Designer Spotlight: Sam Maloof

Sam Maloof's House and Studio in California

Part of why I write this blog is simply as an excuse / motivation to learn more about design and architecture.  Sam Maloof was virtually unknown to me before two years ago.  Little did I know that I had seen his beautiful work many times before in glossy magazine spreads in Architectural Digest and in person at the Renwick Gallery in Washington DC. 

Like Maloof I have an extreme appreciation for small details and the beauty of natural materials.  Sam Maloof is considered to be one of the great American woodworkers. Maloof, grew up in California during the first part of the 20th century.  In 1948, after serving in WWII and getting married, he returned to his native Ontario, California and set up a woodworking shop in the garage of his home.  He started making furniture for his own home and wasn't commissioned to create a piece for a paying client until 1949.  He moved to a bigger studio in Alta Loma, California in 1953.

He was working during the fabulous post-war period when modernism was emerging in the California desert.  His designs in wood are so meticulous but the influence of modernism is seen in the simple elegance of his pieces.  He is is known for the extreme delicacy in which he design his pieces, each as a living breathing piece of art.  Completely self-taught, Sam Maloof his furniture exemplified the idea of modern practicality in conjunction with beautiful styling and craftsmanship.  

 Unfortunately we lost a great craftsman last year in May 2009, however his legacy lives on.  His company Sam Maloof Woodworking has several talented craftsmen working, designing and using the techniques that Sam taught them over years of apprenticeship. His collection of work also lives on in the homes of many collectors and is often featured in exhibitions around the country.

"Craftsmen in any media know the satisfaction that comes in designing & making an object from raw material.  Mine comes from working in wood.  Once you have breathed, smelled & tasted the tanginess of wood, and have handled it in the process of giving it form, there is nothing, I believe, that can replace that complete satisfaction gained."

-Sam Maloof

Evolution, not revolution, is the hallmark of his style.

Each of his pieces whether an individual rocker or a group of dining chairs, each piece is individual & will have subtle nuances.  Every chair is designed individually - "it's a living thing".

Other designers you might enjoy who work with wood:

George Nakashima

Thomas Moser

Gustav Stickley

brunch bunch

As you may have noticed I am so happy to say that spring is here to stay, the days are getting longer and the weather is warmer.  What better time to host a spring brunch?  I love brunches, they are easy to pull together and it usually at a time when most people are free.

Buy some peonies or cherry blossom branches and place in mason jars as your centerpiece  I just love this yellow inspiration board from Snippet and Ink

inspiration board from snippet and ink

The menu should be simple, I believe that a fresh simple brunch menu can be enjoyed by all especially the hostess.

W Designs Brunch Menu

Bread basket- 

buy muffins and croissants or other delicious bread items from a local bakery  Arrange them beautifully in a basket or on a tray  Mix 1 tbsp. of honey, orange zest or strawberry jam with 1 stick of soft butter for a delicious spread

A Nice Fruit Salad-

my grandmother always has a nice fruit salad at any party (as opposed to those really mean fruit salads), she carefully cuts up melons, strawberries, pineapple, anything that is in season  It couldn't be prettier or more delicious

Photo via Mango Power Girl Flickr

Yogurt Bar-

display plain yogurt in a glass serving bowl with sprigs of fresh mint, granola, and honey nearby so guests can make their own yogurt parfait including some of that great fruit salad

Deviled Eggs from Founding Farmers

Breakfast Protein-

a traditional charcuterie plate would make a wonderful option for breakfast, 

your local butcher can recommend sausages, cheese and spreads.  add hardboiled eggs and bacon to your own charcuterie tray to finish off this breakfast spread

Photo via Maggie Austin

Welcome Back

photo by this is glamorous

So, I have been missing for a while.   I went to Vermont skiing, then I got sick and finally I just couldn't bear to be indoors on the computer at all this weekend as spring has arrived in Washington.  We have daffodils, magnolia trees blooming and the cherry blossoms are on the verge of explosion.  But thats no excuse so its back to my regular posts this week.

What better time to re-introduce myself and my blog.  I have been very busy working on developing my company's new look which I hope to debut to you very soon.  For those who don't know me, and for those who do but may have forgotten,  I am an interior designer, I have a BS in Interior Design and I have been practicing for five years.  I work at Skidmore,Owings and Merrill, a huge international architecture firm, during the day but residential interiors, event planning and cooking are my real loves.

A sneak peek at my new look!

W Design, formally W Design Studios, is my company.  And right now W Design is everything and anything that I love to do.  I have residential clients that I work with on their apartments in the city, and their beach houses on the bay.  I am also working on a couple of event planning projects including one of my best friend's baby showers.  This blog is just my way of updating friends, family and hopefully potential clients what I am up to and things that inspire me.

I look forward to hopefully inspiring you too!  And as always email me for anything at all, questions, comments, or if you are interested in finding out more about W Design and what I can do for you!

One of my projects { French Macarons }

photos by coe

Bon Weekend!

Have a lovely weekend.  Im running off to Vermont to go skiing with my best-ie friend!

photo via messy maisies

Spotlight: DC Designer / Architect / Photographer

So I am working on re-developing my brand, or rather, developing my brand.  It is a huge undertaking, I feel like there are so many decisions to be made and all of them seem so important.  From what my company name is going to be, to what logo I should have, colors, wording, its overwhelming.  Thank goodness I have some great friends helping me.  One person in particular has been extremely helpful, Brian a native of Pittsburgh, PA and graduate of University of Maryland Architecture school, has been graciously working with me to create a new image.  I told him I want to be the next Martha Stewart, only younger and a little more cutting edge, and he ran with it.  Hopefully I will be unveiling my new look within a couple of weeks but until then everyone should check out some of Brian's other talents at his website. 

Spring Fling

I am itching to host a spring garden party and cannot wait until the grass turns green.  The first signs of spring are all around Washington, we have snowdrop flowers poking up and the temperatures are getting slightly warmer.  The sign for me that spring is really here is when the Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin bloom.  The full event calendar can be found here, its only a few weeks away!

Until then enjoy these great photos from past years blossoms!

A few inspiring images to host your own Cherry Blossom party

via Sugar On The Rock

Resources: Cherry Blossom Sky found on flickr ~ Cake found onMartha Stewart Weddings ~ Cherry Blossom close up ~ Candles available at Bridal Favorites ~ Asian fan available at Favor Studio ~ Cupcakes made by Hello Naomi ~ Centerpiece idea found on InStyle Weddings ~ Cherry Blossom print lanterns available  atAmazon ~ Dessert Bar created by Amy Atlas ~

Photos via KHusley

Going for the Green

The 2010 Vancouver winter Olympics are coming to a close today.  It has been an amazing two weeks of triumph, sportsmanship, extreme dedication and fantastic performances from all of the athletes but especially from team USA, we kicked butt!!

I have always marveled at the architectural planning and design that occurs years before the games, but I am curious to know what the fate of these buildings are after all of the coaches, athletes and visitors go home.  Vancouver did not build a "bird's nest" or "cube" as we saw in China for the Summer games.  They didn't have an iconic architect design a monument to sports but instead focused on their city and created an olympic village to be proud of.  Millennium Waters is only the second planned community to be awarded LEED Platinum status, the highest honor.  Formally an industrial site along the beautiful False Creek, this development boasts, all LEED Gold buildings, a "net-zero" energy building, and a proximity to both nature and downtown.

A view from False Creek; Millennium Waters is a Mixed Use Community, residential buildings with shops and restaurants integrated.  There is also a community center on the water that houses a marina, a restaurant and a day care.

The residential buildings employ passive design decisions to allow the condos to be light filled reducing the need for artificial light.

This diagram shows other ways the architects designed the buildings for energy efficiency.  Passive cooling such as blinds and shading devices and deep balconies allow the resident to control passive cooling and solar heat gain.  Operable windows and an innovative building envelope provide fresh air circulation and heating efficiency.

All of the residential buildings feature courtyards as well as green roofs with community gardens, picnic areas and kids play areas.  This allows residents to have that backyard feel and promotes community.

Planners and the city were very aware of the importance of the landscape and reinvigorating this once industrial site.  Native and adaptive plants contribute to shoreline health and regrowth, and there are walking/biking paths, a timber board walk and a community beach.  

The Historic Salt Building, built 1930, was integrated into the plan as a community center with a brew pub and a coffee grinder.

Millennium Waters all decked out for the Olympics.

The interiors of the residences also had to comply with LEED ideals.  Energy efficient appliances and low-voc materials make this is healthy place to live.

I am sure there will be plenty of criticisms of this project in the future however, I find it inspiring that a major developer is willing to take the risk to design a community that strives to be a healthy place to live and a community that is deemed worthy of the LEED platinum status.  Already the project was millions over budget, but I also think that Millennium Waters will become a very delightful place to live and that it will have great success.

You can read more about the project at:

Inhabitat

The Challenge Series

Millennium Water

Photos via: Inhabitat, The Challenge Series, Glotman Simpson Flickr, Kiwinky Flickr

Sleepy

Zagg Frames by Warby Parker

I am so sleepy tonight that this post is going to be kind of short.  I did want to share with all of you my find via Daily Candy.  Warby Parker is a very cool company that is selling fabulous eyewear at an even more fabulous price! Almost every pair is $95.00 including your prescription!  That is crazy, plus I just read that every time you buy a pair Warby Parker will give a pair to someone in need.  I have a feeling this company is going to be flooded with good press in the coming months and I think I might just jump on the band wagon and get myself a new pair of frames!

How cute are these guys?!

The photography and look of the website is terrific.  Plus there is a fun feature where you can upload a photo of yourself and "try on" a virtual pair of frames!

And I love that they are selling a monocle!  It is $50.00 and as they say on their site "the Colonel is the perfect accessory for budding robber barons, post-colonial tyrants and super villains"

 

Nursery Know How

I am so excited,  one of my best friends is having a baby boy at the beginning of the summer, she looks so adorable and can't wait until he is here!  Of course I am also a little crazed about what she is going to do with her nursery so I thought I would subliminally influence her with this entourage of awesome nurseries.  I also have a list of my favorite sites for modern children's furniture and toys!

Jenna Lyons, creative director of J. Crew, black walls and yellow striped ceiling is fabulous.  

via Domino

This little guy has a fireplace in his room and a mom with fabulous style!

via Domino

Another view of the room with the Oeuf crib converted into a toddler bed.  

I love this crib!

Dwell Studios Transportation bedding 

via Modern Nursery

I love how elegant this nursery looks, the colors are so soothing 

and this lucky baby has a fabulous view!

via Friago flickr

This nursery is so simple but I love the antique looking map shade.  

Maybe a future explorer lives here?!

via How Now Design flickr

The infamous Eames rocker, a staple in any modern nursery.

via Ella & Elliot 

I thought this was such an interesting theme for a baby room, camels are hidden around the room!  

And I love that chartreuse wall.

via OhDeeDoh

More animals done in a very fresh way, and I love the wall color.

via Decor Pad

This happy little room is great.  And this little dachshund dog 

shows up in many modern nurseries.

via mlcassid flickr

I wish this was my room, the light and the space is magnificent and this Noah's Ark is great!

via Oh Happy Day

I love all of the color in this nursery.

via OhDeeDoh

This shabby chic nursery is beautiful and would become a great little girls room.

via OhDeeDoh

I love this room, the reclaimed wood wall is fabulous and the 

baby bedding with kangaroos is awesome!

via Decor Pad

My Favorite Sites

Zac and Zoe

Modern Seed

All Modern Baby

Knoll Kids

Modern Nursery

Coochicoos