Every Stove should find it's Niche

~Chapter Three: Romancing the Stove~

One of the challenges in designing this kitchen was finding the space to add a center island and additional counter space with stools for casual dining.  The existing kitchen and laundry room were to remain as two separate rooms.  Since we were not building an addition to the kitchen, we had to figure out a way to accommodate these design goals.  After extensive consultation with an engineer and approval by the Preservation Board, it was decided to remove the chimney which enabled us to move the stove two feet. This gave us enough room to create the center island.  We needed to leave some wall to the left and right of the stove.  The original pantry is located behind and to the left and the chase which feeds plumbing and wiring to the second floor is on the right.

What you see in these photos (clockwise from top left) is: 1) the stove against the chimney wall in the original kitchen, 2) the chimney dismantled looking from the kitchen into the laundry room, 3) the new space for the stove as seen from the dining area and 4) the fabrication of the new arched entry into the kitchen from the pantry adjacent to the arched stove niche. Reclaimed hickory flooring being installed is from Pioneer Millworks in Farmington, NY

The Last Supper: Before Demolition - DeConstruction - Reconstruction

~ Chapter Two: No Turning Back Now ~

Let’s face it, some people like to cook, but we all love to eat. As they say: “food is the great equalizer” (I love that expression).   The dining experience is the main event bringing friends and family together.  Not only do my clients love to cook but they enjoy leisurely meals, partaking in the sensory experience of pairing wine with food.

What you see in these photos is the beginning of an arched dining area that will embrace a circular, deliciously comfy banquet.  Form followed function when the removal of the vertical column required shoring up the beam above it.  Thanks to the superb craftsmanship of Kuebler Enterprises, a sweeping graceful arch was created.  The addition of this classic architectural element provided a visual distinction between the dining and prep areas of the kitchen

Design Phase: Before and After

~ Chapter One: In the Beginning ~

Once upon a time there was a very nice couple who lived peacefully in a beautiful house set into a lovely landscaped yard in Rochester’s prized East Ave historic district.  They loved to cook and entertain their friends but unfortunately the existing kitchen was not up to pare.  Alas, one fine day they summoned up the courage to redesign their kitchen…..and their lives were changed forever!  I will share with you this epic story.

Looking into to Showroom from the Oval Entry Room

~Part Three~

Lighting  Cornell’s Jewelers was a great opportunity to use many lighting techniques because the Cornell’s were willing to experiment with the latest lighting technologies.  Working with Kovalsky Carr and technical departments of several lighting manufacturers, we was able to borrow light fixtures to create a variety of mock-ups.

To help decide on the winning lighting solution we gathered the entire jewelry store staff and contractors to view the various lighting schemes.  Observing the jewelry as it looked inside and outside of the cases, under different lighting configurations, we were able to find the best combination that would make the jewelry sparkle and skin tones glow.

The end result consisted of a store that is lit by Ceramic Metal Halide track and recessed fixtures, LED’s for coves and cases, Fluorescent for entry and path lighting and Incandescent where the sparkle of candelabra lamps was required.  Compared to the original lighting plan we were  was able to decrease the quantity of fixtures and the energy required to power each fixture while simultaneously increasing the brightness of the store displays.

LED's light ceiling coves and jewelry cases. Accent track lighting is Metal Halide

~Part Two~

I finally had my opportunity to meet with David and Olivia Cornell.  The three main criteria for lighting the new store was: make it brighter, make it bluer (which showed off the diamonds better) and decrease the amount of heat generated by the light fixtures.  I presented my ideas to create a successful retail lighting plan and also demonstrated some samples of different lamps so they could actually experience the different light qualities first hand.

It was the LED  light strip that created the most excitement, especially because it had cool colored light on one side and  warm colored light on the other.  David’s eyes lit up when it was plugged in;  he grabbed the strip and started holding it up to our hands and faces to see skin tones and how it rendered the jewelry we were wearing.  If a picture’s worth a thousand words, then this LED strip was worth an entire proposal.

Hanging the 54" custom pendant

~Part One~

I had noticed the dust and rubble surrounding Cornell’s Jewelers for several months so it came as quite a surprise when the Cornells called me to discuss their project.   They informed me that their store fixture designer had provided them with a lighting plan but  they weren’t convinced it would remedy their current lighting problems or fulfill their future lighting goals.  They also expressed their hesitancy to invest in a 2^nd lighting plan, but were aware of the importance of  good lighting  and that it was a critical component in the success of a jewelry store.   We scheduled a time to meet after they returned from their vacation.  I used these next few weeks to research all the latest trends in retail lighting so that I would be fully prepared for this meeting;  as they say “nothing ventured, nothing gained”.

Team Spirit

As an experienced builder of high-end residential homes, Dominick understands the value of selecting your team members and coordinating all phases of the design before the shovel hits the ground. His approach to a project is: “Begin with the end in mind”.  When building a new home, many people begin with an architect and a builder.  Often, it isn’t until the drywall is put up that the Interior Designer is brought on board.  Usually there is already a crisis forming as the client suddenly realizes that the only place left to install the towel bars are five feet away from the shower (I am not exaggerating).

When I look back on the most successful projects that I’ve worked on, the one thing they all had in common was that they were client driven.  That means that the client hired the team at the beginning of the project. The architect, builder, interior designer (that’s me), landscape architect, home electronic and security specialists were all hired before the pencil hit the paper.  The second key ingredient to success was that we all worked in the spirit of collaboration and mutual respect. Before the construction began, we had merged the layers into one set of completely detailed drawings.

Dominick shared many quotes with us, this one I especially liked: “Documentation is the formal transference of knowledge” – Rick Thoman

Me at the fine woodworking division of New Energy Works

Sometimes you meet someone or visit someplace and you immediately feel right at home.  That’s how I felt on my recent visit to New Energy Works Timberframers, and Pioneer Millworks located in Farmington NY.  I was given a most delightful and informative tour of the entire facility by Jennifer Young their staff marketing person.  They have been building some of the most elegant timberframe homes for over 20 years and the Pioneer Millworks division has been making flooring from reclaimed and recycled wood for over 15 years.  If this wasn’t enough, about a 10 minute car ride from the main facility is New WOODWORKS in Shortsville, NY which specializes in bespoke furniture, kitchen cabinets, doors, stairs and anything else related to what they refer to as “house jewelry”.  They create these pieces using the resources from Pioneer Millworks and they will also use new wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

One of our lively topics of conversation commented on the fact that we notice most people tend to “typecast” reclaimed flooring as something that is only appropriate for restorations in older homes or in rustic style settings.  But the fact is that reclaimed flooring looks spectacular juxtaposed against modern furnishings and translates beautifully into Asian inspired designs.  The beauty and the character of this wood adds warmth and distinction unmatched by contemporary flooring products.

One thing that does not change throughout the various divisions is the high level of craftsmanship which is exhibited through their attention to detail and their commitment to sustainable design.  This is not a “green” fad with this company but the very basis of their core philosophy.

The founder of this New Energy Works is currently building a home for his family in Oregon, incorporating reclaimed and natural materials, energy efficiency, cutting edge technologies and craft intensive applications.  You can get a behind the scenes look at this fascinating project on their blog: The Vermont Street Project

Anyone remember the Whole Earth Catalog, how about Mother Earth News? It was 1968, sometimes referred to as the Back to the Land Movement and I would say that this was the precursor for the Green Design movement which is moving its way main stream thanks to people like Al Gore. I’ll never forget the day my sister called me from law school (about fifteen years ago – she is also ten years younger than me). She was describing some people she just met at school and referred to them as “earthy crunchy”. I never heard this expression and silently wondered if she thought I was one of “them” since I practiced yoga and liked to wear Birkenstocks.

When the concept of Green Design began to take hold in the early 1990’s, there were very few companies making these products and the majority fell into a visual genre that looked, well…”earthy crunchy”. But the Green of the 21st century is a technological revolution that is spawning the creation of the most design savvy products that are developed through innovation and mindfulness of our limited resources.

One of our favorite design resources in our studio is the polycarbonate resin panels made by 3form USA. We have used these to design backlit walls, custom light fixtures, decorative face panels for reception desks and countertops. One of the most innovative uses of this material is seen in the San Francisco bus shelters by Lundberg Design. 3form manufactured these ground breaking sustainable shelter canopies combining photo-voltaic cells and recycled polycarbonate material. You can read more about this project at 3form.com

There sure is a whole lotta green washing going on and it has become the marketing enigma of the 21^st century.   But the reality is that “Going Green” is not fad or fashion; it is a revolution that is growing more mainstream every day.  

I recently spent two days participating in a Green Design Summit sharing ideas with people who really “walk the talk”.  One of the speakers who really struck a chord with me was Joshua Foss, also known as the MetroHippie.  I was all ears just listening to his introduction: his father worked for Charles and Ray Eames as an architect, he referred to both his parents as “old school hippies”, he has a degree in fine arts, a background in carpentry, and decided to learn everything he could about “green design” through working in the field, way before it became mainstream.  This guy is what I call “the real deal”

Joshua made a statement in the beginning of his discussion which particularly resonated with me not so much because it was some groundbreaking revelation, but because it was good ol’ fashion common sense. He said: “A huge part of green is that it lasts a long time”. 

The day after finishing the Green Design Summit, I had met with new clients.  They hired me to design a new kitchen for their young family including adding on to the existing space an additional 150 sq. ft.  We proceeded to review their “wish list” of all the things they would like to incorporate into the new space.  When we began to discuss materials and cabinets for the kitchen, I cautiously began to ask questions about investing in “Green Products” and if they had concerns about IaQ: Indoor Air Quality, etc. etc.

Well, the husband turned to me and said: “You know, you can buy things made from bamboo but if isn’t made well and falls apart in a few years then it really isn’t green.  I have always felt that if you invest in well designed high quality products that will last a long time, then that is really being green.” 

So there you have it folks..the synchronicity of these events was amazing.  Good design, whether it be modern or traditional is timeless..and green