Saturday, October 31, 2009

Edificio residencial en NYC

Una torre desencajada.
Este edificio es muy singular y rompe con paradigmas en un lugar donde se puede decir que todo se intenta y grandes arquitectos han intervenido. Edificio en la Ciudad de Nueva York, EEUU, sobre 56 Leonard Street. Arquitectos: Herzog & de Meuron.

Foto 1
La idea, es crear transparencias y cierta fragilidad, comunicación con el exterior.
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Casa Blanca U - Toyo Ito

Diseño.
La Casa Blanca U ya no existe, fue diseñada por Toyo Ito y se construyó en 1976 en Tokyo, Japón. De una época en donde los Metabolistas tenían gran influencia, estructuras grandes, innovativas y megaestructuras urbanas tecnocráticas. Este diseño fue decidido asumiendo una actitud crítica hacia la sociedad, él consideraba que eso era una virtud para el arquitecto. Es una edificación en un contexto cultural, en contrapartida a las casas sin contexto.

Vista aérea de la casa
No hay mucha información de esta casa y además ya no existe. Las imágenes fueron fotocopiadas de monografías encontradas en una biblioteca por un ávido buscador de arquitectura, por ello no hay fotos a color o de calidad. Es de los primeros diseños de Toyo Ito. La vivienda fue pensada para su hermana viuda en ese momento, con familia.
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Ladrillos vista en las fachadas

Exteriores
Los ladrillos a la vista en las fachadas son muy apreciados en la arquitectura argentina.
Por lo que hay gran experiencia en el manejo del material y en presentaciones de frentes de calidad, incluso originales. Los ladrillos pueden ser expuestos como el material estructural de las paredes sin revoque o en patrones armónicos con fines decorativos para toda una superficie o en guardas y frisos.

Para revisar otros posteos con información e imágenes de fachadas de casas siga el vínculo hay una lista de contenidos relevantes.

Fachada
Fachada de ladrillos vista
Tambien es posible lograr un aspecto natural con aplicaciones de ladrillo especial para dar la impresión visual de ladrillo vista. Asi como hay piedra artificial y cultivada, tambien hay ladrillos cultivados.
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The Ghosts of Halloween Past: Advertising Mascots

Every year we have a crazy adult (if you can call us "adults") Halloween party with a theme. We usually start at our house & then get a limo out into Georgetown where the streets are mobbed with costumed-people. I just LOVE IT!!!! (This year, being pregnant, I just wasn't up for the crazy night out, so we had a fun kiddie one instead.) But, I thought I'd share with you one of our past themes: advertising mascots. The first one up is the Sunmaid Raisin Girl:


The box of raisins inspired the whole party. I've always thought my friend Lindsey looks like the Sunmaid Raisin girl & would always suggest she dress up as her for Halloween. Then, I thought of all the other advertising logos & how my other friends could dress up as them. Here's Lindsey, aka "The Sunmaid Raisin" girl in her costume I made from Goodwill finds. (The bonnet is the sleeve of a red button-down shirt and her corsette is from a suit.)



And next is Chiquita Banana:Marcela's costume is AMAZING. She paper mache'd the basket on her head & meticulously glued all the fruit down. She was such a trooper & it stayed on all night!!!! I made her dress out of cheap t-shirts from Michael's:



And here's our Chiquita's husband, Juan Valdez:



Billy, AKA "Juan Valdez" actually made his entrance to the party by knocking on the window and handing in a cup of coffee... It was perfect!!! The mustache got a bit crooked as the night went on & Billy is just hysterical:



And who can forget the Land O Lakes Butter Girl?
Mo was adorable!!!


And even though she's underage, we decided to let the Morton salt Girl join the party.
Erin was perfect! Check out that little mary-jane-clad foot kicked up just like the real Morton Salt Girl:
And we can't have a party without the beer! (ok, we totally can, but let's just pretend! ;)


Here I am as the St.Paulie Girl with a costume made from Goodwill finds:
(I'd originally tried making a "Chicken of the Sea" costume but it was just way too hard to walk around in!) And of course my husband, Sam Adams, was there to help host:

Here he is posing with his friend The Quaker Oats Guy (married to the Morton Salt Girl- what an age gap!! shocking!! ;):
There were a few more gusts I don't have pictures of .. argggg.. Anyway, we've had lots more of these crazy parties & I'll share some more next year. I can't tell you enough how much fun I have on Halloween. We usually start planning in September and my best friends & their husbands come in from out of state. Everyone stresses like crazy about not "having a costume" and in the end they always look awesome. I'm so lucky to have friends who will go along with my silly plans & I love them for it.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!
xoxo,
lauren
ps- the hanging scarecrow wasn't visible at night so no one noticed it (phew! ;) and the kids loved the ghost & taking pictures with him.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Energía eólica - Molino de techo

Tecnología.
Entre las nuevas ideas para el aprovechamiento de la energía sin perjudicar al medio ambiente, hay innovaciones que sorprenden por la originalidad y este es el caso. Molino eólico para instalar en el tope del techo sin el aspecto conocido al cual ya se está desarrollando una aceptación, este diseño de aerogenerador permite ocultar las aspas e implica una alteración mínima de la arquitectura tradicional de las casas

Techo
En la primera imagen se aprecia un dibujo del sistema instalado sobre el techo. El modelo ha ganado un importante premio en Europa, 500 mil euros que permitirán a la compañía Power Collective concentrarse directamente en el mercado. Este es su primer producto, RidgeBlade ®.
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Fotos para decorar la casa

Imágenes.
Las imágenes para decorar tiene un gran atractivo y la fotografía entendida como arte es una alternativa en la decoración interior de la casa. La buena fotografía hace una gran diferencia y estas imágenes sirven de buen ejemplo. Fotos en bastidores o fotos enmarcadas agregan a las paredes y a los rincones significados. Elija las imágenes con las cuales se identifica, no solamente se quede con lo bello de una foto para decorar.

Foto 1
Piense en incorporar buenas fotos en el proyecto de decoración o redecoración de su hogar. Estas son imágenes del fotógrafo Cayetano González de Valencia, España.
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Perfect.

I've been toying around with this post for quite some time now. I have held off because it shows a side of me I'm not so proud of. I decided to write it today because especially lately, more than usual, I've seen comments and posts here and there from bloggers about their home not measuring up...not being as beautiful as the next...not as perfect.

This big bloggy world is one that has brought much joy to my life. Much creativity. I have loved "meeting" all of you because of blogging.

But there are times when I click through some blogs and am not proud of my reaction. First, it's awe and glee from a great reveal or project.

Then, maybe a bit of wishing.

Then, do I dare say it...

Resentment? Jealousy?

I'm not proud of that. Not one bit, but it's the truth.

Let me be clear here -- I big fat LOVE our home. I would not trade it for any other. Because it is truly where our heart is. I have put my blood, sweat and tears into this house. We have raised out kids here and have created so many wonderful traditions and memories.

I cannot stress enough how much I adore it.

So maybe it's not the homes I see that give me the tinges of jealousy. Maybe it's the time some have to dedicate to their homes. Maybe it's the money some can spend on their homes. Maybe it's the way they describe their lives that seem so...perfect?

Maybe you have felt that way about this blog at times? I know it's possible and probably true, but I hope it's a fleeting feeling.

Our home is not perfect. Our life is not perfect. And a couple weeks ago, I got a big (soft) slap upside the head from God when I found out something about a blogger I visit every so often. It's a little known fact about this person, and let's just say I felt like a big fat ARSE after finding out the information. ;)

It was a message in flashing red lights that no one's life is "perfect." It may appear to be, but it never is.

And really, who wants perfect? Seriously, perfect is BOR-RING. Just like a house, it's so much more interesting with imperfections...the squeak on the floor that drives you crazy every time you step on that spot. The crack in the wall no one sees but you (but it still drives you mad). The dings in the drywall and baseboards from kids living in a home. All of us have squeaks and cracks and dings in our lives that make them not perfect.

I will spare you the details of my life, but because of my experiences, HOME means so much more to me than a building or a place for stuff. Most of my childhood was filled with wonderful memories and traditions. I never noticed the dings in the drywall, the creaks in the floors. (And your kids won't either.)

Then in high school, a series of events occurred that changed my outlook on life. I didn't have a home for quite some time. I lived with my best friend and her family for a summer. When it was time to go back to college, my dorm room was my only home. And that Thanksgiving was spent in an old, gross motel room, just my Mom and me.

It was one of the lowest days of my life.

At that time, Sarah McLachlan's song "Elsewhere" brought me comfort. I listened to it constantly. Part of the chorus from that song that still sticks with me:

I believe this is heaven to no one else but me.
And I'll defend it as long as I can be...

That song still makes me cry. ;) I am thankful for every moment of my life, because it's brought me where I am today.

It's not about the stuff or the house being perfect. It's about it being a home, in the emotional sense. Because of my past, a place to put down roots and to create memories for our kids means so much to me. So if you ever take anything away from this blog, it's that your home should be YOUR haven. I don't care what it looks like. I don't care if it's your dream home. Make it your dream home with what you have.

Even if that is just baking cookies, carving a pumpkin and playing with your kids on this Halloween weekend. Remember even those that feel they have very little are envied by someone. Be proud and love what you have and make it what you love and are proud of, in whatever way you can.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend with your family. Thanks for listening to my deep thoughts today. :)

I hope it's not Too Creepy...


I still haven't set up all the indoor & food pretties & don't know if I'll have the time to take pics so I thought I'd post a quick peek of our outdoor "spookies" as Christian calls them. We have a big tall ghost (made from those plastic cheapie table cloths) who isn't so scary and a hanging scarecrow who looks pretty real & has been freaking me out all day in our back yard. (He's in the background of the pic above too.):


My poor next door neighbor called me this morning asking if I was trying to give her a heart attack!!! oops!! Anyway, hope the toddler moms aren't too weirded out.
Have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!! :)
mu-hu-hahahahahahaha,
lauren

Sillón de madera diseño moderno

Muebles
Un sillón de diseño moderno estilo Contemporáneo hecho con madera curvada.
Muebles del diseñador de Rep. Checa, Vadim Kibardin en 2007, que destaca por las bondades de la madera trabajada con procesos ecológicos y por unas formas realmente muy bien logradas. De construcción muy simple y estructura fuerte.

Para ver otros muebles y revisar sillones de diseño siga este vínculo, hay una lista de posteos relevantes ordenada para su fácil consulta.

Sillón de madera de diseño moderno
Sillones de madera modernos estilo Contemporáneo
Dream Chair es una silla baja tipo sillón muy confortable. Invita a tomar un descanso mientras se entabla una agradable conversación con una taza de café en la mano. Se ofrece con un almohadón plano en conjunto.
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Más fotos de las casas a colores

Fachadas
Otro conjunto de imágenes de casas con intervenciones del artista Marino Santa María en el barrio de Barracas de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires.
Usted puede revisar más en los posteos publicados anteriormente que están listados en la tabla amarilla al pie de este. Hay una variedad de temas y de combinaciones de colores, tambien los materiales empleados son diferentes, en algunas fachadas predomina la pintura y en otras las inclusiones de pequeños azulejos y azulejos partidos de colores.

Por ampliar información de casas pintadas siga el vínculo, encontrará una lista de posteos relevantes para revisar en forma ordenada. También consulte sobre fachadas.

Foto 1
Pintura artística de fachada
Resulta muy agradable caminar por el lugar dado que es apacible y algunos vecinos suelen salir a la vereda, una costumbre que por motivos de seguridad se ha dejado de lado en Buenos Aires.
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A Crazy Lady on Halloween

So it's around 5 am and I've been up not being able to sleep for a couple of hours--- not sure if it's the pregnancy, the cold, or the fact that sometimes I just can't shut my brain off. But anyway, here I am up & thinking about all that needs to be done realizing it just can't happen!

I finally gave up pretending I was going to go back to sleep and started some work but I had to drop a quick post in to say I won't be able to post my kitchen today. I'm sorry & don't mean to dangle a good "before & after," I just simply can't get it all done. I had so many plans for this Halloween too!! I'm returning the fabric I bought for Christian's Max (from Where the Wild Things Are) and he's now going as a store-bought "honey bear"- as he says. The package said "honey bear" on it and I guess one of us read it out loud and now he's not just a "bear" anymore.) I've bitten off more than I can chew lately and have decided that some things just won't get done. hahah like this: (Southern Living)

I also wanted to do the ghost ring that so many of you gave me ideas on.. but when I saw the price on the styrofoam balls ($13 each!!!) I gave up on that... We have one spooky ghost now in my woods and I will post photos of our Halloween party prep later today or tomrorow. (If we can get it all done..) We also hung a very scary man/ scarecrow guy in a tree back in our woods and he looks really life-like so I'm hoping the cops don't show up to investigate. (And that my mommy friends don't get too weirded out.)


I'll be back as soon as I can to post Halloween party pics. It's going to be one of those days where we will be simply giving up at some point because there's no possible way to get all that I have planned done in time. ah vell!! I will have a nice cold rootbeer to celebrate my favorite holiday:


THAT I can handle ;)
xoxo,
lauren

Thursday, October 29, 2009

(Almost) free Halloween decor

I'm so stinking excited you all love my redo as much as I do!! It's GORG, eh? It just feels like "home" to me, like it always should have looked this way. ;)

It hit me this week that, uhhhhh, Halloween is like, in two days and I hadn't shown you more of my decor. Maybe you can file some ideas away for next year, yes?

Most of my Halloween decor -- well ALL of my Halloween decor -- was made by moi or purchased on the cheap. I showed you my free spooky mantel here, my ghouly candleholders here and my Halloween crafting here. All were super cheap or faaaareeee!

Here's more of the other el cheapo decorations I promise every one of you can do!

A glittery word from Hob Lob, cut off the ribbon and attach it to scrapbook paper in an old frame:
The gumball machine was $4 at Goodwill and I couldn't. resist. it. I tried, I did. It's perfect for peanut M&M's. Makes it a bit harder to get to them, which is a good thing. ;)


These labels are free online (if you search Halloween labels you should find some) -- I did these last year with Goodwill bottles so I can't remember where I found them:
This year I got a few more little jars for $.25 each at GW, and printed off itty bitty labels I found here. (You have to see all of the ideas Lorie finds -- amazing!! I couldn't find the actual post for these -- do you know where it is Lorie?)
Years ago I found images online, printed them out and cut out the shapes in stiff felt. They've lasted for a long time and I love how they look on our windows:

When you take three cardboard letters that spell out BOO and half off scrapbook paper, this is what you get:
Four bucks total, I believe? I think the paper cost more than the pumpkin for this one:
Outside, I used spidey web lights I found at the drug store last year on clearance (drug stores have some fun stuff for CHEAP after the holidays.) I think these cost me two bucks:
And of course my dollar store tombstones are all over the front yard! I touched them up with white paint and they look awesome:
This one was probably the most expensive project -- I found these vinyl stickers at HomeGoods a few weeks ago and got Spooky and Scary for $6:
I took some scrap wood, spray painted it, distressed it and drilled holes for the ribbon to hang it:

Adorable. Cheap. Thankyouverymuch. ("Scary" is vertical and leans against a wall in our foyer.)
Fun stuff eh??

Please don't let all of this fool you. I have a secret...

I am sooooo cheating...
I couldn't resist, really. Could you? (Don't tell me if you could.)

Another Before and After Party is coming up this Monday!! (I'll have the post up Sunday night!) You just need a before picture and the after to join us. Wooeee, I love a party!!


I'll also share my first Christmas project next week -- I've mentioned it before but you'll need some time to prepare for this one. ;)

Decoración francesa - Buenos Aires

Decoración
Estilo.
Unas muestras de exquisita decoración ornamentación francesa en la Ciudad de Buenos aires. Las dos primeras fotos corresponden a la puerta de acceso al Centro Naval edificio del año 1914 de arquitectura Beaux Arts, en Av. Córdoba y calle Florida. Su fachada es Ecléctica con predominio de varias escuelas francesas, se inauguró en el primer cuarto del Siglo XX.

Detalle
Arriba un pez y cabos en bronce. En la siguiente foto una escena en el mar con un carácter mitológico.
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House Tear Down

With limited land available, especially lakefront properties, many people are purchasing old camps and cottages to tear the house down and rebuild a new, energy efficient home.

Traditionally, a bulldozer or other large piece of equipment levels the house in a matter of minutes and the debris is taken to a landfill. A green alternative would be to tear the house down in stages, carefully preserving the material and selling it at a demolition auction.

What can be salvaged and reused from a tear down?

  • Building components such as doors, windows, plumbing fixtures, etc.
  • Glass
  • Metals
  • Brick
  • Wood
  • Asphalt
  • Concrete
  • Gypsum
  • Plastics
  • Landscaping, including trees, stumps, and rocks


On the other hand, you might want to check out a demolition auction to find recycled materials if you are building a new home or remodeling your existing home. These types of auctions are held at the house to be torn down, and bidders are allowed to tour the home prior to the auction. You can get everything from fixtures, appliances, flooring, and walls.

Tip: Be prepared to be required to remove the items yourself.

House Tear Down

With limited land available, especially lakefront properties, many people are purchasing old camps and cottages to tear the house down and rebuild a new, energy efficient home.

Traditionally, a bulldozer or other large piece of equipment levels the house in a matter of minutes and the debris is taken to a landfill. A green alternative would be to tear the house down in stages, carefully preserving the material and selling it at a demolition auction.

What can be salvaged and reused from a tear down?

  • Building components such as doors, windows, plumbing fixtures, etc.
  • Glass
  • Metals
  • Brick
  • Wood
  • Asphalt
  • Concrete
  • Gypsum
  • Plastics
  • Landscaping, including trees, stumps, and rocks


On the other hand, you might want to check out a demolition auction to find recycled materials if you are building a new home or remodeling your existing home. These types of auctions are held at the house to be torn down, and bidders are allowed to tour the home prior to the auction. You can get everything from fixtures, appliances, flooring, and walls.

Tip: Be prepared to be required to remove the items yourself.

A Workspace to Love: Nate Berkus

I could spend hours on the Nate Berkus website. Hours. His spaces are incredible: natural and clean often with a hit of some great graphic pattern. Lots of great sculptural pieces. He's one of my FAVORITES & "DESIGN GREAT" to me!!



In this space I'm loving:


-The chrome Chippendale Chair. Found a pair here :







-The sawhorse glass top worktable: (Check out Copy Cat Chic for some great readily available options)


-The Rug: (haha how small is that image?! I'm no computer whiz!) Of course we know how great & affordable Dash & Abert's Rugs are:





-The raw concrete (I think?) walls. Check out Nelya's basement redo here and her concrete wall: (Photo taken by Nelya at Head Over Heels)




And in the end I'm also just crazy over the styling of the "messy" desk. (My desk never looks this good when it's messy.) The tulips are the bow on top of everything. I love what greenery or fresh flowers do for a space:

Have a great day & I'll be posting our finally-finished-kitchen today or tomorrow!!! (it's pretty gloomy out so pics might be rough! ;)

xoxo,

lauren

 
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