Blossom & Bill's Recommendations No.9

9. Car magazine: carl*s cars. This is a gem of a magazine more about people than cars. In the words of its editor Karl Eirik Haug; "carl*s cars should be like a good friend to you, the reader. Carl is honest, humble, entertaining, always has stories to share and is always ready to invite you on an exciting car journey. We find that there are a plenty of other magazines and media out there that are un-charming or boastful, so we want to appear differently." Sounds different from your usual monster-truck-lad-mag. Articles include, how to use toy cars for massage and why balloons are so important to car salesmen. There are also interviews with the creative and beautiful, and tips on where to take that once in a lifetime roadtrip.

Independent and produced in Oslo 4 times a year, it should be in all dentists waiting rooms.

I'll be back...

Sorry about being MIA this past week as I've been under the weather. Thanks to everyone who sent me messages and well wishes! I'll be back as usual next week!
Image of Chateau de Chambord roof & gardens.

Joost's edible rooftop - dissapearing

Corn, nectarines, parsley, bay leaves and a grand facade, from Joost's 'Greenhouse' roofgarden.

This photo was taken in December, the day I went to see the world Homeless soccer cup at Melbourne's Federation Square. I've only felt patriotic 3 times in my life, and this was one of them. To my left, regular Aussies cheering 'Go Mohammad!' , and to my right, just sprung into being, a temporary cafe/gallery/rooftop farm, created from discarded things by Joost, Melbourne's recycling floral artist.

Cecilia trying to spy on the honeybees

I went to Joost's Greenhouse again yesterday, its last scheduled day of existence. It had gotten though the 43.3 degree day with dignity. Some plants had obviously already done their job, and were looking forward to retiring, but there was still much deliciousness left - I figured It was now okay to gorge on the tiny tomato's, the parsley, and some silverbeet.
produce from the rooftop decorates the cafe. Note the irrigated background wall of strawberries

Its probably all deconstructed now, the bar stools and soil and plants gone...somewhere else.
That all these elements ever gathered here is a miracle and a dream.
Everything here was rescued from the rubbish bin. There were redundant fire hydrants as bar tables, banners for long-gone events had a new life as upholstery. Even the margarita glasses had a jam-jar type of background.
Cubbyhouse builders grow up, then do what it takes to convince the adults who run our city to let them build the worlds coolest cubbyhouse, one that pays for itself. Extreme Permaculture, without even bothering to use the world. Its something some people just know. Thank-you Joost.

Designer Spotlight: Cheryl Tague

Cheryl Tague is an amazing designer that I just discovered yesterday (thanks Amie). Her style is traditional with a fresh kick to it. She uses many textures and colors in her interiors, and integrates antiques amazingly well. Besides absolutely falling in love with her style, she is very inspirational, as a person. She started out in the finance world, but left it and graduated from The New York School of Interior Design (where I go)! Ever since then, she's been working in London, Chicago, New York, and all over the US.

This is from an incredible project that Cheryl worked on in Chicago. How much would you love to have an entrance to a courtyard like this? Or at all?

CAN'T BREATHE. I love this so much--the distressed wood, the light streaming in, the white china collection.

Living room. Check out the white paneling on the walls. She uses a lot of neutrals but they don't seem to get lost in themselves.

This is the entry foyer I believe. Isn't this floor classic? I love how she used the washed out wood paneling and then a neutral wall paper above it.

In the dining room, she uses more beautiful tile work on the floor and then mixes it with fun, bright fabric on the dining chairs with a round dining table.

Now, we move to Bronxville. I've been seeing this striped rug a lot lately and I super love it. Of course that map above the desk (which is perfectly accessorized) is making me insane with how much I love it.

This is the other side of the room. Every detail seems to be taken care of in these interiors. A column in the corner to add height and then a painted plain moulding really finishes off the room.

A child's room. I love yellow for a child's room. It's gender neutral (what a strange term in this situation) and you can keep the room yellow as the child grows! Also, I really want that cow.

In the bedroom, she makes a typical display of photographs seem edgy by arranging them asymmetrically; which reflects the asymmetrical ceiling (with exposed beams!).

I think her interior in Aspen, CO impressed me the most. I have seen too many cliche western interiors with exposed wood, Navajo rugs, and deer heads. This interior was calm, natural and beautiful.

Gingham bedspread, a display of mini antlers, and the antique bench at the foot of the bed are only a few things that I love about this room.

I LOVE how, though there is a lot of wood, it is antique and you can see the imperfections in it. I love this little scene with the rough heavy blanket and the smooth little apples. Adore.

Another lovely scene that you might walk by on your way to the bedroom after a few runs down the slopes. SWEET.

This bedroom is SO mountain chic. The patterned bedspread and then the big fur lying on top of it? Are you kidding me? L. O. V. E. Again, her color scheme is also so beautiful and surprising.

This kitchen is so cute. I love all the natural elements contrasted with the polished nickel hanging lights.

Clearly, Cheryl has amazing taste. Her furniture choices are not typical, and that's what makes each interior special and surprising. What do you all think? Definitely something to look forward to when(ever) I finally graduate from NYSID. The amazing pics from Cheryl's website are taken by the talented Kate Cordsen.

Alicia B.

Architects Have Great Tools!

Architects have many great tools that they can work with.  And under skilled hands they can be a great benefit to their clients.  One such tool is a software program called Google Sketchup.  Sketchup is a 3d modeling program that is surprisingly easy to use.  The images you see below are of a house designed by Larson Brenner Architects in Stillwater, Minnesota.  The images represent a series of color studies that were performed with Sketchup.  The basic design had already been completed and we were now at the stage of finalizing materials and colors for the roofing, walls, windows.  The top image is pretty much where we ended up and the images below represent the various intermittent studies.

Pretty cool huh?  It is a great way to visualize your end product.  For more sketchup examples you can see the plans at 

Simply Elegant Home Designs

The table is set.....

Many of you asked to see pictures of the tables for the Breakfast at Tiffany's brunch Im hosting for my sister. The shower is not until Saturday-but with 3 little ones you have to plan ahead. So I have 2 of the six tables set with out plates. Here are some sneak peak pictures-Im picking up the plates tomorrow that I am borrowing from a dear friend (thanks Janice)!

Hit the Ceiling...with paint!

Domino Mag. Soot paint from Benjamin Moore

Picking a paint color for your wall can be challenging, making sure the color is coordinating with the furnishings, and is harmonious with the look of the room. What you don't usually think to do is to paint the ceiling! I've been seeing a lot of that lately and it looks quite fun. It can either make the room look very cozy and warm or it if you do it with enough drama, it can raise the ceiling as well!

This Sills Huniford sitting room has a light lime green painted ceiling. It really draws attention to the beams above and draws your eye up. I really love that ladder off to the left with the newspapers on it--like a library.

Sara Story, who is always quite fun, used a magenta paint in this long kitchen area. I think it works well because there is so much light flooding in from the window and she used little purple and grey accents around the room.

You are, of course, never limited to just paint on a ceiling. Using ceramic tiles reminds me of an old villa or estate somewhere in Europe--perhaps Italy! Robin Bell used this Moroccan tile design in an outdoor space. I think it makes the space look very exotic, yes?

This is a child's room from Domino. Using wall paper on the ceiling is also a fun idea. The walls are a plain light green color, while the ceiling is the element of interest. This is a sweet and whimsical idea for a child; they can lie in bed and look at the stars! This is Osborne and Little Firibata Star pattern.

From House Beautiful: the walls are nearly the color as the ceiling and is only separated by a nice thick moulding. Quite pretty and classic in this small kitchen.

Exposed wood beams such as these add to the "lofty" feeling. These look like they are stained and even have brackets. Interior by Fern Santini of Abode.

This little den by Eric Cohler is one of the most creative ones I've seen. The colors in the room are gorgeous and you can find each one of them on the ceiling in the cross word puzzle! I wonder if it was customized for the client, and what it says. I love how the lines of it flow right into the lines of the windows and the curtains. SO amazing.

This living room has light chocolate colored walls, but is mainly covered with wall to wall bookcases. The top part of the wall then moves right into the ceiling so you're not sure where the wall ends and the ceiling begins. The blue color is agua vert by Philip's Perfect Colors. I love how they kept the mouldings white, even on the fireplace. They're such a beautiful architectural element.

Another ceiling treatment that I've seen is tin ceilings! Apparently they are quite affordable and definitely adds a vintage look to this room. Usually they are used in kitchens, but in a bedroom can be interesting as well. By Kathy Andrews Interiors from Point Click Home.


You can read more about ceiling treatments in Point Click Home HERE. I super wish I could paint the ceilings in my apartment. Usually they are painted the plain white and I'd love to add something fun like a painted ceiling someday. Do any of you have painted or wall papered ceilings? Thoughts? Feelings?


Alicia B.

Architects are Sexy!

I ran across this totally factual article the other day.  Could not resist posting the link.

Architects are sexy!

Perfection

This is a modern reinterpretation of a traditional Russian felt boot called Valenki. The wool comes from Germany and is breathable and water resistant. Retails for just over £200+. A little dear - but oh so beautiful...
http://www.zdar-boot.com/

New ISAK Retailer

We are happy to announce a new design boutique in Glasgow will be providing the opportunity to sample ISAK products. Pamela and Gillian's Butterfly Kisses on Skirving Street looks like a wonderful store. Take a look and let us know.

Top 10 Green Things to Do! When building your new home.

In my real job (non-blogging) I am finding that more and more people are interested in building a more environmentally responsible and healthy home.  Leaving political discussions and arguments about “climate change” behind (I don’t like being preached to and I don’t like preaching), I believe there are many common sense reasons to build a “Green” home.  Here are two pretty good ones:

• Save you money $$$ in the long run
• Reduce your stress level – improve your quality of life

If you want to build a Green Home there is an abundant amount of information available to you.  But start investigating Green and you begin to realize there can be a daunting number of decisions to make – and they all impact your construction budget in some way.  Building Green can start to look incredibly complicated and expensive - and neither of these notions is inherently “Green”.  Well it does not have to work that way.

So what I want to do, starting with this posting is to help you simplify things.  I am starting out with a top 10 list of green things to do.  This will give us some focus for more detailed discussions to follow.  Those discussions will provide more detail on my top 10 list.  So here goes.

Top 10 Green Things to do! – When building your new home.

1. Hire an Architect or a very competent designer that understands “Green” (and is not a jerk) – They will be able to assist you with all the following items and help you in sorting out priorities.
2. Hire a Builder who is committed to your Green house (and isn’t a jerk).  In the end you will be much more successful if your entire team is on the same page.
3. Build close to your work and / or close to community services.  A short commute means less stress, less gas money and more time for your fam.  That’s good isn’t it?
4. Build a “just the right size” house – The classic “Goldilocks”.  Size and surface area significantly impact heating, cooling and maintenance costs – not to mention construction cost.  So don’t build too big.  But don’t build it too small either or it might not be functional and that’s not green.
5. Build a home with quality.  Remember the 3 little pigs?  A quality home lasts longer, costs less to maintain and definitely holds up better when the big bad wolf is blowing.  Ok, that’s enough of the kid stories. 
6. Build a thermally efficient home.  Warm is good.  Believe me, I am writing this on a 20 degree below zero day in Minnesota.  I have relatives in Phoenix that say Cool is good!  Thermally efficient also means less money from your pocket to the local Utility.
7. Use an energy efficient Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) system. You don’t have to spend many dollars here to reap some good $$$ savings.
8. Develop a landscape plan that reduces erosion and water use. Who wants to spend the entire weekend mowing and watering?  I’d rather be playing Guitar Hero, or Twittering or something.
9. Consider your homes building product and material choices.If it smells bad don’t use it.  You are going to be married to that floor for a long time.
10. Install energy efficient appliances and electrical (lighting) systems.  Once again small investment for good gains.

So that’s my Top 10 Green Things to Do list.  You may notice that I don’t specifically mention solar panels, photo-voltaics or geo-thermal systems.  Well those items might be a great addition to an overall sustainable building plan, but the initial costs are high and the payback is longer.  I’ll discuss more in future postings.

By the way, if you want to buy a “green” house plan that you can build.  You might start at Simply Elegant Home Designs.  All of the plans in their portfolio have been designed keeping many of the green principals listed above in mind.