An Open Truss

When I was in design school at the New York School, I took a terribly difficult lighting class that challenged my embarrassingly basic mathematics, physics and chemistry knowledge.  Through the semester, I learned so much about the science of light, about color temperature, kelvins and electric wattage.  But perhaps most importantly, I learned about the importance of lighting placement.  Yes, we all know that lighting is more than the basic builder's-grade flushmount popped into the ceiling of a hallway or kitchen.  It's about creating zones of light: Overhead, Task and Ambient. 

In a project for that Lighting class, I designed a magnificent beam ceiling for a private club of a racetrack.  The room was to resemble the interior of an equine barn, and so I used an open-truss ceiling, with the beams of the structure fully exposed in their structural glory.  As it was a lighting class, I devised a system so that the room's overhead lighting would be built into the beams. Man, I love wood beams...

Of course I have emphasized my love of exposed beams on this blog, as well as the cozy cool look of the American lodge, but let's take yet another look at extraordinary ceilings.  The exposed beam truss ceilings shown here give me goosebumps. 

Source: theroofovermyhead.blogspot.com via Whitney on Pinterest

I've had this photo for years.  Anyone know the source?

Painted scissor trusses via Pacific Truss



via Vermont Timber Works



via My Home Ideas

I've had this photo for years. Anyone know the source?



via Southern Living



by Tracery Interiors

via Style Files



via Home Away vacation rentals

via Mi Casa Revista

via Vermont Timber Works

via Yossawat

via Houzz

by Gap Interiors



via Timber Home Living



Source: spicerandbank.blogspot.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Cheers,
Whitney

Rocky Mountain High

One of my favorite real estate blogs, Curbed, posted last week about the huge boom in vacant real estate in Aspen.  I slobbered over the listings shown, then did some more estate snooping for myself, expanding my search a smidge out of the Aspen territory.  Look at these gems.  Makes you want to go skiing, doesn't it?

The Aspen Valley Ranch, available for a cool $59M

Benchmark Drive, available for $18.25M

Aspen Highlands, available for $11M 

Starwood Estate, available for $8.5M

Elk Crossing, available for $39.9M

Autumn Ridge, available for $14.9M

Brrrrrrrrrr.....  Although some of these homes look more like resort hotels than single-family residences, I can't help myself but start to fantasize about decorating them.  We often see mountain homes dolled up in overly-kitschy theme decor.  You know what I mean; moose antlers for chandeliers, logs for banister railings, and Navajo + plaid fabrics everywhere.  Thursday We'll see some mountain homes done right, with a only hint of the kitsch. 
Cheers,
Whitney

Couch Surfing

A fun little shot from photographer Tim MacPherson.

Hope you have a wonderful, festive Halloween weekend planned.   Whether you're Trick-or-Treating with your little ones or partying it up at an all-night costume bash, please be safe and be smart.

And may I suggest the following entertaining/intriguing/exceptional bits of Internet goodness for post-Halloween-party couch surfing...

Five Half-Assed Halloween Costumes to Thrill and Impress Your Friends.

House Hunting? You'll know you've found yours when these symptoms set in. 

Yum and wholesome: Butternut Squash 25 ways.

When David Calvo juggles *and solves* a Rubik's Cube, your brain flinches. 

Still need some fall-ish decor for your front porch?  Go on a pinecone hunt and make this.

The Paint Doctor is In.  Her book should be a keeper. 

Organize your cards, envelopes and stationery like Benita in nifty upright containers.

Sugared and Spiced Pecans make a great housewarming/hostess gift during the autumnal months.

Want to live in the pages of Elle Decor?  You can if you want to buy any of these homes. 

Cheers,

Whitney

Found Goodies...

I found a wealth of goodies on the internet today.  I share this wealth because I'm a generous soul who knows that you, like me, feel fantastic when new design/architecture/décor/real estate/entertaining brain candy is handed to you on the silver platter that is a glowing laptop monitor.  Mmmmmm. 

BARKITECTURE! via katiedid

Live ON the Beach in the Hamptons for less than $1million! via Curbed

There's a DURALEE fabrics outlet on Long Island! via Effortless Style

This easy chicken recipe rocks! by Georgia Pellegrini via Tasty Kitchen

Made Goods Debuts New Mirrors! via Cocozy

Natural Curiosities sent me a note that they'll be at Booth 47008!  Art, décor & accessories abound at the NYIGF

What would you do to make this otherwise-ordinary home shine within its arbor-rific vibe? via Jentrified

Don't waste the plinth/toe-kick space in your lower cabinetry! by The Family Handyman via Pinterest

I am a published photographer! via Gilroy Dispatch. Thanks to my trusty iPhone and Camera+ app, I am quite proud of this accomplishment.  And, yes, the Gilroy Garlic Festival is amazing. 

Happy interneting, my friends!
Cheers, Whitney

Simple Living: Minuscule in Manhattan

This architect DEFINES minimal living.  I applaud his dedication to a tidy, organized and well-edited home.  His resourcefulness and handy construction work are commendable.  He says he loves the Midtown location of this closet home.  He's willing to live with very little privacy and comfort in the name of efficiency.  But is his willingness worth it? 

It's no lie that Manhattan apartments are typically overpriced, but I find this to be a disgusting example of thievery in urban real estate.  Just look at the work he had to do to make this place livable. 

 
When I first moved to NYC in 2002, I lived in a basement studio apartment on the Upper Westside.  It was small and perfect for a single girl with little money and few belongings.  I was paying 60% more than this fella pays with 449% more space.  I had my own bathroom. I had counter space in a tiny kitchen.  There was a stove. I had room for a full-size bed AND a chair.   I lived 30 blocks north of where this guy lives.  The fact that he's paying so much to live in a space so little seems inflated even to me, a jaded Manhattanite. 

What do you think?  Is the desire to live in a prime location worth sacrificing one's sense of personal space & comfort? 

Cheers,
Whitney

The 72-room Bank House

image by Leigh Davis for New York Magazine

Called "the greatest real-estate coup of all time" by New York magazine, photographer Jay Maisel purchased this 72 room abandoned bank at 190 Bowery at Spring Street in 1966 for $102,000.  He renovated it for his family and his photography studio. 

The 1898 Gilded Age structure is measures 35,000 square feet over six floors.  As a residence, the space exudes an artist-commune vibe with creatively-used rooms and unique decor.  Maisel, his wife and daughter, share the space.  That's roughly 11,600 square feet per person.  "I need some space" is unlikely an uttered phrase in the Maisel home.

The dining room with original pressed-tin wallcoverings. 
image by Leigh Davis for New York Magazine

The original oak door frames separate former bank offices, now gallery space.
image by Leigh Davis for New York Magazine

The kitchen is on the site of the bank’s original kitchen, where staff cooked for the bankers.
image by Leigh Davis for New York Magazine

Long corridors are filled with the family's collected treasures.  Plastic sheeting acts as a makeshift ventilation system.
image by Leigh Davis for New York Magazine

The bank's original vault is used for the photographer's files and stored pieces. 
image by Leigh Davis for New York Magazine

image via Fireplace Chats

Upon purchase, this New York City neighborhood had been sinking into a deep sub-depression and the Bowery became an urban wasteland.  In an interview with New York magazine, Maisel described the area as having been “more disgusting than dangerous.”

But, as urban gentrification took over the Lower East Side, and slowly crept to the borders of the Bowery, Maisel found his property value increase exponentially.  John Varvatos opened a boutique nearby.  A Whole Foods megastore went up.  Luxury apartments are taking over derelict buildings.  And now Maisel's Beaux Arts structure and its property are worth between 30 and 70 million dollars, as the corner lot sits in the heart of NYC's latest desirable “new neighborhood” to live, work and play. 
Cheers,

Whitney