Hi everybody!
I am so excited to share with you a project that my friend Tina and I have been working on in our off time, for fun. See as professionals we hardly have the opportunity to do exactly what WE want to do with a space. I'm sure one day that will change but as of now we really work with what we are given and what our clients are looking for.
Well, not with this project. Tina found a home that was on the market in Penzance, Cornwall UK and decided we should have our way with it... and that we did.
Swing on by our joint design blog to see what we've done..
R E A D M O R E >> Blueprints & Damask
Monday, November 11, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Blueprints & Damask
Hi everybody!
I want to take the opportunity to introduce a collaboration that I'm involved in called Blueprints & Damask. My friend and partner Tina Tuttle, author of Wallflower Diaries, and I put B&D together on the inspiration of helping people design their spaces.
There are lots of designers out there, lots of spaces, ideas and so very many possibilities.
I want to take the opportunity to introduce a collaboration that I'm involved in called Blueprints & Damask. My friend and partner Tina Tuttle, author of Wallflower Diaries, and I put B&D together on the inspiration of helping people design their spaces.
There are lots of designers out there, lots of spaces, ideas and so very many possibilities.
< Here's an insert from our Blueprints & Damask site >
We both have a passion for design, Tina as an interior designer and Gina as a builder, we've each found a way to bring our passion into our day to day lives.
Some days are full of creativity and vigor.. other days are completely blank. Blank days are okay, these colorfully right sided brains of ours need a bit of quite time now and then to really put ideas into motion. Don't worry, the quiet times aren't too long and they are pretty few and far between.. but they do come.
One day the two of us came together in the simplest of ways, Tina asked Gina to be a guest blogger on her design blog Wallflower Diaries and the idea blossomed from there. >> R E A D M O R E <<
Look for our first "for fun" project on our joint blog, our virtual renovation in Penzance, Cornwall UK. Here are a few "before" photos of the house (currently listed For Sale) that we will be transforming, virtually. Because we love to do it!
We're excited to share it with you!
Labels:
Cornwall,
design,
interior design,
listing,
Penzance,
renovation,
UK
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Lofty Ideas
For as
long as I can remember Dad and I would drive from job to job planning
and dreaming what we would do when we could fund our own projects.
We've always gone back and forth, bringing each other back to earth..
but only a little bit. What's the point of having a passion for
something if you can't dream up the biggest and the best use of your
ability? Nothing is out of reach if you're willing to work your tail
off to get it, and have that much faith that there is a bigger
picture that you were meant to add your stamp to.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
For the
past few years we've had project after project of remodeling here in
the Southwest, and let me tell you, I'm ever so thankful for the work
and the income they have provided.. but putting things back together
is always a bit more tiresome than building it from scratch.
Although, they both have their upsides and making things shine like
new again has it's rich rewards.
>> I would just love to get my hands on an old
building either on the east coast, or the west.. either coast will do
for my taste.. and completely renovate it into loft spaces for sale or
rent. My brain and hands are just itching to tackle one or ten. With
Dad and Tina – Wallflower Diaries – as my partners (we each add a
different perspective to a project) these spaces would just be
spectacular. <<
Hey, I
will do them one day and plenty of them. It's my dream. Of course I'd
like to fund them myself and pocket the profit from sales and rents..
but it sure would be fun to get paid to tackle one as a paid project!
Just putting it out there world. Just putting it out there. But
seriously, call me.
Here
is my favorite loft space, it has always inspired my
imagination!
Gerard Bulter's New York Loft >> Architectural Digest |
View More >> Architectural Digest |
View More >> Architectural Digest |
View More >> Architectural Digest |
View More >> Architectural Digest |
We'll
get into my obsession with the coast in the next post.. maybe..
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Lumiere, Old Friend
Yes, that's a Disney reference.
One of my favorite buys and also one of
the most important elements that is so often looked over in décor is
lighting, it makes a huge statement in a space. From wall sconces to
ceiling fixtures, lights bring the room together with warmth and
beauty. If it isn't part of your budget, make sure to add it to the
list. Great pieces can get a bit pricey, especially if you have
excellent taste and need multiple fixtures for specific rooms, the best
idea is to shop around. Someone will always have a less expensive
version of what you are looking for, if you can find it use it!
Take a
look at the latest spaces on Wallflower Diaries:
Our House >> View Post |
She & Him >> View Post |
Light Up The Sky >> View Post |
The spaces just wouldn't be the same without these amazing fixtures!
I came across a great company out of the UK for lights and light fixtures, Lights 2 Go check out their site..
I just L.O.V.E this glam wall sconce..
Lights 2 Go >> Visit Site |
Monday, October 7, 2013
Let's Talk About the Tudors
I'm
completely obsessed with interior design, yes, but I am also
completely obsessed with architecture and exterior design. Living in
Tucson most of that obsession is suppressed because southwestern
architecture is so not my idea of beauty. Maybe because I was born in Arizona, grew up between Tucson and Vegas and am now back.. I just can't seem to
get on the stucco wagon like everyone else.
Yes,
it's quite versatile (bah blah blah) but let me get real with you for
a minute. It's a cop-out. A total design cop-out these days, every
single commercial and residential building is stucco'd and it's ugly.
Okay,
I'm feeling better now that I got that out.
Low
ceilings and stucco, that's what we have to show for ourselves here
in Tucson, AZ. But to prove some folks have a grasp on architecture
and the beauty it holds here are a couple must sees Tucson.
The Benedictine Sanctuary >> Read More |
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San Xavier Mission >> Photography by Michael Chiago |
So now
you're wondering what this has to do with Tudors. That long winded
rant about Tucson and its lack of architectural adventure is a
prelude to give you more of an understanding as to why I love design so
much.. I was deprived as a child by living here. (Not really.. I tend to get a tad dramatic about this subject.)
But we're not talking about this Tudor...
...or more recently known as
Southhampton's Tudor House |
The
Tudors I am so crazy about are the style of home. The original style
stemmed from the era of Henry VIII in 16th century England and has grown throughout the years in more modern styles and designs. (History also really intrigues me)
What I love most about the style is the detail. In late
medieval times the lower
story was built with brick, for more esthetic reasons than structural, and the upper stories kept the wood and plaster look to keep
the costs low.. brick was a luxury item. Sad to say.. it still is.
Linenfold Paneling |
I learned that Tudor houses actually made the use of an enclosed chimney a common building practice, before that the smoke just escaped through a hole in the ceiling. The detail in medieval architecture is absolutely amazing, it boggles my
mind that today detail is virtually non-existent and that's just sad.
Look at this linenfold paneling used in the era.. I mean come on!
Also.. I have
a thing for pitched roofs. A pitched roof adds such charm to a
home and.. attic space. So many homes in the southwest have no attic space. We like to call them “crawl spaces” because that's
exactly what they are. There isn't room to walk the entire space
because they usually haven't been given complete floors, just a small
space allotted for “storage”. The rest is just made up of rafters and
insulation, try and balance beam across and you'll probably end up
falling into the family room.
Okay
back to the Tudor. The pitched roof with thatching just adds another
element to the design, it just does
it for me. I love it. The homes themselves kind of remind me of
gingerbread houses and that's just an obvious appeal.. from the
choice of stone and brick exteriors, I just can't get enough of this
home style. It's definitely on the list of Gina's Future Homes. Yes,
that's plural.
Here are a few modern homes that have a Tudor influence.
LOVE THEM!
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Sentimental Value
As a renovator part of my upbringing is
tearing out the old and making it shine, brand new.. no whisper of
the past. That's the point of renovation, sometimes. Other times
bringing the past back to
life is the main focus, staying true to the original design can be
super fun and quite fulfilling.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
There's a huge
difference between renovating your own project and renovating someone
else's. Building new is a world of it's own.. concepts are new, ideas
are put to life, dreams become reality and everything is brand
spanking new. For everyone.
When renovating
someone else's space or designing the interior of a space with pieces
that have been passed down, we tend to run into the touchy,
emotional, slightly volatile brick wall of sentimental value.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
I'll
be the first to admit, I'm a sentimental fool, and could easily
become a hoarder if I didn't sit myself down and remember.. these are
only things. These things will decay with time or they can be
updated, changed, revived.. given a brand new chance. Then I get
excited because I am very passionate about giving new life to
something that has become a reflection of time and use. I have no
problem slapping paint over something that is looking ratty, no
problem sanding down, adding embellishments and giving it new lease
on life.
Find Pin >>> Pinterest |
But see, that's just me. I have to remember that simply
because I'm fine with
it, doesn't mean everyone else will be as gun ho with completely
changing a loved ones belongings. It's a fight that surely no one
will win. So I personally have to get over my need for “refreshing”
and come to terms with the reality that I can't control everything
around me (imagine that), but remember to be open minded, open
hearted and understanding that people will come around to the
notion.. or they won't. I can't force change. Especially when it
comes to sentimental value.
Here's
my take on using inherited items.
If you can
re-upholster, do it. If you can't do it right away, save up for it.
Fabric isn't mean to last forever and well used pieces will show
their wear, they are well loved so they'll be well used!
Find Pin >>> Pinterest |
You'll find a brand new
appreciation for these pieces in giving them a fresh face. I'm sure
the pieces will appreciate it too, makeovers make everyone feel
good.. once the anxiety about change has passed.
Some will say it's
an absolute shame to paint or refinish antiques and in some circles
I'm sure it may be. But answer me this: is it more of a shame to let
the pieces scream about all that they have been through in years
passed instead of quietly shining with a brand new importance and
life?
Okay, my bias is
showing again isn't it..? Do what you want, I'm just trying to shine
light on the subject.
In my not so humble
and sometimes bulldozing opinion, these pieces deserve a second
chance being pleasing to the eye and adored by all who have the
pleasure of seeing them. They'll never forget what they once were and
neither will you. That's the beauty of sentiment. They'll always
remind you of the way things were, they just don't need to look like
a shrine of the way things were.
Here's a dramatic
take on what I feel about living in the past:
Photographer: Niki Feijen >> read full article |
Here's an example of what your sentimental pieces can bring to a room, if you
let them. They can be the star and the main attraction instead of
collecting dust and becoming a stark reminder of how many years have
passed.
Find Pin >>> Pinterest |
Friday, October 4, 2013
I Heart Design
I wish this were my office... duh >>> Pinterest |
I love design, I eat it, sleep it, live
it. Design is my life. The colors, the textures, the angles and
straight edges and clean lines, everything about design makes me
happy.
Design makes people happy, look at
Pinterest and the millions of people who scroll through each category
all day every day. These pins that make their way into our lives are
pretty, they're colorful and full of life. We love it, the
Architecture category to Food & Drink.. we eat it up.
>>>My favorites
are Home Décor (hello..),
Women's Fashion, Hair &
Beauty, Gardening, and
Food & Drink (that's
my most favorite).
Oh and I guess I can't
lie..
I'm obsessed with the
Weddings category.<<<
The pins are just so
pretty!
So I love renovating, am passionate
about building and have a knack for design. I wouldn't say that I'm
an “expert” in any of those three fields, but I love them and
they make me, me.
I've decided to start a blog.. I don't
know how this will really pan out, because I'm not a writer and I use
copious amounts of coma's and ellipses, but I'd really love to share
my thoughts.
Thank you for reading!
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