On A Quest

Hello...hello?
Where has the inspiration gone lately? I woke up one morning with a creative block so thick that it has had me at a loss for anything to say. I'm not sure what's going on, its very frustrating! Maybe its too hot outside and my brain melted, or maybe its so overrun with ideas that it finally wore out.
To try and remedy this problem, I have set out on a quest. I want to find where inspiration comes from! What do creative people do to jumpstart their imaginations? Is inspiration a sort of mystical force that falls upon us, or does it come from working and being forced to make on the spot decisions? In other words, is inspiration a blessing from God, or does God expect us to do our homework and inspire ourselves? Maybe it comes from a place or a person that serves as a muse. I'm not really sure, these are the kinds of things I want to figure out...or at least try;)

For today, I thought I would start the journey with looking at a few things that inspire others. I hopped over to The Selby, because I love the unusual homes and objects it features. Selby is such a cool site for many reasons, but my favorite feature is the attention it pays to little details in each house. You know we all keep little objects around that would mean nothing to someone else, but mean the world to us.
I really love the office of George Gorrow. He is the creative director of an Australian fashion house called Ksubi. Random objects cleverly put together, give this space so much character. One detail I love is the collection of sunglasses. Gorrow designs sunglasses and so surrounds himself w/ this amazing collection. This brings up a reliable source of inspiration. Studying and admiring those who have gone before you. What were those talented people thinking? How did they come to the final product? As they say, you have to start with the basics. When I was a kid I never understood why I had to learn what others had done. I wanted to do my own thing, so why did it matter? Now, I understand that starting from the beginning gives me the tools I need to really build something new. (Learning the importance of tools is also a sign of having been married to an engineer for a while).
So this is my first quick stop on my journey. I hope its not one that is too aimless. I'm flying by the seat of my pants on this, so I hope all of you are interested in flying with me. BTW, any input about finding the source of inspiration would be greatly appreciated!
My rusty brain and I are off!

Feeling Blue

The color blue is on my mind lately. As many of you know, I've been obsessed with orange and green for a while now, but I find my eye jumping to all things blue. The top picture is from the portfolio of Eric Cohler. I LOVE this guy! The painted molding to coordinate with the wallpaper is such a great detail.

Strong color doesn't have to be used on a large scale like an entire room. It can be used in small doses.
Frank Roop has a great eye for adding just the right amount of blue. (Found here)

(Sarah Richardson)

My dream would be to live in a bright blue house like this. I guess I want to be just like Frida Kahlo:)
I'm curious to know. What color are all of you smitten with, lately?

Valentino: The Last Emperor

Valentino: The Last Emperor "What do women want? They want to be beautiful!" is the motto that Valentino has based his life on. This is how provokingly simple reality is construed in the movie 'Valentino The Last Emperor'.

This weekend I went to see the movie Valentino: The Last Emperor for the second time. It has finally arrived in Vancouver. The first time I saw it I drove to Seattle because it wasn't out here yet. It is one of the few movies I have been to in my lifetime that everyone in the theatre clapped at the end. I was moved to tears as the great maestro Valentino took a bolt of his signature red fabric and started draping it over a live model, creating and sculpting the design for a new dress. He was truly the Master of Couture, a dying breed in the times we are living in. Valentino: The last Emperor is a documentary that was filmed over a two year period chronicling Valentino's life work. It is a must see, not only for the view into the life of a great Master of Couture but also for the great love story it is.

Valentino: The Last Emperor Valentino's 5 Pugs who go everywhere with him. This picture is taken on his private jet.
Please let me know if you have seen the movie and what you think about it by leaving a comment.

Official Web-site for Valentino: The Last Emperor
A 56 minute Interview by Charlie Rose March 2009
Valentino: The Last Emperor Movie Trailer: Valentino: The Last Emperor

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

The Perfect View

This week I'm dreaming about a Mid-century home that is like a tree house for grown-ups and a tribute to the work of A. Quincy Jones.
It looks like it is made mostly of glass, but set in the beautiful environment of Santa Monica; who can question it?

I ADORE these beautiful shiny floors. I realize they have to be waxed, but it would be worth it.

A Quick Stop For Inspiration

On our trip home, we decided to make a quick stop in Austin. I say quick because we weren't even there 24 hrs. That didn't stop me from photo stalking;) (Annie, I hope you like these. Ha!) I've been itching to see the Saint Cecilia Hotel, since I first heard about it. Designed by the developers of the San Jose, I knew it would have to be amazing...and it certainly was!!!
I know many bloggers have written about this place so I hope you all will indulge me. I'm just so excited about it! Also, please excuse Mr. Liam who had to walk through almost EVERY photo I took. Here's a tip: Don't take small boys when taking photos. They don't exactly know how to sit still.

I don't have many photos to share, because I didn't actually stay at the hotel, I was just passing by. Yes, I know...the definition of stalking. Honestly, there is so much inspiration that just a quick walk around supplies more than enough eye candy. One of my favorite details was the black and white tile in a chevron pattern. Oh you all know how much I love stripes!

Yeah, he knows how to pose!

My other favorite part. This hidden courtyard. The design of it isn't complicated, but its just perfection. It occurred to me how simple it would be to find a couple of simple outdoor benches and paint them bright white. This bench is one large L-shape piece but two benches placed caddy corner to one another can have the same effect. The pillows are simply made with black outdoor fabric.

The jewel-tones and the stark lines are so striking. St. Cecilia, hopefully next time I can see you from the inside.
Love ya!

Rammed Earth Walls

Rammed Earth Walls

I recently returned from a road trip through the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. The Okanagan Valley is the home to a budding Wine Industry. I was pleasantly surprised with our stop in Osoyoss to visit The Nk'Mip Winery and Resort. NK’MIP Winery Resort is a four-season aboriginal tourism resort destination that features deluxe accommodation and visitor experiences including an award-winning winery, gourmet dining, desert golf, a cultural centre and full-service spa.

It was a feast for my eyes to view the walls of the Cultural Center from the parking lot at Nk'Mip Winery. I was struck by the beauty of this facade that looked like a giant slab of the most sumptuous marble. On closer inspection and inquiry I was informed it was built with "Rammed Earth Walls".

Rammed Earth Walls at Nk'Mip Winery and Resort also known as pisé de terre or simply pisé

(above left) Notice how thick these walls of rammed earth are - approximately 20% thicker than standard concrete walls.
(above right) The rammed earth walls are formed in layers of approximately 6" thick , which gives the walls a beautiful horizontal variegation resembling quarried marble.

Rammed Earth, also known as pisé de terre or simply pisé, is a type of construction material. Pisé de terre (rammed earth) walls are an ancient building method that has seen a revival in recent years as people seek more sustainable building materials and more natural building methods. Traditionally, rammed earth walls or pisé de terre walls buildings are common in arid regions where wood is in scarce supply.

The basic recipe for rammed earth walls starts and ends with plain old dirt.

RECIPE FOR RAMMED EARTH WALLS
- Soil about 5 litres Water
- Water about half a litre
- Cement 10 percent
- Pigment 1 percent (about 1 tablespoon)

The mixture for rammed earth walls is compacted in layers between forms. Each layer of the rammed earth walls is approximately 6 inches deep. As each form is filled, another form is placed above it, and the process begins again. This is continued until the desired height of the rammed earth walls is achieved. Forms can be stripped off as soon as the form above is begun, as the compressed rammed earth walls are self-supporting immediately. Most builders of rammed earth walls use pneumatic rammers to compact the earth within the forms.

Deep inset Window detail in Rammed Earth Walls Nk'Mip Winery. My Dad and me.

Some interesting facts about Rammed Earth Walls and Rammed Earth Walls Construction:

• Rammed earth walls are 20 percent thicker than most concrete walls so it is better insulating against heat and cold.
• Rammed earth walls improve Indoor Air Quality because of the simple finish of exposed rammed earth walls have no toxic finishes.
• Rammed earth walls are so solid that they boast superb acoustics and rank with the best in terms of fire resistance.
• Because rammed earth walls don't rely on wood the structure will never rot, nor will it be host to carpenter ants or termites.
• Rammed earth walls evolved in hot dry climates, where wood is too rare and precious to be used as a building material.
• Rammed earth walls have been the standard in house construction in Southern Europe and the Middle East since biblical times.
• None other than the Great Wall of China, or at least most of it was built of rammed earth wall construction.
• Does anyone know why it is called Rammed Earth Walls?
  
  

Great Wall of China - Rammed Earth Walls construction

Rammed Earth Walls

Rammed Earth Walls Construction in Residential Bathroom with a Stump window made from base of tree that was growing on the house site.

Rammed Earth Walls

Iron oxide layers have been added to these rammed earth walls in sedimentary layers with inset of abalone.
Above 2 photos or rammed earth walls Terra Firma

Rammed Earth Walls

The Rammed Earth House Walls Book available at Amazon - details the construction of building homes with Rammed Earth Walls construction technique.

Additional Resources on Rammed Earth Walls Construction
Wikipedia Rammed Earth Walls Construction
Terra Firma Rammed Earth Walls Builder / Why Rammed Earth Walls in Construction?
Walls of Rammed Earth Rammed Earth Walls
DIY Rammed Earth Walls Construction
Nk'Mip Winery and Resort, Rammed Earth Walls Cultural Center
Rammed Earth Walls Construction Diagram
You Tube Rammed Earth Walls Video
Images Rammed Earth Walls

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

Lost In Time

Wow, I'm back! I've been gone for 9 days, visiting my family. We finally got home last night and I feel all out of sorts. Mark actually forgot which cabinet we keep our dishes in. I apologize for no posting, but I had spartan internet access, at best. In a funny way, I enjoyed being away from computers. I was able to forget about a lot of my concerns. Unfortunately, today I'm trying to catch up with the rest of the world. I found this house via Accidental Mysteries, and it reminded me of how I feel....lost in time.

This home was recently sold in St. Louis. The entire structure is a time capsule, all the way down to the matching pink bedside lamps. Go to the article here, to see how strategically placed carpet squares and a basement allowed this house to stay in such pristine condition. Its hilarious!