First Design Decisions

These are before pictures of the main floor and main living space of the home. The walls you see are coming down. I write that with some hesitation, knowing that midcentury aficianados would implore me to keep this hallmark of the home's style. I have decided to reinterpret the style, remaining true to the intention of simplified, "every-man," human-scale living, in a way that works for me.

So far, I've chosen warm, medium-toned bamboo floors for this main level. I may stain the existing wood floors in the two bedrooms to save just a bit of money, but then again, I may go for the same bamboo throughout the entire main floor. I like the idea of everything feeling unified, open, flowing. We've conceptualized the kitchen to be pretty minimalistic. I've chosen bottom cabinets in a java-stained cherry with white corian countertops; simple, open shelving, also in white corian, up top. And I'm pretty sure I'll go with a white subway tile backsplash.

We're working with the idea of some sort of stainless steel railing for the stairwell you see in the entrance way. In addition, I'm hoping that built-in, open sheves within the living area will add the warmth of wood against creamy white walls, not to mention space for our many, many books. I love the idea of everyday objects arranged in such way that they create beauty. My minimalist design is, ironically, intended to expose many of these everyday objects even as it requires me to simplify.

I've spent a lot of time sitting with various sample materials to ensure that I could, in fact, not only live with these choices, but love them. I'm picky- a trait which I sometimes truly despise about myself. But it's there, and I'm doing my best to allow this, particularly because I don't think I'm hurting anyone with it.

I love the idea of living simply, living Slowly, living calmly.

Throughout the process, in addition to being reminded of how picky I can be and learning how much I crave a sense of calm at home, I'm also realizing how visual I am... how my eye picks up every detail, overly sensitive to anything that interferes with total calm. My sisters can share stories about this, recounting how I'd always know when they took something from me- an article of clothing, piece of jewelry, my perfume. I would always know. An earring moved a fraction of a millimeter and my eye would know. A curse more than a blessing, perhaps!

Budget decisions

Demolition begins next week. I've spent the past month making budget, material, and design decisions. The remodel is relatively extensive, though mostly cosmetic. New surfaces are needed throughout the house: New floors, ceilings, baths (there are 2 small ones), & a kitchen. We'll put in recess lighting, change out the stair railing, and possibly add a fireplace. A few walls are coming down.

In creating my life thus far, an internal battle between what is practical and what I truly desire has consistenly raged. In most cases, practicality wins out. I do this to myself: I kill my desire, my dreams, my vision & go with what is practical, expectable, safe. I've become more and more aware of how I constrain myself, and with awareness comes choice and responsibility. So, I'm trying to do this differently. The challenge is in not going too far the other way-- throwing practicality out the window. As our budget grows, I fear that I'm running this risk. By Monday I will decide either to go with the more expensive flooring option downstairs, which is what I want, or to save some money here and make something else work, which I know I can do.

Balance is what I need to strive for; and the interior design of the home is intended to reflect a sense of harmony, calm, and balance. Now I need my budget to reflect the same....

For Architecture to be Seductive....

"...it must challenge our preconcieved notions, it must weave poetry from daily life. This is possible only if it is intended from the beginning, if poetry is given priority over rationalism and efficiency. And where is poetry? It is in the making."

(http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/mellin/arch671/winter2000/lhill/part2.html, The Art of Seduction).

I read this and was seduced by the idea of prioritizing poetry over rationalism and efficiency. Ahhh! To experience the world through the lens of poetry, weaved from daily life! This is a philosophy I can adopt as a guide for my renovation.

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I found this other posting on an astrology blog. The post is titled: Charm, Seduction, and Power & describes an exhibition and lecture, also on the topic of architecture and seduction.

"The topic, delectably risque, was Architecture and Seduction. Now, let’s just be up-front about this: Libra, by no means, corners the market on seduction. There are plenty of other signs — Scorpio, for instance, or Leo — with their own unique brands of come-hither. But Libra is the quintessential sign of relationship and art, so it was intriguing to hear the two topics linked up in discussion, with nary a mention of astrology.

The discussion was a preview of a panel held last night at UCLA’s Hammer Museum, which is running an exhibition on John Lautner’s work, “Between Earth and Heaven,” through October 12. The pair (of course!) exchanged opinions and insights about how a home could be laid out (pun intended) and accessorized to seduce a lover from front porch to kitchen to hallway to bedroom. It was agreed, for instance, that there was something very, very sexy about an open floor plan, about glass."

(http://www.depthastrology.net/tag/mother/)

Astrology, architecture, and seduction. It doesn't get much better than this.