Design Blog
Thoughts & Musings
Shop is on the left, Art Studio is on the right.
This will be the view from the street
The rear of the Art Studio will have a covered porch facing West.
Here is the other side of the Covered Porch of the Art Studio. I really like the split roof for the 2 halfs at 2 different angles.
This was a challenging existing space with many 45 degree angles. I was determined to get rid of the 45 angles in the cabinets and not ditto them as the previous design had done.
Kitchen “AFTER” uses rift cut Oak Cabinets from “Smith & Vallee” in Bow, WA. Photo Credit- Damian Vines Photography.
The Kitchen “BEFORE” had angled cabinets everywhere and a refrigerator that took center stage. We moved the stove to the peninsula, moved the refrig. and kept the sink where it was.
The Kitchen “BEFORE” had a weird corner area to the right of the refrig. with more angled cabinets, even in places where the wall did not angle.
Kitchen “After” backsplash detail is glass mosaics that go well with the Quartzite counters. The gas stove was supposed to have a pop-up downdraft, but there was a structural member in the way so had to go with an over-head fan. New doors go out to the deck, where there once was a picture window.
AFTER- New Master Bathroom utilizes that existing space much better then the old design with flanking storage cabinets.
AFTER- The backlit Vanity Mirror really floats off the wall and adds good light at the same time.
The Master Shower ”AFTER” features a pre-fab shower base, a bench under the shower head, glass tiles (from Home Depot, no less) and a glass enclosure. The free-standing tub replaces a huge tub deck that took up most of the bathroom before. This is very light and airy.
Master Bath BEFORE had 2 sinks, an enclosed shower.
Master Bath BEFORE with huge tub deck. Very dated looking and not a good use of space.
CONTRACTOR = TRUE BEARING BUILT CONSTRUCTION (This is my 4th kitchen/bath job with them- they really keep the clients informed on weekly progress with reports that are very helpful)
I am so excited to report the I have clients that trust my logic and vision for GOOD Architecture!!! I have had to fire 2 clients this year so far for not being able to listen to logic. I am so sorry. I do not like to do this, but when I am pushed to put my hard earned architectural stamp on work that I can not condone, the pressure is great. The process is complicated and I have so many appreciative clients that value my logic, and appreciate my vision. To those, I extend my heartfelt thanks! I am here to serve as best that my talents can do.
Working with a client right now on a vacant lot on Whidbey Island. Just starting to work with the 3D model of the site that I imported from the surveyor. There is a surprise 10’ drop from one side of the site to the other. I asked for a survey of the site and was able to crate a 3D site model with the slope of the site. These things are invaluable to access how tha house sites on the site.
The client wanted an outdoor covered porch , outdoor kitchen, hot tub.
There is a 9’ difference from one side of the lot to the other
Working on different elevations
The Lot slopes more dramatically then we thought- need to evaluate the grade changes….trying toi save trees.
A couple from California hired me to help them with their Retirement House on Orcas Island. The caveat was that I had to work with a retired building designer who hand drew all of his plans, elevations and sections in PENCIL. When I finally got his drawings, besides being very hard to read- (scans of pencil drawings-yikes), I could not get the big sloping roof to work from the 2nd floor down to the 1st floor as one slope. If I shortened up the 2nd floor, then I could get it to work.
Well, one thing led to another and I wound up doing a little re-design. He had the Master Bedroom on the 2nd floor and I think that all that I’ve read on “Aging in Place”, that the Master Bedroom has got to be on the FIRST FLOOR. SO I moved the Master Bedroom downstairs and put the 2 bedrooms upstairs.
Then the other issue was the Laundry room was tucked under a staircase landing with 7’ headroom and room for just stacking washer/dryers. No layout area, no linen storage. I flipped the laundry to the front porch with its own side door for their dogs, linen storage, side by side washer/dryer, sink & counter.. None of these changes went over well, so I wound up calling it quits. They held firm to the design that did not work, the roof that did not work, with no collaboration .
I could not put his design on my stamp, that was the bottom line. I have standards and that was that- had to fire the clients. This is very rare for me to have to do and I do it with a heavy heart. But it would have been a great house- let me know if you have a lot to build it on? 3 bedroom, 3 baths, really nice laundry off covered porch. Great covered outdoor seating area outdoor fireplace! Aging in Place! Passive Solar!
This is my favorite shot illustrating “Passive Solar Design” with a big South Facing bank of windows that form the window bench for the Dining Room. My re-design basically took the best elements of the other guys design and added Passive Solar- because this site is in a Forest, so it gets very little light. I was trying to capture that Southern Light for those cold winter months when every more bit of light is so much appreciated.
Got to go back and get some photos of the lived in kitchen and to see all the art installed. The corner floating shelves were a masterpiece to engineer and install! Luckily the homeowner was also a detailed wood worker and worked with the cabinet installers to get the shelves plumb and straight on the corner. The up-lighting on the upper shelves works really well with all of their art.
The blue and yellow theme plays out wonderfully though out the kitchen
Detail of the baking center drawers- big tub for 50 lb. bags of flour
Lots of storage for rolling pins and baking gear. It is all in the details. Fresh baked loaf of bread on the counter:-) Yum!
Pull out drawer next to “Le Cornue” stove for cooking utensils that normally clutter the counter, works really well.
Corner upper cabinet doors needed a double magnetic catch system to prevent sagging, because of the weight of the glass…took a few tries to get it right. Plus added 3rd hinge on the door.
Italian hinged corner cabinets work beautifully! Door pulls from Amazon in brass!
Just found out that I have to add a “Roof Deck” to the roof of the building that I already designed, because the roof deck on the 3rd floor does not count as a roof deck- it all about the interpretation of the code. And it can be interpreted 2 different ways, then the permit center’s interpretation wins.
The main concern is that it is going to add height to the building to extend the stair to the roof, so now we are over the 35’ height limit to meet this requirement that has been interpreted to add a roof deck on the upper roof, not lower roof.
The extended stair tower is going to be more noticible- we can’t add windows to it because it has to have a 2 hour protection fire rating.
This is what the Apartment Building looked like before we had to add a roof deck…..
It is my honor to be able to work with Josh Williamson of TRUE BEARING BUILT CONSTRUCTION on another project! The clients are both amazing artists and the centerpiece of the kitchen was all about the La Cornue Periwinkle Blue 110 Range and matching Hood.
https://www.truebearingbuilt.com/portfolio-items/fidalgo-island-remodel/
ARCHITECT: Island Architecture
CABINETS: Smith and Vallee Cabinet Makers
COUNTERTOPS: Creative Surfaces
PHOTOGRAPHY: Damian Vines
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This is a fully re-visioned kitchen space that is hardly recognizable as compared to the old layout. Some bold moves make all the difference! The former location of the refrigerator was turned into a butler’s pantry, allowing the workflow to be rearranged for better functionality.
A new lighting plan with dimmable LED cans and undercabinet task lighting provides a warm ambiance, greatly improving functionality throughout the kitchen. Dramatic floating shelves add definition to the space, and the countertop and tile finishes complement the warmth of the wood finishes.
The project was made possible by a collaboration between Smith and Vallee Cabinet Makers and Island Architecture. Together, they tied the client’s love of art and design by adding pops of color and unique hardware to the project.
The wrap around corner floating shelves were quite the challenge to install, but with the help of the Artist, who is a wood worker, it was a collaborative vision that came to be.
The upper counter continues as a shelf that runs in back of the sink and into the lowered window sill to become a place of distinction for future art and plants to occupy.
The window was enlarged and the sill dropped. The clients have a huge art collection that they plan on displaying and I can’t wait to get some more shots with all their collection up and displayed! It will be a transformation of this Zen look, for sure. All the up-lighting above the cabinets is for art!!!! Can’t wait to see…..
Here is a photo of that amazing stove during construction- the photographer did not get a shot of this side of the kitchen for a good after shot, sorry! Love the color!!!!
This is the kitchen before. Dark Cherry cabinets with the stove in the back and heavy upper cabinets- we punched out a wall and added a window back where the old pantry was and expanded the kitchen back to gain counter space.
Kitchen Before
Kitchen Before- see how the window sill was high and cut off view to the garden?
Here is the shot I was looking for of the finished stove side!!!!!! Art is starting to bubble in….
This is a continuation of the last project that has the new entry and staircase. The interior was gutted to the studs and interior walls were taken down to open up the space. A new 16’ wide sliding glass door was installed to replace a door and windows to open up the view to Rosario. A 3-sided gas fireplace was installed to connect the living area to the kitchen.
This is the other side looking into the kitchen. The new island has “Waterfall” sides.
Lookin into the lithe from the living room.
The other side of the living room with new staircase visible on the left, that connects the 2 levels.
Love the new banquet!
This is the “BEFORE” photo of that space.
This was the kitchen before! It was shoved in the back of the unit away from the view. We flipped the kitchen to the view side.
This is the kitchen moved, after… much better eh? Wood tiles on the backsplash are the same manufacturer that I quoted before. The flooring and tile are from IndoTeak Design, a great little company in San Diego.
Their tile line is called Cinta.
Matt is the manager and Kim runs the showroom.
The cabinet bases are from IKEA and the fronts are from SEMI HAND MADE does really nice driftwood fronts for Ikea cabinets. https://www.semihandmade.com/
I also like the interior lights that light up the back of each drawer, so that you can see what is in there.
The pantry has loads of storage.
After photo of new entry addition that combines 4 condos into 2 condos connected by new staircases.
Before photo showing the existing building.
The old trellises were nice, but the entries lacked pizazz and were only slightly recessed back from the main exterior wall.
The solution was a new addition that bumps out and encloses the new linking staircases, with extending canopies slanted back over the new entry doors..
Inside, the new staircase is bathed in light from a skylight above and inks the 2 levels of the joined condo. The client sourced wood tiles from San Diego, Ca. The flooring and tile are from IndoTeak Design, a great little company in San Diego. #WoodTiles, #Cinta, #Indoteakdesign
Their tile line is called Cinta.
Matt is the manager and Kim runs the showroom.
They used a different wood tile for the back accent wall of the Dining Room banquet, and the LED uplighting from below really is a nice touch. The table is from Indigenous by La Rue. Their original shop is on the corner of Cedros and Lomas Santa Fe in Solana Beach. They recently opened a 2nd store on Gerard in La Jolla.
Husband and wife team. She designs, he builds. It’s a sweet story how they got started. Now they’ve now grown quite a bit and have additional staff and production.
https://www.indigenousbylarue.com/
I really like the table and the plexiglass slab legs go with the cast edge. More on this remodel to follow in another post, as there are too many other things to go over in the kitchen!
Last look at the new entry!
The layout of the house is something that the client’s parents built in the 90’s- actually 1996 to be exact. It is right on a low bluff that is 50’ from “Top of Bank”, so nothing can be added. We are trying to work within the existing shell as much as possible, but we are punching out in one corner “Under an existing deck”, so that we are not expanding the existing envelope. The Octagon currently holds the entire kitchen, with all the wasted space from the 45 degree corners that make cabinetry a bit tricky. I suggested using that space for the dining area instead of the current location and building in a window bench where people will want to be sitting there looking out over the water in 2 directions…
This would be the view when you are coming in from the entry, looking into the dining area, with the kitchen to your left. We are Option#15, and getting really close! What do you think?
This is the site on Lopez- so surrounded by water on both sides! Just Gorgeous, or what? So grateful that I get to work on such sacred land- the Coast Salish Peoples revere this area today, as their ancestors fished here for millennia and there were probably Oyster and clam farms in this bay.
This is the kitchen now,
Existing kitchen from the entry view. The window seat is going to transform this space and the new kitchen location still has fabulous views. The interior is very “Dated’ now and the son of the original owners wants to have his own signature on the house so that it feels like it is for the new generation with kids and grandchildren all there.
