Check this out: Standard heights for 10 household details

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/18450808/list?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u373&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery7

Things that come out: Yankee Doodles

I've been hired to remodel the front of house for Yankee Doodles restaurant in Santa Monica!  We are only in the pre-design phase, but here's a peak at what's to come.

Things that come out: Fiske Deck and Patio

The client invited me back to design a new deck and patio so they can better enjoy their back yard.  The house is modest - probably about 1600 sf - so I proposed creating a series of outdoor rooms suited to various outdoor activities.

The first is the Lounge Deck located just off the dining room.  A fireplace, wrap around benches made of FSC certified Cumaru wood, and a shaded pergola overhead create an ideal space to share an after-dinner drink or a weekend brunch.

The second is the Rain Porch.  Located just off the bedroom, this covered deck allows the owners to enjoy their yard, even if it's raining.  Perfect for reading a book with a warm cup of tea and a blanket, sitting in a comfy chair on a rainy day.

The third is the Dining Deck.  This deck is large enough to entertain a few friends and is located adjacent to the gas grill.  Tucked under an established Sequoia tree, this deck really puts you up close to nature.  The tree also provides a structure from which to hang pendant lights over the dining table.

Finally, a flagstone patio tucked away on the far side of the yard is partially hidden among tropical plants, offering a secluded refuge - a nice place to get some sun or just sit and watch the hummingbirds.

Here is the before pic...

Existing Back Yard and Deck

And here's the new scheme:

Proposed Plan

Proposed Elevation

And here are some construction Pictures:

Check back in a month or so to see the completed project!

Things that go in: More neighborhood art Part II

Mystery solved - the word written in the chain link fence in the previous post is "HOTTEA."  Hottea is a Minneapolis-based artist who is also responsible for this:
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2013/09/hottea-williamsburg-bridge-rainbow/

Things that go in: More neighborhood art

I do love Chipotle - and with 4 of them within walking distance of my office, I am pretty well set.  I love this one Melrose the best though b/c of the vibrant mural.  It would be fun do something like this for a kid's room.

I think it says HOTTER or HOTTEA...  Not sure what the message is, but I like the creative use of chain link fence.

Check this out: A primer on foundations.

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/10353021/list?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u267&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery10

Check this out: Design to manage stormwater runoff

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/7946518/_trid=c2hhd25hcG9saXF1aW47c2hhd25hX2tyYW50ekBob3RtYWlsLmNvbQ/list/Easy-Ways-to-Manage-Stormwater-for-Lower-Bills-and-a-Healthier-Earth

Things that come out: Gramercy Place kitchen schematic design

I got the opportunity to do the schematic design for the interior remodel of this historic, classical revival mansion in LA's West Adams district.

The house has some amazing details, but had fallen into disrepair...

Especially the kitchen!

Gramercy Place Spark Diagram

I assembled this collection of inspiration images to communicate my intent to the client.  From this jumping-off point I created the following drawings.

Kitchen_West Elevation

Kitchen_North Elevation

Kitchen_East Elevation

Kitchen_East Elevation (colorized)

Kitchen_South Elevation

Kitchen_Plan

Things that come out: Marcasel island and entertainment center

The faceted kitchen island is going to get a little sibling.  I have designed a matching entertainment center for an adjacent family/TV room (see sketches at the bottom of this post).  

The desk/entertainment center/shelving unit is entirely wall-mounted, leaving plenty of floor space in the small, 8'x12' room.  The face plane of the unit is pulled out and pushed in as needed for function - the desk surface is 24" at its deepest - limiting its physical encroachment on the room, while offering a visual impact.

Things that come out: Progress pics of Miller Drive paint job

After many samples...

And even more samples...

We finally got just the right combination of vibrant colors!  Here is a sneak peak at the Frida Kahlo inspired paint job for this Hollywood bungalow.  Thanks to the guys at Detail Painting for doing such a great job!

The wood gate used to be painted white and the magicians at C&H Finishing restored it to all its redwood glory. The new door handle is the "Bernina" by Valli & Valli.

The exterior is a combination of Dunn Edwards Beautiful Blue, Martian, and Midnight Brown (on the eaves). 

The kitchen is a combination of blackboard paint and Dunn Edwards Energy Orange.  The orange is fabulous, but DIY painter beware, because it took TEN coats to cover - even with a dark gray primer underneath!

The bedroom is Dunn Edwards Cornflower on the walls and Martian on the doors and trim.  Stepping into this bedroom feels like stepping into a vacation.

The bougainvillea plant at the front of the house was the inspiration for the office.  This is Behr Tutti Frutti with Dunn Edwards Martian on the doors and (eventually) trim.  The chocolate brown wood floors and cabinetry not seen in this pic help to bring this room back down to earth.

Good to know: What to look for in a contractor's contract

This is a must-read for anybody thinking about hiring a contractor.  

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4393199/list/What-to-Look-for-in-a-Contractor-s-Contract

Things that come out: Fiske St. Master Bath

The existing master bathroom was cramped and un-inspired.

The vanity took up too much floor space in the tiny room.

See what I mean.

The new vanity floats, never touching the ground until it bends down to become the curb for the shower.

Wall tile: Ann Sacks
Sink: Duravit "Happy D"
Fixtures: Dornbracht "Tara"
Cabinetry: Custom designed by Shawna Poliquin, fabricated by Carpenter's Cabinets
Counter: Corian "Rice Paper"
Mirror and shower glass: Pacific Glassworks

The large plate mirror makes gives the illusion of depth and makes the room feel bigger.  The mirror also reflects the tiled walls, making it look like there is tile everywhere.  

I added 2 sunlights to bring light and ventilation into the room while maintaining privacy for the occupants.  The skylights are electric, venting skylights that close automatically when they sense raindrops.

Skylights: Velux LINK

A wall mounted toilet also preserves valuable floor space and makes it easier to mop.

Toilet: Duravit "Happy D"

Since most of the wall space was claimed by cabinetry or the shower, all the towel bars are mounted under the floating counter.

Limestone tile flows from the shower, over the curb, onto the floors and up the walls under the vanity to trick the eye into thinking the floor area is bigger than it really is.