Design Archives - Page 14 of 17

Illy Push Button House Coming Soon!

November 29, 2007 RH 2 Comments

Correction: The Push Button House was originally supposed to be open as of today. It will not be installed until Saturday now. I just corrected the information below, but call before you go, because it may not be open to the public by Saturday. I hope nobody ran over there this morning!

Just a reminder that the Illy Push Button House will be on display for the holidays starting Saturday. The recycled shipping container, originally unveiled at the 52^nd Venice Biennale in June 2007 was designed by architect/artist Adam Kalkin.

The Push Button House transforms from a container into a five-room home with a kitchen, dining room, bedroom, living room and library. It will act as a cafe while in NYC. Visitors can enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee or take the opportunity to donate to Illy’s annual charity to benefit Ethiopian schools.

I’m going to try to get down there to for a more in depth post, but I just wanted to remind folks for the big first day!

Press Release

2nd Floor of the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle.
December 1 through December 29, 2007
Hours: Monday-Friday from 10am-9pm, Saturday & Sunday from 11am-7pm.

SF Painted Lady: Chateau Tivoli

November 28, 2007 RH 3 Comments

We took a trip to San Fransisco a couple of years ago and I just found my photos on a card I haven’t used since. Hmm, never did that with a roll of film. Anyway, I remember taking hours and hours to search for the perfect Victorian B&B. We decided upon Chateau Tivoli in the Alamo Square district.

Built in 1892 and operating as a fully restored B & B by 1989, the building has seen alot of history pass through it’s doors. But the restoration is what fascinates me. The exterior features 17 colors of paint. Inside, the wood work is to die for. And then there’s the wallpaper and hand painted molding and medallions. The restoration took 4 years to complete. But I’m sure Craig and Yvonne could’ve done it in a few months.

Here are a few vacation snappies I took. Please overlook the unmade bed and low resolution. I was on vacation!Continue reading SF Painted Lady: Chateau Tivoli

Brooklyn Farm Table: Salvaging History

November 27, 2007 RH 2 Comments

Ralph Gorham has been crafting tables in Red Hook, Brooklyn for years. The one time general contractor started out using common and exotic woods, but soon became aware of all the beautiful antique wood that was being discarded during demolition of old buildings in the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood.

The reclaimed wood is mainly from the beams of these old buildings. Species range from Douglas Fir to Long Leaf Heart Pine. Since salvage and sustainable building have become more popular, the beams are harder to come by. Once the wood is acquired, there is much preparation before building the tables. All nails (as many as oh, maybe…500!), bolts and lead paint must be removed before remilling. The boards are then aligned to make symmetrical patterns of the wood’s knots and grain.

A basic farm table, finished in tung oil, starts at $400 per linear foot, which translates to a few thousand for a table. Each peice is a one of a kind heirloom that weighs 300-400 pounds. There are a number of tables in stock. Custom tables, counter tops or cabinets can be ordered. Everything is 100% recycled. Even the scraps get used for smaller projects.

Brooklyn Farm Table

Craig and Yvonne, Why Must You Taunt Me So?

November 27, 2007 RH 8 Comments

I first discovered Our Victorian House shortly after we went into contract on Our Own Victorian House in Beacon. I visited the site frequently for inspiration. When I showed it to my husband, filling him in on my intentions, he felt the need to send an email to Craig and Yvonne…something to the effect of “How dare you give my wife these crazy ideas? Thanks alot, buddy!”

Three years later and sidetracked by a totally different restoration, I just checked back on their site. They’re, like, finished.

I hate them.

Hate them because they had the focus to stick to one house and finish it.

Hate them because their house is so friggen beautiful.

Hate them because they were able to afford massive amounts of Bradbury wallpaper when they said they’re not rich.

Hate them because they used real artisans for detailing I attempt to do myself.

Hate them because they even finished the exterior! Oh, how I hate them for that!

Hate them because of that green eyed monster we call “Envy”.

So, you think you’re so great, Craig and Yvonne? Well, why don’t you come to Beacon and show us what you can do with this house? I dare you!

Yeah, I thought you would back down. Losers.

The Antique Furniture Vandals

November 26, 2007 RH 2 Comments

Jimmie Martin sideboard

I’m a total preservationist when it comes to antiques, yet I get this. It’s groovy baby. Yeah. Quite a few London designers are giving antique pieces a new life by vandalizing them.

German, Dutch trained designer Martin Baas is burning chairs, Burke and Hazelden are painting graffiti on armoires and Le Tramac is upholstering day beds in high gloss colorful PVC.

I hope they are only working with pieces that are beyond restoration, but I have a feeling that’s not always the case.

I paint furniture sometimes. My criteria is:

1. The wood has to be so severely damaged that most of the piece would need to be faux painted.
2. Ugly wood. Never a nice piece to begin with.
3. Parts missing that need to be replaced with new wood. If it’s an otherwise perfect and valuable piece of furniture or home detail, I’ll find an antique piece of wood to match.

DIY: Antique Glazing Cabinets

November 20, 2007 RH 2 Comments

Previously, we did a DIY on repainting cabinets. We didn’t go over the faux technique we used on these cheapest of cheap Home Depot jobbies we salvaged from the house. Our tenant who inherited the cabinets told us that everyone who comes to visit asks about them. So, we figured we’d share.Continue reading DIY: Antique Glazing Cabinets

Corrugated Cardboard Wall Covering

November 20, 2007 RH 1 Comment

Via CribCandy, via Craftster

Jonathan Fong has some amazing designs on his site, but what I like most of all is that many of them are DIY projects. He offers step by step instructions for some of his creations.

This corrugated cardboard wall covering seems pretty easy to do. Jonathan’s is not recycled, but how much cooler (and more time consuming) would it be if you used recycled cardboard? It would give it a whole new look because no two pieces would match. It might look terrible…but it would be recycled! Try it….lemme know how that goes.

How To

Period Home Decor

November 19, 2007 RH

The hubby won’t let me do pink.

If you’re a sucker for old homes like we are, you probably want to keep your decor historically accurate. It’s not easy and it’s a bit frustrating at times. As much as we love Victorians (so much that we needed 2 of them), sometimes I wish we were converting a garage space so I can do all sorts of funky things. But that’s the next project.

Actually, we’ll be more creative with the Beacon Queen Anne than the Bed Stuy brownstone. We were inspired by the former owner’s style, which is more Nouveau/Deco than Victorian. We’ve continued with that style in wall coverings and lighting and we’ll also throw in some Gothic splash just for fun. The exterior, which we’ve been promising to do for 3 years, is going to be total crazy color San Fransisco painted lady. Or the closest we can get away with being in a historic district.

Here’s some help for narrowing down your home’s period and decor.

Identifying Your Home’s Style
Architectural Styles
Period Decor

Liquid Stainless Steel

November 19, 2007 RH 5 Comments

Before

Et Voila!

This is one of those things that might look ok online, but the verdict is still out until I see it in person. It’s difficult to get a good idea of what it looks like since the images are shoddy and the display samples are crappy whatever color they are. But hey, it’s probably a good idea if you want to freshen up your kitchen on a small budget and you have ugly appliances that work just fine. Don’t know how green it is. Probably no less green than buying new appliances.

This is actually water based automotive grade stainless steel that you can roll on without priming in many cases. You must apply the finish coat afterwards. It can be used on most surfaces, but is not recommended for counter tops.

Thomas’ Liquid Stainless

Pre Fab Pets

November 16, 2007 RH 3 Comments

Ever say “Darn, I wish my dog’s bed harmonized with the rest of my Mid Century Modern furnishings.” Well, now Tinkerbell AND Mr. Bigglesworth can have their very own Wright inspired home.

Pre-Fab-Pets is a brand new company based in San Diego.

The Architectura, pictured above, is available in small, medium and large. Only the large size is sealed for outdoors. What’s with that? So you can kick your big dogs out of the house but let those little yappy rats have all the fun?

Three other bed designs are available: The Dog Day Bed, Bent (I like that one!) and Zen. Prices start at $149 for the small Zen bed and top out at $999 for the large Architectura. Items are only available on the Pre-Fab-Pets website at the moment.

Via CribCandy

Shopping For Bargains

November 15, 2007 RH 1 Comment

I like to think of myself as a savvy bargain hunter. My husband just calls me cheap. At any rate, I’d like to pass along some of my favorite places for shopping for home related bargains.

1. First off, I always try to go second hand. Craigs tops my list, followed by Ebay. Then there’s always Goodwill, Salvation Army, Housing Works as well as other thrift shops too numerous to mention. And don’t forget the flea markets.

2. Pearl River Mart : Chinese department store in Soho (formerly on Canal St). Lighting, bedding, table settings, window treatments…you name it. Gorgeous stuff at fab-o prices!

3. Ikea : Not exactly a secret. If you haven’t been since you bought that futon in college, they’ve got lovely bedding, rugs, fabrics and kitchen ware for cheap! I always, always buy my wine glasses there because I go through them quickly. Under $5 for a 6 pack.

4. National Wholesale Liquidators: They are all over the tri-state area. Anything from small appliances to linens to rugs, lamps and window treatments.

5. Target : Another favorite for cheap funky finds that don’t last very long. I always buy my sheets there and about a month later, they look like shit. But I can’t help it! They are cheap and cute. And you know what? The only reason our good “guest sheets” look any better is because we never use them! Anyway, lovin the Target.

6. Overstock.com: Yeah, I’ve done well with them from time to time.

Toilet Thrones

November 15, 2007 RH 4 Comments

Herbeau’s Dagobert

King Louis XIV Throne

Yet another project I’d like to try. Build myself a toilet throne. The two shown here are the only ones I came across in my search and neither one is really my taste or budget. I love the idea so much that if someone offered one of these up for free, I could live with it.

Vintage Tub has the best price on the Herbeau. It can be yours for the low low price of $9799. They are $12000 elsewhere. You’re paying for their sense of humor as well as a toilet. “Le Bon Roi Dagobert” plays when lid is raised, a song about a king who arrived at the minister’s council with his pants on backwards.

The King Louis XIV toilet is a mere $3250. A drop in the bucket, so to speak. This is a good DIY design. The toilet bowl caulks to the furniture in the same fashion as an under mount sink. There are sliding panels on each side for access.

Hideaway Kitchens

November 14, 2007 RH

I’ve been looking into hidden kitchens lately for our Brooklyn crib. It’s a garden level apartment which we’ve configured as a 1BR. That means the kitchen will be in the living room. Since we don’t live there full time and we never cook, a dorm style set up will do. We have an antique armoire which was once my hidden office. Now that my office has exploded all over the house, I’d like to use the armoire to house our kitchen.

I’m thinking something along the lines of the photo above. Hubby sez “no”, but we’ll see.

Given the size of NYC apartments, I’m surprised I couldn’t come up with any local search results.

John Strand
Yanko Design
Apartment Therapy

Boat Bath

November 14, 2007 RH

Husband, get nervous. Very nervous. My rubber ducky and I want this tub! I saw it on the wonderful Designer’s Block and can’t find any more info on it. That’s fine, because I’m sure it’s more than I could afford anyway.

So here’s what I’m thinking. Take an ordinary tub and frame the exterior to make it “boat like”. Ok, so the tub is oval and the boat is….boat shaped, but that just means you have places to put your shampoo and soap.

Think it can work? I’ll need to buy another house since I’m running out of bathrooms to work on.

So That’s What A Chef’s Kitchen Looks Like

November 13, 2007 RH 3 Comments

I’ve mentioned it before and I’ll say it again. My kitchen necessities: a phone and a microwave. And it has to look cute. Other than that, I don’t care about oven temperatures, layout or warming drawers. Warming drawers? Just stick the dinner back in the microwave. Wine cooler? Isn’t that what the fridge is for? Garbage disposal? Hey, my dogs have gotta eat!

So, when I found Marissa’s Kitchen on Living Well in Westchester, I had to pass along the fine design details to my readers who actually cook. Fivecat Studio’s design features a multi level Fireslate countertop, glass display shelves and a stainless steel recipe hanger, along with bamboo cabinets.

Of all the super duper high end appliances I’m actually only jealous of two:

The Fisher & Paykel dishdrawer, because I’d love to never have to put away clean dishes again.

The Miele Coffee System, because I like my coffee and it’s easier to make a cup at home than to go out for it.

Marissa’s Kitchen
And Blog

reclaimedhome.com

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