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 astounding. I discovered Cade Martin over a year ago when he collaborated with the brilliant graphic design studio Design Army to create a commemorative book for DC’s The Washington Ballet.
Cade Martin Photography, je t’aime <3
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 comes to design. Take an empty white room, flank it with a wall of floor to ceiling windows with natural light pouring in – suddenly you have a hip loft, a gallery space, a ballroom, an office? With a few pieces of furniture it could be anything. Life happens with natural light.
I submit for your consideration, the 8th wonder of the world … steel windows. You’re welcome.
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 mantles.
Happy Monday! Enjoy…
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 décor. An exaggeration you say? Perhaps. But remember the Moen commercials where a couple embarking on the adventure of building a new home ask the Architect to design a home around a single, sleek Moen fixture? I daresay, hardware need not be relegated to the back-burner, the last decision. It can turn the tide of the entire project…
And available soon for purchase through The Vintage Vogue …
Let There Be Light
Most Interior Designers would probably say that their favorite element of design involves the selection of fabrics or perhaps the curating of furniture pieces. I may be labeled as the Black Sheep, but give me lighting or give me death. (Or tile, but that will wait for another post) Lighting is so incredibly amazing ! It is at once architectural, decorative, full of personality, but perhaps most importantly of all it literally sheds light on your designs. Without light, natural or artificial, there is no design. For your consideration one of my favorite lighting companies – The Urban Electric Co.
