Cattywompus

Hoboken Brownstone: Demolition

2012-01-22T08:00:00.005-05:00

This is the second post in the series, Hoboken Brownstone. I plan to document the entire construction process so we'll start with the not so glamorous stuff... demolition!

Brownstone Street Facade

But first, we needed to do some exploratory work at the basement slab to finalize the drawings for the building department... and in our case zoning approval. As it currently stands in Hoboken, by renovating the existing unlivable cellar we were adding a floor to the house, which didn't meet the 3-story zoning for the R-1 area. It's an odd interpretation of the zoning and hopefully will be rectified soon. The purpose of the story requirement in zoning is to limit extra height and floors so the street facade continuity is maintained. But that discussion is for another post. The good news was... we were given zoning approval and the okay to fully finish the basement.

Test Hole Rear

The ceiling was 7'-0" from the existing slab and we wanted to get at least 6" more inches to make it livable per code. It was only a thin rat slab, which was buckled in some areas, so it needed to be repoured regardless. We hoped that the footings for the perimeter walls would be low enough that we could keep our slab elevation to the top of the existing footing and thus not need to do any underpinning or buttressing of the perimeter foundation. We made test holes in several places along the foundation. In some cases, like the photo above, we had a good foot before we hit the top of the footing. In other cases like the photo below, just 6"...

Test Hole Front

So rather than stepping the slab relative to the footing, we decided to keep it all at one level since we were able to gain the 6" we were looking for. As we moved away from the footing, we dug more to allow for a good gravel bed, insulation, and a perimeter drainpipe that would be connected to a sump pump.

Once we had our permits the demo began. Let's start at the bottom, the basement...

Basement toward front

The cellar had a series of old stall-type storage partitions that needed to be demolished and removed. Then the systems equipment was disconnected and services were capped. The pieces of equipment were like archaic monsters... the kind of things found in your childhood basement that you'd have nightmares about!

Once all was cleared out, the slab was jack hammered, as well has the hard packed earth underneath. All was hauled out in buckets to the dumpster out front... one of the many you see around town.

Cellar towards rear

Later we would address the structure once the new slab and footings were poured. The beam and pipe columns seen in the above photo would get removed because the timber member, connections and footings were not adequate to hold the three floors above. Also we wanted to upturn the beam, meaning we would cut the joists so the steel would be set within the floor depth and allow for a clean flat ceiling at the finished basement.

At the First Floor, you can see that the interior walls were made of thick studs, wood lath and plaster... typical for a house this age in Hoboken. It makes for a lot of debris!

Backside of Vestibule

In this photo, you see where the masonry chimney was removed. This was at the rear of the house on the First Floor where the kitchen will be located. The chimney projected from the wall a good bit and we didn't want to lose the straight run for cabinetry. We talked about supporting the chimney that continued at the upper floors but it was more economical to remove the masonry at every floor.

Masonry removed at Kitchen

The fireplaces were kept in place at the front of the house like this one that would be in the future master bedroom. The load bearing stud wall also remained...

Master Bedroom Bay Window

But ultimately, even this bearing wall would be replaced with new stud construction because the existing thick framing was wavy and not plumb, thus more difficult to sheetrock.

Bearing Wall at Second Floor

In most cases there was no subfloor with the finish floor attached directly to the framing. We would install new subfloor over this existing surface and then new wood flooring. The stair treads would all be modified to make up for the additional thickness and provide an equal riser height throughout.

Master Bedroom Fireplace Mantel

The master bedroom fireplace surround will get dismantled so it can be refinished off-site and then reinstalled. The insert covers were also removed and ultimately the firebox will be open and cleaned up with a black painted interior.

Through this opening in the floor, you can see the skylight that had been located over a light well that housed those bathroom vent pipes extending up to the roof. All plumbing, waste lines and vent pipes were removed.

Old Chase Skylight Above

This is a great photo at the top floor... with the skylights white washing the old brick party wall with natural light...

Third Floor

There had been a bathroom on each level where you see the flooring is removed. The structure had been butchered to run piping and waste lines. All new framing would be needed for adequate support. The cavities in the brick wall would also be filled with new masonry. In future photos, you'll see that the masonry party walls will be covered with metal furring to run electrical and plumbing.

Old Bathroom Floor

The ceilings were removed at the top floor. You can see the old plaster line on the wall...

Third Floor Front

I loved the feeling on the Third Floor with its high roof framing, skylights and open space. Would make for a great brew pub... not that Hoboken needs any more bars!

Third Floor Rear

The roof deck required some repair but for the most part it was in good condition and the members were adequately sized. There was some previous water damage where the roof drainage trough was located. We kept the roof pitch and drain location, but areas of damaged substrate were replaced and all new roofing and flashing installed.

Roof Repair

All the existing windows would be removed once the new windows were on site. Here you can see the unfortunate faceted cladding that would be removed to allow for new full glass round top double hung windows.

Faceted Window Cladding

The rear fire escape could be dismantled now that a three-family was becoming a one-family. The paint on the back facade would be power washed and the brick wall repointed.

Rear Facade

So that's the demo! You can see it was quite extensive with just a shell and the floors remaining. One might have tried to renovate the building in a way to keep the old intact. But given that it was originally a three-family and each floor was chopped up into small rooms, the layout would not be practical for a single family today. Much of the plaster and trim work was already in poor condition and modifying the wall locations and installing new systems would have butchered almost every surface.

It's something that needs to be taken into consideration when buying an old home... think about how much you would change the layout, what needs to be upgraded, how pristine you want your finishes and what's your budget. Then it will become more apparent whether you're talking about a gut renovation or a restoration.

Hoboken Brownstone

2012-01-08T09:00:00.005-05:00

I thought I'd start off the New Year with a series of posts recapping a full brownstone renovation project here in Hoboken. I'm excited as it's coming together in the final months, but before we jump to the final product, I'd like to look back at the progress... maybe along the way we'll shed some light on the process for those considering a renovation. This will be my first series, so we'll see how it goes. I'm hoping it will help motivate me to do more blogging in 2012!

So, it all starts with lots of planning. First... we review the client's wishlists, pour through all their images, discuss what's important to them and talk about their dreams. From there, we come up with a schematic plan based on this information and also overlaid with structural and code restraints. I find this phase to be the most fun. It's not real yet... a design exercise in shaping spaces to meet needs in such a way that they bring delight to those that will use them. The client may not get that sense of delight yet, but I know the foundation is there and it just needs to be developed.

These are the final floor plans for the brownstone. They are pretty much what we started with, just further refined with structure, systems, and construction methods as the project developed.

...so those are the plans. It's a 24' wide property, which is quite generous for Hoboken, and allowed for sizeable rooms and a good amount of amenities at each floor. It was a full gut renovation with only the facades, party walls, staircase and floor joists remaining... giving us lots of freedom to create a layout that met all of the client's program requirements in a thoughtful, efficient plan. We did keep the location of the central bearing wall, which delineated the corridor circulation space from the series of rooms and simplified the structural layout. New steel beams and columns were needed at the basement given the 3-story load and also at the living room to pick up the bearing wall that was offset at the upper floors. The lightly shaded areas are built-ins, which help further define the spaces while providing coveted storage options! These areas also add a layer of detail and craftsmanship to the design that enriches each room.

Now that we've got the lay of land on the project, next time I'll start posting some construction photos. Let me know if there is anything in particular that you might like hearing about on this project!

Architect's Choice

2011-09-28T18:00:00.010-04:00

Residential Architect is a magazine publication distributed within the architecture trade and each year they do the 'Architect's Choice' which highlights a few architects and the products they like to use in their projects.

I was fortunate to be asked to participate and offer up some of my own valuable product references for high and low budgets. I was happy that they chose to include something as simple as the minimal robe hooks that I had included in one of my first posts. But I found it comical that they were enlarged so much that they appear bigger than the sink! ...what are actually dainty modernist pieces, end up looking like dumbbells... trust me, they're nice.

Some other products I mention are Marvin triple pane windows, Carlisle Wide Plank floors and Duravit tubs. I really appreciated seeing what other products my colleagues like to use... and thought you might find it useful too!

So be sure to check it out... you can view the entire magazine online here. Flip through to page 44 for the article. Let me know what products featured interest you!

Hey, what's my style?

2011-08-28T12:00:00.001-04:00

Now that the eye of the storm has passed but we're all still trapped inside... let's talk about renovating! We've started (again) on the design of our own house renovation...

Backyard Elevation #43.5

We've gone around with so many ideas over the years that I thought maybe I should step back a minute and do what I tell clients... write down a wishlist and compile some design pictures of spaces we love! Since I'm constantly looking at images for my professional work, sometimes it's difficult to realize my own design style. So I wanted to find a website online where I could systematically look through thoughtfully designed spaces and get reacquainted with what I like. Then I remembered... Houzz!

Houzz Image by Coburn Architecture and Interiors

It's a great resource with tons of inspiring residential images. You can browse by room, style, and location... this allows you to get to the images that will help you most. For example, I typed in Modern: Bathroom: New York... and to my surprise the 4th image was a project of mine!

Mowery Marsh Architect

Apparently, the photographer had posted it and I was excited to see that over 2,500 people had added it to their 'ideabook'. This is a great feature that allows you to keep a virtual binder of all the photos you like. You can put a tag on it so you can remember what elements you liked about the image. This comes in handy when the design phase is 5 years like ours! You can have your selections be private or public which could be nice if you want to share your renovation ideas with family or friends... or better yet, your architect!

You can also search by typing in any kind of item and relevant images will come up. For instance, our place has exposed brick so I typed it in to see some different ideas at how others integrate it into the rest of their design. It's such a strong material element that it will have a huge impact on the overall aesthetic. I particularly liked this one for the color palette...

Tim Cuppett Architects

Another great feature are the tags on many of the photos that give information on products and materials. Nothing more convenient than finding a light fixture you like, clicking on it, and seeing that it's from Ochre and will run you about $6,000?!

Sugar Bowl Residence by John Maniscalco Architecture

It's addicting though... you could be on there forever. Especially with the photos on the right that relate to the style and content your currently looking at... they just keep feeding you more stuff to browse!

So I'll leave you now so you have some time go check it out. Just one final image that will be my design inspiration for our house... at least for today :)

Feldman Architecture, Inc.

Pizza Night!

2011-05-06T16:00:00.004-04:00

This is my first post about food ...and most likely my last. Cooking is not my forte, but I have gotten better at it over the years. Well today, as I was sliding our pizza into the oven (this doesn't even count as 'cooking') and said to myself "Self, that is beautiful!" So of course, the next thing that pops into mind... I must blog about this! I guess that's my criteria for making the blog... beautiful design... where ever it may be.

I've made many a pizza before but never have I done three kinds with the dough fitting ever so perfectly within the pan and the sun shining in our kitchen window offering the perfect light to capture all the colorful ingredients. Typically I do 2/3 with everything I've got in the fridge (broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, onion, sausage, pepperoni, blah, blah, blah) and the other 1/3 with just olives, sauce and cheese for a certain someone in the family. But today I happened to have fresh pineapple cut from the core and a leftover slab of ham... so Hawaiian pizza entered the mix.

I use to get those Boboli pizzas, but they aren't that good. Then I remembered how my Dad used to bring home dough in a bag from the bakery on the weekends. It was fun to watch him throwing it up in the air and we'd get to pick the ingredients. It was our late afternoon snack on a Saturday. Dad is still a snacker... walking around the house offering tidbits on small plates to whomever he can find.

So then I got to thinking... we have great bakeries here in town what am I doing buying this shrink wrapped prepared crust?! So one day I called up Dom's on Grand Street in Hoboken and ordered myself a couple bags of 1 lb dough. Awesome. So good. And only 1 buck a pop! Has to be the cheapest food ever. Thank you Italy!

What's your favorite 'go to' meal?

Handmade Friends

2011-04-22T08:36:00.008-04:00

I can't believe all the talented artistic people I've met over the years. I have some of them listed on the right side of my blog, but thought I should feature a couple that you might appreciate... but do check them all out!

I remember when a friend of mine in college started making guitars (how cool is that)... and now he's venturing into kids furniture (which now I think is even cooler!). If I were looking for some toddler chairs, I'd snatch these up quick and paint them in any fun color I could imagine. You can buy them on Stephen's website.

And if you're in the market for a moose, here's a pretty good looking one. My daughter wants it to hang her hats on...

Another college friend has started an amazing jewelry business, Stubborn. Melissa studied architecture along with me at Penn State and she went on to do the whole architect thing... but on the side she was making jewelry...and I think she found her calling. Always an amazing artist, it's no wonder that her pieces are like wearing works of art.

And I just discovered that she offers fun ornaments on her website too...

And who couldn't use a versatile felted tote! Yes, she has those too...

Speaking of bags... I've got a friend here in Hoboken that makes THE most fun bags around... along with dresses, hats, and other accessories at M Avery Designs. She uses vintage fabrics for her pieces and again the creations are like works of art...

She even has the supplies on her website to make your own. Or you can buy her book or read her blog! Who knew it was so hip to sew... well, Megan offers lots of great classes so you can get in on the fun too. Right now she's offering a class to make this versatile bag found at BurdaStyle...

And my daughter loves the kids classes... with my favorite project being the most adorable house slippers!

All this arsty talk has gotten my creative juices going. What kind of craft project can I come with for a 6 year old who happens to have no school today?! Any ideas... anyone... anyone?

Weekend Getaway

2011-03-27T08:30:00.013-04:00

A few weeks ago I spent the weekend with my three sisters in the charming town of Stonington, CT. Actually, that's how we found it... I googled charming Connecticut towns and there it was!

My sister scoured the coastal CT rental housing market through http://www.vbro.com/ and http://www.homeaway.com/ and here's where we landed... an adorable house in downtown Stonington (better known as the 'Boro') with a nice view of the harbor...

Here's how I found one sis when I arrived, sitting in front of the french doors soaking up the warm afternoon sun on a chilly March day...

The town is sweet... not much going on this time of year, but I'm sure in the summer months it's a perfectly delightful place for a peaceful getaway.

As we took a walk through town, I had my camera in tow and decided to capture some details and design elements for my reference library. Thought you might enjoy them too.

Like these playful brackets between windows to support a generous overhang...

This house bathed in sunlight caught my eye and then I noticed the added shadow line on the beaded edge of the wood clapboard siding...

And the house has a playful rail detail too..

Here's a nice way to edge a short driveway, a birch tree allee...

And this tree found a way to exist in a tiny courtyard. Makes for a sculptural feature...

I like this hayloft door... I can imagine being a kid popping out of that hatch and repelling down the wall! The delicate fan detail is nice too.

Grand pilasters and entablature are beautifully proportioned...

There's something about a gambrel roof... it keeps the scale of a house modest while maximizing the usable square footage in the roof. And I love these generous overhangs, not only will they provide need shading during the hot summer months, they integrate nicely with the covered porches. Again, some elegant yet substantial brackets give support...

Here's another charming gambrel roof. The cedar shingles really make it work since the steep parts of the roof are so visible in this configuration. They add extra texture that you just can't get with asphalt...

Nice copper gutters and rich wood door...

I'm not usually a fan of yellow houses but this scheme with its rosy door is so soft...it's a winner! The tall windows to the floor are always a favorite of mine and I like this variation with the large lower sash.

It's hard to miss this very cool building in such a small town... it has quite a presence. Originally it was a manufacturing building for the Joslyn Fire Arms Company and then for the Atwood Machine Company. Beyer Blinder Belle converted it into a mixed use facility and in my mind, they did it rather well. I found some great history about the building on the The Stonington Historical Society website...

Right next to the historic factory building is a cluster of new homes with views of the harbor. They are gently set amongst sea grasses along a public waterfront pathway. I enjoyed checking out the details and composition of all the fun architectural elements...chimneys, dormers, pergolas, overhangs...

Gables, gables, gables...

We weren't too sure about these tower windows that face a chimney that blocks the view of the harbor, but I'm thinking these are clerestory windows that bring light down into the space and are not for views?

I particularly enjoy this whimsical circle dormer, the hefty porch trim and substantial shingled columns...

And then as we ventured back into the heart of the little town, we started our own door knocker tour. Someday I'll get a new front door that would warrant a beautiful knocker like one of these...

Love this fish!

But this simple clam shell I liked the best...

But it wasn't all about the knockers... we had some fun too! Like having a great dinner at The Dog Watch Cafe... the crowd and staff sang a joyful Happy Birthday to my eldest and our celebration was topped off with some live music. If you get to Stonington you've got to give it a try.... terrific food, friendly people, and it's right on the water so I'm sure it's a hot spot in the summer!

Photo from The Dog Watch Facebook page

We also had to check out Foxwoods which was only a 20 minute drive from Stonington. It wouldn't be a girl's weekend without a little gambling and some cosmos, right?

So where did we decide to hang out when visiting an enormous gambling complex... why the bowling alley of course! But this ain't your typical Rock & Bowl establishment, the High Rollers Lounge is swanky. Great spot to people watch... who knew tube dresses and stilettos were so 2011!

Photos via the Foxwoods website

But our trip really wasn't about stuff to see or places to go... it was about spending some uninterrupted time with my lovely sisters who I rarely get to see. Yes, those are my sisters...

just taking it all in...

Kiddywompus!

2011-01-29T09:34:00.025-05:00

I recently received a post from Remodelista in my email and it featured this great way to display kids art. I have piles of my daughter's drawings and this inspired me to 'someday' put together a project like this.

It makes me feel better that I'm holding on to oodles of artwork, some of which are not much more than squiggles...but you never know what might look fantastic once photographed, shrunk, cut into a square, and arranged with other colorful squiggles!

The site led me to the creator of the collage, Jan Eleni, an interior designer in New York. Here's another display of children's artwork and a whimsical bedroom...

Via The Creamy Life

Via The Boo and the Boy

This adorable little girl's room got me looking through my archive of other children's rooms that I found inspirational...

I love the simplicity of this room and that it could be for a little boy or girl. I found this image and bunch of other sweet kids rooms at House to Home

Via House to Home

Children's rooms are the best for having some design fun. Here are some other kid room ideas that I have found in the past and would love to copy for one of my projects!

Corkboard wainscoting panels scale the room to little tots and it's another great way for kids to display their artwork that piles up.

Via the Scoop

Chalkboards are another great way to have fun in a kid's room. I like the color scheme in this boys room and the band of chalkboard coupled with the map... oh yeah, maps another great idea.

Via HGTV

Supposedly you can make your own chalkboard paint and the DIY: Project website has the recipe. If anyone wants to try it, let me know if it works! Otherwise here's a safe option from Restoration Hardware...

Restoration Hardware

Another great map... this one is a decal which is an easy way to dress up a children's room. This one can be found at Weego Home.

And storage... you can never have enough for a kid. Here's what we did to even out a bump in our wall and give ample shelf space for our daughter's toys and books. More photos of the room can be seen on my website.

The discreet under bed storage in this Ikea bed is a huge bonus... you don't want to know how much we've got packed in those drawers!

I could go on and on about storage for kids rooms. But I'll leave that for another post... anyway, I've got to get started framing my kids artwork...

10 Design Topics for 2011

2010-12-31T13:25:00.000-05:00

Another year has come and gone. We asked our daughter this morning if there was anything she didn't get to do this year... 'cause today is the last day! She replied that there's always next year. Well, I guess that's true but most of the time I feel like we're trying to cram one more thing in the day just to cross it off the list.

So in that spirit, here's my last blog post of the year. Over the past months, I've compiled tons of inspiring photos for client discussions and many would make great blog posts. Here are few photos on each topic and you tell me what you'd like to read more about in 2011!

1. Built-in shelving along a fireplace wall...

Design by Jessica Helgerson

2. Painting an interior brick wall...

Via Apartment Therapy

3. The inspiring work of residential architect, Joeb Moore...

4. Not your grandma's drapes...

Via Decorpad

5. Thinking about bunk beds for a cozy cottage retreat...

Design by Sandell Sandberg

Via Apartment Therapy

6. Kid's rooms and built-in beds...

Via Remodelista

7. Kitchens with fireplaces...

Darryl Carter's Townhouse featured in Elle Decor

8. Another inspiring residential architect, Mark Hutker...

9. Dark sash steel windows...

Via Southern Accents

Design by William Hefner

10. There is something about a white bathroom...

There you have it... my first top 10! And to think I woke up this morning wondering what there was left to write about. So please cast a vote... or my next post might be in 2012! (Wen, I'm talking to you...)

It's hard to believe that I started 2010 with my first blog entry. It feels so long ago and I'm in a different place now... as we all are. The events and moments of the year have added to who I am and the work I do. Its fun to look back at what I was thinking about from month to month. I've enjoyed the process and I hope you've enjoyed reading. Thanks to all of you who have followed my blog this past year. I appreciate all your comments and positive feedback. Here's to 2010 and what 2011 might hold for all of us!

Have a Happy New Year!
-Jennifer Marsh

Hoboken Doors

2010-11-04T11:21:00.000-04:00

One of the reasons I love Hoboken is that it's such a great walking town. What makes it so 'walkable' for me is that every time I'm headed somewhere in town, I see something I hadn't noticed before. It has a good amount of character, culture, history, revitalization... all of which makes for an interesting stroll (or maybe a jog if I'm motivated!). So, as I'm visually inspired on these walks, I get to thinking... "Wouldn't it be great to do a blog post about...?" Well, here is my first "Hoboken Tour" installment! Who knows if there will be more, but one can always hope. We'll call this one...

The Door Tour.

We'll start with my favorite stoop. You couldn't ask for a more graceful approach to the front door...

I took these photos on a beautiful day last spring... all in one morning. By no means did I get all the lovely entry doors of Hoboken documented here. This is just a smattering... more a consequence of which turns I decided to take that day. The photos are also in no particular order... I hadn't the patience to figure it out.

Here's Sobsey's, our gourmet grocer, with its delightful corner door. Remember when it used to be a custom bridal boutique?

A charming entry porch, quite unique for Hoboken...

Lots of black doors in this town. Can't really go wrong with black...

Ah, but these soft ivory doors against the red brick are quite nice...

Or maybe gray...

A magnificent pediment looms over these graceful arched doors with horizontal muntins... feels French to me. I like the natural wood door coupled with the robin egg blue windows...

Another set of natural wood doors with ornate ironwork...

I thought this recessed entry had a nice composition with the interior paneling and off center door.

The flat facade on this newly renovated row house is dressed up with matching glossy black doors with simple overhead sconces. The glass is high with tall bottom panels... brings in light but still provides privacy.

This pendant lantern over the door adds to the stately symmetry of this entry. And the detailed panels and arched glass add to the grandeur.

The rope and dental molding on these doors give a refined quality...

Nice and easy stoop leads to a nice and easy entry door...

Here's the one Federal style entry I found with its six panel door and webbed glass transom detail. The flag and scooner are a nice touch too.

As I said, these are just a few of the many wonderful entry doors I pass each day in Hoboken. So if there is a door you love that's not pictured here, send me a comment and maybe it will show up in... The Door Tour: Part II!

Not Exactly a Farmhouse

2010-09-11T16:30:00.001-04:00

I've been meaning to write the second half to my previous post:
New Windows: Part I. Well, here it is! I'm sure you're excited, so let's have at it...

I have a project that is just finishing up (and for sale) and it dawned on me that it's a good case study on how to get the most of your new windows. Last time I talked about different manufactures and window types... this time I want to look at how to 'use' those windows. This particular house has beautiful views of the countryside in upstate New York, so the windows were an important part of the design.

From the front porch and a long bank of windows, you can see the vista beyond...

Many rooms in this house have big areas of glass to enjoy the surroundings, but from the road we wanted the house to present itself as an iconic image of a farmhouse. A gabled end with punched windows... meaning that they are situated independently and appear as 'punched holes' in the wall.

Because the floor to ceiling heights are much greater than in a historic farmhouse, the windows had to be oversized to provide the proper proportion of window to wall. The composition of this front elevation and the simple organization of the window and door arrangement were critical to create an understated but rich farmhouse image.

Once you approach the house from the drive, you see the house starts to open up with larger areas of glass. When you gang the windows together it becomes a window wall rather than individual windows as seen on the front facade. Here on the south elevation we used an awing to cut down on the southern exposure during the summer months.

In some areas we played with the scale of the windows. The bigger square window on the right is a focal point at the end of the porch and the small window to the left balances the composition. Its slighter scale also enhances the wall's textural quality.

A generous window is centered in a second story bay. Cladding this element in a monolithic material (vertical boards with tight joints) gives importance to its form and simple but prominent windows.

At the interior, a grouping of windows at the first and second floor accentuates the height created at the staircase.

The double height space over the dining area is flooded with southern light thanks to the window wall at the stairs. The soft indirect light highlights the stonework of the fireplace chimney.

The first floor windows at the stair bring light down into the lower level. No need for your basement to feel like a basement!

Because we are in the country it allowed us the opportunity for generous windows in the bathrooms, which are filled with light. If you happen to have neighbors, that's what window treatments are for! A sheer shade or drape can still offer lots of light and give you the privacy you may need. I am particularly fond of shower windows... just make sure you have a good tile job on the surround and I suggest an exterior grade paint on the sash.

Here's another bathroom with an entire wall of windows that creates an open backdrop to the Duravit soaking tub...

Having windows at the end of a hallway expands the interior of the house to the outside and helps with orientation... its one of those things that makes you feel more comfortable without even knowing it?! Also, if you can have windows along a hallway it makes moving through your house that much more pleasant. A connection to outdoors shouldn't be just for vacations!

Okay, so these aren't windows... they're screens on a double height porch space. But they beautifully frame the views to the outside just like the rest of our windows. We kept the proportion of the openings the same as the windows inside the house so they relate to one another.

In this house we used only one window type, the double hung. But by using it in different ways we can provide unique experiences while maintaining an overall consistency throughout the house.

I hope to post more photos once the finishing touches are complete!

New Kitchen Counter

2010-08-16T19:30:00.001-04:00

We've been living with our new kitchen counter for two weeks now... and I have to say, it's heaven! To give you a sense of our enthusiasm, as it was being installed my daughter said... "This is the best thing that has ever happened!" Okay, so maybe my kid is a little bizarre... or maybe she's just an architect in the making who appreciates good material?! But it really is fantastic. I swear this apple tasted sweeter!

In a previous post, Back to the Kitchen, we were trying to decide what counter material to choose. Ultimately, we picked quartz, Chroma in Cascade White. As much as we loved the idea of marble, the modern feel of the manufactured material seemed to fit the style of our home. It was an exciting process getting it installed, so I thought I'd share some photos...

Here's a good close up of the green tile we started with. Half the joints were caulked which made it especially terrible to clean, particularly around the lip of the sink.

Brian removed the wall tile and some of the sheetrock to get a good fit when they made a template for the counter...

Photography by Lillian Marsh

The tile and counter substrate were removed the night before. Thanks to TM & DS for helping haul it to the curb. When the plumber saw it on the sidewalk, he said..."Goodbye 80's!" Amen to that.

The next morning we were ready for the install. (Looks like my pots could use some organization!)

I wish I had some photos of the installers bringing in the counter and setting it in place... it was a real beast. A big thick slab and a super tight fit. It took three guys from Atlas Marble & Granite to get it in... thank you!

Here they are preparing the epoxy to apply to the seam...

We have one seam centered on the cooktop. They leveled the two slabs for a good alignment.

A compressor was used to create suction for a tight joint.

Then we got the plumber to reinstall the faucet and put in a new drain line. Thanks to Bo Turonis for fitting us in at the end of the day on a Friday! Here's a shot with the faucet in place... the single hole lever is great for easy clean up!

I have to say I'm loving this sink. It's from Vigo and a great bargain at $290. At first I was worried about the depth but once I started using it, the deep bowl feels luxurious...well, as luxurious as a sink can be?! And best of all, the dishes are hidden from view!

I talked about our appliance selections in my post, Still in the Kitchen. Here's the new Maytag cooktop we chose. Another good deal for stainless steel at $480. I tried to see it in a showroom before we bought it but had no luck. The price was so good, we took a chance... so far I'm pretty happy with it and it looks great.

You can see we've started the subway tile backsplash (I should say my husband has started it... go Brian!) It hasn't been grouted yet. We are debating whether we should go with white or dark gray. What you see here is close to what the gray would look like. With the white grout, the pattern won't show up as much. Any opinion? I'd love to hear it!

Can't wait to post again once the tiling is done!

Great Design Resource

2010-07-24T10:00:00.001-04:00

Now that summer is in full swing (and whoa, is it swinging!), I've cut back on all the extra stuff I do (like blogging!) and I'm sticking with what has to be done. However, I have continued to follow one blog... Remodelista.

When I first started Cattywompus, I thought I should check out what's out there in the blogging world so I signed up for a load of feeds. And Remodelista always manages to inspire me above the rest. Almost every time I look at it I find something that is relevant to my work, home or own personal style.

It could be something as simple as coat hooks...

Or maybe house numbers...

Or even a fancy trash can. This compost pail can be found in their 'Domestic Science' section!

I particularly like their 'Steal This Look' features where they show you enviable images like this one and then give you tips on how to make it your own.

I get Remodelista Daily sent to my email and even though I swear I signed up for the weekly recap, I do get it everyday (yeah, like the title states!). The funny thing is... now I'm happy when it arrives and I always look forward to opening it. I find the posts highly visual with just the right amount of info that I can quickly scan to see if I'm interested in delving a little deeper. Like today they featured these beautiful chairs that feel so beachy to me. Ahhhh, to be on the water on a hot day like this... the soft blue color almost make me feel cooler?!

Carl Hansen & Son Chair

Or like the other day, these great brick tiles had me checking out the latest on the Waterworks website...

Not only do they talk about great products they also inspire with good design and beautiful imagery. I had mentioned Remodelista on my Double Island Counters post. They featured a light filled kitchen in Brooklyn... which is one of my favorites.

It's just a well packaged website, that I find simple, inspiring and informative. If you're in the process of renovating or hope to do it soon... it's a great way to see good stuff to consider for your own project.

Where do you get design inspiration for your home?

Double Island Counters

2010-06-19T10:00:00.009-04:00

I've been working with a client on a kitchen with two islands. It's a big trend but there's always the question whether you want to differentiate between them or tie them together stylistically. Right now we're trying to figure out the counters. We are set on the surrounding counter as soap stone and we're thinking about a big slab of Danby white marble for the square center island and maybe natural wood for the other. I found the following images to help us in our discussion.

Here's a good example of surrounding soapstone counters and a center island with white marble.

Decorpad

Here's another thick white marble slab at the island with surrounding soapstone counters...

Simplified Bee blog

This kitchen was featured on Elle Decor and has two islands... a big center island to sit and work; and a skinnier island to separate the kitchen and provide storage. I like how the kitchen revolves around a generous square slab of marble.

Elle Decor

We also talked about a dark wood counter at the island that separates the kitchen and the dining area. Here it offers a great contrast to the white cabinetry.

Southern Living

A wood counter might make the island feel more like furniture and add warmth and richness to our all white space. The coloring of this wood counter is particularly beautiful...

Materialicious

Another soap stone counter with two islands with dark natural wood...

Urban Home Design Blog

I'll leave you with this great kitchen I saw last week on Remodelista. Huge windows offer lots of light to this airy kitchen that looks so clean yet feels homey. And I was excited to see that they've used soapstone counters and a rich wood topped island. The natural shelves and iron brackets offer a great focus... if you've got the height, show it off!

Brooklyn Home Company

I'll post about our own kitchen renovation soon. The Vigo sink came in this week; it looks great and for a good price. I'll be ordering the cooktop and hood today!

5 Steps to a Great Sandbox

2010-06-08T21:11:00.001-04:00

Step 1: Buy Sand!

Step 2: Location, Location, Location,

Step 3: Measure Twice, Cut Once

Step 4: Watch those fingers!

Step 5: Take the kids to the park and come home to a new sandbox!

Okay, so maybe it's not quite that easy, but I was impressed with how quickly and beautifully my husband whipped this together. I think he only went to the hardware store once...is that possible???

I have to give him credit for coming up with this simple design that looks great too. Here's what he used:

5/4 x 8 sideboards

2 x 2 x 12 internal corner posts set into the ground

1 x 2 cap w/ sanded ease edges

1 x 6 T & G boards for lid

1 x 2 strap to tie the lid pieces together

10mil plastic liner

500lb sand

I appreciate the little details... like the slab of stone in front to give the kids a place to stand and take off their shoes. The rocks around the sand box are great too since the scattered sand will just filter through.

This was my view this afternoon while I did some work and the kids played... oh joy!

I guess it's our little slice of beach right here in Hoboken!

Now if someone could just tell me what to do with all the sand in the house?!

Holiday Weekend

2010-05-28T10:00:00.002-04:00

Let the summer begin! It's time for us to head back to the beach and I'm so ready for it.

A friend of mine reminded me the other day of this photo my husband took of our early morning beach set up... he was so proud he just had to document it. I have to say it was pretty sweet arriving at the water with a good spot all ready for us with hardly a soul on the beach.

A lot of people ask about our umbrellas. We ordered them online at Frankford Umbrellas. Little did we know that the company is located not far from my mom's childhood home in Philadelphia. I think it was quite a find as they are great quality (many umbrellas have flown by us on the beach while ours stands tall). They come in a bunch of vibrant colors too... I never have any trouble finding our party on the beach!

Hope you all have a great Memorial Day weekend wherever you go!

Sweet

2010-05-23T17:00:00.000-04:00

A few blocks from my house is a delightful little cupcake shop called Sweet. It's appropriately located next to a park teaming with wide eyed kids looking for a sugar fix and desperate moms and dads looking for a caffeine boost. It's one of those local establishments that makes me love living here. Not only do they make beautifully delicious treats but the space is just as sweet. Right down to the typeface of their logo, they've created a good feeling place.

So what brought me to Sweet with my fancy shmancy camera on a sunny spring morning? The chairs! Yes, they have the chairs I love that I talked about in my post Outdoor Dining. You can get them at Pottery Barn, DWR and Sundance. They look great in white, giving them a fresh finished look. A friend of mine talked about using them at her dining table with the kids and then she plans to move them outside when they grow up. Seeing them here, I think it's a great idea...

The far wall has a fun tree and bird mural offering an eye catching backdrop. I realized later that the same wallpaper from Cavern was used in the bathroom of one of the houses I talked about in my last post. As you can see here, wallpaper has come a long way and is an easy way to make a dramatic accent wall.

The marble counter looks fresh and feels cool and smooth to the touch. And they didn't forget the ceiling... the tin adds texture and an old world charm. It's comfortable and reminds us of grandma's kitchen. I like the square globe ceiling fixtures too. Lighting can be tough and they got it right... simple, timeless and effective.

Under the windows, is a banquette for efficient wall seating. It's a great spot for all the squirmy kids to sit and nosh on their treats.

And I really should mention the cupcakes! They are almost too pretty to eat...

I get the pumpkin or carrot cupcakes for the kids thinking they are somehow good for them?! (Well, whatever makes you feel better, right?) As for me, my favorite is the chocolate cake with the peanut butter icing...yum!

Are there any places in your town that you go to because they make you feel good? You may not know it, but a well designed space can lift your mood... it's not just the sweets!

Splitsville

2010-05-14T11:45:00.020-04:00

I'm really excited about a current project of mine...but you might think I'm joking, 'cause it's a split-level! Yes, that ubiquitous housing type that was created during the suburban sprawl boom of the 50's and 60's. Here's one we all know and love...

Brady Bunch house as of 1995 Photo: Flickr

Actually this house is much more interesting than the split-levels we have back here on the east coast; most of our look more like this...

I found this picture on About.com where they catalog images of a different styles of residential architecture. You might want to check it out if you ever wondered what's a 'raised ranch' or a 'shotgun house'?

Well, now all the split-level housing stock is coming of age and is ripe for renovation with lots of young families trying to make them their own. So yeah, I'm excited... and intrigued by the thought of reinventing something that is everywhere and needs reinventing!

I decided to see if anyone else had taken on the challenge and I found a nice example from a back issue of Dwell. Their approach is similar to one that I want to take... open up the interior and introduce big windows. Sounds simple but I think it could make a huge difference. Also in the article they talk about trying not to disguise or alter the configuration of the split level... make it something it's not. I like the idea of preserving its form and just rethinking how it might feel and work for a modern family.

All these images and more can be found on the Dwell website article, 'On the Level'.

Photos by: João Canziani

These giant sliders really open up the space and because the rooms are open to one another you get light from all sides making it feel even bigger. Lesson here...you don't need more square footages just larger windows!

The minimal detailing also makes the space feel light...not weighed down with trim. I particularly appreciate how the sheetrock meets the concrete stair.

I found the following image from another Dwell article, Bellemo & Cat's Cradle. I thought this illustrated how opening up the wall between the levels will create a more expansive space... and a fun place to hang out too!

Photo by: Prue Ruscoe

Here's another split level that has been given a new life; and lots of light too...

Photo: Lincoln Barbour

Can you believe this brilliantly bright space can be found in Oregon? A feature on this home can be found on Portland Monthly. The kitchen feels great too. I think it's because there are no upper cabinets so the kitchen feels like part of the living space. All you need is a wall of cabinets to the side and you've got plenty of storage. (hint, hint to my clients... ditch the upper cabinets!)

Photo: Lincoln Barbour

All these bright airy images make me want to move to the burbs and buy a split-level. Well, almost... maybe for a weekend home?!

A good childhood friend of mine grew up in a split-level... I spent many hours playing games on that shag rug in the lower level! I won't go into the scary adolescent details, but... maybe you have some fond split-level experiences you'd like to share?

Wall of Curtain

2010-05-07T10:00:00.009-04:00

I took this photo the other day of the kids hanging out in the windows. It's their favorite spot and rightfully so.

Even though I snapped it on a whim to capture a childhood moment, it also happens to document the first 'design move' I made on our house. It's a simple one, but bears mentioning... the Wall of Curtain.

Here's a photo we took when the realtor first showed us the house. Hard to believe it's the same space!

You can see how the built-in bookcases remediate a bump in the wall but then this offsets the windows... this bugged me. The quick remedy... cover the whole wall with sheers to keep the light coming in but take the attention away for the openings themselves. And thanks to West Elm's linen panels, the solution was an economical one too!

It's such a beautiful sunny morning here; I just had to take another photo. I should also mention that I wanted to use a rich color on the wall (Benjamin Moore- Davenport Tan) but didn't want to darken the space. The sheer curtain lightens up the wall and offers a nice contrast.

To all you moms out there... I pushed the toys to the other side of the room!

Hope you have a fun house project planned for the weekend. We're going shopping for a kitchen counter....Happy Mother's Day to me!

5 Design Ideas from Italy

2010-04-30T10:00:00.016-04:00

The beautifully vibrant artwork in last post got me thinking about my own trip to Venice with the in-laws a few years back. It was a great experience and I enjoyed sharing it with our family. Even my sis made an appearance... perfect timing to take this picture!

Piazza S. Lorenzo in Lucina, Rome

So I went back through my photos for a chance to relive it and I started noticing some themes. I decided to pull out photos that represented applicable architectural lessons... ones I might use in my own residential work. I found 5 design ideas that you might find interesting too...

1. Real Working Shutters:

Nothing feels more European (and vacationy) than operable blackout shutters. They add depth and texture to a facade that could never be replicated with fake shutters that we see all over the US.

Facade in Venice

The mahogany doors behind them contrast beautifully with the dark green shutters. And the detail work on the railing is pretty sweet too.

Here are the shutters on the windows and doors of our hotel room that looked out to the balcony. I love when you can black out your room... but you better ask for a wakeup call!

Hotel Ala in Venice

Here's an interesting track detail in lieu of hinges.

Shutters found on our walk down from San Miniato, Florence

2. Handmade doors

I took a lot of pictures of doors because they can offer so much character to a place. I love the richness of this material and the simplicity of the design. It's hard to tell if they are new or have been there forever. I like that in a door.

Doors somewhere in Venice

These are more modern but just as rich in material. As you can see, I like the horizontal board look.

Storefront doors across from the Duomo in Florence

I particularly like the lean steel edge detail seen here...

Storefront doors across from the Duomo in Florence

Okay, so I'm cheating on this one...it's from another trip to Italy. But it's such a welcoming entry I couldn't help but include it. Nice 6 panel doors and a charming wood framed terracotta awning...

And from the same trip... this balcony is amazing for so many reasons! The generous glass door, real working shutters, and a terra cotta ceiling, which leads me to my next idea...

3. Brick Ceilings:

The ceiling is often an afterthought, but with one like this people will be sure to notice. This would make a beautiful porch ceiling or maybe a rustic kitchen ceiling. Create your very own Tuscan villa!

Small covered alleys in Radda in Chianti

I happened upon this store and got all excited about the great shoes and then... I looked up! And I love the little window with the deep angled return.

Shoe store in the small town of Radda in Chianti

4. Architectural Use of Foliage:

This lush pergola creates a welcoming shaded area to sit. It was located on the grounds of a Murano glass factory. One of their pieces is thoughtfully displayed in the arch.

Murano glass factory

Who doesn't love lush window boxes?! Again this feature adds depth to the facade and at the same time bringing the outdoors in close view from inside.

Residence in Venice

What a lovely balcony fringed with geraniums. They softened the edge and frame the beautiful views beyond.

View of the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence

5. Clever Skylights

This isn't really a skylight but rather a way to ventilate the heat created from the glass production. Can you believe such an amazing timber framed clerestory structure would be located in a factory?

Glass Factory on the island of Murano

I thought this was such a fun little skylight. At the time, I was working on a project where I had a low sloped roof and this might have been a unique solution to bring some light into a bathroom. I found this skylight tucked away between buildings in the Uffizi Gallery.

Uffizi Gallery skylight

I hadn't noticed at the time, that there is a flood light above that can give you the same effect at night! Makes a great little oculus feature in a small exiting hallway of the gallery.

Speaking of oculi (what a great word!) ... this is the best one I've ever seen. So I'll leave you with it... the one place I will never tire of visiting.

Pantheon in Rome

Where have you travelled that has made an impression on you and how you live? A place where you just want to bottle it up and bring it home!

595 Days to Venice...Here in Hoboken

2010-04-22T21:00:00.002-04:00

MackeyBlue had a "Meet the Artist" afternoon last weekend and I managed to get over there to check it out. And I'm glad I did! There was beautiful artwork, lovely people and I was able to have a glass of wine with no little person tugging on my pants!

But seriously the artwork is great; if you're in Hoboken you should stop by. The work is by Lynn Hofher and the photographic series is called "595 Days to Venice". For more info you can go to MackeyBlue's new blog. Here's a teaser of Lynn's work...

Karen Marsh, the owner of Mackeyblue, hosts a get together with wine and cheese when a new artist's work is put on display. You can get on the mailing list to be notified of these events and new items that have come in to the store.

I took some photos at the event... and hey, there's the artist!

Spending time there sipping my wine, I started to reminisce about working with Karen to get the store set up way back in 2006. The lighting, tin ceiling, paint, wallpaper, and the signage...

Someone mentioned how much they liked the wallpaper, which is great to hear. We took a lot of time to find a pattern and hue that would be fun, yet homey, and go with all the blue-greens that Karen loves. I think she ultimately found the wallpaper on Ebay!

These great images have me thinking about our trip to Venice with the family. Hmmm, I think I've got a topic for another post... Canal hopping with the in-laws!

If you get a chance to check out MackeyBlue and the artwork, let me know what you think!

Still in the Kitchen- Choosing Appliances

2010-04-18T16:00:00.007-04:00

We've started selecting replacement appliances for our kitchen renovation and the scope creep is happening! This all started with just wanting a new counter and backsplash. My original thought was to only replace what wasn't functioning or aesthetically appealing. I thought the cooktop could stay since it works fine and the cream color isn't objectionable. I thought the double ovens could stay because the black would blend into the cabinetry and at least one of them works! (Looking at this photo...I can't wait until those cabinets are painted!)

But reality is setting in... if we get a beautiful bright white counter how could you stick a grimy old cream colored cooktop in it! Yeah, that's going. And since the hood matches the cooktop, it has to go. And if the cooktop is new, why would we keep ovens that only half work! Yep, they're going too.

Fortunately, we installed a new stainless steel Bosch dishwasher when we first moved in so that's one less expense. We had one in our old apartment and I couldn't live without it for long. Here's the unit so you've got the entire picture (just add lots of fingerprints)...

I like to shop for appliances at AJ Madison. Just like IraWoods is great for fixtures and faucets, AJ Madison is a great place to see what's out there in the appliance world. They carry most brands and you can select your specific requirements. Once I find something there, I'll look around online for reviews and pricing. In the end, they usually have a competitive price and I can save on shipping by using one supplier. But if you don't have a contractor and you need someone to install it, you might try your local Lowes, Home Depot, or Sears.

First, the cooktop requirements: 30", gas, stainless steel, simple grill pattern & knobs, and.... that it works! Oh, and I don't want to spend a $1,000. Maytag's cooktop jumped out at us...

Now I just need to find a store where we can see it. It's considerably less than a lot of other cooktops so I want to find out why?!

My husband also wanted to consider an induction cooktop because of its simple design and ease of cleaning. (If you want to understand how induction technology works you might try The Induction Site.) I have to agree that it would be easy to clean but since we have gas I don't see a reason to switch at this point. I like gas. But if we didn't have it, induction would definitely be my next choice. This is a Thermador's version...

Here's an installation of a Diva cooktop on one of my projects. If you want to put a wall oven under it as we did here, you'll have to do some planning in advance due to required clearances. But it's worth it in the end for a clean look.

Next, the hood requirements: stainless steel, fit our existing opening, recirculating, simple design and... that it works without it sounding like an airplane taking off! Oh and I don't want to spend a $1,000. This Zephyr model jumped out at us. Who could resist a gentle breeze? It's unassuming enough and the price is right.

Lastly, the double oven requirements: ...okay this one is a bit more complicated. Do we need two ovens? The current ovens are 24" wide which makes for two small ovens when I'd rather one big one. Right now everything I bake cooks too quickly on the edges. But the only way to widen the oven is to move it under our stove but I'm concerned it's too low and our kitchen is too tight. I think we'll stick with the current location and just get one taller oven. Here are the options we've been considering.

This oven from Blue Star has an interesting design with a side hinged door. But the price tag, quickly eliminated it for us.

This one from Delonghi has an elegant clean design...

I think we may go with this electric oven from Bertazzoni because it looks good and the price is right at $899!

Right now we have a gas oven but I've heard electric provides more even cooking. We just need to confirm that our current wiring can support it.

So those are the appliances! Next step... hit the stone counter supplier to make that marble vs. quartz decision.

I'd love to hear about your experience with new appliances...what you like and don't like. Or maybe there is an appliance you dream about owning someday. Ahhh, it brings back memories of my first dishwasher purchase...

"What I Did on My Spring Vacation"

2010-04-09T21:58:00.000-04:00

I spent the week in Carlisle, PA visiting the folks and wanted to share some photos of our trip. I debated whether this is relevant to my blog's 'purpose'... but it has a bit of architecture (a beautifully landscaped home), and some design (a fluorescent 'skylight'), and plenty of life (a toddler loving trains!) I do appreciate that what I do for a living just happens to blend with my life. Enough talk, here are the pics...

Can you believe this is a bulkhead to a basement? I love its tiny scale, cheery red door, and moss covered shingles. Feels like it's from a fairy tale.

Have you ever seen a charming driveway? Well, here it is...

Not only does it look nice, but it's sustainable; no repaving or maintenance. And it's better for the environment; less runoff into a near by stream.

Speaking of the stream, it's a beautiful meandering backdrop to the springtime blooms and sculptural solar clock...

At my parent's house... I took a peak at the new laundry room my dad has been laboring over. I was quite impressed with his sheetrocking abilities. Here he inset a utilitarian 2 x 4 fluorescent fixture into a sheetrock soffit. Given the great light quality, I'd swear it was a skylight... if it weren't in the basement!

Here you can see how the small molding holds in the fixture and allows the panel to be popped out to replace the bulbs.

We took a trip to Strasburg, PA in Lancaster County to check out the railroad museum. I hadn't been there since I was a little kid so I wasn't sure what to expect. Wow, I underestimated the grand nature of these majestic machines.

And I was amazed by my 22 month old's excitement! He was in train heaven. Here's what I like to call the 'train dance'...

Did you just have a spring break too? Where did you go and what did you do? Please, do tell!

Outdoor Dining

2010-04-05T08:48:00.048-04:00

The beautiful weather over the weekend got me thinking about outdoor living again. And so the annual search for the perfect outdoor dining chair begins! Every year we talk about buying some new furniture for our deck so we can enjoy dining al fresco this summer. But every year my husband and I debate the price point, material, style ...mostly because neither of us can make up our mind. Here's a smattering of what I was thinking. Timelessness and comfort are my too objectives. I'd love to hear your opinion.

Now you can't get any cheaper than this Ikea bistro chair... it's only $15!

It looks like it wouldn't be comfortable but we have two already and they do the trick. And if you've ever spent some time in Bryant Park in NYC, you know they ain't half bad. And who could beat that price!

Here's the authentic Bryant Park version. They are shipped from France by American Country. Oooh la la, that red is fun! They are priced at $198 for two.

This is from CB2 at $139. It looks sturdy yet petite and I like the galvanized material... which should hold up better than wood. We may or may not cover up the chairs in the winter so they've got to clean easily and not rust or rot.

Another chair from CB2 at $99.95. These feel a bit more mod which could be fun. I originally thought they were white plastic but now realize they are aluminum!

Here is a polypropylene chair by Philippe Starck that could be wiped down easily. I think I would choose the gray or orange. I like the white but I think that's meant for a pristine location by a pool in LA! You can find them at Unica Home for $656 for a set of four.

Thinking of orange reminds me of the great Starck chairs by the pool on our trip to Italy. Something tells me I couldn't pull this off in Hoboken though...

This French classic has always been my favorite but the price tag keeps me from doing it every year. This one is from DWR at $250.

Here is Pottery Barn's version for $199... or $750 for four. I like the red and white options too. I could see them at a rustic thick wood table.

Speaking of tables, you'll see that I don't show any? Well, I don't want a matching set and the chairs are most important to me stylistically. So first the chairs and then we'll work on the table. I'll want some input on that too.

So, let's take a vote! Which one do you think we should pick?

Dining Table Pendant

2010-03-29T08:45:00.000-04:00

The much anticipated dining area light came in last week! In a previous post, Time Together, I talked about installing a pendant fixture with a drum shade over our dining table. My hope was that it would bring some focus to our meals together and at the same time help delineate the small dining area in our open floor plan.

It arrived last Friday and the kids were excited to see the box full of packing material. They had a great time playing in a sea of foam peanuts. I thought it was fun until we tried picking up the static-y little buggers!

When I pulled it out of the box it felt good. O'lampia on Bowery St in NYC made the fixture per my sketch and they did a nice job. Even though it's a simple fixture... just a ceiling escutchoeon, rod, shade fitting and bulb socket... it was critical to get the correct rod length and the shade at the right height over the table. It's perfect!

Fortunately, we already had a wall switch and a junction box at the ceiling. It was not located exactly where we wanted so we exposed the chord a bit and added a hook to put the shade directly over the table. Please ignore the ring at the ceiling around the escutcheon plate... nothing is ever really done.

If you don't have a junction box at the ceiling but still want an overhead light, there are many chorded options available that only require an outlet. Here's an example from CB2 and it's only $49.95...

I got the shade at Mackeyblue here in Hoboken for a steal. I like that it has a subtle pattern, almost like wood yet slightly metallic. And because it's a solid material, all the light is directed down at the table where I want it.

We aren't totally finished. Besides the ceiling patch, I'm not happy with the bulb selection yet. It's a little glaring with the current halogen spot. We like the strong focused light but we're thinking a dimmer might make it just right. I tried a fluorescent bulb but it was awful. Yes, let the environmental sticklers strike me down... but I'm sticking with incandescent at this location since it's only on at dinner time.

Well, it's been a week and I already feel that the project was a success! The family was surveyed last night at dinner and it was unanimous... we all feel better about our dining experience. Even my toddler appeared more content... or maybe it was because he was eating a hot dog. (Just kidding, he had delightful quiche and side salad with a light vinaigrette dressing ;)

What kind of lighting do you have at your dining table and does it work for you?