My sister found an old book, Ladies Home Journal Book of Decorating, last published in 1959. She thought I would enjoy it and sent it to me. When I first thumbed through the pages a few months ago, I thought it amusing as I looked at the images of what appeared to be outdated room design. Yet, today, as I carefully read the pages, I realized that classic design never becomes outdated. Indeed, if I compared images in the book with any of the current design magazines filling my shelves, I could easily find similar rooms. 

The advice in the book still holds true as well, start with the flooring, have fun with textiles, don’t be afraid of bold and exciting color, and the right lighting is essential. But, one bit of advice that I did not find relevant! “…the glass ash tray in your casual room will be quite different from the one in your formal room.” Too funny!!

I submitted my first set of drawings to a building department and they were approved on the first round. This seems like a small thing to those seasoned designers, but I was excited. I guess it is just one of those rights of passage that you cross. Just in case you don’t know what a building permit is - a permit is required in most jurisdictions for new construction, or adding on to pre-existing structures, and for major renovations.  

This made me wonder about the history of building permits and did a little research. It is believed the first building code was in the Code of Hammurabi  (really old, like 1750 BC). And it was serious stuff.

·         If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death.

·         If it kills the son of the owner, the son of that builder shall be put to death.

·         If it kills a slave of the owner, then he shall pay, slave for slave, to the owner of the house.

·         If it ruins goods, he shall make compensation for all that has been ruined, and inasmuch as he did not construct properly this house which he built and it fell, he shall re-erect the house from his own means.

·         If a builder builds a house for someone, even though he has not yet completed it; if then the walls seem toppling, the builder must make the walls solid from his own means.

Luckily, although the current rules are quite stringent, I won’t be put to death…………

Busts

My Collection

I have to admit I have a thing for busts, no not that kind, a sculpture depicting a person's head. I have a small collection of them on my bookshelf. I generally can't pass one in a thrift shop or flea market without buying it. I think it started with my Mom, she does the same thing. So I was really excited when I saw this new Jonathan Adler table lamp. The Dora Maar bust and blue lampshade are desirous.

Place de la Republique

On my bicycle tour around Paris, I am pretty sure we peddled around the Place de la Republique. I was really trying not to get run over or hit a pedestrian.  Heather Stimmler-Hall points out in her "Secrets of Paris" Newsletter that the large and noisy Place de la Republique has never been a place to linger. It’s a nightmare for pedestrians, a confusing intersection for drivers, and usually full of protest marchers at the foot of the Statue de la République or drunks passed out on the patches of grass at the center. But you may want to take one last peek (and a “before” photo) before a major facelift project gets underway this winter to modernize this square which hasn’t changed since 1883. Strategically located at the cross roads of the 3rd, 10th, and 11th arrondissements, in January 2012 the square and its surrounding streets will be ripped up and replaced with a pedestrian esplanade of over 2 hectares (about 5 acres), a tree-lined square set up for public events like concerts, and rerouting of the street traffic around one side (instead of all around). This should make the square more welcoming for cyclists, public transportation users, and pedestrians. It will supposedly be done by Spring 2013. I think the proposed "facelift" will be spectacular and on my next visit to Paris, I will definitely make a point to check it out. http://www.placedelarepublique.paris.fr

The Front Door

During my recent trip to England, we stopped in the village of Lacock on our way to Stonehenge.  Lacock is a village in Wiltshire, England and is owned almost in its entirety by the National Trust. It attracts many visitors by virtue of its unspoiled appearance and is the setting for many movies such as Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Harry Potter. Most of the homes were built in the 18^th century or earlier.

The village is absolutely adorable and is one of the highlights of my trip. Because it is owned by the National Trust, the structures of the Village remain in their heritage condition. But what fascinated me about them were the front doors.

The cottages are almost identical, but each front door is unique and special. I wondered what story it could tell about the occupants, past and present. Not only are the elements of each door different, giving each cottage its own personality, but the faded jewel colors are fantastic.

Nurseries

I love designing baby rooms. But I hate the typical pink/butterflies or blue/trains. There are so many other motifs and color options, - but what to do with the baby furniture? First of all it is expensive and secondly after a few years the practical usage of it diminishes greatly. So when I visited the Stokke booth at Dwell on Design Convention last week I was so excited by their line of furniture because each piece is designed in way to literally last a child’s whole life. That is definitely a great example of sustainable design. For instance their Tripp Trapp high chair is adjustable to fit a child at each stage of their life. It is also very stylish and slender. The same conversion is available for the Sleepi (crib) and Care (changing table).



Some of my other favorite baby furniture manufacturers are:


Room & Board


Land of Nod

Conventions, Conferences and Seminars - Oh My!!!



Sasaki adding my heartbeat to his mural.

 Mention conference, convention or seminar and most people’s eyes glaze over, however, Photoshop CS5 Power User Tour Seminar, PCBC Convention, and Dwell on Design Conference were all fun times for this interior designer!
 The Photoshop CS5 Seminar, presented by Dave Cross, was an interesting and informative seminar where I learned many comprehensive tips and tricks. The Content Aware fill feature is going to save me so much time over manually cloning and painting. Did you know if you drag a file from the Desktop onto the tab area the file will open? Another timesaver! I don’t know if I’ll ever use Puppet Warp; although, it is fun to say.

PCBC is one of the largest homebuilding tradeshows in the U.S. and the ideal setting to collect facts about today's market from homebuilding industry professionals. PCBC displayed a lot of new products for accessible bathrooms and showers for the aging in place population and I got plenty of new ideas and literature on these products. The best part of the show, however, was keynote speaker Guy Kawasaki, author of Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions. He presented innovative ideas about marketing and I can’t wait to read his book.

Mosconi Center, San Francisco

Dwell on Design is a home and design expo centered on modern designs ranging from food, prefab, and crafts to products and architecture. Besides seeing and touching many fantastic modern designs, I had my heartbeat painted by Japanese artist Sasaki. Yes! Sasaki painted attendee’s heartbeats by attaching an electronic monitor to their finger and relaying the heartbeat over a speaker which he interprets and then paints onto a canvas using red paint. Sasaki was collecting donations for tsunami victims in Japan.


The Seed System designed by David Trubridge

 One of my favorite lighting displays was this Mini-Coral Kitset by David Trubridge. Lightweight and minimalist, but a big impact, this light is stunning.

Condo Project

The condo renovation is almost completed. The bathrooms were completely gutted and put back together. All the doors, base and trim have been replaced. The holes were patched in the walls and a fresh coat of paint in Pratt & Lambert’s Dove Feather applied. The kitchen cabinets, doors, and trim are painted in Pratt and Lambert Gig’s Grey which is a shade darker than the walls and looks fabulous.  I was originally going to replace the kitchen cabinets, but decided to refurbish the existing cabinets. Primer and several coats of semi-gloss paint did the trick and when we added the new hardware on the doors the transformation is complete. Wood floors went in today and the finishing touches, like new light fixtures and window coverings will complete the project at the end of the week.

Assisted Senior Living - "Dandelion Landing"



ALLIUM GREAT ROOM: Energy, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love. Carpet: Shaw carpet tiles in Casco Punch; Textiles: Architex Angela Adams Spike Punch and Architex Angela Adams Hazel Pinot Noir; Light fixture Moooi Dandelion Chandelier.



In the book Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury, the wine is a metaphor for packing all of the joys of summer into a single bottle. Life is like a dandelion, after flowering is finished, the dandelion flower head dries out. The dried petals and stamens drop off, the bracts reflex, and the parachute ball opens into a full sphere. Finally, the seed-bearing parachutes expand and lift out and the parachutes lose their feathered structure and take on a fuzzy, cotton-like appearance, often called “dandelion snow.” Once landed, they sprout and the cycle continues.

Dandelion Wine is the inspiration for the design for Dandelion Landing, an assisted living facility. Although the occupants have parachuted to their final dwelling, all the joys of life remain. Incorporating the therapeutic value of colors, sunny citron embellishes the common areas increasing confidence and joy. The great room and gaming room are awash with red punch - an emotionally intense color stimulating circulation and alertness. The library bubbles in blue tonality lowering stress and promoting intellect. And rich chocolaty browns and neutral waves of wheat symbolizing orderliness and convention adorn the dining rooms. Modern furnishings, bold patterned textiles, coordinating flooring, exuberant lighting and geometric patterned wall coverings complement the sphere of a home filled with memories and wisdom







   


CELANDINE COFFEE SHOP: Joy, happiness, intellect, and energy. Carpet: Shaw carpet tiles in Haven Citron; Textiles: Architex Angela Adams Hazel Citron and Architex Angela Adams Munjoy Citron; Wallcovering; MDC Angela Adams Collection Casco.

  


PERENNIAL KNOWLEDGE CENTER: Trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, and intelligence. Carpet: Shaw carpet tiles in Jimi Bluebird; Textiles: Architex Angela Adams Ivaloo Dusk and Architex Angela Adams Teddy Robins Egg; Wallcovering; MDC Angela Adams Collection Betty Suede.

 

Hand Rendering - The Best Meditation

There are so many fancy ways to render on the computer, but the good old fashioned hand rendering is still the best. And on a raining day like today, there is no better form of meditation.

Rendering Styles

RENDERING



photorealistic



I am always rendering!! And someone asked me recently, “uh, what is rendering?” Rendering it is a drawing in perspective of a proposed structure. In art, it is the presentation, expression, or interpretation of an idea or concept. With my most recent project, I experimented with several different types of rendering techniques. The photorealistic rendering is created in Revit. I took this “photo” and applied many different techniques in Photoshop to create two distinct interpretations to express my concept. In my presentation I decided to use the conceptual rendering (last one). The project was to create an upscale corporate office for an architectural firm. I choose the architectural firm Snohetta, because the firm emphasizes the relationship between architecture and landscape in all its design processes and is strongly committed to teamwork through openness and transparency, all philosophies I embrace.



oil painting



CONCEPT

As Snohetta takes its name from a snow covered mountain with high peaks and deep crevasses, my concept is to use crisp white veneers, upholstery and a refreshing cool glacial color palette coupled with earthy tones and amble daylighting fostering a sense of mountainous terrains. Interior glass curtain walls further punctuate an airy openness, while modern furnishings provide classic ambiance. 

DESIGN



conceptual



My design includes a curvilinear reception desk “summit” with natural wood veneers for the base and white veneers for the glacier cap. In an avalanche of repetition, pendants in the lobby dangle like talus rappelling down the summit. A central gathering area is a pass through the ridge in a “lounge-based” work setting that host teams and technology in comfort. A bivy of teaming vignettes further encourages spontaneous, informal meetings for brainstorming and creativity. Marketing and Administrative staff share alcoves of versatile workspaces that readily adapt to an open plan facilitating easy communication. The timberline of privacy screens for the Production staff creates a focused environment for head-down work yet allows for moderate interaction between coworkers. Flexible conference components in the Training Room orienteer to varying group needs. Multimedia and interactive meetings in the elegant Conference Room accommodate a breadth of requirements like a pointed spire.

  











Morada Brewpub Thesis Project

projectDESCRIPTION
 Adaptively reuse the old Morada Market to create and differentiate an inviting urban-contemporary microbrewery that departs from the dark, smoky, male-dominated stereotypical local tavern.

designDIRECTIVE

The restaurateur wants a design that revolves around a theme, but takes a subtle approach which gives diners a feel for what they are about to get, but leaves a little bit to the imagination — a trendy fine dining establishment with a relaxed casual chic vibe that may or may not be a brewpub. It feels sophisticated and futuristic, but homey and reminiscent of old world charm. The central design elements are organic, but geometric, pulling in the background of the building — a corner market — to evoke an authentic sense of place. The patrons should feel happy, relaxed and at ease, but excited as the fun environment draws them in.




Communal Dining Table



Loggia Dining





 designSOLUTION

The design pulls inspiration from the very definition of morada — habitat and mulberry-colored; and the abundance of heritage oak trees in the area. Juxtaposing industrial elements with warm woods, geometric forms and shapes, and a color palette of graphite, violet, and fuchsia creates a textural enriching space. Steel elements are used abundantly in the brew house tanks, bar counter, casework and upward arching sculptures evoking a sense of excitement. Large sculptures with a narrow stem base fluting out into a conical umbrella made of rebar mimic the shape of an oak tree. Wood floors flank the lounge and dining areas providing a warm balance against the metal elements. Bright and patterned textiles cover the booths and benches, while oxblood faux leather on the barstools reminds that this is also a tavern. Large cylindrical glass pendants drip from the ceiling like pilsner glasses waiting to be filled by the craft beer brewed onsite.

Booth Dining



"Closed Loop" Tote Bags

Textile samples are one of my favorite things and when I had the opportunity to snatch up some discontinued samples destined for the landfill I decided to do a little recycling, reusing, and repurposing. Viola, "Closed Loop" Tote Bags where designed. Closed loop is a recycling term which describes the manufacture of a new object completely from the recycled material of earlier objects. Everyone needs a tote bag for groceries, lunches, or just junk. Each bag is unique and fun!! Last week at my Portfolio Show I gave away thirty bags and they were a big hit.

Portfolio Show

Frantically working on preparing my project for the Portfolio Show March 24th. My Thesis project is the Morada BrewPub. I have been working on it for six months now and I am so excited with the results. Please come and check out my work!!
http://www.aiportfolioshow.com/sacramento

San Francisco Design Center Student Career Forum

Attending the Forum on Friday March 4th. I entered in the IFDA (Internationl Furnituring and Design Association). competition. The design requirement was to design the lighting for an empty-nest active couple. The 2008 California Title 24 energy regulations have to be incorporated in the lighting design. I design a home that is streamlined, yet sleek and stylish for Morgan and Emily who are recently retired from their high powered professional careers. While their children are away at college, this active couple intends on traveling extensively and downsized their residence seeking a fresh, simplified and hip space. Creating a new space using iconic furnishings and modish textile epitomizes the 20th century vernacular of smart and fun that mimics the flowing graceful character of Morgan and Emily.

Slow Food Chapter - Poire Convivium in Courtland California

I first heard the term "Slow Food" when I went on a behind the scenes tour of the Citizen Hotel and Grange restaurant. So when I was designing for the "LiveWell. Design Well ASID Competition" I thought the Slow Food concept was perfect. Poire Convivium is a Slow Food Chapter. Slow Food is a movement striving to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and promotes farming of plants and livestock characteristic of the local ecosystem. Poire Convivium supports an innovative approach to taste education based on the reawakening and training of the senses and the study of all aspects of food.

The three tenets of Slow Food’s approach to food and production are: Good - a fresh and flavorsome seasonal diet that satisfies the senses and is part of our local culture; Clean - food production and consumption that does not harm the environment; and Fair - accessible prices for consumers and fair conditions and pay for small-scale producers.
Poire Convivium organizes events, ranging from dinners and tastings, visits to local farms, conferences, film festivals, taste education courses for children and adults, and promotional events. Poire Convivium also has an Earth Market that is a community run farmer’s market where local producers offer healthy, quality food directly to consumers at fair prices and guarantee environmentally sustainable methods.

Poire Convivium is situated in a pear orchard along the Delta River in Courtland, California. Creating a fresh and sustainable design for Poire Convivium incorporates the fresh colors of green, yellow, white, and red like those of a pear tree in blossom, abundant daylighting and utilizes sustainable materials that contribute to an indoor environmental quality that is less harmful. Vertical interior landscapes on the fireplace wall and booth walls create living art that is soothing and relaxing.