Archive for the ‘Design’ Category

The Vegetarian’s kitchen – raw foods live here

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

This is the big expose on Corey and it’s not to be missed. I stopped eating meats all together. I haven’t eating meats from quadrupeds for 20 years now, and resisted the transition. So I figured that there’s no time like the present to try something new, well newer.

Being a designer, I immediately began to think of how this impacts my kitchen. Do I need 2 pan’s now? One for the meat eater in the home and one for me? Or is that a bit extreme, because I’m not vegan. Yet.

I thought about the different regional, religious, and self-managed diets – more specifically about vegetarianism, veganism, and raw foodism – and you just can’t have the standard kitchen with a cooking or baking fixture (or appliance). For example, a raw vegan does not cook anything above 48°C (118°F) and therefore does not require a 5,000BTU Wolf Gas Range, but could rather work off a single burner cooktop so clearly the amount of space needed has changed. Kitchen planning and analysis would dictate this food preparation space as secondary kitchen, but I prefer to think of it as a specialty kitchen because there are exclusive fixtures and space requirements that need to be modified from the standard NKBA Kitchen Planning Guidelines. In addition, the amount of cabinet frontage would need to be dramatically reduced (more along the small kitchen size in a large kitchen space) because raw foods are immediate and no pots, pans, baking sheets, food processors or whatever are required.

Firing at all synapses and excited about my design geeky-ness, I was immediately reminded about a living kitchen that I saw a couple years back.

FLOW (@studio_Gorm)is a living kitchen where one grows, prepares, cooks, and composts to return to the growth-cycle type of kitchen. Or zero waste. The dishwater drains to water the herbs and edible plants too. You can see, it’s a far stretch from the average kitchen.

You just don’t need the extra stuff with a raw food kitchen, or basically you don’t need a kitchen.

Talk about bringing us back to our roots!

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Posted in Design, Fittings, Fixtures, Greenhouse, Kitchen design, Small space, eco-chic picks | No Comments »

Black & White shows pos/neg in Swedish 185 Sq. Ft.

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Source: TreeHugger.com

I’ve been on this black & white kick lately. Everything I want to design has to have black & white. It’s a struggle, believe me, especially when clients want wood.

Living in a smaller West End space myself, I have to find unique and interesting ways to use space, and one way is with white. You can see from this 185 Sq. Ft. (17 sq. m.) apartment for sale in Gothenburg, Sweden, that the predominant use of positive and negative makes the space feel huge. What it also does, is makes the other colours pop from their background. Not to say that you can’t do this with another colour, say the Black Apartment, but you can see how the white makes you feel fresh and crisp, while an opposite use of black as the primary colour would make you feel sexy and sleek.

I’m off to plan a white shirt rebellion.

Source: TreeHugger.com

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Posted in Architecture, Art, Design, Interior design, Kitchen design, Lighting, Small space, chic picks | No Comments »

Designing my life: 100 days to personal revolution

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

Big breath in, and exhale it all out.

Back around December 20, 2009 I had just pulled down my Grad Show from the College and I was beat. Maybe if I had listed to my father back in high school and gone into Architecture for Interior Design instead of Art School I wouldn’t have had to take it again at age 30, but life is funny that way. Sometimes creative types are doubly talented and it just comes down to time and place. But rewind 4 years ago when I decided to go back to school part-time for Interior Design, I didn’t know that it would lead me here. Sure, I would l have loved to go back and gone for a masters in Winnipeg, but really, who needs that.

So post 12-20, I felt a bit of anxiety and loneliness for the constant hustle and bustle of working and learning. I really had no time for anything and suddenly I was left with time for anything.

Christmas came and went, and it was calm and cool with friends. Then Jason’s birthday (my guy of the past 11 years, who lovingly waited for me to finish school while working full-time – bless him) came and I woke up the next morning with the biggest sugar high. As I stood on my bathroom scale, close to tears are the extra 35 pounds of junk I accumulated, I saw that I needed to change something, but mostly I saw that I was changed, different somehow than the Corey 4 years before. I had to act. But how?

I started with yoga. Everyday for as long as possible, seeing no end in sight, a daily practice to get out some the junk I had collected. I’ve done 40 days before, a half-marathon, cleanses and such but never had I attempted something so revolutionary. I made new mantras like, “I am a great designer.” “I deserve a design job.” “I am strong.” “I am relaxed.” “I am receptive.” If you’ve never picked a mantra, you really should. It can help you get thru some pretty wicked stuff.

I lost some feeling in my arms, suddenly, coupled with intense pain. It kind of freaked me out, but with the help of the best chiropractor in the world I am still on my way to full motion. 90% there.

My brother contacted me after a year of silence. Still working thru that one.

I layered in a job search by appling for those hard to reach jobs, and I did, not receiving a reply. Oddly enough, they’re still posted and vacant… ego is attached to so many things, including designers thoughts on qualified educational institutions… whatever.

Book that exam, Corey, I said. Write that AKBD. So I will on March 26, 2010 in San Francisco.

I was called for Jury Duty. During my exam, so, thankfully, I’ve been excused.

I landed a job in the design industry and just where I wanted to be too.

As a result of the above, I bought a car, insured and registered it in under 3 hours. It’s no fancy car, but it was in 1988. Cute little VW Cabriolet, baby blue of course. But then I had to remember how to drive. I’ll miss Transit Tom driving me around everywhere, but won’t miss the crowded buses and smelly hot summer days because I’ll be jetting around with the top down.

Also as a result of the the new job I had to quit my cushy, uncomfortable, well benefited, and free cellphone providing job. That day was so awesome, let me tell you, because I had dreamed about it. But I’ll truly miss some of the awesome people I worked with over the last 7 years.

Not having a free cellphone anymore, I had to get a new one of THOSE things – flipping from a BlackBerry to an iPhone was the best thing I did for myself, and it hasn’t been a week yet.

And then there’s the whole Passport Canada mix-up. But keep you head up and it works itself out. And, now I’m a bit down on funds and yoga-studio-less… but I have amazing teacher friends and have returned to running after a 2 year hiatus. Where would I be without you all!

You know, this is only my stuff. Jason too has been shifting and moving stuff around. All of this could be a lot to take for some, but you know, if you’re open to change, keep positive, and do more yoga. Yoga. Yoga. Yoga. It has absolutely kept me sane and so grounded thru this whole process. Why not do it all, I’ve go another 60 years or so of life in me yet.

Peace.

Posted in Design, Vanacouver, Yoga | No Comments »

Designs of Olympic proportions

Friday, February 5th, 2010

As we Vancouverites head into the Olympics next week, some of you are really getting into the spirit inside and outside your homes and workplaces. The city is being visually slaughtered by Olympic advertising, temporary venues, mascots, country flags, and each of us react in our own way. Some of us embrace it, some of us are miffed by the expence while the cities real problems remain, some of us are happy to see some design focused ideas come to reality.

The 2010 Olympics have brought forth a huge influx in construction, so much so that the activity housing slump and poor economy was outside the protection of the Olympic bubble. One such fantastic venue is the Fairmont Pacific Rim.

Lobby, pre-opening, Farmont Pacific Rim

Developer Ian Gillespie inside the lobby of pre-opened Fairmont Pacific Rim, Image credit: Darryl Dyck for the Globe & Mail

The cool part of the building is that a poem by Liam Gillick wraps the building: ”lying on top of a building … the clouds looked no nearer.”
Fairmont Pacific Rim

Poetry wraps facade of the hotel. Image credit: Vancouver Sun

With marble from Italy that is cut in China, it’s to bad it’s not LEED certified.

It’s not all peaches and roses, take the Canada Pavilion at Georgia and Beatty Streets for example. It’s an ugly white tent. It’s ugly, opening late, and apparently “looks great“, so says Heritage Minister James Moore [Globe & Mail]. Oh, by the way, did I mention it cost $10M of taxpayer money, build by non-Canadian Chicago-based company, and it’s ugly? I wonder if Mayor Greggor will keep it open as a temporary shelter…

Canada Pavilion

Image credit: Ric Ernst PNG for Global BC

“Something happened. It’s embarrassing,” says Bing Thom, ”This is a world event. As Canadians, we all want to put on a good show, and architecture can help. But from the outside, this pavilion is completely uninspiring.” [Globe & Mail]

“This is a missed opportunity for Canada to demonstrate to the world what the country represents,” says Vancouver architect Wayne De Angelis, Regional director of Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. “If we are going to be represented by just a white box that looks like something you can buy online, that’s fine, but other pavilions are doing much more than that. It’s sad.” [Globe & Mail]

 How did this happen? How did such an ugly thing and a beautiful thing get built?

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Posted in Architecture, Design, Failed design, Vanacouver | No Comments »

Shaffer Residence: the house from A Single Man

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

I don’t know why it took me so long to see the amazing Tom Ford’s film A Single Man (novel by Christopher Isherwood), but when I did, it was the house that took my breath way (who cares that it’s being sold for $1.5M, I want it) and that it was complete metaphore for the film. This amazing home features so little by today’s standards, but it’s really about what you have and how you use it. It’s built from redwood, concrete and glass and is invisible.

Shaffer Residence, built 1949, by John Lautner, Architect

Mid-century modern style

527 Whiting Woods Rd., Glendale 91208

Picasa album

Listing

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Posted in Architecture, Design, Fashion | 1 Comment »

Give Design to Haiti

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

There are so many ways to help when disaster strikes and the quickest and easiest way is to send money. It seems to be a knee-jerk reaction for all of us but it left me thinking about the hard work of re-building and who was going to do that in Haiti. I know that search and rescue/recovery is still going on, and it may be weeks before that is complete, but it’s time to act quickly and for us designers to offer up our expertise in sweat equity.

Architecture for Humanity is our very best option because 88% of it’s funds are directly funneled back into construction projects. I just offered my services for an indefinite amount of time. It’s kind of scary, but I think it’s really what I’m meant to do because I’ve always imagined helping for non-profit rather than profiting from non-sense.Architecture for Humanity is focused on a long-term reconstruction effort and partnering with Yele Haiti, AIDG and more by supplying pro-bono construction work. AFH has set up a Earthquake Reconstruction page, so please, take a look.

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Posted in Architecture, Bathroom, Communication, Design, Green design, Interior design, Kitchen design, Travel | No Comments »

2010 NKBA Kitchen & Bath trends? My West Coast predictions

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

You’ve heard about have seen the reaction videos on YouTube, but have you thought that designers react to association analysis of predictive consumer trends? I a reaction when I read the press release NKBA Reveals 2010 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends yesterday because I’m not sure if it’s based upon American, North American or trends on the east coast, so I am struggling to find the relevance of some of the trends that my association (which I love dearly and it is very close to my heart) claims.

What I thought would be a good idea is to show the difference that a region, or a select market such as the West Coast, can change the way major associations make predictive trends. Here’s my response list:

Kitchens

1. Eco-chic is the new contemporary

Image courtesy Kohler

A new style is on the horizon and there isn’t quite a name for it, so I’ll just refer to it as “Eco-chic“. Eco-chic style is for the urbanites spa for those who are eco-dense and care deeply about our environment, which includes the sights we see in our homes. A there will be a blending of the current urban designs with sustainable products such as IceStone, PaperStone, Kieri, and bamboo so there will be a mix of light blonde typical of Scandinavian styles or dark woods typical of contemporary.  White will be the primary colour pallet and a secondary colour pallet of cool greens, mid-tone greys, deep purple, turquoise, and steel blues. All this will be hit with a THIRD colour pallet of hot reds, warm oranges, and bright yellows to add pop and that wow-factor.

2. Low-impact woods emerge

I have noticed in the conversations that I have with people, and the posts in the blogosphere, that economical and sustainable kitchens are absolutely key to moving ahead in this world. Flat panel doors in Bamboo, Kieri board, or reclaimed lumber that are clear coated in a semi-gloss low-VOC finish are what I am seeing more and more of. Ply-woods and particle board frames are moving toward formaldehyde free and even Soy and hemp boards are finding their way onto the marketplace. People are asking for them and the industry is responding.

Image courtesy Kohler

3. Flooring that grounds you

For some of us, flooring is the most difficult choice we will ever make. There has been a waive of hardwood in the past couple years, but this year, 2010, will be the year of dark chocolate PlybooStrand and Durapalm. Other flooring options include polished concrete and wide format recycled tiles.

4. Kitchen-tech faucets

With so much changing in the tech industries, our kitchens have taken on the same depth and *poof* here’s Kohler’s KarbonTMfaucet. Men be warned, more dish washing is inevitable with this hot faucet.

Image courtesy Kohler

5. EnergyStar is in the spotlight

EnergyStar approved appliances are here to stay and improve. Smaller-sized appliances (24″ width and depth) are huge because they keep you eating your food quickly, thereby keeping is fresh, thereby forcing you to be creative and have fun with all the local produce and foods in the shops.

6. All hail the drawer dishwasher

The NKBA has it right here and the drawer dishwasher is HUGE! EPIC even! The coolest part is that for small spaces, the dishwasher can go under the sink gaining you that ever valuable cabinet storage space.

Bathrooms

1. Your future spa awaits you

Bathrooms are going to be sustainable with low-flow faucets, dual-flush toilets and integrated bathroom tech. Small LCD televisions, vanity spaces that are simple and clean will be built in (Dare I say that the laundry will be under the counter and the typical dryer will disappear? Oh I dare. I dare allot.) Colour pallets will mirror kitchens with white, turquoise and greys being predominantly mixed with bamboo and low-impact woods.

2. Colour on colour

Corian surfaces, coloured fixtures, polished chrome fittings, translucency, and reflection. It has become ever more clear that we expect that our cleanliness is synonymous with shiny white, but it white is less predominant. Blacks and greens are strong contenders in the bathing spaces and they are being married with curves and translucent materials. But grey never seems too far behind, again.

Image courtesy Kohler

glam-Appledom

So what does all this mean? All this white with tone-on-tone, natural products, and pops of colour. Well, it’s all a response to the glam-Appledom of white and silvers, the dialed down spending, instant cash-cab culture, viral marketing, and fashion. Here are a few of my favorites from the Louis Vuitton 2010 fall show.

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Posted in Bathroom, Communication, Design, Fashion, Fittings, Fixtures, Green design, Interior design, Lighting, Small space | No Comments »

Builders Zero In on New Goal of Energy-Neutral Housing: Wall Street Journal

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Wall Street Journal – Jim Carlton writes that the green building movment is aming for a zero net energy use goal, and I agree that he’s right. Play the zero sum game by clicking the links in the article.

But a bigger shift toward net-zero construction faces hurdles, largely because such buildings often are more expensive to build. To reach zero energy use, for instance, a building needs to produce its own power such as through solar or wind. Rooftop solar panels can cost upward of $10,000 on a three-bedroom home alone.

Some industry analysts say the costs of erecting net-zero homes have declined somewhat as green building has become more mainstream. With energy costs more than doubling across the U.S. in the past decade, energy-savings measures have become more attractive to builders.

Wall Street Journal (12.24.2009) link; Carlton, Jim

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