DESIGN FOR MEN

Typically industrial furniture is heavy but Jim Zivic Design has found a way to construct furniture that is light and effortless. Here are some of my favorites.

Bin Storage Credenza (pictured above) This piece will be great once I have an office large enough! And yes the storage bins are available separately.

Bin Storage Shelving Unit Custom

Leather Link Hammock

Camp Bed with Felt Headboard

Gem Light with Articulated Arm

Desk with Bin Storage

Hex Leg Coffee Table

Felt Zip Rug

Check out the collection on the company website by clicking here.

IMAGES from Jim Zivic Design

For over 40 years, Baxter of California, has been known for providing premium men’s grooming products.  This month, the company opened a shop on La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA, called Baxter Finley Barber & Shop.  Named after the company’s founder, Baxter Finley, the shop showcase their products and barbers provide cuts and shaves for patrons.   The old world inspired design is masculine combining rugged features like Douglass fir flooring and exposed wood beams along with the sleek finishes including subway tile and marble counter tops.  The highlight is the restored Koken “White King” porcelain and leather chairs which are from the early 1900’s.  Kudos to Baxter for creating a refined shop that feels modern while retaining the tradition of the old school  barber shop experience.

IMAGE CREDITS: Images from Baxter Finley

I love the light fixture in this great space by Asler Valero on Design Therapy from the Housing Works Design on a Dime event in New York. Clearly channeling the Frank Gehry Cloud Suspension lamp for Vitra.  Gehry came up with the design for the lamp by packing paper cups and stapling them together.

After seeing the fixture, I began making phone calls to locate where it came from. Ultimately, I discovered that similar to the Gehry fixture,  the lamp was actually  created by stapling paper plates together.   Now, I am inspired to design something for my place.

Cloud Suspension Lamp by Gehry

For more information on the Design on a Dime Benefit, click here.

IMAGE CREDITS: Image 1 from Design Therapy, Image 2 from Cosa Verde, Image 3 from Unica Home

Over the memorial day holiday, I had ambitious plans to catch up on work but I was quite distracted by the pool opening at my building.   My obsession with swimming is the inspiration for this article featuring some of my favorite pools.

1. LOHA: Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects, Jai House, Calabasas, CA, 2004.

I had to rely on my oddly photographic memory for this one…I recalled seeing this stunning home featured in Men’s Health Living Magazine, a men’s home magazine that I was sad to see dropped in 2008.  Richard Roll, a former corporate attorney turned entrepreneur/entertainment lawyer who transformed his career and his lifestyle to be more focused around his passions.  His home is an inspiration, perfectly designed to incorporate his love for his family, the outdoors, and swimming. Limited on space, the one-lane lap pool was the perfect solution for this competitive swimmer.  To read the full article click here.

2. Rem Koolhaas, Private Residence in Paris, France, 1991
Loving the rooftop lap pool (yes this is a trend) but these pools are  efficiently sized for exercise and relaxation.

3. Humberto Herbeto, Vila Castela in Nova Lima, Brazil, 2005

I am a sucker for an infinity edge pool.  Infinity edge pools appear to to go on forever, an allusion created by running off the edge – typically found in areas with cliffs or architectural cantilevers.   In this home, the pool works perfectly with the horizon and the location of the pool next to the stair creates wonderful mystery when people descend the stair.

4. Richard Neutra, Kauffman Desert House, Palm Springs, CA, 1946.

I had to include one of my all time favorite homes which also includes a fabulous pool.  Check out this recent D4M article for more info on the home, by clicking here.

5. Eddy François and Caroline De Wolf, Private Residence, Belgium

This article needed an  indoor pool and this one is a serene beauty in a stunning home in the forest.  For more photos and info, click here.

IMAGE CREDITS: In order of appearance, Image 1-4 from LOHA, Image 5 from OMA, Image 6 & 7 from Trendir, Image 8 from New York Times, Imag 9 & 10 from NothingLiving

I am a sucker for the vintage and the industrial, so I was in heaven when I found Get Back Inc.  Located in Oakville, CT, this store started in 2000 by cabinet and furniture makers.  At Get Back, industrial finds are transformed into functional furniture.  Additionally, salvaged pieces are restored and vintage furnishings are also sold.  I was practically drooling when I saw pictures of their showroom.  So, next time I am in the area I must stop in…the only problem is that I may never want to leave.

The following are some pieces that caught my eye.  I love the attention to detail and how new pieces blend perfectly with the old.

Industrial Garment Hanging Rack and Shelving Cart

Bent Plywood Rosewood Stack Chair

Industrial Stools

Industrial Cast Iron Two Tier Bar Carts

Vintage Laundry Bins
IMAGE CREDITS: Images from Get Back, Inc.

Strolling about in Dupont Circle, I came across Kulturas Secondhand Books. By the by, vintage bookstores are my new favorite thing…the key is to find one with an Architecture section – I could have been there for hours. While perusing the book, From: New Houses in Old Buildings, I happened upon this project by Mark Guard Architects.   The firm converted a car repair workshop into a two-bedroom home in Deptford, London.  The design element that initially caught my attention was the use of the copper plaster  floating wall in the master bedroom (shown above).   I love the relationship of the way the copper subtly mixes with the steel and concrete structural elements found in the renovation.

The renovation incorporated removing old roofs, adding a new entrance, and new enclosed garden.  Sensitivity towards views and daylight throughout the house was the main objective of the designers.  The living room and kitchen are on the first floor to take advantage of the views of St. Paul’s Church and Greenwich.  The bedrooms on the ground floor open out to the walled in garden.  The overall architectural design is so timelessly modern making it hard to believe that the project was completed in 1996.

For more images and information on this project, check out the website by clicking here.

IMAGE CREDITS: All Images from Guard Tillman Pollock

Wallpaper* is wild about Brazil after moving operations there for several weeks for their Born in Brazil issue. Rather than simply taking a snapshot of the country in the issue, Wallpaper.com will be updated for the coming weeks with more news, video coverage, interviews and more.  After checking out the directory of architects, I can see why they want to continue this story.  I have included some of my favorites fromthe directory of architects.

Architect:  Mareines + Patalano
Project: GLEM Offices

Architect: Humberto Hermeto
Project: Casa JE, Vale dos Cristais

Architect: SPBR
Project: Ubatuba

To check out the directory of Brazilian architects on Wallpaper.com, by clicking here.

IMAGE CREDITS: Image one from Mareines + Patalano; All other images from Wallpaper

Last weekend, I stopped byD.C. furniture boutique, RCKNDY the source for my “perfect sofa” and spotted several additional items that I love.  RCKNDY has a great selection of furnishings from modern stores that are a little difficult to find in stores such as Blu Dot and Gus Modern.   I recommend seeing pieces before purchasing, especially seating. I walked in the store and the Gus Modern Rochelle sofa had me questioning my sofa decision.  The following images illustrate why I was tempted.  The Rochelle, pictured above in ash gray is sleek and the right scale for a D.C. apartment.  The image below shows the back which features  seductive exposed legs.  And the sofa is quite comfortable, although slightly lacking in back support which could be remedied with the right pillows.  A flaw that  my Paramount Sofa does not possess with it’s fabulous back cushions.

The following were other knock outs that had me wondering if I could find a location at my place or in a project.  Additionally I thought that I would share my thoughts about comfort and the designs.

Gus Modern GT Rocker Perfect in scale for a small space but a little uncomfortable and the rocking functionality is not as smooth as I would like.  However, the price , the lovely bouclé fabric and the overall design aesthetic may make this worth it!

Blu Dot Buttercup Rocker Despite the bendable plywood frame, this rocker felt more comfortable.

Blu Dot Shilf  Ivory LOVE THIS!!! I noticed this one the last time I was in the store and I am still trying to find a use for this modular powder coated steel beauty.

IMAGE CREDITS: Buttercup Rocker Image from DesignPublic; Others by Design4Men

While reading this  old issue of Dwell, I found this gem, Hoagie’s Heroes.  Best friends since middle school, Casey Patten and David Mazza opened Taylor Gourmet, a Philadelphia style deli in 2008.   In September 2009, Dwell featured their first location on H Street NE between North Capitol and 15th Street NE in Washington, DC.  Their goal is to make the best “damn” sandwich in the district.  Due to the popularity of their first store, they recently opened a second deli on K Street NW nestled into the City Vista development in Downtown D.C.  The friends and now business partners moved to the DC area after graduating from Penn State and worked in real estate and construction for several years before buying the building in 2007.  The two decided to place the deli on the ground floor and live in two  850-square-foot, bachelor pads on the second and third floor.

Patten and Mazza hired local architecture and interior design firm, Grupo 7 to realize their space.  They were up front with their vision for a blending of industrial and rustic style and of course achieve their goals  on a limited budget.  The pair challenged the architecture firm to design using cheap materials in innovative ways.   Wood from salvaged shipping pallets are used throughout the deli on walls and cladding the cash wrap.  Chain-link fence poles serve as vertical supports for the shelving in the market.  Another charming and cost-effective solution comes in the bouquet of incandescent lights creating a chandelier in the rear of the deli.  The roll-up doors on the facade at Taylor Gourmet is perhaps the most eye-cathcing feature that differentiates this hot spot from other stores in the area.  The design of the facade and the interior  of the H street store is mimicked in the City Vista location.

A similar palette and sensitivity to rustic and industrial elements carries into the bachelor pad apartments above.  The demolition of the existing apartments revealed brick walls which they choose to expose.

The two one-bedroom apartments are basically identical.  The two also chose to create similar kitchens created by customizing IKEA kitchen cabinets.  The missing element from the homes is a defined dining area which hits home for me.  I really have no need for a dining table and chairs at the moment – particularly because I tend to eat while perched on the sofa in front of my flat screen TV.  So, I totally understand the omission.

The similar layouts will be certainly help with resale and the NE  neighborhood is on the rise.  As their business grows, the two can find others to take over their homes.

I must say that I am a bit jealous – it has always been my dream to own a small store and live above it…and I am thrilled to see that their decisions despite having a tight budget were driven by  sustainable design and enhancing the neighborhood.

IMAGE CREDITS: Dwell

This  custom-designed 4,500 square foot house  is locacted in New York in an east Long Island community’s master-planned by Richard Meier.  The designers at architecture firm,  TsAO & McKown faced two major challenges: designing for an unknown concept client and rooting the home on virtually flat terrain in a young forest.   The design pairs the human need for both order and chaos while creating a onnection to the surrounding landscape.

The designers manipulated the topography and created the first level slightly below grade.   Providing a slight incline in the typography served as way to reduce the impact of the volume of the home and provide a private  outdoor spaces.  The interior design of the home also has an intimate feel with a warm color palette.  Shades of rust mix well with grays and mustard yellow adds an unexpected pop.  Dimension and depth is added with warm wood tables and built-ins.

The sensitivity to the human condition in the design  makes this home appealing to a broad audience.  Making me think whoever snatched this beauty up is quite fortunate.

IMAGE CREDITS: TsAO & McKown