The High Line in Manhattan is credited with generating over $2Billion of new investment and the creation of 20,000 jobs.
High Line fall 2010
Good Design is Good for the Economy (Obviously)
February 6, 2012
Leave a Comment » | 
Found Objects, Information | 
Permalink
Posted by sarah
Three Black Stripes on White Subway Tile
February 3, 2012
Leave a Comment » | Found Objects | Tagged: tile | Permalink
Posted by sarah
Three Nice Railing Details
February 1, 2012
Redwood railing with copper pipe - Forestville, CA
Painted railing with decorative holes in the white pickets, contrasting black braces - Inverness, CA
Painted railing with decorative cross-shaped cutouts - Berkeley, CA
Leave a Comment » | Found Objects | Tagged: guards, historical styles, railings | Permalink
Posted by sarah
Architectural Drawing by Mies van der Rohe
January 30, 2012
Federal Center, Chicago, Mies van der Rohe (Photographed by me at the MoMA, NY)
I worked on a studio project once with a German exchange student whos drawings looked a lot like this. He was very smart and I liked him, but he was not an overachiever or a workaholic. He kept things simple in part because it was easier that way. On the other hand you’d probably say that Mies showed remarkable restraint and that to achieve minimalism he spent long hours honing things down to the barest essence, making all the parts speak together in unison with no part left unconsidered. Less is More.
I took this photo of the same building (to left) a few years ago. Minimalist buildings make a nice backdrop for the colorful Calder sculpture.
Leave a Comment » | Found Objects | Tagged: Chicago, less is more, Mies Van Der Rohe, minimalism, utilitarian | Permalink
Posted by sarah
Simple Life in a 12′x12′ House in Northern California
January 20, 2012I enjoyed watching this video of life in a 12′x12′ cabin with no hot water, electricity, internet, and heated by fireplace. In exchange for giving up these modern amenities, the occupants get peace, quiet and a simple life. Not a life for everyone, but perhaps we all can take something from this example. The cabin itself is also very well designed and built.
Leave a Comment » | Found Objects | Tagged: small buildings | Permalink
Posted by sarah
Cheerful Marmoleum Floor
January 19, 2012
My friend Amanda installed this Marmoleum floor in her laundry room. I think the color choice is great in this small, mostly white room. It might be a bit busy in a bigger room with more colors, objects, and activity. Marmoleum is a great product – It is old fashioned linoleum made from “linseed oil, rosins, wood flour, jute and ecologically responsible pigments.” It comes in a wonderful array of colors…most are subtly speckled so dirt and crumbs and scratches don’t show so much.
Leave a Comment » | Found Objects, Information | Tagged: color, flooring, green building, linoleum, patterns | Permalink
Posted by sarah
Visit to John’s Jobsite – Fibercement and Redwood Siding Finished!
January 17, 2012
fibercement mitered corner
hobbit lurking in the sun
A bit of redwood siding after all that fibercement
Leave a Comment » | Found Objects | Tagged: fibercement siding, redwood siding, siding, window trim | Permalink
Posted by sarah
A few nice details from my recent visit to the Williams house in Berkeley by Julia Morgan
January 16, 2012
colorful fresco in the loggia
More of the fresco in the loggia
decorative cutout in a wood door panel
Foyer with concrete tracery and view through to garden
cute kitchenette in guest suite
I took these photos with my phone.
4 Comments | Found Objects | Tagged: Berkeley, Doorways, houses | Permalink
Posted by sarah
Publicity for the Small Studio!
January 15, 2012
The internet seems to like our small studio. I have found many repostings of Lenny’s photos, and commentary about the little studio. Most of them seem to have just nabbed and revised slightly the written content from Dwell or the Washington Post, but here are a few that are more original:
House Vote has also posted a few other photos of my projects:
Yesterday Kirsten Dirksen and Nicolas Boullosa came all the way from Barcelona to make a video about the studio. I eagerly and nervously await my and John’s debut as movie stars on faircompanies.com.
Leave a Comment » | Design Projects, Found Objects, Information | Tagged: Berkeley, small buildings | Permalink
Posted by sarah
Detroit: 138 Square Miles, by Julia Reyes Taubman
January 12, 2012
Photo by Sarah Deeds 2010
I received this hefty book for Christmas from my dad. It contains a lot of great photos of the city I grew up near. Enclosed in the pages of the book was this New Yorker article about the book and its forward written by Elmore Leonard, also a native of suburban Detroit. It is mentioned in the article and forward that “Julia believes it should be preserved and appreciated any way it is, not restored.” Urban decay is beautiful, I agree, but honestly it seems like an insensitive statement from a resident of Bloomfield Hills. You could call her a poverty tourist. I know for a fact that many Detroiters are annoyed by all the hipsters from Europe who come in droves to photograph the urban blight. But in some ways I am inclined to agree with the author. (I too have the privilege of viewing the city from afar and on occasional visits home to another affluent suburb.) The people of Detroit deserve our compassion and it is sad to see some truly beautiful old buildings fall into unsalvagable disrepair, but at this point it might not be all bad to allow the city to slowly return to nature.
The New Yorker Article ends with reference to Elmore Leonard’s teasing attention to the origin of the holes in Julia Taubman’s jeans.
2 Comments | Found Objects, Information | Tagged: Detroit | Permalink
Posted by sarah
Swedish Lake House with Waterslide!
January 11, 2012My friend Charles shared this photo he took from a boat tour near Stockholm. The house looks like its built right into the rocks. Clean minimal lines, stone walls that blend with the cliffs, subtle earthtones, black painted wood, and a very tasteful waterslide.
2 Comments | Found Objects | Tagged: buildings on the water | Permalink
Posted by sarah
Colorful Interlocking Bottles
January 9, 2012I saw these blocky interlocking bottles at the MoMA, NYC, designed by Juris Mednis in 1983. What a great way to package shampoo and conditioner….ketchup and mustard….oil and vinegar.
Leave a Comment » | Found Objects | Tagged: color | Permalink
Posted by sarah
