Palm Springs, another beacon for modernist architecture, was our Sunday destination. We started off at the Neutra Miller house which he designed for a woman who came to the desert to teach a specific form of exercise that required being nude in front of a mirror. I wouldn’t have been a student of hers, that is for certain. Read about the Palm Springs house and her fascinating story in the previous link…no pictures were allowed on the… Read More
Los Angeles Architecture Tour
North Carolina Modernist Houses Los Angeles Architecture Tour We started over in Silverlake neighborhood again, touring another Lautner home, Silvertop (an interesting history of how Silvertop came to be). Our plan was to tour here, then return to Neutra Colony to see Neutra’s personal home then on to the Getty, but then we received a surprising call. But first, Silvertop (no photos allowed inside)… Then a quick tour of a home in Neutra… Read More
Modernist Architecture Tour
Los Angeles Modernist Architecture Tour I am in LA on a “six day, five night, heart-pounding Modernist architecture tour”, to quote our guide, North Carolina Modernist Houses founder George Smart. And when I mention exclusive houses that generally don’t allow visitors, I am not exaggerating. My tour mates and I have been awed and prone to audible gasps, and we are only at the half way point. Hollyhock House We began at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House, sadly unopened as it… Read More
Stylish But Child-Friendly
Thought I’d rehash our recent newspaper article, showcasing a stylish but child-friendly interior design project we designed. The online version doesn’t show the pretty color pictures. overall view of the family room Our clients, two busy doctors with four and six year old boys, have a lovely modern Craftsman style home. The wife reads a lot of shelter magazines, has a great sense of style and has collected some wonderful accessories. from another vantage point looking back to hallway on… Read More
Design Lessons I Learned From My Mother
I am in Canada (a.k.a. The Frozen Tundra), visiting my folks, and I am reminded of how influential my mother’s design aesthetic has been on my own. My parents moved into this condo, almost 19 years ago, after moving out of the family home where we were raised. Things have changed in recent years to make room for a hospital bed for my mom and some shifting of furniture in the bedroom, but much of what she did upon moving in… Read More
Palm Springs, baby
Palm Springs, Baby Hit one of my bucket list locations, business combined with vacay in sunny Palm Springs. Like Las Vegas, it struck me as odd to have this artificially created city spring out of a vast desert. How does everything appear so green, as in, how do they water all those freakin’ golf courses? But I fell for the architecture, design, vintage stores, galleries and food in a quick three day jaunt. I like to call it the best… Read More
Key West
The fam escaped for five days after Christmas. Key West combined the best of everything for our diversity of interests. Chill out by the pool if you want (which I did with a great read “Oleander Girl” – highly recommend). Or jet-ski (which would have been an activity better suited to my youth, as I discovered on this trip). Take in some history (a.k.a. forced family fun). Notorious pirates and ne’er do wells add interest to Key West’s storied past. And… Read More
Clovelly
Clovelly has been associated with just three families since the middle of the 13th century. It is a little village, albeit a bit touristy, where you arrive at the top and wind your way through a visitor center to “pay” an entrance fee to the village. But Clovelly was charming nonetheless. It reminded me and my sisters of walled villages throughout Europe but with a decidedly English flair. Clovelly would never have been a successful fishing port without donkeys that… Read More
Arlington Court
Arlington Court History Arlington Court is also part of the National Trust, as are the hiking areas we’ve toured. The website describes the house here… “Arlington Court is an unexpected jewel on the edge of Exmoor, a complete family estate held by the Chichester family for over five hundred years. The collection consists of treasures for all tastes, from model ships to shells, collected over several generations. The house itself, built in 1823 and extended in 1860, has an austere… Read More
All Things British
Lucky to sneak a break from F&F and tour England with my sisters. We started briefly in London then a couple weeks in Ilfracombe North Devon, hiking and touring the British countryside. We packed it in for two days in London, trying to see things we hadn’t seen before. Sleep deprived but with bellies full of English breakfast, my middle sister and I had hours to kill before checking into our hotel and meeting up with our other sister who arrived… Read More
Design Inspired Hike
Because I deserved it, I escaped the dining room table work mess for a design inspired hike and took my walking companion with me. This clever way to disguise a guardrail ranks high as an outdoor design inpiration. So grab some fallen wood and go to town. It seems like it would take hours to construct this. As I continue my design inspired hike, hidden houses and wildflowers galore capture my attention. I love a well-manicured yard as much as… Read More
Summertime Workin’
Mr. F&F and I have changed venues but we’re still working, summertime workin, that is. Exhibit A. …seven months of finances to catch up on, acting as my own bookkeeper and longing for the day when I can hire this out. But I must admit Mr. F&F and I have been more productive here in the mountains, while also enjoying hikes, swimming, eating out, movies and a veritable honeymoon with no children:) Oops, did I just say that? I am feeling… Read More
A Little Getaway
Mr. F&F was planning a trip to see his mom, so I bribed little man to go on a little getaway (slash buying trip) by staying here and letting him bring a friend. Great Wolf Hell This is like my own personal version of hell or Chuck-E-Cheese on steroids. Imagine a hotel that actually encourages children to run around, all hours of the day and night, wielding magic wands in wet bathing suits. You probably understand if you’ve ever been there. A… Read More
Asheville Design Showhouse 2012
A few shots from the Asheville Design Showhouse 2012…
Brunswick County Parade of Homes 2012
I was a judge for the Brunswick County Parade of Homes 2012, the second year I’ve been asked. Treated to a lovely dinner last Wednesday at a restaurant with incredible intercoastal views, put up at a beach front hotel, treated to breakfast and lunch the next day. How could I say no? Enjoyed a day of feminine bonding with two female drivers and a fellow interior designer from Greensboro. This year there were many more creative elements to the homes… Read More
Master Bath Reveal
Blogged about master bath renovation here and here and here. We actually started using bath in August, but the finishing touches take time with the shutters going in just last week. This project, more than any of the others in eleven long years of renovation, seemed fraught with problems. It rained in the new addition, sloppy tile work required a few fixes, electrical components needed shifting, and we experienced delays in material arrival. BUT, as I’ve said all along, it is always worth it in… Read More
Cashiers NC Showhouse 2012
Had a lovely day with two lady friends and little man, exploring the Cashiers NC Showhouse 2012. It is an annual event and I think this year’s 10,000 square foot house exceeded expectations. No photos allowed, but thanks to one friend’s sneaky cell phone, other folks’ blogposts, and even a youtube video of the empty house (pre-decorator invasion) you can get a sense of the crazy size of this place… This was one of my last days spent in the mountains… Read More
Laughing Waters
This past weekend, I visited an eco community, Hickory Nut Forest, south of Asheville, NC. Orginally invited my brother and his wife to join us, thinking it was an intentional community as well; they’ve been doing some research on these communities. I mistakenly called them “thoughtful” communities when I couldn’t recall the word “intentional.” They are thoughtful, if you think about it. Little man calls them cults but anyway, Hickory Nut Forest is neither. It is a lovely neighborhood on 270… Read More
