History? Our Story...: Our Coloful Past

History? Our Story...: Our Coloful Past: On the East Coast this year we are seeing some early signs of Spring. As we look forward to renewal of our landscapes, we look inward - to r...

Our Coloful Past

On the East Coast this year we are seeing some early signs of Spring. As we look forward to renewal of our landscapes, we look inward - to renew our living spaces as well.

Last week I received the new color palette from Benjamin Moore for 2013. The interesting thing about color is that it reflects the current pulse of the country and mood of the economic climate. Colors in 2013 are based on recycling principles - not only of what we shed, but what we repurpose. "As we look to the future, we find our ideas are rooted in the past" relates Benjamin Moore's Andrea Magno. "What's new is in the details."

Found objects turned into art, vintage clothing and facilities like Second Chance in Baltimore MD are a treasure trove for homeowners and designers alike. An architectural element from a torn down building can become a shelf on a wall - it's muted patina proudly reveals it's past life. A furniture piece can be added to a bath remodel for additional storage, melding colors from the past with the softness of a natural stone. The refined hues of a gold leaf frame show it's wear and it's history. 

Imagine if these pieces could talk - talk of all the people that had admired them, of the life played out in front of them. Of the people who lived with them and among them. The heartaches, the love shared, the same emotions we feel today played out in years past. These objects hold secrets we'll never know.

My hope is that the "throw-away" society we have become is slowly eroding to allow us to embrace the things in our past. To understand that our history is who we are, what we are made of.  And pull the best qualities of that past to the forefront while letting go of the ones that simply won't work. Design is truly in the details, the details of our everyday.

http://www.secondchanceinc.org/index.aspx?u=Store

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/authentic-color

Need a new fridge?: Hook me up please....

Need a new fridge?: Hook me up please....: Appliances can be the bane of existence for the designer, but just the tip of the hurricane for the homeowner. Angst causing appliances hav...

Hook me up please....

Appliances can be the bane of existence for the designer, but just the tip of the hurricane for the homeowner.  Angst causing appliances have called for many a designer and many more homeowners to wring their hands or throw them up in the air.  Add appliance panels to the mix and you have an entire new set of stressors.

First and foremost - work with industry professionals.  Not just someone that knows all the bells and whistles of what's new in the industry, work with someone who knows the lingo, knows how to install them and that has an installer on staff.  Not a subcontractor, an honest to goodness installer on staff.  In these days of getting leaner and meaner, your installation can be just that.  You need an advocate, someone to run interference, to make sure it all goes well the first time. 

You need to know that standard sizes may have changed from when you last bought a refrigerator.  Check the height - that refrigerator cabinet may need to be retrofitted or replaced. READ YOUR CONTRACT.  "Set In Place" is NOT installed.  It means bringing the appliances into the house, taking them out of the box, and SETTING them in the opening.  NOT INSTALLED. You will need a plumber on site to unhook your appliance - refrigerator and/or dishwasher, then to comeback and hook up your new appliance once again.  Please be prepared for this prior to delivery. 

You will need to make sure your existing appliance will be removed and disposed of for you.  EMPTY your appliances before they are removed!  Do you like cleaning up after someone?  Chances are they don't want to clean up after you. 

Make sure the new darlings of the appliance industry are ergonomically correct for you...that French door refrigerator does not store food items in the same way as a side by side refrigerator/freezer and that freezer drawer can get heavy.  You can buy appliances with two freezer drawers as well.  Take your time to find what works for you - don't be pressured by magazine photos or what you see in stores.  BUY WHAT WORKS FOR YOU.  This is an investment, not a fad.  And if you are overwhelmed with all those choices get the advice of an expert and be prepared to pay for their services.  And hourly fee may save you much added aggravation, stress and delays as you manage the myriad of choices on the market today.