deedsdesign

Painted Treasure Chest

February 9, 2012 by sarah

Back of the napkin sketch – prototype 3

Posted in Design Projects | Tagged boxes, furniture, process | Leave a Comment »

Rainscreen Siding and Serious Windows

February 8, 2012 by sarah

Photo courtesy of Forrest Fennell

My clients in Fairfax are close to buttoning up the exterior of their addition. Pictured here are Serious Materials 725 Series fiberglass windows (well above average R-value for a window: R-6-R-7, depending on the type.) and wood siding over Homeslicker plus Typar to create a drainage plane behind the siding.

Posted in Design Projects | Tagged Fairfax, fiberglass windows, windows, wood siding | Leave a Comment »

Good Design is Good for the Economy (Obviously)

February 6, 2012 by sarah

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

Posted in Found Objects, Information | Tagged garden, landscape, New York, plants | Leave a Comment »

Three Black Stripes on White Subway Tile

February 3, 2012 by sarah

Posted in Found Objects | Tagged black & white, color, Jack White, subway tile, tile | Leave a Comment »

Several Nice Railing Details

February 1, 2012 by sarah

Redwood railing with copper pipe – Forestville, CA

Point Richmond Railing

Painted railing with decorative holes in the white pickets, contrasting black braces – Inverness, CA

Painted railing with decorative cross-shaped cutouts – Berkeley, CA

Redwood and Stainless Steel Railing – El Cerrito, CA

stainless steel with round posts – Michigan (Thomas Hardware Photo)

Simple Ipe railing – Oakland, CA

Simple Ipe Railing – Oakland, CA

Redwood Railing – Berkeley CA

Cookie cutout railing – Berkeley, CA

Diamond spaces between red painted slats – Albany, CA

Elegant traditional railing – cedar panels with botanical cutouts

Posted in Design Projects, Found Objects | Tagged botanical cutouts, cedar, copper pipe, deck railings, decks, guards, historical styles, holes, paint, painted wood, porch railings, railing, railings, redwood | Leave a Comment »

Architectural Drawing by Mies van der Rohe

January 30, 2012 by sarah

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.

Posted in Found Objects | Tagged Chicago, drawing, historical styles, less is more, Mies Van Der Rohe, minimalism, utilitarian | Leave a Comment »

Pewabic Tiles from Detroit

January 23, 2012 by sarah

We are going to make a nice tile table

Posted in Design Projects | Tagged Detroit, furniture, Pewabic Pottery, tile | Leave a Comment »

Bamboo Sides, Richlite Top, Mahogany Bottom, Poplar Feet & Piano Hinge

January 21, 2012 by sarah

I just finished prototype treasure chest #2, using up more of my wood shop scraps.

It has a heavy Richlite lid and a piano hinge

Perfect for storing gold bullion or underwear and socks.

Posted in Design Projects | Tagged boxes, continuous hinge, furniture, modern, salvaged, utilitarian | 5 Comments »

Simple Life in a 12’x12′ House in Northern California

January 20, 2012 by sarah

I 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.

Posted in Found Objects | Tagged small buildings | Leave a Comment »

Cheerful Marmoleum Floor

January 19, 2012 by sarah

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.