Architects Have Great Tools - Exterior Color Studies

At Ron Brenner Architects we have been working on a series of color studies for a client of ours.
I have included a number of the studies below.  The client has selected a medium gray for the base body color; however I also did a couple of non-gray variations.  The black roof is a given on all schemes.  Which one would you choose?

scheme 1 - all white horizontal clapboard siding

scheme 2 - gray board and batten siding, rusty corrugated metal inside porch and in 'link" area

scheme 3 - dark gray board and batten body color with white clapboard inside the porch and in link area

scheme 4 - gray board and batten body color with dark plum inside the porch and in the link area

scheme 5 - gray board and batten body color with white clapboard inside the porch and in the link area

scheme 6 - gray board and batten body color with dark gray shakes inside the porch and  in the link area

scheme 7 - gray board and batten body color with white shakes inside the porch and in the link area

Like Idea + Spaces | Around the World - Elle Decoration South Africa

One of my favourite shoots this year by Elle Decoration South Africa, is the Deco-Idea

Article, World Wide Walls. Freckin love the African Doll infront of the China Wall

or the Books on the Argentina Wall. Pretty much cooler than Amelie's Knome. That

thing is just freaky.

Like Place | Paarman Manor in Constantia, Cape Town, South Africa, #Visi32

We all know Ina Paarman spices, but when I found this

article in the Visi #32 (longago issue), i was quite wide-eyed

with the beauty of the gardens. ( 8200 SQM)

 (images scanned in from visi magazine #32)

" The site is located on the north facing slope of Constantia on sandy clay soils.  The topograghy consisted of grass terraces and stone retaining structures.  The site included numerous distinctive mature trees which imparted a great influence towards the design process.  These included Cork Oaks, Outeniquq Yellowoods , wild Peach trees, ancient fruit Olives and exotic, smaller indigenous trees " 

( web)

Warm Air Rises

I received a question the other day pertaining to the image below.

"How much does it cost to heat a space like this?"

Great room view looking across dining, kitchen and living room.  The house plan can be purchased through Simply Elegant Home Designs at Hudson Simple Cottage House Plan   

Unfortunately there is no good way to answer this question.  There are simply too many variables involved; however I can give you one big generality.  Warm Air Rises and Cool Air Sinks - In the image above warm air will tend to rise towards the peak of the vaulted space.  Therefore, in warm climate regions high ceilings tend to be sought after because you don't want the heat near your body.  Conversely, in cold climate regions ceilings tend to be lower where you want to contain as much of the warmth as possible.

Warm Air Rises - Is one of the basic rules you should consider when designing an energy efficient house.  To me energy efficiency is the most important aspect to Green Design.  For more of my Green Design thoughts you might check out the following:
keep it simple 
top 10 green things to do

Like Object | Masayuki Kurokawa transparent shakers

Love these transparent glass salt, pepper and spice shakers by Masayuki Kurokawa.

These photos are from merchant no.4, where you can buy them online.

Gobble!

"gobble"
happy thanksgiving
from simply elegant home designs

Like graphics | Transience mirrors by David Derksen

A project by David Derksen with Lex Pott.

Derkson writes "the Transcience mirrors show various stages of oxidation in three different geometrical patterns".

These photos are from his website.

Cool traveler and tote bags from 'The New Domestic'

Found these beautiful tote and traveler bags at 'The New Domestic'.

Best is, you can order them online!

Miyako Kanamori's 'Happy Gloves'

This is pretty freakin' cute! Miyako Kanamori's happy gloves is a fun project to do when you've lost one glove, and are too attached to the other glove to let it go. In the photo on the right is an illustration of how to create a chipmunk soft toy from an old brown glove. For a step-by-step guide, visit the etsy blog, or go to  Kanamori's website.

Like Quote | In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary. - Aaron Rose

Devil's Peak, Table Mountain - Cape Town South Africa

(photo: renee rossouw cape town 2011)

cape cod with diamond shingles

I had an inquiry yesterday about the pattern shown in the upper portion of the gables in this house.  This home is a cape cod inspired design by ron brenner architects.

The entire house is clad in cedar shingles.  We used a semi-solid wood stain made by Cabot.  Sorry - I don't remember the specific color.  The grey shingles are contrasted with the linen colored trim and columns.

The diamond pattern is also created from cedar shingles with a custom cut.  This is a bit labor intensive, but provides a large design impact.  You can create many types of patterns using this technique, but I believe the diamond weave is elegant while remaining understated.  Note that I also projected the upper gable outwards to create a shadow line and provide a protective overhang for the windows.

This house plan is available for purchase at http://www.simplyeleganthomedesigns.com/Lakeland_Unique_Cape_Cod_House_Plan.html

Like Idea | New Guest Blogger on Board - Laura Rossouw

Ive Invited my Sister Laura to start blogging on Like Idea too.

She is obsessed with collections, small objects, origami + paper ideas, 

random entertaining animals with funny masks, cool  recipes etc. Awesomesies. 

Hallo Laura!


For my one birthday she made me this pop-up book: 

Like Objects | Wood Dinnerware by MUHS HOME

cara wood | kakudo wood | kakudo walnut | kami wood | kakudo maple 

MUHS HOME

all images via MUHS HOME