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Thursday, November 15, 2012
Tools of the (day) trade
Snuck back this morning to get more brick pics... yes it does look different during the day, but in my opinion, still quite mesmerizing. Looking forward to seeing it against the Irish Thistle/Olive Green combo, white trim, and black tin roof motif.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Tools of the trade
Wow, the brick is beautiful! Maybe because it's freshly laid and still a little damp? Anyway, I'm happy... will check it out again tomorrow during daylight.
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| Why this small layer of red brick? |
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| Closer up - Why this small layer of red brick? |
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| Fireplace |
Elevation modifications - Part II
Let me know what you think of the alcove, does it work? Do you like the semi-arch?
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| Alcove - Recessed Wall |
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| Stair Well |
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| Proper Dimensions |
You can see I also managed to add in some stairs, spent some time here, and quite honestly it deserved it. I can't tell you how many models I've gone into and was bothered by the interior decorator's choice in stair well art! Which posed the question to me, what am I going to add in my stair well? Well something last night sparked, and I started thinking tapestry, then I started thinking Celtic, and so I came up with The Tree of Life!
Looks like an art project! The image of the tree I found online, created by an artist adoomer (need to give credit to other artists I'm using), imported into Adobe Illustrator, then to Photoshop to add a linen textured background. As I envision creating it in real life, I imagine using either a cappuccino colored linen, or even better a fine bamboo paper weave, with the tree being another layer of cloth glued, or stitched over it. Then framed of course! I love the symbolism, and depiction of roots, and especially how the tree trunk is like the path way between the first and second floor.
As always, enjoy!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Elevation modifications - Part I
Many of you who've posted modifications, additions, etc, no doubt has been a great help. Adding a bar, french doors to the study, additional basement windows, these are the kind of thing RH doesn't outright discourage, but really doesn't encourage either. OK, that's fine, I've grown accustomed to their business model. But. I do recall working with another builder (before settling with Ryan Homes), where I got the impression customizations are welcome, even on the scale of moving rooms around, like creating a guest wing. or dropping in a mud room with a mud tub."We'll provide you anything from standard, to Rockefeller..." I was once told! No, that wasn't a Ryan Homes quote. The reality is, however, cookie-cutter doesn't always cut it. Homes are unique, and the way the templates are laid out, don't always fit our unique lifestyles.
One of the characteristics of the Rome I still dislike, is the Study. Some of you will probably make it into just that, an office of some type, and I'll probably do the same, but the flow of it, the size of it, is in my opinion, an architectural after-thought. Also, I strongly dislike the HVAC duct that cuts through the kitchen, all the way through the family room. I'm sure there is a need for it, but it diminishes the refinement of that space.
Today, while working on my Family Room render (updated!), I started to see a possibility that could mask the HVAC duct, at least how it spans deep into the family room. This idea isn't "Rockefeller" but it does require some level of customization that would turn the family room into something a little less boxy, a little more cozy, and perhaps a little more stately.
When you walk into the house, and just pass the stairwell, you enter the family room on the left, and kitchen on the right (reversed layout). There is about 3' 3" of drywall, duct-work, consuming a portion of the living room ceiling, and extending the full length of the inner wall. Rather than take an immediate left past the stairwell to then step into the family room, instead, extend the hallway wall 3' 3" so the duct is hidden from view. For the 3' 3" of extra hallway, why not add a recessed hall wall, or alcove, with a marble ledge, and all the trimmings to display your finest vase, or that trophy art piece?
But that's not enough to make it worthwhile. The real benefit of extending the wall, would be to create an additional recessed wall in the Family Room to nestle a home for semi-exposed custom cabinetry, entertainment center, or a combination thereof.
Additionally, this could increase the size of the Study, and make it a Den. or perhaps even a first-floor Guest Room!
All of this, however would be at the cost of Family Room real estate; but the loss of 3' does not seem like much. Putting the idea to work, I decided to draft it up...
With the plan above, the Family Room is definitely smaller, maybe even too small now. And, though it isn't shown yet, the fireplace would be a bit cramped against the far wall, especially with the window next to it. But, the Study gets a bit larger, and also gets a closet! This extra space also might even make for a new Guest Room!
Thoughts always welcome...
Enjoy!
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