Archive for September, 2011

AIA Homes Tour…October 1-2, 2011

Monday, September 26th, 2011

Don’t miss the American Institute of Architects’ Home Tour of the Bowman Residence this Saturday and Sunday.   The featured home is by Cornerstone Group Architects.  Here is what they have to say about the Bowman Residence:

“The driving impetus for this Tarrytown residence was centered around creating a green and sustainable home. The owner-Architect collaboration was unique for this project in that the client was also the builder with a keen desire to incorporate LEED-centric principles to the design process. The original home on the lot was deconstructed piece by piece, with 95% of the materials either reused or reclaimed. The home is designed around the existing trees with the challenge of expanding the views, yet creating privacy from the street. The plan pivots around a central open living core that opens to the more private south corner of the lot. The glazing is maximized but restrained to control heat gain. The residence incorporates numerous features like a 5,000-gallon rainwater collection system, shading features, energy-efficient systems, spray-foam insulation and a material palette that helped the project achieve a five-star rating with the Austin Energy Green Building program.”                                   -AIA website.

Betsy Eby – Artist

Monday, September 19th, 2011

Betsy Eby is an artist who creates beautiful organic art…with a blowtorch.  Her art is inspired by nature, layering elements between sheets of purified beeswax and filtered dammer crystals to create visual depth to her creations.  As a  pianist, Eby’s  art reflects the scales and measures of music beautifully.  We love the movement that Eby seems to infuse within her paintings.  For more from Betsy Eby, visit www.betsyeby.com

The Union Jack Makes a Beautiful Rug.

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

A well-known symbol is made into a distressed looking rug by Vivienne Westwood for The Rug Company.  This is a great take on something very old, and would fit perfectly in Austin homes, both for modern interior design and traditional interior design.  It instantly brightens up a space with its rich colors, and we think it is just plain fun.

For more from their designer collections, visit www.therugcompany.info

NESTREST by DEDON.

Monday, September 12th, 2011

Nestrest by Dedon has us floored!  This nest-like structure can be hung alone as a private getaway, or can be grouped together to create a truly whimsical place to relax with others.  Here is how Dedon describes their piece:

“An over-sized bird’s nest offering you a secluded, suspended sanctuary and unusual meeting place: it’s the perfect place for relaxation, meditation and open-air conversations.

NESTREST is made of an especially strong DEDON fiber (4 cm wide, instead of 2 cm), guaranteeing a sturdy and solid weave with excellent properties: it shelters those within, allowing them to look out while preventing outsiders from seeing in – a perfect feeling of security!”                                                                                                                       – Dedon

This is a piece that could be amazing on the lake here in Austin for the lazy days of summer and crispness of fall…

Nestrest Hanging lounger  chalk

For more, visit:

http://www.dedon.de/en/collections/detail/collection/nestrest-171/hanging-lounger-1412/chalk-75.html

“To the Trade.”

A Peach Colored Room…Vibrant And Soothing.

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

Peach is a color that most people are very opinionated about…they either love it or they hate it.  I think that the room below could potentially blur the line between the two camps.  The idea of painting a peach room in your home might actually frighten some of you, and you might dismiss it as “not an option.”  While this color is traditionally a feminine one, the use of clean lines and the introduction of a more rustic decor serve to create a masculine sensibility about the otherwise effeminate color.

No Fuss Wine Cellars.

Monday, September 5th, 2011

Home owners all over the place, and especially in Austin, are living a much “cleaner” way.  We want less fuss and more function.  Wine cellars offer a great place to showcase your wine collection in a simple way, allowing the bottles to become wall sculptures.  They can also be intimate places for sharing a glass of wine, as they often feel secluded.  Here are some great wine cellars worth taking a look at.  They are clean, but not cold.  Enjoy!