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reenergized by design: challenge three!
As you saw last week, the Sayer family made it to the third round!
This week’s challenge is the living room. I distinctly remember the Sayer’s submission video because they have a large, overhead glass door right in their living room. This element, plus the fact that the space is part of a larger living/dining/kitchen area meant that we had a few challenges to think through. Here are the ideas we discussed:
+ Come up with a way to minimize heat loss through the overhead door while taking advantage of all the great natural light (unfortunately, budget would not allow a replacement).
+ Rethink the existing overhead lighting and introduce better task lighting that would reduce the need for general lighting.
+ Clear the clutter and create a better transition between living and dining.
+ Finish out the stair landing and create a niche to mount the TV.
One week later, here’s what they came up with!
The S table and reclaimed wood table swapped places. Nia built a chaise out of pallet wood (and upholstered it herself!) to create a sectional out of their existing black sofa. A new rug and curtains were brought in and Scott installed rigid foam insulation over the opaque bottom portion of the overhead door to help mitigate heat loss. Scott also trimmed out the column at the wall to match the one in the office and bring more cohesiveness to the large, open space. Additionally, the inefficient track lighting was removed and the bulbs in the existing recessed lights were swapped out for more energy-efficient versions.
In addition to the chaise, the Sayers built a wing wall to help better define the living and dining zones.
The stair landing now doubles as a TV niche and Scott used scrap pieces of slate to finish it off.
The dining area window was trimmed out and a window seat was constructed (no big deal, right?) as a cozy place to read or to double as extra seating in a pinch.
And there you have it, great work guys!
So, do you think they made the cut this week? Head on over to the Re-Energized by Design website and find out!
Did you miss the previous challenges? Check out the bathroom and office posts!
re-energzied by design: challenge two!
Guess who made it two round two? Team Sayer, that’s who!
This week, the challenge space is a home office or garage. Scott and Nia chose their home office, a light-filled room off of their main living area. The family uses this space all the time, but it had become a catch-all for both things and activities and needed some organization and cohesiveness. On the energy side of things, they needed better overall and task lighting for the space.
Here were some of the ideas we discussed:
+ Create different zones (work, painting, chatting) to better suit the different activities that take place in this space.
+ Replace the lone pendant and cable lighting with more effective fixtures (and bulbs!) that provide both general and task lighting.
+ Take advantage of natural daylighting and views to the woods beyond.
+ Put up a partition wall that affords the space a bit more privacy but doesn’t completely cut it off visually or physically from the adjacent living area.
+ Build a large, shared work surface for laptops, homework, etc.
+ Incorporate better storage solutions.
And here’s the big “before and after” reveal photos (I decided to group them together this week so you can get a better sense for how things changed):
You recognize those perforated metal “shades”, don’t you? Yep, Scott and Nia repurposed IKEA utensil holders into light fixtures. The red S is a sign letter that they salvaged and added casters to (it was in their living room, but it seemed better suited for the creative vibe of the office).
The multi-purpose table is from a salvaged piece of an old bowling lane attached to steel frames that they already owned. And the pendants over the table? Scott made those from metal car jacks! They also installed an energy-saving power strip for their computers.
There wasn’t a clearly defined separation between the office and adjacent kitchen and dining area, so the Sayers built this partition wall out of old salvaged doors. (The locker was used for the bathroom storage, as seen in last week’s post!) There were some unfinished trim details, so Scott took this opportunity to add new base boards and trim out the column to give the space a more industrial aesthetic.
Finally, Nia replaced the mismatched curtains with new IKEA ones. To finish the space, they added a bit of greenery, their favorite design books and storage bins for miscellaneous office supplies. (Funny side story – I ran into Scott and Nia at IKEA one day when they were shopping for this challenge. They were buying (among other things) the black Expedit unit and I was buying the dark gray one for our office loft. Although, I’m not as awesome as Nia to assemble it sans instructions as you’ll see in the video!)
Great job guys! You vastly improved the space and did some minor construction. I like that about you.
So, are you ready to see the webisode? Grab some coffee and check it.
Missed last week’s post? Click here to see the bathroom challenge!
ikea on a wednesday
It’s hard to fathom now, but I didn’t know about IKEA until I was in college. Growing up in Oklahoma, the closest IKEA (at the time) was in Chicago. I was a freshman in college and taking my first introduction to architecture course. We were discussing good (and bad) product design when my professor first opened our eyes to such Scandinavian joy. After that, I ordered a catalog and spent many a night in my dorm room thumbing through its pages (because that’s what all college students do, right?). Online ordering wasn’t available then but I did order a couple of items over the phone and had them shipped freight to my parents’ house.
In 2001, Kyle and I (along with several of our classmates) took a road trip up to Pittsburgh for an architecture student conference during winter break. It was a part of the country I hadn’t yet seen and my first experience with truly frigid temperatures. I will never forget sitting in an unheated school bus going to see Fallingwater. The northern kids seemed unphased but I was certain that frostbite was imminent.
Anywho. One of the highlights of that trip was a quick excursion to IKEA. I coaxed our friend into letting us borrow his car and then twisted Kyle’s arm into coming with me. Yes, I also made Kyle take this photo of me in front of the store. I was 21.
Fast forward 11 years and I’m now an IKEA veteran. I go at least once every couple of months, sometimes more. It’s a calming experience for me, no matter how crowded (weird, right?). I also have a ritual – after parking in my secret spot, I go through the exit, grab coffee, then back out and through the main entrance. I spend about 20% of my time getting what I actually need and the other 80% browsing and brainstorming. These days, IKEA is more like a hardware store to me – I look at products as supplies to some bigger DIY project. I also take notice of the store’s displays and the way they hack their own products.
Sadly, I had not been down to my favorite Swedish megastore since we bought the sleeper sofa shortly before Avery was born (one of the rare occasions when Kyle was with me). Today, that was remedied.
I think she had fun!
My shopping list only had a couple of items on it, but so much had changed in those 4+ months that I purposefully lingered in each department (while taking photos with my iPhone and trying not to be too much of a creepster). The highlights:
I really want a reason to own a few of these FRODE folding chairs or maybe one of the RASKOG carts (which both come in turquoise or dark gray).
I usually skip the side tables, but today I was excited to see these nesting guys from the PS 2012 collection.
Another gem from the PS 2012 collection, I kinda love this (especially for a kid’s room). Never mind that $550 price tag.
As I approach the kitchen/dining department, I try to keep my gaze straight ahead since I really, really do not need or have space for more kitchen things. But today, I gave in (but remained strong, only succumbing to a $2 scrub brush).
These bowls!
And these trays!
And perhaps a holiday cocktail in these glasses?
Ok, lighting. For me, IKEA can be really hit or miss in this department but I found a few things to keep on my radar.
I love these quirky reading lights. I’ve had several clients ask for recommendations on inexpensive reading lights for kids and these JANSJO LED ones seem like a great option.
I remember seeing an image of spray-painted IKEA pendants a long time ago on Pinterest and it seems like they took the hint. These FOTO pendants are fun and inexpensive!
Ok, let’s keep moving.
Well, well, well…looks like everyone’s favorite GRUNDTAL line now has fancy hangers!
I’ve bought lots of solid color sheets from IKEA in the past, but have always had lukewarm feeling for the prints. But I don’t know…these gray and white polka dots and red and white stripes could change my mind.
This rug (another PS 2012 item) reminded me of some of the felted products I’ve seen at craft shows and on Etsy. It’s big and bold and funky!
Finally, I saw this sliced wood graphic on a few different products and decided that I could go for it in gift wrap form. Naturally, they were sold out.
So what did I end up with? This light for the loft, some finger puppets, a scrub brush, a shower curtain liner and this snowflake tray. Yup.
Avery made it about 20 minutes before passing out but I guess the first visit can be a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry little one, I see lots of Småland in your future.
[Yes, I was originally going to also look at desk options for the basement office but now I’m thinking it might be easier to work on the main floor. It won’t be a dedicated office, but still a multi-purpose puzzle to solve.]
studio zerbey / 1201 boulder
In the last few years and especially since the announcement of Studio Zerbey, I’ve received several inquiries from friends and fellow blog readers about design services. Typically, they’re homeowners who want to tackle their own remodel but need a little guidance first. The only glitch – they usually don’t live in Seattle. So, a deal-breaker huh?
Nope!
Unlike others in the design field who can easily work with clients all over the world, architects tend to keep things local. And for good reason – when working with physical and permanent structures, having an architect who is nearby makes a lot of sense. But it’s not totally necessary. (In fact, most of mine and Kyle’s experience is working with clients on projects outside of Seattle.) The truth is, not everyone has access to architects in their town or sometimes it’s hard to find a right fit. When it comes to your own home, design is an incredibly personal process and it’s important to work with someone who understands what the goals are and can help you achieve them.
There is also the common assumption that architecture can only be afforded by a certain few and well, that’s simply not true. Part of my drive to start Studio Zerbey was to debunk this myth and show how architects can play an important role on projects of all shapes and sizes.
Case in point – earlier this year, I had the pleasure of working with a couple in Colorado on their recently purchased 1940’s home. I think the process is a good example of how an architect (oh, like myself…) can work remotely and provide non-traditional services.
The homeowners, Leslie and John, bought this cute little home in Boulder last year. Although it certainly has a lot of charm (both inside and out), the layout didn’t make sense for the way they currently live. (In fact, one of the reasons they contacted me was because their floor plan was so similar to our original layout.) They also knew that the house required non-cosmetic updates (some more immediate than others) and that those updates could have an impact on future design changes. Like many homeowners, they plan on remodeling via a combination of DIY and hiring the work out. They also plan on living in the home during the remodel so the idea of phasing became very important.
The challenge – come up with a holistic design direction that could be broken up into phases as time and budget allow.
Even though Leslie snapped the above photos with her phone shortly after moving in, it helped me realize that 1) they already have an eye for good design and 2) we could push things in a more modern direction. (Woohoo!)
After some initial discussions, Leslie and John sent me additional information and photos of their home so that I could put together a proposal. For their immediate purposes, they needed help with establishing a general design direction (mostly in the way of floor plan layouts) as well as a game plan for how the project could be phased and what materials and products they might use.
In a typical remodel, the architect goes to the home and takes “as-built” measurements of everything in order to verify existing conditions and create digital drawings. For this project, instead of traveling to Boulder the clients and I agreed to handle everything remotely. So with the help of photos, videos, real estate documents and the homeowners themselves, I was able to put together this floor plan showing their existing layout (the blank dimension strings were a homework assignment for Leslie and John to help me verify that I had drawn the plan accurately):
It’s very similar to our original layout, isn’t it? (Their house is a smidge bigger, allowing that second smaller bedroom.) Leslie and John also have a full (but mostly unfinished) daylit basement, which allows some additional flexibility and a great space for staging or temporary living during the remodel process.
After collecting lots of information and producing baseline as-built drawings, my next step was to come up with several schematic layout options. Armed with trace paper and pencils, I came up with 6 different layouts based on both the needs of the clients as well as practical elements, like existing load-bearing walls and window and plumbing locations. In a way, I approached the process as if it were my own home.
Like chezerbey, their home is modest in size so every square inch counts. Primarily, they needed more functional bedrooms and a living/dining/kitchen area that was more cohesive. They also wanted a better connection to the basement and more efficient storage throughout (especially for coats and boots in snowy Boulder).
After reviewing the different layouts and discussing them back and forth via email and phone conferences, Leslie and John narrowed it down to one scheme that could be explored further (yes, we dubbed it the “chezerbey” scheme). Although this scheme involves more dramatic changes, it was the one that made the most sense for the way they’ll use the space. (They were also ok with losing one of the dedicated bedrooms since they still have their entire basement to utilize.) While everyone was on board with the general direction, we wanted to experiment a bit more with the central knuckle of the home and how a small office could be incorporated next to a new master bathroom.
These two variations also show (because of their existing roof form) how the ceiling could be vaulted over the living/flex zone or the kitchen/dining zone. The challenge with taking down walls and opening things up is that you lose that precious real estate for furniture. That’s why, like in our own house, I proposed a stair cabinet or “fauxdenza” (thanks Anna!) to help make up for the reduction in wall space. Another element that I love (and wish we had in our house!) is the full wall of storage in the kitchen. The two variations show that this could be divided up any numbers of ways depending on what the needs are (all pantry or a mix of storage and display space for example). Finally, while having some type of mudroom at the entry was critical, we played with whether this included a bench with cubbies and exposed hooks or something more like a coat closet.
After a bit more discussion, the two options were ultimately combined to create the final floor plan you see above. Although no square footage was added to the home, reconfiguring the spaces achieved a number of things:
Finally, because replacing the original wood windows is high on their priority list, I helped Leslie and John come up with a strategy for how they could have that work done first without negatively impacting future projects on the inside of the house. (We’ve also started a conversation about different basement layouts and a potential pre-fab garage/shop in the backyard.)
Working with Leslie and John has been a great experience and cemented my desire to help other homeowners with their own funky layouts and design challenges. If you think Studio Zerbey could help you out, let’s talk!
the nursery
The nursery is done! Well, mostly.
Back in February, we found out we were having a girl and shared with you where the nursery would be and a sketch of a floor plan we had in mind. In March, we posted two different nursery design directions and ultimately chose the darker scheme. Since then, there’s been a lot of talk about paint colors, fabric, decor and furniture. There are a few original ideas (including the low bench/cubby and floating shelf above the dresser) that I hoped to have complete by now but they fall under the category of “hey Kyle, can you build that?” and he has been putting all of his time and energy into the basement (with a looming baby deadline, we decided it was better to divide and conquer). Besides, they’re not exactly critical elements for newborns so I don’t think she’ll notice.
All in all, I really love how the space turned out. It’s not as frilly or styled as the nurseries that permeate Pinterest and baby blogs, but it fits our style and will continue to evolve as our little one does. Admittedly, it still feels a bit empty but I imagine the guest of honor will soon change all of that. I’ve also come to the conclusion that putting together a nursery in the months leading up to one’s due date has a small functional purpose and a larger psychological purpose. For us, the room is ready and we are ready.
One reason we chose to paint the walls a dark color was to make the space feel like a cozy enclave off the main part of the house. The two large sliding doors can be easily shut for privacy and some acoustical separation.
The room had no built-in closets, so we installed a free-standing IKEA Pax wardrobe hidden by two hand-sewn(!) curtain panels on a ceiling-mounted track. A used dresser serves as a changing table and holds diapers, wipes, clothes and other frequently used baby items. In lieu of a more traditional mobile, we had the idea to hang air plants in glass vessels above the changing pad. The floating shelf mentioned earlier will eventually go to the left of the vessels.
On the opposite wall, we located the glider and ottoman, with a lamp and small side table for nursing and rocking. The side table will eventually be replaced with the cubby/bench that will extend the full length of the window and serve as book and toy storage.
The yellow stool is hanging out in this corner temporarily, but it’s already come in handy to reach things at the top of the wardrobe so maybe it will stay.
I’d been looking for a way to use these West Elm glass vessels and a new interpretation of the mobile seemed like a good opportunity. The delicate air plants add some greenery and a nice compositional element to this wall. [Note: the vessels were hung at a height that should avoid head-bonking during late night changes. As with everything else, if it doesn’t work for some reason, we’ll change it.]
Aside from the dresser, the wardrobe currently holds all the baby gear we own. I know things will shift around as the room evolves, but I feel good about the amount of storage we have and the potential to modify the interior fittings as our needs change. [I know, I know…once toys come into the picture things will be drastically different, but we have some ideas for that already.]
True, I may not be reading Wuthering Heights aloud anytime soon, but I love the redesign of the Penguin Classics books and have long thought about building a collection for our daughter to read. Also, I like the idea of including elements in her room that she can grow into or look forward to. [These will likely not stay on the dresser, but it was fun to arrange a few items for the photos.]
The dresser is just deep enough for the changing pad (which is fastened to the back of the dresser by two small straps). I splurged on a Simple Human slim trash can for diapers, rationalizing that I could also use it with a wet bag liner for cloth diapers down the road.
The photograph above used to sit on the picture rail in the dining area, but after we found out we were having a girl it seemed like a no-brainer to move it into the nursery. The photo (taken in 1920 or so) shows five generations of women in my family. The baby is my grandmother and the woman holding her is my great-great-great-great grandmother! The same photograph hung on the stairwell of the house I grew up in and I always loved looking at it and imagining the lives these women had. After our little girl is here, we plan on taking another photo with my mom, me and the baby to carry on the tradition. The squirrel coat hook is just for fun. We’re still not sure what will hang from it, but it’s playful and cute and Kyle and I have an odd history with squirrels (like when a pack of them nearly tried to attack Kyle as he was proposing to me years ago).
We have been fortunate to receive several homemade gifts for our little girl. This is Hazel the hippo and was a gift from a friend/co-worker. It’s modeled after the stuffed hippo she carried everywhere as a child and has become her go-to baby gift. Of course, the colors coordinate with our nursery. Of course.
Due to safety concerns, cribs are fairly minimal these days. But that’s ok. I like the simple and under-stated appearance of our IKEA Gulliver crib. I’m sure she’ll add her own accessories as she gets bigger.
Finally, to visually fill in the space to the left of the crib, we framed and hung this sweet and modern fairy tale print next to baby photos of us.
We generally don’t include cost breakdowns for our projects but I thought it might be helpful to list specific info and general prices. It always feels like cheating a little bit if I don’t include prices for things that weren’t purchased specifically for the nursery, but then it’s a matter of where to draw the line – do I include the flooring? The insulation? The windows? Going into this project, we tried to limit both the amount of money spent and amount of “baby stuff”, giving priority to simple yet quality pieces that we’ll hold onto for many years.
Glider + ottoman: Land of Nod Monte Luca in charcoal (ottoman, $385 and glider, $995. The glider was a gift from my siblings, but we also took advantage of a 20% off sale.)
Crib: IKEA Gulliver in birch, $129
Crib mattress: Naturepedic ($260) and Aden+Anais sheet ($30, both gifts)
Wardrobe: IKEA Pax (already owned)
Curtain track: IKEA Kvartal, $20
Curtain fabric: Texas Susannie Fabrics, $60
Dresser: Craigslist ($100) with white plastic laminate at about ($30) plus yellow paint (already owned BM in “luminous days”)
Changing pad: Naturepedic ($100, gift) and yellow cover, $3 (consignment sale)
Small lamp: “vintage” IKEA (already owned)
Yellow stool: IKEA (already owned and painted in BM’s “luminous days”)
Side table: “vintage” IKEA (already owned)
Lamp: IKEA (already owned) plus new IKEA shade, $10
Chevron rug: West Elm (already owned)
Hanging vessels: West Elm, $43 (used gift card)
Air plants: Air Plant Supply Co., $30
Squirrel Coat Hook: Land of Nod, $29
Frames: IKEA Ribba, $15
Christian Jackson “Princess and the Pea” print: Imagekind, $32
Roller shades: The Shade Store (already owned)
Fan/light combo: Modern Fan Co. (already owned)
Paint: Benjamin Moore Natura in “Baby Seal Black”, about $40
So there you have it – a sweet and sophisticated room for our little girl. Can’t wait to show it to her.
