Cowperthwaite Design

A Few Of My Favorite New Things...

2012-01-21T12:53:00.003-06:00

I have started a project and wanted to share a few of my favorite things I found this week for my new clients.

Leathered marble for a spa bath...

"While a leathered finish has a sheen to it, it is no where near as reflective

as a polished surface. A good analogy would be that a leathered finish is

like a matte finish on a photograph whereas a polished surface is like a

glossy photograph." - Percoco Marble

Azul Bahia Granite for a fireplace surround...

Azul Bahia is a semi-precious stone quarried from a bedrock
quarry in Bahia, Brazil

Decorum Architectural Stone in Austin Texas

Kohler's new Loure bathroom faucet...

Last bathroom remodel I used Waterworks my absolute "makes me drool" favorite.
This time I'm going back to my old friend Kohler which I love. Except they need the
sea salt finish in a rectangular sink!!!

Love Love all things U-Line...

The new French door wine refrigerators are awesome!

Yarn Bomb!

2012-01-18T17:58:00.002-06:00

Until a yarn bomb landed on Rocky statue in in font of the Philadelphia Art Museum in April 2011 I was completely unaware of this knitting "graffiti" phenomenon....

In May 2011, long before the Occupiers showed up, the charging bull on wall street was bombed:

One of my favorite yarn bombs - a bus in Mexico City:

Closer to home - the fork at Hyde Park Bar and Grill in Austin:

So you ask "how can this translate into interior design?" Well let me show you...

Toronto's Gladstone Hotel Alternative Art Event Come Up To My Room
Granny Square Rec Room by Allyson Mitchell

Although interesting as an art installation I'm going out on a limb here and say that "comfortable creepy" is not going to catch on quite like "shabby chic" did!

But this could be cool in the right space...

Armchair slip cover by Biscut Scout on Etsy

"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that's amore..."

2012-01-10T12:57:00.003-06:00

and when your husband makes that pizza pie for you it's heaven!

Shiitake mushrooms, caramelized red onions, fontina cheese...

DREAMY!!

If you do not have a pizza oven please go get one of these Emile Henry Pizza Stones for your grill today:

$50.00 well spent bucks - available in red, olive, black and figue

While on the subject of pizza - got to mention the Bola Pizza mobile pizza oven in Austin. They cater and you can find them downtown at the farmers market:

Put A Bird On It!

2012-01-07T13:57:00.000-06:00

The funniest video I have seen in a long time!

My Bird...

Cowperthwaite Design logo bird

Some things I've put a bird on...

Chandeliers and stairways

Some stuff other people have put bird on:

Gold Leaf Bird III from Mirror Image

Pennsylvania hooked rug with birds in a tree circa 1890
(old school birds)

Print artwork on 1920's Parisien Magazine "La Petit Ilustration"

ferm LIVING Birds on Branches wall paper

Thomas Paul Parakeet/Pipe Throw Pillow

BTW you can get one of the bird tray seen in the video at Ikea:

I bought 2 sets of the napkins
(before I saw the video)
For $6.99 what was I thinking! I should have gotten a tray!

and wallpaper seen in the video...

In my clients bedroom!! Special thanks to them for e-mailing me the video - made my week!!

Copwerthwaite Design featured in Houzz Idea Book again!

2012-01-04T20:33:00.003-06:00

Cowperthwaite Design featured in Houzz Idea Book by Kelly Porter

Fresh Start: Organizing Your Craft Room

She features some other really inspiring organizational ideas so make sure to check it out.

Cool Gift #4

2011-12-14T23:20:00.003-06:00

OK so these gifts are a no brainer... Just pick-up The Christmas Book, whip out the old CC, and order!

Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gift's for Christmas 2011:

Hacker Craft Speedboat
$250,000
(A hand built mahogany "runabout" with a humador)

Dancing Fountains from WET
$1,000,000
(Yes, they are the ones that did the Bellagio in Vegas)

Dream Folly
$75,000
(Thought I was dreaming of a White Christmas
but looks more like I Dream of Jeannie)

Johnnie Walker Private Scotch Tasting
$5,000
(Few guys on my list that would love this one)

Tom Burr Table-Tennis Table
$45,000
(Question: Would you ever play ping pong on this table?)

The Ferrari FF
$395,000
(I'll take one of these for me - and how convenient to have
a dealership right across the street from Central Market.)

Day trip to Stone Barnes Farm
$9,500
(Blue Hill At Stone Barnes is on my list)

Assouline Custom-Built Library
$125,000
(I love the rug - great inspiration)

International Flower Show Tour Arranged by JetWay Private Air
$420,000
(How I would like to fly to Europe!)

Each "Fantasy Gift" is tied to a charity and Neiman Marcus is giving a portion of each sale to them. Example $3,000 from the boat to Double H Ranch. Read more about the gifts and the chairties - you may not be able to afford the fantasties but there might a very real charity that could use your support. That could be the coolest gift of all - - hmmm think I'll work on that for number 5!

Interior Design Best Of Year Award 2011

2011-12-14T09:23:00.000-06:00

A few of my favorite winners & honorees from Interior Design Magazines 2011 B.O.Y. Awards...

(That would be Best Of Year awards)

Extraordinary does not even begin to describe this John Houshmand table:

Best Of Year 2011 for furniture: residential / tables

Fat Fuzzy Thing from Yellow Goat Design:

2011 Honoree: Lighting Pendant

Maya Romanoff Gilded Cloth:

2011 Honoree: Fabric Wall-covering

Big Ass Fan Company Isis Fan in Walnut:

2011 Honoree: Furniture: Green

U-Line Modular Refrigerator:

Best Of Year 2011: Kitchen & Bath Appliances
(will difinitly be using one of these in my next job!)

Cool Gift #3 - The "Manly" Edition

2011-12-13T10:24:00.001-06:00

I love, love, love the Etsy but a curious thing happened when I searched "cool gifts for men". I have taken the liberty to sort out a few of the best nuggets that are available for your gift buying pleasure right now...

A finger wallet - yep that'll be a hot item on every guy's list.

Houston, we have a problem...

Picture advertising the brass ammo bracelet on his wrist.
I would not have guessed that.

Ok, so I'm not sure what exactly they were trying to sell...
The sporting style of a hipster or how to hold up in style after a killing spree?

Advertised as...
"Manly Men's Hunting Camouflage Beanie Hat and Scarf Set"
Looks more like "Gordon's Fisherman Got Lost" to me.

"Chahtah Warrior Mens Fossil Necklace"
Finally! Something for all of the Chahtah Warriors on my list!

"Cool Upcycled Tam Hat" Really?
BTW is he in the high school bathroom?

Yes, the "octohat" is intended for "grown" men...

OK, starting to think this blog should have been called
"poor hat choices, the pitfalls of crochet & bad photography"

Cool Gift #2

2011-12-12T21:12:00.000-06:00

My second cool gift...

Custom Bound Books

The possibilities are limitless!

From baka.design

Custom accordion book
from Transient Books

From Steel Petal Press

Custom alphabet journals
from roughdrAftbooks

And last but not least... upcylcled with a white trash twist!

From Ivy Lane Designs

Cool Gift #1

2011-12-07T22:37:00.001-06:00

Being a designer I feel like people expect to receive cool, unique, interesting presents from me. So, I'm almost done with my shopping - not sure how cool my gifts really are - but here's an awesome idea that I have filed away for future use ('cause I may want it for myself 1st). Perhaps it will be perfect for someone on your list this year ...

Paper rings AKA Literary Jewels by Jeremy May
They are truly sections of books that are laminated together and painted.
This ring is from the novel Vanity Fair. He can do a custom ring, necklace.. from
a book of your choice as well. An English company so hop on it for Christmas!

Natural Inspiration!

2011-12-05T11:41:00.001-06:00

This past summer while on a mini-vaca I spent the morning wondering the campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. If you have never been you should. It is beautiful. I fell in love with the trees - the eucalyptus in particular. The color of the bark, seed pods... are fantastic and served as the perfect inpriation colors for my client's bedroom and bath. I not only took pictures but carried bits of bark and some pods back home to Austin with me. I still have them with all of my clients samples in their box. The greens and browns in the pods are fantastic and I will hopefully be able to draw colors from them if not for this project then perhaps for others.

Eucalyptus Bark

Eucalyptus Pods

Bark from some kind of pine type tree
(I'm a designer not an arborist)

Drum Roll... and the perfect wall colors from my natural inspirations are...

Pratt & Lambert Dawn Mist 32-25:

Benjamin Moore Alaskan Husky 1479:

(Pictures from My Perfect Color)

My client is happy and the walls look fantastic.

NEVER underestimate the importance of having the right paint color!

Quotable

2011-12-02T21:54:00.001-06:00

Quotable...

Quotes as art work are a trend - showing up on canvases, pillows... some are tired and been way over used others are really refreshing and funny. Here are a few that have come my way lately that I had not seen before - hope a few are new to you as well:

Favorite Shopping Day

2011-12-01T07:42:00.001-06:00

Went shopping with my most favorite client at one of my most favorite stores:

Red in Fredricksburg, Texas

The original plan was to select new bedding for her master bedroom but of course we ended up with a whole lot more than just new linens by Bella Notte...

Vintage music sheet artwork

Swanky new chair and ultra cool ottoman

Many thanks and special shout out to designer Thersea Heard who was a huge help. She has her own line of linens, Idlewild, available exclusively at Red that are fantastic. Will difinitly be back for some of these...

Everyone was super including the guys who helped us load everything. A little stuff and kick...

So I am sure the next question will be "what did you buy?"

Big spender:
Sock monkey and cherry licorice

Oh, and did I mention that we had a little trooper in tow?

"Really? All this and no lunch... Sonic is calling my name!"

Red is so awesome and so worth the trip!

Terrariums

2011-11-30T20:25:00.001-06:00

Terrarium as defined by Merriam-Webster...

a usually transparent enclosure for keeping or raising plants or usually small animals (as turtles) indoors from Latin terra + -arium (as in vivarium)

Terrarium as defined by me...

wonderful (minus the turtle)

I spotted a really cool terrarium from ABC Carpet & Home about a month ago. Can't get it out of my mind and so I'm going to make one - some day. Till then here are a few pictures I have collected and saved over the last few weeks for inspiration:

Terrarium in a decanter - outside of alcohol what could be better?

Found this picture along with detailed instructions on Katy Elliott Blog

Recycled light bulb from iGreenSpot

How fitting for this time of year! Check them out at Ladies & Gentlemen

Terrarium Necklace - with mushrooms

The Yule Tide Is Rolling In...

2011-11-28T12:50:00.011-06:00

After Thanksgiving - before the 1st leftovers are consumed - I am dragging out Christmas decorations. While Black Friday shoppers are trampling each other at Walmart this holiday shopper is making trips for more lights and greenery.

Over the years as I moved from place to place and styles change I have done decorations from contemporary to traditional... but one constant has always remained:

I do not like themed trees.

I've tried but it just does not feel right to me. I think of my tree like a charm bracelet that you put on once a year. Each ornament tells a story.

Speaking of which I have way too many stories. Next year I'm going to need a tree upgrade. There are so many kinds of trees to choose from but I am a fan of the traditional and artificial variety although I do love the real thing.

And now for your viewing pleasure...

The Bad and The Ugly

Disclaimer:
NONE of these trees are mine. I found them, in all of their glory, floating around on the web.

Who could get any work done - in the dining room of course - with this beauty over head?

I can picture the woman who decorated this tree. We would not be friends

Next please...

So, so wrong!

I am unable to process this.

Horror movie creepy!

It's like a reoccurring bad dream.

Enough bad taste for one day. I'm off to spend a little time with my right-side-up beautiful tree. Have fun decorating!

OMG! WTF? It's a DIY!!

2011-11-15T13:40:00.006-06:00

Done!

So I am absolutely totally not a DIY kinda gal. Nothing wrong with it - I mean were would Martha or HGTV be without it? That said yesterday I pulled off a spur of the moment major (for me) home improvement project...

I won't go into all the details since 1) it's boring and 2) I'm sure there is a website that will do a way better job at explaining. I personally recommend a combo of pestering the guys at Home Depot and making it up as you go along.

Thanks to a motley gang of 4 legged criminals I ripped up the wolds most disgusting carpet:

(Fess-up we all have or have had something nasty that needs burning)

The criminal Line Up..

Camera shy ring leader

And his two associates

(Only one lives with me, bottom right, is also the least guilty)

Then the tack strip which is a total bitch:

Then paint - living on a slab foundation has it's benefits:

Note the sweet graffiti left by the builder.

Porch paint in Ashwood from Behr:

So this is my $48.00 (paint and supplies) temporary fix 'cause I could not live another day with that carpet!

And just in case you are not impressed enough I did it all with an almost one-year-old baby and the motley gang of 4 legged criminals in tow!

I can make decisions for everyone else's house but my own. Deadline for making up my mind on a new floor is January. Till then this is a great way to spruce things up. I went neutral but you could do all kinds of crazy fun and wonderful things - go to it DIY folks - I am retiring and having a glass of wine.

BTW I hate carpet!!

I love more than I can stand... so I sat down. In a lovely chair of course!

2011-11-13T11:20:00.002-06:00

I have an absolute love affaire with chairs!

This week in researching for a client's project I have run across some fabulous ones...

Vintage Suzani Chairs found on Design Sponge

Suzani textiles are decorative tribal textiles made in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakstan. They are typically made of cotton or sometimes silk which is then embroidered. There are many manufactures that are reproducing this look in printed and woven fabrics that look great depending on your budget and need but to me nothing beats the real thing!

BoBo Intriguing Objects Limey Wing Chair

Squint Limited Selkirk Armchair

Antique French settee upholstered in hand painted canvas from The Mews in Dallas
(Taken with my iPhone so the picture quality - not too good!)

The bones of these chairs are perfect - the fabrics make them spectacular!

Eddie's Courage

2011-11-11T11:23:00.006-06:00

If you are have not already heard about 17 year-old Eddie Moreno you MUST hear his story and that of a community who have come together in love and support...

"On March 26, 2011, Alamo Heights High School senior and point guard Eddie Moreno, Jr. was shot in a tragic road rage incident. Like any other high school senior, he was looking forward to graduation, and starting college in the fall to become a basketball coach. In an instant, his world as he knew it was forever changed. The bullet that pierced his left cheek lodged in his spinal canal at level C2/C3. Eddie is ventilator dependent and has no movement from the neck down. The doctors say he'll never walk again, but we know, and he believes, he will. The doctors also said Eddie wouldn't survive, but he is still here with us. He is fighting every day. He truly amazes us! 'With God All Things Are Possible'."

Click here to read more and to donate to Eddie's Courage

Here's to the excellent design team and volunteers who are donating so much to make Eddie's home accessible. A special shout out to president of the ASID Texas Chapter and my friend, Kelley Barnett, ASID (pictured below, center, in blue).

Real World Design Week

2011-11-09T19:03:00.005-06:00

Time for ASID Real World Design Week again!

Corey Davey, a junior at Texas State University, was my shadow today. A really smart, funny, hardworking guy who I am sure will be a great designer.

Corey, thanks for your interest, keen eye and good humor today. Lugging artwork, running client errands, climbing on ladders and not eating lunch till 3:00PM was much more fun with you along!

About RWDW...

"RealWorld DesignWeek is a national mentoring program offering both hands-on and online learning experiences to introduce students to the real world of interior design. The program is designed to educate the next generation of designers and provide them exposure to professional practices and access to career development training.

RealWorld DesignWeek exists exclusively for ASID members. During the week— November 6-12, 2011—ASID student members will visit the work locations of ASID designers, industry partner reps and educators to shadow for a day."

So students and designers if you have not participated get involved and don't miss out on the fun!

ASID

Sac. Bolso. Borsa. Tasche...

2011-11-08T20:34:00.015-06:00

In any language a bag represents adventure to me.

Wherever your travels take you there is always plenty of room in a tote bag for things you find along the way. Flea market treasures, fresh produce at the farmers market... All the more fabulous if your tote is stylish and has personality.

I found one today that fits the bill perfectly from The Quality Mending Company on Fab.com.
I feel so lucky 'cause they are sold out!

I am already dreaming of what we will do together...

Rural Green Large Tote Bag

And of course I always like a cool back story:

"The idea for its design came from an old L.L. Bean

tote designer Oliver Harkness picked up at a friend’s store."

Ideabook: Cowperthwaite Design featured in Houzz

2011-11-07T19:58:00.001-06:00

"Warm and Cozy Wildlife and Hunt Themed Inspired Rooms..."

What a wonderful surprise to find that some of my designs were featured in the Houzz Ideabook by Susan author of the home and garden blog Between Naps on the Porch

This is a custom antler chandelier I had made for a client in Ausitn. It was really interesting to hand select each naturally shed antler. There are three species of deer represented. I also incorporated bronze birds.

The chairs and a few other things have been changed since this picture was taken but hopefully I will get it photographed again soon and will share the updated picture on my blog and on Houzz.

Pretty Paper

2011-11-06T15:02:00.000-06:00

Paper objects and ideas...

Reflecting on this past week and what I found inspiring interestingly all had to do with paper.
I think it started this chest:

Decoupage Chest of Drawers

Paper installation

"Susan Get's A Call" by Lucius Art

Archival print applied to wood

My latest life inspiration book

My latest design inspiration book

Ice Melts. Whiskey Rocks.

2011-11-05T16:22:00.000-05:00

Ice Melts. Whisky Rocks.

That is according to Teroforma and I agree. A long time fan of the beverage I was excited to discover these a few years ago.

Fast forward to 11.4.11 and my friends at Dorado Soapstone. They now have their own line of whisky stones and at a recent design event in Austin no one knew what they were!!

Really?? How could this be?!

I told Bo and Ashley I would do my part to get the word out about the beauty of whisky stones. These are a bar staple for any drink that you want chilled but not diluted.

A little tip I picked up on a recent trip to San Francisco...

Rinse the whiskey stones and freeze them while still wet - the frost is a really nice touch.

"For Relaxing Times. Make it Suntory time."

- Lost In Translation

And for beautiful countertops to match make it Dorado Soapstone - I've used them before and their products are perfection!

Green With Envy!

2011-11-04T15:47:00.000-05:00

When we hear the word green it brings to mind a lot more than just color. Money, environmental consciousness and luck to name a few. But it's just the color that I want to focus on.

This past Tuesday I went to Sherwin-Williams Color Mix - a great presentation by Ashlynn Bourque on the 2012 color forecast. All of their selections were inspiring but green really caught my eye! A few of my favorites:

Basil
SW 6194

Cocoon
SW 6173

Still Water
SW6223

Now I am "seeing green" everywhere!

Cole & Son
Malachite Wallpaper

Pantone
Deep Teal, a dark blue-green
Palette for Fall 2011 and 2012

Mecox Gardens
Vintage Glass Rock

Christian Louboutin

Bambou platform peep toes

Harbinger

Pair of 19th C Swedish Occasional Chairs

Cowperthwaite Design Featured on Threshold Furniture Blog!

2011-11-04T11:02:00.000-05:00

I recently purchased the Gnome stool from Kartell for my clients new shower. At 1st I was concerned my clients might think it a little weird to sit naked on a gnome but the stool is so comfortable and looks so great that was not an issue.

If you live in Austin or are planning a trip make sure to stop into Threshold - the coolest store around!

Spring Has Sprung!

2011-04-01T20:07:00.002-05:00

Spring has finally arrived and what is better than fresh flowers in the springtime?

Three bunches of cherry and magnolias in New York Flower District

Blooming stick branches are not only beautiful, timeless, and architectural, they add that touch of whimsy to any space! Here are some of my favorites...

Quince

Magnolias

Dogwoods

Cowperthwaite Design Featured on ApartmentTherapy.com!

2011-03-28T23:15:00.000-05:00

Apartment Therapy modern is a design blog saving the world, one room at a time! Check out the blog post that featured a bedroom design by Claudia that is both bold, contemporary and flat out awesome! Apartment Therapy gathered bedroom inspiration from Austin's top 9 interior designers and we are so honored to be featured!

Anderson master bedroom Austin, Texas

You can check the blog post out here!

Entry Two: Baby Products vs. Good Design

2010-10-21T11:58:00.000-05:00

As I continue to search for cool baby gear I am confronted with limited or non-existent choices. Here are some of my favorite products and companies that do a nice job of blending function with good design:

Dwell Studio

Great cribs, accessories, diaper bags...

B.O.B.

Design Public

Great source for the modern baby

Mamaroo

This thing is too cool

Bumbo

Fisher Price and friends need to get on board and start really thinking about better designs, fabrics... I believe there is a real market of product starved design savvy parents looking for more options!

Entry One: Expecting my 1st baby but I'm not designing my 1st nursery

2010-09-27T17:49:00.000-05:00

I may be expecting my 1st baby but I'm not designing my 1st nursery. I've done so many rooms for babies and kids and now it's time to do my own! This is the 1st of a series of blog entries devoted to that process.

Entry One:
I have never liked and do not do themed rooms like "Disney Babies" (sorry to those that are fans). For inspiration I looked at what I already had - art work. On a trip to Mexico years ago I found a painting of a big red dog. It think it's a knock off of some better known piece but I liked it at the time and still do. With no good place for it in my current home it's been lingering in a guest room closet waiting...

The big red dog it has a bright green apple balanced on it's head. Inspiration strikes and that bright green apple is now the color of my nursery walls:

Benjamin Moore Douglas Fir no. 2028-20:

Finally out it's hiding place the big red dog from Mexico has a new home where my baby will be able enjoy it everyday:

Design Lesson:

Skip the massed produced baby store stuff and create a space for your baby that is unique as they are!

Design Tip:

Go with a NO VOC paint. Heathy for you, baby and the planet. My favorite is Benjaminn Moore's Natura.

Read About It:

Top Ten Water Conserving Tips...

2010-03-26T19:00:00.000-05:00

And The MUST have Products To Make It Happen!

One

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving to avoid using excess water.

Two

Cut a minute off your shower time ever day to save more than 750 gallons of water annually. Also, consider swapping out your shower head with a low-flow model that can reduce water usage by one-half gallon per minute. Go green with a JACLO rain shower head.

Three

Landscape with native or drought-tolerant plants to significantly reduce water usage outside the home. A great resource for native Texas plants and check out the Lady Bird Johnson Wild Flower Center.

Four

Replace old toilets with High-Efficiency Toilets (HET) to save up to 17,000 gallons of water annually. The city of Austin has a free toilet replacement program. Although not part of the city's program, I recently specified a Toto toilet for a bathroom remodel. The Neorest series is the height of modern luxury.

Five

Use leftover water for house plants instead of pouring it down the drain.

Six

Make sure the dishwasher is fully loaded to maximize the number of dishes cleaned in a cycle. One of my favorites are dishwasher drawers from Fisher & Paykel. No matter which model you choose, always look for the Energy Star tag.

Seven

Use the appropriate water level and load size on the washing machine when doing laundry. consider purchasing a front-load washing machine.

Eight

Fix leaky faucets and install low-flow aerators on kitchen and bath faucets to effortlessly save 200 to 300 gallons of water each month. Kolhler makes beautiful faucets for both modern and traditional interiors.

Nine

Use a broom rather than a hose to clean off driveways, steps and sidewalks. For broom as art try the shaker broom at Pieter VanTuyl.

Ten

Water your garden during the coolest part of the day, generally in the morning, and avoid watering on windy days.

2010-03-16T21:01:00.000-05:00

ASID & USGBC have teamed up to offer a fabulous REGREEN education series. The two day workshop will be in Austin, Texas on April 19th & 20th. Perfect for learning how to incorporate green remodeling strategies into my next residential project.

You do not have to sacrifice good design for green design! There are so many techniques that make such big difference like the following I use regularly:

Choose a high-efficiency toilet & hot water heater
Use high quality energy-efficient windows
Install countertops made from environmentally friendly products
Select FSC-certified or reclaimed wood flooring
Specify low or zero VOC-emitting paints
Use antique or vintage furnishings & fixtures

For more information about REGREEN Remodeling check out:

U.S. Green Building Council

Twittering From The Nest

2010-03-14T14:35:00.000-05:00

Cowperthwaite Design is now Twittering! Also, you can now share your favorite blog entries with your friends on Facebook!

Kenneth B. Gall, Photographer

2010-02-24T13:23:00.001-06:00

Some of you have asked who took those amazing photos of my work featured on my website. The photos were taken by Austin photographer Kenneth B. Gall. We have worked together for several years now, and he is always a joy to work with. If you are in the market for a fabulous photographer, then I highly recommend Kenneth B. Gall for all of your photography needs.

Here he is at work photographing my most recent design project. I turned the table on Kenneth by taking this picture of him taking pictures.

The World in 1450: A World's Faire

2010-01-30T12:54:00.002-06:00

I recently attended an event at my nephew's high school, LASA (Language Arts & Science Academy), which showcased a world geography project about the ancient world. "The World in 1450: A World's Faire" was the title of the event, and it lived up to its name. I must say how impressed I was with the models and interior drawings the students created to represent the architecture of the counties that were represented, which included Japan, Italy, England and so forth. These kids have no formal training in model building, drawing plans or elevations ... yet the work was amazing!

The talent these kids possess gives us a peek into the future and I hope they were inspired by their projects to pursue careers in design and architecture. Kudos!

View from the Perch

2009-12-28T13:25:00.004-06:00

I recently nested in Austin's fabulous new Mueller neighborhood, which at one time was home to the city's airport, but is now the model of modern sustainability and mix-use development. This area has transformed beautifully over the past few years, so I was very pleased to see the neighborhood get some recognition for the promotion of sustainable development by being designated a LEED Silver certified plan by USGBC. Congratulations!

This good news was featured in the Central Texas chapter of U.S. Green Building Council's December newsletter as well as The Austin Chronicle. Both article's highlight the Mueller neighborhood green certification and what elements where considered for such a designation. Click here to read more about this certification and what this means for other green pilot programs.

Austin's largest art installation, an electric sun flower garden at Mueller

Holiday Open House

2009-11-30T20:18:00.001-06:00

Dawn Hearn and I are gearing up for a Holiday Open House at our design studio on Monday. We wanted to officially welcome everyone to our new design studio located at Back Door To The Trade with a party.

With the holiday season in full swing, we thought it would be a nice addition to have some fun purses, jewelry, ornaments and accessories available to get your holiday shopping off to a good start. Make sure to bring cash or checks with you for your holiday purchases.

Folks can stop by to say Hi or come and go anytime from 3:00 to 8:00. While you are visiting our studio, make sure to explore some of the lovely businesses located at Back Door To The Trade showrooms, but stop back by our place for some tasty goodies and refreshments.

Directions:
We are located at 7301 Burnet Road, Ste 200 J, which is in the Centennial Shopping Center at the intersection of Greenlawn and Burnet Road. We are behind Tuesday Morning in the Back Door To The Trade Showrooms.

See you there!

Gonzales and Discovery Architectural Antiques

2009-11-11T21:21:00.001-06:00

Today I made a trip out to Discovery Architectural Antiques in historic Gonzales, Texas with my client, Susan Anderson, to find antique beams for her kitchen remodel. What a treat! Gonzales seems like a natural spot for antiquing as it is one of the most historic towns in Texas, having had the first shot of the Texas revolution fired there.

Wood warehouse where we found our beams

The large array of antique miscellanea at Discovery Architectural Antiques was impressively organized for such a vast selection. Accessible through warehouse manager Roger Reyna and Jose's mental inventory, whatever it is you are hunting for, just ask these helpful fellows and they know exactly where it is.

We were able to find some lovely pre-civil war era Oak beams, from the 1830's. Originally from Tennessee, these beams each weigh 200 pounds! Also salvaged was a door from John Snyder's Dukes of Hazard house... no lie! Sing it for a new pantry door.

(Below is a photo of one of the beams we found and the door from the Dukes of Hazard house)

An unexpected joy was being greeted by Lola and Blondy, the miniature Schnauzers at the store, and Mr. Kitty, the warehouse cat. I enjoy making new furry friends almost as much as I enjoy meeting new people, and these little guys were no exception.

If you find yourself in Gonzales during the lunch hour, make sure to stop in to Mi Lupita Taco House at 613 North Street at Joseph Street for some yummy Enchiladas. I definitely feel that Gonzales is well worth another trip, if not for other jobs requiring antique shopping, then to explore or relax.

Today was a beautiful day and the afternoon drive back was just as pleasant. Driving through other great towns such as Lulling or Lockhart, makes me wish I had more time to simply explore.

Thank You's go out to Matt and Kevin for unloading the beams that Roger and Jose packed up so nicely in the back of Susan's Suburban (I was not sure all the beams and doors would fit). Cheers to Ralph who now gets to put them up!

(On the left is warehouse manager, Roger Reyna, who is helping us with one of the beams, and the photo is of Jose with both of the beams.)

Austin Barkitecture 2009

2009-10-18T12:18:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, people and their pooches gathered at the 2nd Street district for Barkitecture 2009, an event where designer dog houses are auctioned off to raise funds and awareness benefiting Blue Dog Rescue, Austin Pets Alive, Austin Dog Rescue, and Forgotten Friends. Some of Austin's brightest designers, architects and builders participated in this event, including Cowperthwaite Design, whose entry was the Beachcomber Mutt Shack.

Entrants into Barkitecture 2009 competed for Best in Show, Backyard Bungalow, Greenest, Most Unusual, and Urban Dwelling. I am thankful to my friend Chelsea Bandy, a local designer on the Barkitecture board, for bringing this competition to my attention. I jumped at the opportunity to work on a project that combines my love of dogs, dog houses, cool design and great causes! For this competition, I partnered up with my dear friend Mari Carmen Tamez-Knierim, a fabulous designer with Disegno Viaggio.

The size of the dog house was to be no larger than 5'x5' and the budget no more than $400.00. Though there were no concrete rules for the materials to be used, entrants were encouraged to take a 'green' approach to their dog house design. Mari Carmen and I decided to let the concept of sustainability and recycled materials lead our design.

For the source material of our shack, we recycled shelving from the now defunct Smith & Hawkin store, giving this shelving a second life as a dog house. This shelving is truly what inspired the concept of a 'shack' and set the whole design in motion. In order to bring more of a semblance of the beach to the shack, we added grasses (reminiscent of dune grasses) to the Beachcomber Mutt Shack. The grasses we used grow well in the Texas climate and require very little water to thrive. Again, this embraces the sustainability aspect of our project.

Throughout this process, we were very fortunate to have had many helping hands with our project; folks at local hardware stores shared scraps of wood and advice, and Glenn (Mari Carmen's husband) provided his power tools and patience. I am very thankful to Mari Carmen, who did the lion's share of the construction, in helping me bring the salvaged scraps to life as the Beachcomber Mutt Shack.

Seeing these inventive dog houses being explored by the cute canines in attendance got me excited about Barkitecture 2010 and all of the possibilities. I look forward to seeing next years entries and being part of this wonderfully creative charity event.

Note: Pictures of our entry were taken by the event photographer, Ed Lehmann.