Homage to Mies van der Rohe

Posted on March 27, 2012 by 17sixteen

This morning as I opened my internet browser, Google promptly reminded me that Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, architectural badass extraordinaire, would have celebrated his 126th birthday today. I clicked on the Google link, which did a consequential search and I saw all of the different articles people were putting out there today in remembrance of one of the GREATEST designers that will have ever graced humankind. Seriously. He accomplished what many of us dream of but very rarely succeeds in doing. I will spare you a long and tedious background check and list of credentials for Mr. Mies van der Rohe and instead just celebrate him with images of his many contributions. Thanks for the constant inspiration.

“LESS IS MORE.” – LUDWIG MIES VAN DER ROHE

Spring Retreat

Posted on February 16, 2012 by 17sixteen

So you know how you feel after the holidays.. exhausted, full of oh-so-good-but-bad-for-you food and mostly ready to get back to your daily routine? For me, all the traveling around seeing family and friends and going to parties and get togethers for 2 months can get a bit overwhelming and after the first of the year passes I am ready to get back to work, get some structure back in my day, have ‘normal’ eating habits and basically just stay put for one second! Well now that the end of February is almost here, I feel like I have caught my breath and wish I had a place like all the following photos combined to retreat to for an “Adult Spring Break”! [yeah sounds kinda scandalous, I know, but it's not! I promise...] Anyway, I came across m. elle design via desire to inspire and damn if I didn’t fall head over heels. Each room has its own personality but inevitably answers to an overall design aesthetic that I adore. I just think it’s all rather brilliant! Perfect for a spring retreat!

Oh, George…

Posted on February 9, 2012 by 17sixteen

Last night I eagerly sat in front of my TV last night waiting to get a look inside George Clooney’s Studio City home on ‘Person to Person’. I just love seeing other people’s abodes since they can say so much about a person.. I adore Mr. Clooney and was pumped to see what his place had goin’ on! Would it have a ‘bachelor pad’ vibe or would I catch ‘Rat Pack’ fever as we swayed through the house?? {Alas, none of the above.} The interview was somewhat interesting, but it just seemed all over the place and had very little to do with the home itself. {Which, from my understanding, was the whole point of this show…} We got a look at a few picture frames, a bit of JKF memorabilia and a very quick glance of the surrounding spaces.

From what I could gather though, it seemed rather cozy and could handle some fun revelry. I was just left underwhelmed. Don’t get me wrong, I think the spaces were put together well and it actually looked down to earth and ‘lived in’ which is quite a pleasant surprise. I guess I was just hoping to see a little more.. character.. personality. To be fair, we really didn’t get to see that much though because the show just didn’t do it’s job. I mean, the overall structure and architecture was lovely. There was a great flow through the spaces. The beamed ceilings and outdoor areas where badass. I think my favorite part was the outdoor dining area with the wall of enclosed wine racks. I would be damn happy to live in this home (especially with Mr. Clooney!), I just wish we were given more of an inside look rather than the same old interview they could have done on a sound stage.

Warren Buffet and Jon Bon Jovi followed George later in the show and we got more out of them. [Buffet cracked me up and Bon Jovi surprised the hell outta me with his style!] So even though there wasn’t much to see (total bummer because I wanted to have a better post to share than this!), I saved a few shots from the interview (aka pictures of my TV) to share with you guys in case you were interested to see how George lives..

I STILL ADORE YOU GEORGE.

Man Cave

Posted on January 26, 2012 by 17sixteen

Ever since I started looking for a new place, I have been debating on whether or not to add another room to the floor plan. I have guests every once in awhile but not as much to where I really “need” a guest room. [I am out of town on the weekends more than I stay in town.] Although… maybe if I had a guest room, my apartment might be more viable choice for visiting folks.

I also want my own studio/work space. I’m an architect-in-training but I also like designing shoes and other crap so it would be really helpful to have a whole room JUST for that too! Hmmm, I might just have to join the two ideas.

My thinking couch could double as the guest bed. I would ideally like to have a desk AND a drafting table but that would fill a room quick! [I would use a desk more but I love the nostalgia of the drafting table.] I love floor-to-ceiling shelving, dark paint, wood, metal and leather. I sort of want it to feel like a “Man Cave”… like a modern industrial studio meets 1920-30s British library sort of Man Cave. Or I could just give Roman & Williams a call and have them do the whole damn thing for me!

ORIGINAL INSPIRATION

FURTHER INSPIRATION

All photos are Roman & Williams

OTHER INSPIRATION

THINGS

KIVIK Sofa Bed – IKEA

Kensington Leather Chair – Restoration Hardware

Hand-Knotted Baluchi Tribal Rug – Three Potato Four

Pipe Shelving – The Brick House

1920s Drafting Table – Restoration Hardware

Toledo Stool – 1stdibs

Who wants to visit now?!

My Ideal

Posted on November 9, 2011 by 17sixteen

When I come across a home that holds a few of my favorite design elements I get happy. When I come across a home that is pretty close as a whole to my aesthetic I get excited. When I come across a home that looks + feels as if I was the one who designed the whole damn thing I get effin’ psyched!! Well today I am effin’ psyched!! This home belongs to Jenna Lyons, J.Crew president and creative director. Knowing this, I would expect nothing but for me to fall completely in love with this place! I mean, I am verging on obsessed here! I don’t think I have ever come across a place that relates everything I want in my own home as much as this place does. It is a mix of my loves for neutral, natural, modern, vintage/historical with a touch of glam. It’s like I have these ideas and then all of a sudden I just saw them come to life! (i.e. the collection of antlers, for starters) So basically what I am telling you is that this place is my ideal in almost every way. (I have listed a few of my favorite things below..)