Friday, April 29, 2011

Boathouse



A straightforward little before and after here. This is a boathouse on Lake Washington. They kept the core structure, opened it up and gave it a little facelift. It's amazing sometimes what a little color can do. There's just enough contrast when you factor in the metal roof, siding, windows and sliding barn style door.

photos via Remodelista

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Australian Coastal Living

This to me is an ideal beach/coastal home. The vibe and feel is just sweet. It's welcoming, wide open and very simplistic in it's design. It doesn't suck either that you're on the eastern coast of Australia. The climate allows the indoor and outdoor spaces to flow freely and become one.

A fresh little outdoor gathering area as the color tones and wood textures work their way from inside, out.

Softer tones throughout with the painted wood ceilings and lighter honey colored hardwood. The balance is just right. It's not too heavy with any of the trim moldings. And check the cool little study area for the kids. I like the layout with the volume of the vaulted ceiling, and the creative geometrical shapes of the wood shelving over the computer station. Work hard and then play hard.

How cool is this? If you love to skate it's a great way to finish the day, no matter what age you are. You can also check this post on Fred Flare's site.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Rustic Bath Vanity Options

I was just looking for a slightly different way to work a vanity in a current project and may take some of these little ideas. This is an old barn renovation and I like the rustic and reclaimed vibe they have going on here in this Bath from the barn lights to the concrete floors. It's simplistic and open not only with the vanity itself but in the overall space. The carved out niche complimenting each sink space is always a nice added bonus if you can steal the space.

The tops are old, original framing timbers that were milled down and refinished along with the plumbing fixtures. The forged metal ties in well throughout from the vanity shelving to the barn door.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Subtle Detail And Design

There are so many things I just love about architecture and most of it I find is in the details. Call me crazy but I'm constantly searching for those subtle elements.

Check the stone wall. I don't know if they had an intention of tying it into the design but to me it takes on a similar profile of the shingle style architecture of the home.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Old Theaters New Ideas


Here are a few shots of some abandoned theaters. The top photo is from St. Louis and the other is from Detroit. They're both from a post via ArchDaily that documents these great buildings from all over the U.S. The question has become whether or not architects should take on the challenge of renovating them. I love the idea of some form of adaptive reuse. The possibilities are endless for a mixed-use type of development. The architecture is timeless. It's history. How can building that were once so vibrant not only in their purpose but also in their design, become so listless?

Friday, April 22, 2011

Art With Wood

Check this. Some sweet creativity. It reminded me of some local work. This was a display at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla by Sebastian Mariscal.

photo by Chimay Bleue via Flickr

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Vegas

Modern and hip with an art gallery style feel. Miami and Vegas collide. This sweet little gem just outside of Las Vegas was designed for entertaining and they certainly did not let down.

Wide open architecture and bold finishes. A stainless steel floating stair flanked by a 3 story elevator shaft covered in custom art.

Striped Italian marble flooring welcomes you with blue LED lighting and a 14-foot wide fireplace in the background.

The front entry, similar to a vault door, is custom designed and fabricated out of aluminum. It stands tall at 11 feet. Today I also hang out over at Fred Flare. You can check this post over there as well.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Cypress Ceiling

What catches your eye when you first check this photo? The ceiling or the fireplace? It was the ceiling for me, although I do like the rustic, off balance vibe of the stone firebox. It's so rare to see this type of detail and handcrafted work in either aspect of the room. So well done. The ceiling detail reminded me a little of this post. All the wood in this room is River Recovered Cypress.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

A Mix of Style

I posted last month about this architects dedication to adaptive reuse and once again they display that passion. This traditional brick masonry home in San Antonio dates back to the late 1800's. The client commissioned Poteet Architects to keep the distinct exterior character while tailoring the interior to meet their more modern, contemporary lifestyle.

The design and vibe of the interior is a reflection of the owners love of art. The lighting, security and audio were all updated and detailed to accommodate their passion.

A very stylish look on the interior with the white walls and black flooring. It's adaptive reuse of two completely different styles from the tradition of the exterior to the swagger of the contemporary interior.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Vanity Option

Here's a little option to consider if you're looking to get creative with a little modern flair in one of your baths. It's a vanity fabricated out of concrete and redwood. A nice contrast in the natural color of the two materials. I also like the custom design and mass of the redwood base. A great balance to the vanity.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Modern Accent

A little edgy and somewhat risky to make such a bold statement in this rustic Croatian home. It certainly catches your attention. It's artistic and genius and instantly adds character to the room. You can also find me at my Thursday guest home, Fred Flare today as well.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Creative Outdoor Elements

We're working on this cottage project at the moment and last night at a meeting with the client we were discussing various ways to incorporate an outdoor sitting area. The challenge is to maximize the smaller area that we have to work with while keeping it both creative and unique. This was one example I was drawing some inspiration from. I like the tranquil feel of this area with the smooth stone surface and the flush fire pit. Those two items may seem like small details yet the texture and placement can change a space in no time.

photo via Contemporist

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Your Own Details

I like the idea of trying to incorporate any kind of detail, large or small, that can make a place your own. This is a custom built home on Martha's Vineyard where the family drew upon memories from past trips to a nearby rental.

A rustic and rugged feel to the back porch with the exposed rafter tails and tree trunk posts.

The family has a love of fishing and that's what caught my attention in the details. The architect designed the rafter tails to depict a fish head. Little details that families can share for generations.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Long and Narrow

You're going to find all kinds of challenges when you work with a space that is approximately 12' wide by 82' long. This is a little family home in an old town district of Barcelona. The main focus was to open the space as much as possible while still trying to maintain some privacy.

One side of the building allows light through adjustable horizontal slats while the other is made up of glass block. Again collecting the light while minimizing the stress and activity of the city.

The interior is clad in lighter finishes with a modern industrial vibe. The glass catwalk, once again taking advantage of the natural light and letting it flow throughout.


The rooftop courtyard. No city stress here. This is the place to getaway and enjoy the outdoors.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Masters Weekend

It's Masters weekend. The clubhouse at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta Georgia. History, tradition and classic architecture.

via Flickr

Thursday, April 7, 2011

All Wood

All wood and very eco-friendly up in northern Canada. These are some shots of the Yukon Suspension Bridge and welcoming center located in northern British Columbia. They set out to prove that the entire center could be constructed completely out of wood and look badass at the same time.

Probably a little bit of a freaky walk but the views must be killer.

The weather conditions can get pretty nasty and wood seemed to be the most logical. You can't really pour concrete in -30 degree temps. And take a look around. The location is amazing however rather remote.

They took great pride in minimizing any negative impact due to the development. Rain water is contained on the site and in the summer months they get so much natural light that there is very little need to run a ton of electricity. Thursday is my guest showing over at Fred Flare as well.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Warehouse Pizza

This hip little pizza joint, Pizza East is located in London's Tea Building. The Tea Building itself is considered part club, part eatery, part gallery. It's a fresh new take on this refurbished warehouse and the perfect setting for this type of place.

An open plan incorporating and embracing its industrial roots. The place is dressed in concrete, exposed beams and duct work and original wood flooring.

It's not all pizza either. This is a small bar with meats and cheeses. The table top is reclaimed oak on poured concrete pillar bases.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Ranch Transformation In Wine Country

A weekend getaway for a couple out in wine country goes from a master suite addition to a full overhaul. They transformed this dated ranch style home into more of a modern farmhouse taking full advantage of the amazing views and surrounding landscape.

A great before and after showing the two architectural styles. A little can go a long way in some of the exterior elements. I like how they embraced the lower pitch of the existing roof, keeping the lines for the addition and cladding it with standing seamed metal.


The room is immediately transformed when you open it on both sides. This is another great example going with the retractable doors.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Off Balance

You don't always need that balance and symmetry to create the perfect layout. I like the natural characteristics of the uneven stone fireplace surround. It immediately sets the tone for this space. And to take it a step further, you have the asymmetry with the French Doors. A few unique, subtle features that will not throw off the overall feel. You've immediately created character in your design.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Detroit Architecture

We were downtown last night for an event and as we headed home we drove by the old General Motors Building (now called Cadillac Place). An architectural gem designed by Albert Kahn in 1919. Neo-Classical style architecture at it's finest and designated a National Historic Landmark back in June of 1978.

photo via Wikipedia
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