home design: August 2011

Renovation Architecture

We had the opportunity to complete a home renovation design for a 1970’s lake cottage with the intent of using it as a primary residence.

Whole House Renovation

Old-style wood paneling was replaced with attractive wainscoting to lighten the space. Carpeting was ripped up, and the existing wood floors were refinished, and windows and doors were replaced with energy efficient modern units. Beams and T&G decking on the ceiling were kept exposed and refinished.

The architects redesigned the small kitchen from a galley-style to U-shaped to create a spacious workspace and maximize the limited space. A large island placed between the kitchen and the dining area provides working space to the kitchen while providing an informal seating area for breakfast or tea.

Side-by-side sliding doors were replaced with Eagle French doors, and glazing above the doors was changed to half rounds instead of triangular to create a modern look.

A custom wet bar by Vermont Custom Cabinetry is handy for entertaining and providing a nice transition between the dining and living rooms.

Storm front

Sitting in my car, waiting out a tropical storm in Savannah this July!

After a stormy night we are relieved, no power outage, no trees down in the garden and the only problem is the significant flooding of our basement.
I could not sleep well and woke up much earlier then normal to the pounding of the rain on the roof and against the windows, but it was not as strong as we feared!
I am thinking of all the much worst hit neighborhoods and the people who lost loved ones. My heart goes out to them!

I hope you all stay safe!

Pictures by V.Zlotkowski. Copyright 2011

Tag of war

The morning heat floods the ground floor - we do not have central air downstairs - and only the bedrooms sport those cooling vents which in resent years have become a life savior of sorts for me. My declining hormones must be the reason
for it, since my rhetoric question:
Is it hot in here or is it me? is regularly met with a shrug of the shoulders of my certainly better half.
My vain self will not admit nearing menopause since I feel the age of matronly changes will do me any good, it will push me finally over the edge and afterwards there it will be:
I am getting old!
But it's only physically I am telling myself. My mind churns out ideas as it never has before and the days could not be long enough to let me realize all my ideas.
But I digress! Back to the heat: I discovered after 10 years of living in our house that there is a fan hidden in our steaming attic. A great big thing living in the wall to the side of the house. I had seen it, but the existence of the central air unit up there as well had me under the impression it was defunct....What a mistake. I discovered a turning knob in my husband's closet, a space where I rarely reach into and since then I go upstairs with guilty pleasure, open the latch to the trap door to the magic attic and let that fan blow. A cool breeze descends downstairs and I guess the dog enjoys it as well since he lies on the marble tile floor in the hall and lets his ears flap. I would not mind joining him there!

After a short while my husband would go up for one reason or other and suddenly the humming would stop and the fan turned off...
Well, up I'll go eventually and turn it on again and the discussion follows like this:

Me: Honey, please leave the fan running, it makes such a difference downstairs.
Him: There is no breeze downstairs. Con Edison will love you, lets turn it off.
Me: Just for a while now, ok?
Him: The children will wake up, its so loud, I know your sense of hearing is not the strongest. Let's set a time now! How about ten minutes?
Me: It's 10:30 in the morning, they certainly could wake up.....

His phone rings and he is off to his home office, and I hear the kids traipsing around upstairs. Fan or no fan: They have woken up!

So we compromise for a while. Later I go upstairs to bring in laundry up and to feel a little relief in my air conditioned bedroom and to my dismay I realize it's not nearly as cool as I expected. Looking up the thermostat I see a whooping 77 degrees. Windows open, there is no breeze whatsoever.

My husband promises the evening will bring cooler air and just leaving the windows open will cool it down enough to sleep quietly.
Enough air condition already.
At bedtime I cannot sleep, I turn, stick my legs and other body parts out, toss to the other side. It's not helping. Out I go, close all the windows at 11:45 PM and switch on the air condition. My husband apparently sleeps soundly through all the commotion.
Down to 74 degrees I feel the relaxing cool air caressing my face, cooling my raging hormones and eventually I drift off.

My husband knows little of feeling the heat, he is resistant to cold as well and proudly
proclaims himself unaffected by natures extremes.
I love on winter days to have my freezing fingers warmed by his forever warm hands.
But the summer heat is different. Nothing can make me feel so good as the cooling breeze of a fan...

Image

Until autumns walks softly on falling leaves I will be in need for it's assistance.

Final note: I explained my hormonal imbalance to my husband and my dependency on cool air for my sanity. Now he tolerates the fan use a little longer, perhaps for fear of further female outbursts...

Image by V.Zlotkowski and as indicated.

There will be rain

Well, it looks like our weekend plans have to be postponed. The emerging hurricane is on it's way and a gray and rainy morning arose today.

Peaches, berry crumb cake and sunflowers...last weekend!

To lift my spirit I rescued the dying sun flowers, which had been on my table since last Friday's visit to the farmer's market. They had began to hang their pretty heads and finally this morning I arranged them on this footed cake stand where they bring in all the sunshine I miss today!

Today's morning latte and sunflowers sunny side up!

And while I was contemplating my day ahead I walked slowly through the garden to discover many of my Dahlias in bloom, and before the storm will wash them out, perhaps break them, I took some pictures...

I love these colors. The hydrangeas inspire a wonderful palette of muted pinks, blue greens, mauve and cream.

I do not recollect the sources from these last four images, I take no credit, but they are beautiful!

Hope you all stay safe this weekend!

xx
Victoria

All pictures by V.Zlotkowski except the last four interiors.

Three Reasons to Use an Architect

Thinking of building or remodeling? Consider using an architect. Why?

Reason #1: Architects save money.

An architect's services are a wise investment because a well-conceived and designed project can be built more efficiently and economically. As ideas evolve, changes can be made on a computer screen or paper much less expensively than when construction is under way. Other ways architect-designed projects save money include:

Designs that take full advantage of solar heat and natural lighting to save on energy needs.

Flexible design solutions that accommodate future growth and usage needs.

Accurate construction costs based on detailed drawings and specifications that result in quality materials and workmanship at a fair market price.

Materials, finishes, and design solutions that reduce maintenance and replacement costs.

Homes that sell faster and increase in value at resale.

Reason #2: Architects solve problems.

The architect is the one professional who has the education, training, experience, and vision to guide the design and construction process. This broad knowledge helps architects focus individual home owners' needs to maximize their investment in livable square footage on time and within budget.
Architects stay abreast of advances in roofing, brickwork, floor tile, paint finishes, and other building materials to ensure a smooth and cost-effective building process.

Reason #3: Architects see the big picture.

Few people realize how complicated it is to build until they find themselves lost in a maze of design options, building codes, zoning laws, and contractors. Architects don't just design four walls and a roof; they create total environments, interiors and exteriors that satisfy specific needs and functions. If a project requires engineering or other construction services, an architect can coordinate the team of experts.

An architect sorts out complex building codes and zoning laws and can locate qualified contractors, visiting the construction site to ensure that the project is built according to plans and specifications.

Source: www.aia.org

Working on a living room

We are back from the South, with lots of ideas and great inspirations! Coming back from somewhere always leads me to do some changes in my house....But in this case it's this and the somewhat overdue paint job!
It's the absence and the distance I have put between me and our home! It makes me always see clearer and I can make decisions easier!

Our living room has seen better days. Don't get me wrong, I love the mixed feeling, the old red leather sofas and chairs, so inviting for reading. The baby grand, tucked in the corner near the window and the blue and beige chain link patterned carpet. The artwork is mixed too and there is an ottoman with a cowhide atop. And small writing desk...
The curtains are well worn and over the hot weeks in July the shades on the front windows have strangely disintegrated... A part fell off, obviously just glued on previously! Looking at all this I am thinking of needed improvements. The paint is chipping, darkened around the often used fire place and wall sconces.
I am thinking wallpaper. I am thinking Bloomsbury. I am thinking Farrow and Ball!
And I am thinking of the Rosslyn pattern.