Multifunctional Space

This room pretty much has it all and the wood ceiling is vintage. It's a nice contrast with the white walls and lighter floors. A unique way to utilize and make the most of the room. It's very multifunctional. It's a siting room, family room and bedroom all rolled into one.

They took advantage of the high ceilings and built a raised platform that not only serves as a sitting area but it also stores the bed when it's not being used.

via ArchDaily

Mountain View

Winter X Games 15 this weekend in Aspen. Crisp. Cool. Smooth. A nice little gem here from Studio B Architects, a local firm working with and embracing all the elements.

photo via Contemporist

Edgy Office Space

So it may be geared toward a kids play/study area but I like the way it lays out and feels for an office space. Why not? You've got to have a little fun which they did here, but they've also taken advantage of a smaller work area. I like the idea of going with a pure white on both the walls and built-in cabinets as well as a lighter tone to the floors. It just helps make the overall space feel larger or more open. They also hit it with some color and crazy accents. A cool green chair and the badass skull and crossbones. The skull and crossbones is actually a wall decal/oversized sticker. A quick, easy way to give a space some character.


Grab yourself a little coffee in this sweet mug and you're all set to start the day in your home office.


Check it out over at Fred Flare. I'm guest blogging over there today.


Photos via LivingEtc and Fred Flare

Cool Kitchen

A few things I really like about this kitchen. It has volume, character and it's just not overdone.

I'm a big fan of the subway style tile. I just think it's timeless and can be used so many different ways. These are just sweet. I like the pattern they ran with as well as the classic color, size and the dark grout.

The stainless steel counter tops are a nice alternative along with the matching shelves. It ties in very well with the bold statement that both the range and hood make. I also like the way they used two different colors for the base cabinets on either side of the range. It's just enough to make it work and not seem weird or out of place.

Architecture by Holder Design and photos by John Merkl

Garage Rehab

There are times when local codes will not allow you to completely tear a structure down and reconstruct from scratch. That's when you get creative. Here's a cool example from Seattle. It was an old 1920's single car garage that was ready to fall down. The plan was to give it some new life and maximize the space for the homeowner. This place kicks some ass now.

They raised the existing structure, then carved out and excavated for a new foundation that now serves as a mechanical room, storage and workshop for the owner. The dirt from the foundation was used to create new landscaped terraces.

A little cozy up in the loft area but something has to give when you're working with 320 square feet.

I like the use of all the wood from floor to ceiling and the contrast of the high gloss in the ceiling to the dull matte of the floors. And that is a structural steel column in the middle of the kitchen. Just throw some pots and pans on it and call it a pot rack. Sweet improvising.

Check out the architects, SHED here

Photos via Remodelista

Revitalize and Renovate

Lance Armstrong has a new headquarters in Austin. It's a revitalization project and the place is sweet. They took an old warehouse from the 50's, gutted the space and blew out the roof. In the process of redesigning, the new roof allows for a ton of natural light. They also took the wood from the existing roof structure, re-milled it and used it to create these small individual offices. The idea was to create an interior neighborhood.

It's cool that they are giving back to the community and making the effort to try and turn the neighborhood around. In the process, they've put out some great architecture. I like how the message in the overall design ties into his message - LiveStrong.

photos via ArchDaily

3 Story Bunk

How would you decide who gets what level? Age? It's a cool idea and nice use of space if you have the height. I also like how each cubby has it's own reading light.

via LivingEtc

Fred Flare

I'm proud to announce a new gig. Starting today, and every Thursday, I'll be guest blogging over at Fred Flare. Fred Flare is a kick ass store in New York with an online site as well. I'm really pumped to blog for them, so check it out every Thursday. Here's today's post.

Photo Wall

Just a cool, unique idea for creating art with some art. A strong visual line and some random size frames.

via Remodelista

Secret Mezzanine

Here's a little creativity if you have the space. It's a play area, study space or lounge with a ladder that leads to a loft or bedroom. I like how they recessed the ladder in the wall and then utilized that void for cabinet space. It's also a sweet little touch with the bright color in the background to make it stand out. They had a little fun by carving out a few cubbies or portholes connecting the two spaces.

photo via LivingEtc

Tobacco Barn

I was looking for some ideas on retail design over the weekend and found this crazy little gem down in Kentucky. I like how when you look at this place, you'd never know what's inside. It's a visitors center and reception area that's been put inside and old tobacco barn. It was genius. They took this old barn, cleaned it up and then beefed it up so it was structurally sound. Then they transformed one half of the building into this sweet retail space while the other half is suited for entertaining. It's basically a building inside a building.

The building keeps it's rustic exterior quality while inside it's transformed and modernized. A very cool and functional space. The original design of the barn with the random gaps in the siding allows natural light in and it also gives off a glow at night when the space is lit up.

The retail side is a controlled environment however it was also designed so that when the weather cooperates you can open the glass panels and the space becomes one again. It's modern, it's rustic and has a little edge to it. A great use of space by a strong group of designers.

design by De Leon & Primmer Architecture Workshop via ArchDaily

Mixed Materials in the Northwest

Another killer piece of architecture from the great Northwest. A sweet mix of materials carried throughout the house from the concrete and stone to the metal and solid wood. My favorite element, the chimney chase. They took advantage of it and went out on a little limb changing the material and incorporating some board-formed concrete. Solid.

The view looking out kind of speaks for itself. This wouldn't suck late on a Friday afternoon.

via Contemporist

Warehouse Reconfiguration

A very cool studio in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood that was once an old shoe parts warehouse. It's the work of Olson Kundig Architects. Everything this firm puts out is kickass. The space is multifunctional and can be used as a studio, a gallery space or for entertaining.

All the qualities of a classic warehouse space with amount of volume and the great natural lighting. Here's where they take it a step further. They designed these sweet sliding and pivoting panels that divide the space but also serve as a backdrop to display some of the artwork. It's very unique the way it can transform and reconfigure the overall feel of the space in no time at all.

This is just a badass table. 26' of Douglas Fir with steel forged wheels custom designed by the architect. All locally produced and manufactured. It's sweet.

photos by Tom Bies via Olson Kundig Architects

Customer Service

My grandpa, M. Fred Capaldi circa 1938

I believe in giving the customer the best possible service you can and standing by the product. We see things all the time in building and architecture that don't go according to plan. It happens. Things happen. I learned from my dad and grandpa about being patient and staying focused. They're both great leaders and well respected in the industry. They can keep things under control and most importantly keep the customer happy.

White, Modern, Industrial

A great fit for a circular stair. The tone and feel works so well with overall white space. Here are a few random ideas and thoughts from a modern space with some rustic and industrial elements. You can check out the entire space here.

This door has a ton of character and the vintage tile is very cool. I just can't tell if the door is functional. I don't see a knob but I'll still take it.

images here

Golf and Architecture

I've mentioned it before and it means a lot to me to be proud of where I'm from. There are so many great buildings, rich in tradition and design. Oakland Hills Country Club is in Bloomfield Township, MI. Not only one of the most prestigious golf courses but also a historic structure. It was modeled after George Washington's Mount Vernon with it's Georgian style architecture. It's the second largest wooden structure in the state, second only to the Grand Hotel. It also boasts the second largest covered porch in state at 75 yards, again right behind the Grand. The building underwent an extensive renovation in 2000 and this is how she stands today.

photo here

Trucks and Donuts

As far back as I can remember my dad would take me to job sites. I especially loved the weekends because we would always stop at the donut shop. Custard filled donuts and a ride in the truck. We still ride together on certain days and it's still great. My little nugget loves the truck and donuts. It never gets old. It just gets better.

(photo via my father-in-law, Kip)

Playroom

The wife and I were looking for ideas last night for a playroom and I came across this space. It's by Siol Studios out in San Francisco. I like the simplicity and creative feel of the space. They used the existing space so well incorporating a little craft and music area with a wall-mounted xylophone. So cool.

There's nothing like the old school chalk board. A must have.

And who doesn't need a secret, built-in, carpeted reading niche?

photos via Remodelista

Interior Styles

I saw this photo and immediately thought of my sweet wife for a couple reasons. She loves the idea of subtle blending of traditional and modern styles and a nice little color contrast that can set a tone for the space. So here we go. I like the green door. I'm all about the barn door right now too. A rustic, modern twist. We're looking for a way to incorporate one in our own home.

photo by Paul Dryer, Feldman Architecture via Remodelista

Bath and Shower Options

Bathrooms, it seems like, can take on a whole life of their own so I'm always looking for unique ways to not only keep it fresh but give the client exactly what they want. This shot above has a teak wood floor with a hidden drain which is pretty sweet. It gives a little more of an outdoor feel. The walls, however, I thought were genius. It's a polished plaster that's been coated with polyurethane. Who needs tile?

I like the open space in this bathroom with the transom windows and volume of the vaulted ceiling. It's also all about black and white. I've said it before and I'll keep saying it because it just doesn't seem to go out of style. They dropped that hardwood antique piece of furniture in there to give a little contrast too. A nice touch. And so is the polished concrete floor.

images via Living Etc.

David Whitney House

A very cool gift from my sweet mom about Detroit architecture over the holidays. The book is filled with a ton of amazing buildings and great stories behind them. This is the David Whitney house. He basically was the lumber industry in Michigan back in his day and in 1894 he built this three-story, 21,000 square foot monster on the corner of Woodward Ave and Canfield. It is so sweet and so well done both inside and out. The detail is phenomenal.

The exterior is clad in a pink-hued granite called jasper which Whitney brought in from South Dakota.

It is now home to one of Detroit's finest restaurants, The Whitney.

images via The Detroit News and Flickr