The Elephant in the Room | Designing Around Awkward Spaces
I’m in the process of designing a House Call for The Washington Post and have run into a challenge I most openly welcome. You see, the home in question is a 1930′s Sears Kit Home located in Silver Spring Maryland. It is an itty bitty cottage that’s as cute as a button. The floor plan of the living room, true to it’s 1930′s roots, is a layout you’d typically see for the period. The front door opens into the center of the living room, effectively dividing the space in two.... Read The Rest →
Artistic Obsession | Cade Martin Photography
There are times when I’m rummaging about online that I happen upon an artist whose work strikes a deep and resounding note in my soul. I become immediately obsessed seeking everything the artist has created, gawking shamelessly behind the screen of my MacBook Pro. Shall I share with you my latest delight? Cade Martin’s Photography is nothing short of magical. The manner in which he uses a camera to transports us to another world, one which could be likened to an aristocratic, highly sophisticated version of Alice in Wonderland, is... Read The Rest →
Design is in the Details | Steel Windows
If you have never seen (or recognized) steel windows there is an entire element of your architectural life that has yet to be fulfilled. You can thank me later. What’s so special about steel windows? Well, because the steel is inherently stronger than other window types, wood, vinyl, etc. this allows the mullions to be pencil thin and delicate while supporting vast amounts of glazing (or glass), at a ratio far greater than the other window types. What does this mean? More natural light! Natural light is everything when it... Read The Rest →
Come On Baby Light My Fire
So I’m in the process of designing a fireplace for my client and I thought it’d be fun to share some finds on fabulous fireplace designs (I’m a sucker for alliteration). And so begins my internet foray into inspirational mantle and fireplace photos. I adore the simple architectural power of mantles and surrounds – they can be grand and oversized, petite and pretty. Over-carved, bare, gilded – I say you can even ditch the firebox and adorn a plain wall with a salvaged beauty. I do so love me some... Read The Rest →
Design is in the Details | Hardware
Details, details. Much have often been said about them. “The Devil is in the Details.” Or perhaps you’ve heard “Beware of the man who won’t be bothered with details…” ? I tend to subscribe to the latter of the two opinions. Case in point: Hardware. For some it is the very last selection in a design project where one exhaustedly throws her hands up, submitting to ho-hum hardware when this last element, the icing on the cake, can take a seemingly plain design and take it to the zenith of... Read The Rest →
