A Peek at the Farnsworth House
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
The Farnsworth House is one of the most celebrated modernist structures of the 20th century. The glass and steel house designed by Mies van der Rohe and built in 1951 in Plano, Illinois is now a historical landmark. We were in Chicago this weekend and were dying to see the Farnsworth House despite the fact that no tours were available until April 1st. I will skip the details on how we managed to experience it, let’s just say it was worth the trip. But, I highly recommend booking a tour to see the interior.
“The dominance of a single, geometric form in a pastoral setting, with a complete exclusion of extraneous elements normally associated with habitation, reinforces the architect’s statement about the potential of a building to express “dwelling” in its simplest essence. While the elongated rectangle of the house lies parallel to the course of the Fox River, the perpendicular cross axis, represented by the suspended stairways, faces the river directly. With its emphatically planar floors and roof suspended on the widely-spaced, steel columns, the one-story house appears to float above the ground, infinitely extending the figurative space of the hovering planes into the surrounding site.” (To read more please visit the Farnsworth Landmarks Illinois website).Posted in Architecture, Design Icons, inspiration | No Comments »
Current Design Deals!
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009
Check out a few of my favorite sale items from online retailers…
Gem bottles, Set of 2, On sale for $29 at Brocade Home 
Cleo Chair in Big Bloom, On sale for $699 at Anthropologie
Marimekko Kikku bedding, $39 – $59 at CB2
Posted in Accessories & Lighting, Affordable Design, Furniture | No Comments »
Cool, Calm & Collected: Tips for a Stylish Bathroom
Wednesday, February 4th, 2009
Your bathroom can easily turn into a cluttered mess full of products and clashing labels if you aren’t careful. Assuming that you aren’t ready to tackle that hideous 70′s tile just yet, there are still many ways to improve the space simply by paying attention to details, presentation, and accessories.
First off, you want to be selective about what you have on display. More often than not, products come in unappealing or bright packaging. Instead, use glass jars and bowls to store items used on a daily basis such as Qtips.
* If you don’t have a built-in medicine cabinet simply buy one and mount it on your wall. This is the easiest way to hide clutter and keep products easily accessible.
* Stick with one metal finish for all your fixtures, and incorporate this through to smaller accessories such as toothbrush holders, cups, and trash bins.
* Matching towels in light tones and simple cotton rugs are always a sure winner.
* Toilet lid cozies are a big no-no.
* I love to use antique saucers and small trays to display nice soaps, hold rings, and organize perfumes.
Tags: bathroom decorating tips, modern bathroom accessories
Posted in Decorating Do's & Don'ts | No Comments »
Need Design Inspiration?
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009
It’s rare that a retail store or showroom will make me stop and think. I’m usually too busy trying to find the perfect piece for a client to take a moment and appreciate the juxtaposition of furniture and accessories. But, recently I wandered into Swallowtail, a furniture store on Polk Street which carries a mix of antiques and modern accessories. Head to this gem of a store for quirky animal themed accessories, one of a kind antiques or a little old fashioned inspiration.
Swallowtail 2217 Polk St., San Francisco.
Posted in San Francisco Design Sources | No Comments »
San Francisco Interior Design Newsletter: Find Art!
Monday, February 2nd, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO INTERIOR DESIGN NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2009: ORIGINAL ARTWORK FOR ALL
Bravo’s Top Design winner Nathan Thomas features his winning design in the February edition of Elle Décor.
You’ve finally made it through Escrow, all the boxes are unpacked, but something is nagging at you–the blank walls. Choosing artwork for your new home can be an overwhelming and expensive task.
To help find your style, try focusing on pieces that really speak to you, that make you smile every time you look at them. If you shop with this principal in mind, you will end up with a house adorned with a collection that enriches your life and never ends up in the garage. To get inspired, start by taking a trip to the SF MOMA or the De Young and see what you gravitate towards. Take notes.
Armed with your new style preferences, you are ready to start buying. Fortunately, nowadays almost everyone can afford original artwork. The abundant local art scene and the emergence of websites such as www.Etsy.com, which feature a variety of affordable artwork from emerging artists, make today a good time to buy.
The following list is just a sampling of the galleries in San Francisco offering local and vintage art. Hit the streets, and get ready for some real life signatures to grace your walls. Happy Hunting!
LOCAL ARTISTS
Shooting Gallery: 839 Larkin Street. 415.931.8035
Space Gallery: 1141 Polk Street. 415.377.3325
Hang Art: 556 Sutter Street. 415.434.4264
VINTAGE ARTWORK
Lost Art Salon: 245 South Van Ness, Suite 303. 415.861.1530
Past Perfect: 2230 Union Street. 415.929.7651
The Apartment: 3469 18th Street. 415.255.1100
Tags: affordable art sf, etsy, local art san francisco, lost art salon, shooting gallery
Posted in Quarterly Newsletter, San Francisco Design Sources | No Comments »