New construction: A brave new world Part 1

I have spent the last few months working on an exciting project in Lake Oswego.  It's my first new construction project and it is a whole other beast - a large beast - but one that can be tamed.  And how fun it has been to be a part of training!


I typically do a kitchen or a kitchen and a bath - but never a kitchen, mudroom, powder room, master bath, guest bath, laundry room - you get the picture!  My clients Molly and Sebastian are stellar - organized, decisive and in sync (thank God!).  They met in Texas (she is from Lake Oswego) and are transferring here from Austin so not only was this an enormous undertaking - we did most of it online.

Which brings me to Pinterest.  Molly introduced me to the site.  Its a pinboard-style sharing site that gets 10 million unique monthly views - the fastest growing stand alone site in history.  Well - it made this project possible!

We were able to share ideas so easily, efficiently and graphically - it was unreal.  We would sit up nights sharing and commenting on everything from the powder room sink to the entry pendants - 3 hours apart.  Seriously - Molly's energy is BOUNDLESS.

This series of posts will explore the process of designing a project this large.  It needs to be methodical and as thorough as possible.  As I said I have terrific clients - it helped that Bill Lorenz of Palisade Homes was there to support the project.  Bill is a great builder - his homes are quality and he understands the process.  It was his first experience working with a designer and it is different - because the exploratory is much more widespread - we went to 4 lighting stores, 5 tile showrooms, 2 flooring showrooms.  The final selections were from a vast array of sources.  He has been open and supportive the whole way - thanks Bill!

It was a different approach for me as well  The cabinet maker had taken a first shot at design.  It was perfunctory at best.  Nothing wrong with it - just a kitchen full of uppers to the 10 foot ceiling and lowers without much variation.  Molly wanted what I call a 'cityscape' approach.

This is a project I did in West Linn as an example:




There is push and pull achieved through a variety of open spaces, height + depth differences and thinking of function.  She is a petite creature - 5'2?  I focused on bringing cabinets to the countertop, lots of drawers and pullouts for easy access and appliances at waist level.

We pulled off a desk area to die for.  This was the inspiration:



Not just a countertop, some mail slots and drawers - but a wrapping station, craft area and open cubbies that can manage all that clutter we have stashed in closets, under beds and the garage of our houses and show off our treasures.  LOVE IT.

The master took a twist.  Molly understands that your private space does not have to match your public.  We started with a contemporary freestanding tub, and matched the cabinets with a very Asian, chunky style. Also freestanding - with dark wood, simple feet.  It will be a Zen space with soothing neutral tones and a surprise of funky tile.



Next part:  Materials selections!

Serving up Style in Portland Oregon

I had the pleasure of being part of Serving up Style in Portland Oregon.  Twelve designers exhibited at the Portland Fall Home and Garden Show as part of a benefit for Molly's Fund.  What an extraordinary opportunity it was.  I partnered with Rejuvenation (where I am lucky enough to work part time) and used a combination of reproduction and salvage lighting, gorgeous retro furniture + accessories, and one very glamorous wool and silk carpet from Kush Carpets.  I went with a deco theme, a monochromatic palette and bubbles, LOTS of bubbles.  The whole event was a blast and what a tremendous cause!

To cap it off I was interviewed by Michael Payne, from HGTV's Designing for the Sexes.  Now I have admired his program because it is one of the few that offers real-time projects with realistic budgets.  And he is SO very elegant.  Bespoke and charming.  Oh my. 

Burlap - fabric of the people!

Texture is probably my favorite element of design.  In Asian cooking - it is always important to incorporate something soft, crunchy, chewy and firm in every dish.  When I came across a bolt of burlap at Joann's the other day when I was searching for fabric for some bedroom curtains I was thrilled.  Not only is it extremely affordable - this was on sale for $1.99 a yard - it would bring some much needed texture to my space.


Burlap is a plain-woven, coarse fabric of jute, hemp, or the like - also called gunny.  Remember Gunne Sax dresses in the late 70's?  They were named that because some of the early dresses that were trimmed in burlap.  It comes in several natural shades from pale linen to brown.

I added some detail to my curtains with a brown ball fringe.  I used a oil rubbed bronze curtain rod that tied it to the trim.  The filtered light is lovely.  It was a simple affordable solution for $35!

You can also find lots of accessories in burlap.  Here is a lampshade.  I love the way the light amplifies the texture:

  
I think rough 'homespun' fabrics like burlap are a reflection of our poor economy.  And I am all for it.  I wouldn't go to the expense or effort to use the 'fabric of the people' on a chair or even on a pillow - it is just too rough on the bum.  These French style chairs, seen on Apartment Therapy, were reportedly on sale for $1,400 for the pair at the Paris Boutique.  Tres folle!  But used judiciously - it is a great way to bring texture and light to a room.

And for heaven's sake - this is just plain silly!  Ouch.

Collaborate: col·lab·o·rate verb \kə-ˈla-bə-ˌrāt\

Definition:  to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor.

Collaboration is the foundation of all great projects.  The conjoining of minds is vital to a well.conceived program and one of the joys of being an interior designer.  I was part of a wonderful project that allowed me to work with one of my best friends, Erin Ray, who is a landscape designer.  


The project in Lake Oswego, a Portland suburb, was commercial.  I was retained by a pair of lawyers, also best friends, who founded Gilroy & Napoli - Attorneys at Law.  It was a whole house remodel that encompassed a kitchen, two bathrooms, four offices, a conference room and required a warm, professional + welcoming waiting room.  Furthermore, the rather large yard needed a dramatic landscape makeover as it was overgrown and didn't have a strong entry.

It was a fairly monumental project that took several months to complete as not a wall - interior and exterior - was left untouched as well as every inch of the grounds.  Ultimately, through the wonderful teamwork between the lawyers, and Erin and me as design team, the collaboration was complete.  The fruits of our labors were oh so satisfying because it was crafted by friends as well as colleagues.

Here is the exterior of the house as we started the project.

AFTER we thinned the trees, reusing as many shrubs as possible, and created a wide welcoming path to the door using softer curves. We move the entrance and made the door wider, with sidelights.  A gurgling fountain added a relaxed element.  Fresh paint on the body, trim and windows and doors offered a sophisticated palette.

The waiting room needed to take advantage of the homey fireplace without feeling like a living room.  Before it was a long bland wall.

AFTER it was a focal point.

An entry desk should supply room for the receptionist to work comfortably as well as offer some privacy in an open room. I designed this desk with channels backed by stainless steel, an element later repeated in the conference room cabinetry.

John and Jeff needed a conference room that doubled as a 'man room', a place to entertain friends.  A gorgeous Knoll table and chairs from Environments added hipness and gravitas to the conference room as well as unbelievable comfort for kicking back and watching the game.  What was originally the garage had been badly bifurcated to make small offices.  We restored it to its original size and increased the window glazing to make the room feel like it was part of the exterior.

A wide screen television and refrigerator drawers are vital.  Of course.

 Outside of the conference room is the kitchen.  Before it was stuffed away in the mechanical room.

AFTER it is sleek and masculine.  It includes a dishwasher, micro and below counter fridge.

 It was a wonderfully fun project and I am so proud of the results.  Thanks to John, Jeff and Erin!

How kitchens were designed to free women (source: NPR)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129935115

THE DISH: Chipotle Chili Burger

It's no secret - I am food obsessed.  I plan my next meal while eating.  I cruise food blogs like a freshly chummed shark.  I love this blog as it affords me the opportunity to talk about kitchen design, projects and inspiration and  a lot of what inspires me comes from how people and cultures cook.  I am blessed to be able to help people enjoy their kitchens more, hopefully encouraging them to cook more with their families.  The loving preparation and sharing of food is universal. 

So here is my first blog post on cooking.  It will be the first of many.  I want to talk about not just food, but all the accoutrements as well.  I have my favorite cooking pots, pans, utensils and of course I am a tabletop (dishes, cutlery, linens) fanatic.

One of my favorite pantry staples is chipotle chiles in adobo sauce.  The chipotles in adobo are jalapeño chiles that have been ripened to a deep red, dried, smoked and pickled in a combination of vinegar, spices and tomato puree.

They are everything I crave in one - hot, smoky + piquant.  You can add honey and sweeten them or salt to intensify their flavor.  Their only shortcoming is that they come in a 7 oz. can.  Seven ounces of searingly hot goodness.  You can't use them in one sitting.  I understand that people divide them into small quantities and they freeze wonderfully.  I cannot do this.  I am absolutely compelled to come up with creative ways to use them.

Last week I made chicken thighs that had bathed overnight in chopped chipotle chiles, honey, red wine, cinnamon, garlic and sliced oranges.  It was accompanied by sangria with similar notes.  It was fantastic.

Today I had thawed some ground beef and given the lovely summer evening, thought I would make myself a nice messy burger.  This will not be accompanied by a recipe.  This is just about inspiration and improvisation.  Like good jazz, you mix the ingredients like notes and come up with your own tune, or in this case a delicious meal.

I mixed about 6 oz. of ground beef (not super lean - no flavor there!) carefully with a whole chipotle, a little of the sauce, a tablespoons of sauteed onions and sea salt.  I didn't overhandle the meat, just gently pressed it all together.  I buttered an onion bun and crumbled some cotija cheese I had in the cheese bag (more on that later).  I took this bounty to the grill.

I quickly grilled the burger and toasted the bun on the grill, sprinkling the cheese on the burger after the flip.  It softens, not melts.  It smelled divine.  I like burgers simple - I want to taste the meat - that is the point.  So I simply took some pre-made Thousand Island dressing (I am not a snob about dressing - how can you muck up Thousand Island?) and mixed it with a little more of the abobo sauce from the can.

Slathered on the bun, it added one more dimension - a little tang from the tomato in the dressing, a little richness form the mayo and more smoky goodness.  It was a lovely juicy delight.  The chiles and onions enhanced the flavor of the medium rare beef - not covering it.  It was a two-napkin affair.  Yum.

 Well wish my luck - after my feast I only have five more ounces of chipotle chiles to go!
 

Lighting Design 101

I love lighting.  Or as Brick (Steve Carrell) says in Anchorman the Legend of Ron Burgundy, 'I love lamp'.  


Lighting changes EVERYTHING.  The color, the temperature, the mood.  Think about the George Nelson bubble lamp of the mid-century, the classic ginger jar or a stained glass Tiffany lamp.  They define style.


Lighting goes way beyond table + ceiling fixtures though.  A well illuminated room looks larger, or a judiciously lighted room can hide flaws.  We in Oregon understand the need for good lighting with as many gray days as we have every year.


There are three kinds of lighting to consider:


General Lighting provides overall illumination. Also known as ambient lighting, it radiates a comfortable level of brightness, enabling one to see and walk about safely. Chandeliers, ceiling or wall-mounted fixtures, recessed or track lights are all ambient light forms.  It is fundamental and vital to a balanced lighting plan.

Task lighting helps you perform specific tasks such as reading, cooking, applying makeup, doing homework or hobbies.  It can be provided by under cabinet lighting, pendants, well placed recessed lighting and table lamps.

Accent Lighting is the finishing touch.  It can be elegant, playful, bling-y as long it creates visual interest. I use it to highlight artwork, illuminate houseplants, sculpture or if it rakes a wall it can emphasize texture.  Accent lighting outdoors literally changes the landscape.  This usually is provided by pendants - both track + monopoints, recessed, or wall-mounted fixtures.

Creating a lighting plan is the final step in the process of designing a well-executed bathroom or kitchen plan.  It is also a simple and affordable way to completely re-define an existing space.  Often overlooked, it can be a gratifying facelift for a tired room.