A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
A favourite picture and a favourite poem of mine that I am linking together to wish you all a Happy Weekend.
A Thing of Beauty is a JoyForever From John Keats' epic poem, Endymion, 1818: Picture from Makanyane Safari Lodge, South Africa
Janus et Cie makes the ultimate in teak umbrellas. I am fascinated by the attention to detail and craftsmanship they put into their umbrellas. The brass pulley assembly and the leather strapping is what makes this teak umbrella a work of art. I like to refer to it as the 'Hermes' of umbrellas. How wonderful to sit under this umbrella and gaze up into the beautiful design of the interior. Janus et Cie's teak is plantation harvested and is truly an investment that will give years of pleasure.
Janus et Cie Teak Octagonal Umbrellas
Care and Maintenance for Teak: Teak is a wood that has traditionally been used on ships because it is strong and durable, and because of it's ability to stand up under humid conditions.Teak is one of the best woods for outdoor furniture and umbrellas because it requires little or low maintenance depending on the look you want. If teakis left untreated it will weather to a beautiful silvery gray patina, while retaining its strength and durability for many years. Weathering can be accelerated by washing the teak with a mild soap solution and the addition of a teaspoon of bleach to a gallon of water. Rinse with clean clear water. If you want to keep the natural beauty of teak, treating it with good quality teak wood care products will enable it to keeps it's characteristic golden honey golden color. If oil is applied to teak, it must be done to a perfectly clean and dry surface. Proper care and maintenance of your teak umbrella and teak furniture will enhance its beauty for years to come.
Last weekend was my Birthday and I was presented with this exterior rendering of my Townhouse by Michelle Morelan. Apparently she was busy out front of my place the week prior taking photos to get her rendering just perfect for me, and was concerned that I would see her through the window and ruin her surprise.
Thank-you Michelle, I was totally surprised and I love it!!! PS It was a good thing that the leaves were not out on the tree in front or else it would be hard to see the facade. Meanwhile, we're still patiently waiting for Spring here in Vancouver.
Fine Homebuilding is looking for good examples of "mother in law" units that they can publish in an upcoming book (click here).
This reminded me of a project I designed a few years ago at Ron Brenner Architects. The project was actually for grandpa. A couple we were working with wanted their single 80 year young grandfather nearby, but Grandpa still wanted to live independently. The solution was to utilize an attic space that already existed above their detached 3 car garage. With a little planning we were able to create a plan which accommodated a kitchenette, media / sitting space, bill paying / desk space, bedroom zone, dining and a bathroom. See photos below.
It turned out to be the perfect space for a single guy, but by the time the project was completed, Grandpa..... well.....he found other accommodations with his new tootsie! That's alright though because the space is perfect for a college student, a young person starting their career, or even for a long weekend visit from Grandpa AND his new gal-pal!!!
Recently I have been trying to emphasize that builders can create a "niche" for themselves through good design. The following interview which was posted in Realty Times reinforces this concept.
All Marketing, All the Time: What's New in Smart Design
by Peter L. Mosca
[Note: To follow is an excerpt of an interview with Lori Snider of Creativity for Rent, a professional speaker, author and marketing strategist. To listen to, or download the show archive MP3, go to www.IncomePropertyInvestmentTalk.com/102208.]
Mosca: Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, philosopher, poet, and leader of the transcendentalist movement in the early 19th Century once said, "build a better mouse trap and the world will beat a path to your door." How can a property owner differentiate visually from the competition through creative marketing strategies enhanced by smart design?
Snider: Over the last 30 years, we have seen design explode in this country. Smart design has become an affordable commodity. Take a look at Target for example. Target sells smart design at a cheap cost and that's been one of the greatest measures of their success over the years. The consumer today expects you to be different and to be smart in your design. They do value smart design and they will pay more for a well-designed and well thought out product.
A canopy bed is a decorative bed similar to a four poster bed but with a top to it. A typical canopy bed usually features posts at each of the four corners extending four feet high or more above the mattress. Ornate or decorative fabric is often draped across the upper space between the posts of the bed and a solid swath of cloth may create a ceiling, or canopy directly over the bed. The modern version of the four poster canopy bed is often left undraped. Canopy four poster beds make a dramatic design statement for the Bedroom.
The canopy four poster bed came into existence more from practical purposes than that of extravagance or decadence. The the earliest incarnations were probably beds of common people seeking an additional layer of shelter and warmth beyond that of a less-than-impenetrable thatched roof. Canopy beds with curtains that could completely enclose the bed were used by lords and noblemen in medieval Europe for warmth and privacy, as their attendants often slept in the same room. Please take the poll in the right hand column and let us know which is your favourite Four Poster Canopy Bed.
2. Viceroy Mayakoba features this distinctive four poster canopy bed with a canopy of woven reed textile.
3. 'Loire' Four Poster Canopy Bed by Niermann Weeks One hundred years ago you would find four poster canopy beds like this in colonial hotels and residences in the four corners of the world. The distinctive "bell or square top" was originally conceived for attachment of mosquito netting.
4. Bodie and Frau Four Poster Canopy Bed is Perfect for draping or leaving open & fresh.
7. One of my favourites is the ultimate 'Daydream' Four Poster Canopy Bed from Dedon. It is designed for outdoor use, but I think that it could make the transition to indoors quite nicely.
8. 'Valois' Four Poster Canopy Bed from Niermann Weeks in Venetian silver leaf with antiqued mirrored panels.
9. A Huanghuali Six-Poster Canopy Bed with Latticework Railings, Jiazichuang. 17th Century Christies Images Corbus
10. 'Arezzo' Four Poster Canopy Bed Richelieu Mahogany by Niermann Weeks.
