Shower Time

It's finally outdoor shower time at our place so the search for inspiration is on.  I know, I know, it's the perfect time as we are winding down the summer here but either way it's going in.  I'm set up for exposed plumbing and I want simple.  So here are some of my thoughts.  I'll report back with the final outcome as soon as we throw this badboy together.  The 2nd photo down (the blue fez tile) is a fav because my sweet wife put this in our farmhouse bath and it's pretty badass.

via here and here

Welcome Back Cottage

Feeling some inspiration this morning and jumping back in after a really long nap.  A little client research along with some inspiration from my sweet wife on the current project we are working to complete.  This place on the southwest side of Michigan sparked some attention.  Simple yet crisp and creative.  White is king here, however they toned it down with stains and subtle accents in furnishings and cabinetry.

A make-up of fresh new contemporary design ideas while still incorporating the existing structure.

Scrap, clean, bolt and paint.  Well, not always that easy but as you can see they found a way to bring all those elements to life.  Exposed trusses, structural beam and pipe columns.

Check the old school roll-up shades in the windows.

The before and after.  Have that vision and stick with it.

via Contemporist

The Home Library

 

Like books?  Love books?  Whether you call it the home library, home office or study, it's a room that can take on it's own character.  Freshome recently ran a post showcasing 37 different kickass styles.  You can check it here.  These are a few of my favorites.  A very cool look above mixing the color wheel pattern and sizing of the books with the warmer wood tones.

A straightforward approach above works well with the volume of the space and the fresh floating desk space.

More volume.  This time taking on the rotunda style.

via freshome

95

Today is Grandpa's birthday. 90 freaking 5. Just crazy. Love it. Love him. He's definitely slowed down but still pretty sharp. Always has been and always will be about hard work. I still remember him telling me, 'if you can't get it done by Noon, don't bother getting started'.

The founder of our family business back in 1945 and my personal barber back in 1975.

One Tree

A crazy ceiling detail and design element. This, in a way, goes hand-in-hand with the post from yesterday. The killer creativity and inspiration that can come from nature.

It's the architects idea of bringing people together to dine under 'one tree' as well as the ability to nurture and grow a business. Today I'm also appearing at Fred Flare.

photos via Contemporist

Rolling Ceiling

A ceiling detail that takes its inspiration from the views just outside the restaurant. It's just proof that sometimes you don't have to look too far to find that artistic little detail that can really make a space so unique.

This is the artistry behind the ceiling. The rolling, furrowed fields which the restaurant overlooks.

The pattern was computer generated, framed out of steel and then covered in wood. Instant personality.

photos via ArchDaily

Architectural Photography

So I get this email earlier in the week from my sister and she's reminding me to check out one of our favorites in the architecture world. It's Balthazar Korab. He's this local badass architectural photographer here in the suburbs of Detroit, and his reputation and work is known all over the world. The photo above is actually the cover shot to his book entitled Archabet. That's basically architecture, A to Z. It's this creative journey of finding letters in, on or around buildings across America. It's one of the coolest most cherished books I own.

Small and Inspiring

It's a small space, only 770 square feet on the interior and sometimes those spaces can produce all kinds of inspiration. They call this the "Cookhouse" and it was designed by Green Partners. They're a small firm from Washington with a focus on sustainable design and crafted details.

The space was simply designed for a family to gather, relax, prepare and enjoy meals together. The entire room feels very open with natural light and the bright white finishes of the walls and cabinets. The exposed custom trusses help define the space and at the same time, highlight the architecture.

Both rustic and industrial, the exterior gives off a fresh, welcoming overall feel with the cedar and metal materials. The use of the larger overhangs creates a nice, subtle outdoor sitting area.

To accent the cookhouse, they incorporated this cool outdoor gathering space with a wood-burning stove.

via Green Partners Architecture and Design

A New Age of Craftsmanship

There is craft out there. Just stop and think about it. Check this out from Seth Godin's blog yesterday.

photo via Remodelista

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.

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

Vintage Light Fixtures

While working on a few different projects this week I found myself researching old vintage light fixtures. It sounds so engaging, doesn't it? Well, whether you are designing an entire space or just trying to find a way to give a room a face-lift, a unique or vintage light fixture can sometimes make it happen. Check out Barn Light Electric if you're looking for some badass American-made vintage fixtures. They're family owned and have a killer passion for what they do. They are worth checking out. You can read about them here.

photo via Barn Light Electric

Work as One

I know I've mentioned this before but I really can't stress it enough. I'm talking about contractor/architect relationships. When the two can come together and not only put out a kick ass product but also communicate their ideas from paper to building, it can make for pretty sweet results. We are going to be doing a couple different renovation projects (both on water) and both have such a good vibe. I like the feeling of coming away from a solid meeting with the client and the architect and just knowing that all parties are truly excited to continue moving forward. You can feel the passion and that makes you want to run with the momentum.

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Beet Squad

Today it's all about the wife and her crew, The Beet Squad. They are involved in a competition to Reinvent Fast Food on www.yoxi.tv

Yoxi is an online competition where teams of 3 use videos they create to compete and come up with creative solutions to social issues. Reinventing Fast Food is the social issue they are competing for and they have come up with a pretty kick ass idea called FoodSurge.

FoodSurge is an online daily deal site that links proprietors, producers and passionate people who all want to eat real food. By creating a web of support, they are able to keep costs down, create a risk free experience for restaurants and producers, and also give the public the options they want.

The Beet Squad is one of the top two finalists and the last round of voting started yesterday and ends tonight at midnight PST. You can go to yoxi and vote here for The Beet Squad. Just make sure you are signed in before voting.

To learn more about The Beet Squad and see the rest of their videos, check out their page here or go to www.thebeetsquad.com

Corporate Ship Yard

Reuse, give back and turn out a badass place. Done. I'm referring to the Urban Outfitters Corporate Campus. Have you seen or heard about this place? It's four old historic buildings in Philadelphia's ship yard. My sister-in-law, Leslie used to work for Anthropologie (part of the U.O. family) and I remember her talking about the space with such passion. She wasn't kidding. If you've ever been in one of their stores (Urban or Anthro) you'll notice the similarities in vintage design and the refurbished finishes. They have a craft and style that carries all the way through from corporate to customer.

I feel like I've been talking about it all this week but I'm such a firm believer in creativity and adaptive reuse. This is a perfect example, just on a much larger scale. There's a cool connection between the two industries with similar characteristics. Both create, build, refurbish or fabricate whether it's a ship or article of clothing.

It looks raw in a way, yet it's so refined from the timbers to the exposed duct work. The mass of the facility and the amount of natural light really give a comforting atmosphere. I could go on and on. This place is amazing and so well done. Check out more photos on ArchDaily.

photos by Lara Swimmer via ArchDaily

Design Inspiration, Karim Rasid

I enjoy pulling inspiration from all kinds of different design styles. This is a new restaurant inside the Vdara hotel in Las Vegas. It's called Silk Road and it was designed by Karim Rasid. The Contemporist posted Karim's comments about the space as well a ton of photographs. It's Vegas so it is a little on the crazy side but well worth a look. The wife and I had the opportunity to listen to him speak and meet him at an event in Detroit a few years back. He was collaborating with Jenn Air on some kitchen design. He was super engaging and had a ton of creative energy. I can appreciate his sense of architecture and how it relates to space. Inspiring.