Don't you love finding materials that make you smile? The folks at 3-Form are creating sustainable laminates with a zillion applications. Some of the interesting ways you can work them into your residential designs are shown above--backsplashes, headboards, room dividers--the possibilities are truly endless. With LEED certification, 3-Form is a favorite among architects doing green commercial projects, so homeowners can be confident they're choosing a material with a low environmental impact.
Would love to do a kitchen remodel with natural bamboo cabinets and 3-Form inserts like the ones above, or even create sliding shoji-like panels to demarcate space in an open loft. And these clever people not only provide custom fabrication, but also their Ready-To-Go off-the-shelf packaged applications.
If you've done any remodeling in California during the last few years, the dreaded Title 24 , California's stringent energy standards for residential and commercial applications, may have put somewhat of a cramp in your style. We all know it's the right thing to do, and good for the state government for making us commit to using less energy. That said, the kitchen remodel we embarked upon four years ago prompted my gut reaction of "Ugh. Recessed CFL's? Really?"
Thankfully, much has changed in four years' time in terms of the stylish options available. Check out today's article in the SF Chronicle for some great lighting design ideas that include LED's and yes, even CFL's. Compact fluorescents have made great strides; make sure you pick one that's in the 3000 Kelvin range with at least an 80 Color Rendering Index to avoid that funky blue-green tone. Sadly, you probably won't find a large range of CFL options at your local Home Depot, so you may have to go a bit further afield to buy efficient lighting that looks good.
Don’t you love walking around a tile showroom?Heck, I even love walking around the tile aisle of Home Depot!Nothing like glass, stone, and ceramic tiles to inspire your creativity.Subway tiles are still hugely popular for bath and kitchen remodels, as are the wide variety of glass mosaics.But the great news is that manufacturers of modestly priced materials and the super high-end luxury materials alike are creating more products that are recycled and sustainable.Some of my faves from Modwalls Veridian line, Ann Sacks’ Trend and Clodagh lines, and Fireclay’s Debris and Claymonde series are shown below.
What have you seen finished in tile recently that has impressed you?I like the fireplace surrounds I’m seeing of late.
I mentioned in a previous post that I would post cool green design fabrics as I came across them, so here's another smattering of great looks from the folks at Duraleewho have teamed up with Clodaghas recently as last year to bring designers and their clients the Global Passage collection. Both modern and earth-inspired patterns can work with transitional and contemporary styles.
My 12-year-old daughter and I went to check out the new antique flea market at Candlestick Park and I'm happy to report it lived up to the hype as reported in the SF Chronicle. Definitely much more enticing furniture, accessories, and architectural elements than are available at the Alemany Flea Market, but certainly pricier, too. While my daughter hunted among the myriad costume jewelry booths, I was on the lookout for wooden pieces with some visual interest suitable for either placing on a coffee table or using as wall decor. I was not disappointed, and walked away with two wooden printers' type sorting trays. (See above.) Have to clean them up a bit and perhaps give them a light wash of paint, but I couldn't be more pleased for $20.
Here are some of the other great things I saw (but did not buy) today:
