[Portfolio] Shangri-La

I recently completed a design job for a client in the Shangri-La Residences. It was a capsule commission for permanent upgrades consisting of colour selections, light fixtures, and some custom millwork in the hallway.

The unit started out in the customary builder basic beige with a severe visual imbalance because of the floor-to-ceiling dark cabinets on the far wall of the open-concept main space. A colour for the fireplace surround was pulled from the marble to not only give weight to that side of the room and add balance but also to accentuate the unique bulkhead geometry.

A matte black quad halogen fixture with installed over the fireplace. The clean lines and colour echo the fireplace design and draw the eye up to the high ceilings.

A custom chandelier illuminates the dining area.

To keep with the modern lines of this condo I chose a minimal, clean moulding profile and jettisoned the center chair rail found in traditional panel moulding altogether. The panels were then configured so that the negative space between the top and bottom frames works in its place.

View from first corner.

View of first corridor.

This glass cylinder chandelier is a one-of-a-kind custom piece that was fabricated by modifying and combining two store-bought fixtures.

Some Before and Afters:

[Portfolio] Black & Gold

Over the past few weeks I've been working on a display unit transformation for Loulle. Here is the Before & After:

The original structure was stripped right down to the frame and custom drawer units and fronts, leather backing, and trim work was installed.

To display fabric samples, custom hang rails were installed plus a pull rail on the front edge. I am particularly proud of the custom hardware as it was created from readily available store-bought materials to keep costs low.

Men In Wigs Who Ate Mutton For Lunch

I was loitering on the internet the other day and came across the website for a L.A.-based production company called Arts & Sciences. I think I was googling "arts and sciences" to see if anyone had named a boutique that because I was thinking that it'd be a nice name for a boutique. One with lots of plants and neat, old things for sale. Their work is really really good and I'm jealous of their humour and talent and double jealous that they registered the url before I could. Check out their website, especially their "About Us" statement. It's pretty great.

One of the commercials they made for Google:

Visit Arts & Sciences' website to see more of their work.

Sweet Potato, Crystal Quartz

Joe and I were both home for Easter weekend. We spent most of the non-family-designated time in his old room at his dad's, him VNCing into his computer at the lab and me re-watching episodes of House of Cards on my phone. While looking through his bookshelf I noticed his old Zelda ocarina that he'd ordered through the back of a Nintendo magazine when he was 8 or 9. I retained zero skills from the recorder days of grade school and still it sounded beautiful. Now I really really want one. I've narrowed it down to these three from Songbird Ocarinas:

"Sweet Potato Soprano G White Crackle", $55.

"The Muse" (from a sculpture by artist Jonathen Bickart). Ten holes, porcelain with an ivory satin glaze, $129.

"Crystal Quartz On Stoneware". Four hole, Stoneware with Quartz crystal from Arkansas, $111. (This is actually a one-of-a-kind piece that has already been sold but I hope they eventually make more similar to this one, fingers crossed.)

Check out Songbird's website to see more. STL Ocarina also has some really great ones, including this Rupee Tenor in the shape of a gem:

New Legend Of Zelda, Rupee Tenor, on sale for $22.

Amado Mio

Clementine Keith-Roach And Her Oyster Shell Bed

Photographer: Tim Walker

Wood, Metal, Stone

Some super duper pieces by New York-based designer Anna Karlin:

See all of Anna's work on her website.

Elqui Domos

The only geodesic retreat in the southern hemisphere, Elqui Domos is an astronomical hotel in the Elqui Valley. Dome rooms are complete with a deck, living room and bathroom on the first level with a bed located on the second level. The roof of the dome can be opened for stargazing.

Located in Chile, 110 km from La Serena City and 580 km from Santiago. The nearest town is Pisco Elqui, on the public road to Horcón, which is completely paved. Regular public transportation comes every hour from La Serena City to Pisco Elqui (a 45 minute walk to Elqui Domos) and 5 times per day to Elqui Domos itself.

Visit their website.

Black Spangle Saxon

After enjoying Portraits of Egypt's Fancy Pigeons by Photojournalist David Degner, I spent most of the afternoon googling and learning about fancy pigeons. They are all descendents of the common Rock Dove or Rock Pigeon that we see in abundance around the city. According to Wikipedia, they're generally monogamous and have two "squeakers" (babies) per brood. That distinctive little blob of white on the top of their beaks is called an operculum and it helps keep water and dust out of their little nostrils. Here are some champions:

Champion Black Plainheaded Old German Moorhead

Blue Crested Saxon Spot

Champion Black White Barred Silesian Swallow (Plainheaded Saxon Wing Pigeon)

Champion Black Crested Saxon Spot

Champion Black White Barred Double Crested Saxon Shield.

All the above photos are by Reiner Fuchs, see the rest of the series from Zwönitz 2011 and more at unitedswallowclub.com

That Is Why

Galina Oleinichenko

I sort of fell into studying classical vocal earlier in the year and have become a super fan of Galina Oleinichenko. If what I've read is true, she was born on February 23, 1928 in Ukraine and was famous primarily as a coloratura star of the Bolshoi Theatre in the 60s-70s.

Mademoiselle Riverie

Some beautiful necklaces by jewellery designer Maryam Keyhani:

"Angelique"

"Mademoiselle Riverie"

"Antonia"

See more on her website.

But I Don't Know What It Means

Stellar.

Photographer: Ignacio Torres

Grown Into A Chair

Designer: Nathalie Stämpfli

[Portfolio] Canyon Residence, Library

A custom full height built-in was installed on the north wall to create ample storage and trimmed to match the existing baseboards.

Five separate shelving units were custom fitted to the space and capped out with a false wall.

Trim moulding detail was installed on the front edge of where the units meet to conceal the seam and also create a more tailored look.

The client's love of old maps was the inspiration for the custom artwork. To create something of significance and meaning with a connection to the home, a trip was made to the local land registry office where a copy of the original land survey of the property and entire surrounding settlement was obtained. The survey map was accordian folded and “aged”, then divided into six segments and framed. The client’s lot can be seen in the bottom left-hand corner of the middle pane, top row.

[Portfolio] Canyon Residence, Living Room

Floor-to-ceiling custom millwork was installed throughout the living room to create a dramatic first impression. The diamond-tufted bench and bolsters upholstered in blue-grey silk were also custom-made for the space.

Custom chair rail and panel moulding was also installed on the lower half of the vestibule walls to define the area.

[Portfolio] Canyon Residence, Upper Hallway

This second floor hallway was one of the client’s principal areas of concern. Situated in the centre of the house, it does not receive a great deal of natural light and this, combined with its substantial size, lended the area a cave-like atmosphere. The goal was to bring warmth and interest to the second floor landing while showcasing its spacious dimensions.

The walls were painted the same hue as the main floor hallway for continuity. Crown moulding was installed to draw the eye up and emphasize the high ceiling. Chair rail and panel moulding was installed on the lower half of the wall. Artwork was chosen to work with the colours in the space and positioned to echo the rhythm established by the millwork. Halogen track lighting was installed to create a gallery-like feel and bring out the texture of the woodwork; unlike a single ceiling fixture, individual adjustable heads allow for areas of light and shadow, creating dimension and drama.

Formerly a space largely ignored, it is now one of the most complimented areas of the house.

[Portfolio] Before & After: Canyon Residence, Family Room

[Portfolio] Canyon Residence, Principal Bedroom

For this principal bedroom, inspiration came by way of its premier feature: a massive bay window overlooking an expansive green space. The five panes flood the room with ample natural light and when opened, steady winds reminiscent of an ocean breeze.

Crisp, white linens set off the deep wood furnishings to create an airy and serene environment with a hint of drama. Gold and toffee tones punctuate the space to add warmth while the walls and bedside tables are adorned with art and accessories that give a subtle nod to the coast.