably won't take long for you to guess that I'm just "winging it" here, but I hope that d.a.d. will provide someone out there with some knowledge, inspiration, or at the very least, mild amusement.

Thanks for reading...

Enjoy!
d.b.i.