Architecture and landscape. Those are my two favourite things to photograph. Nothing is the same, every new place, every new city, there's always something new to see and capture. If I could, I would visit all the cities on earth (and beyond, if that's the question) and all nature there is. But then again, who wouldn't?
'Regarded as one of the most original and adventurous collectors and dealers of our time, Axel Vervoordt rightly considers himself an eclectic collector and dealer, who treasures the timeless and disdains the trendy. Vervoordt's taste spans centuries, continents and economic strata, and his profound knowledge of this history of fine and applied arts has led him to create spaces in which his juxtaposition of objects from vastly different eras and cultures makes a strong and impressive statement on present and future interior taste. These juxtapositions should inspire contemplation and thus mental liberty.
Vervoordt cites three main strands of influence in his work. The first is that of contemporary and oriental art and arte povera, which to him signifies the importance of a life of meditation, empty space, a love and respect of nature and of human existence. The second is architecture, which represents proportion, balance and harmony, such as one might find in an 18th century library. The third strand is the baroque, either gilded and courtly, or more.'
I'm showing you bits and pieces of homes because my best friend Deb's company Village Interiors Inc. made some or most of the furnishings. I am so incredibly honored to be able to call her my friend but also I'm so incredibly proud of her and her achievements. She has worked so hard through the years in the background of others that I thought I would give her a little of her due credit here.
The "Pierre" French for rock, designed by Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig Architects
This home in Washington state is amazing, it was built within an outcropping of rocks up on a peak to capture the views, hence the name "Pierre".
While the custom furniture was designed by Olson Kundig Architects' interiors studio, it was Village Interiors that had to make those dreams a reality.
Hong Kong Villa designed by Jim Olson of Olson Kundig Architects
This house was also designed by the same architectural firm of Olson Kundig Architects by Jim Olson who also designed the interiors, two very talented men in that architectural firm. This home is located in Hong Kong overlooking the South China Sea.
Village made all the furniture in this residence too! Isn't that view something out that wall?
Auckland, New Zealand Architecture by Pip Cheshire, Interiors by Terry Hunziker
"Visually the house is intended to be seen as a piece of constructed jewelry amid a natural landscape,' architect Pip Cheshire says of the seaside Auckland residence he built for Sue and Peter Cooper. He collaborated closely on the project with interior designer Terry Hunziker."
While modern house design is not typically my thing I just love this house and all the elements, that fireplace surround is zinc clad! Yep, more sofas and chairs by Village, they ship far and wide!
Furniture by Village Interiors for projects of designer Holly McKinley
Deb does so much more then make furniture she also owns Storage By Design better known as SBD, a high end white lab coat, white glove storage facility for antiques, furniture and specialty furniture installations.
She also owns a pillow business called Olde World Pillows and is in the process of opening a well-anticipated shop next month. (Nope, no competition between us and our businesses since we don't really sell the same pillows, besides we're best friends!)
It always amazes me what goes on behind the scenes, like the people who have to take a drawing and create what they see and not get any credit for their efforts such as Village. If you're a designer and live in the Pacific Northwest then Village and SBD is for you but Olde World Pillows will be open to everyone and wait until you see her shop, think jewel box! Be sure to check out some of the homes listed here they're freaking amazing!
Located in Seattle Washington, conveniently just two blocks from the Seattle Design Center. Village Interiors Inc. 217 S. Findlay Seattle, Washington 98108 (206) 768-9601
You get to read about our projects, you know what the inside of our houses look like, but who are The Real Housewives of Bucks County? Well, this must be your lucky day, because today we're sharing a bit of ourselves with you… (Warning, some of these questions are cheesy, but who doesn't like a little cheese and we like 'em!)
Meet the Real Housewives of BC
*Photos courtesy of Doug from Candid Moments Photography. Thanks so much, Doug! You did a great job working with some very amateur models.: )
So, it's your turn now. What questions do you have for us? We're game for answering {almost} anything!
100 Abandoned Houses...
photo by Kevin Bauman
I recently came across Kevin Bauman's 100 Abandoned Houses website, which is a collection of his photographs of abandoned homes throughout the Detroit area.
photo by Kevin Bauman
There is something mesmerizing about these old, abandoned homes. One can only wonder about their history and past inhabitants.
I find some of the homes eerily inviting. I'm a curious kind of chick, and the allure of all things past combined with the period architecture as well as each home's desperate state intrigues me.
photo by Kevin Bauman
In many of the photos, not only time, but nature has taken over; trees, shrubbery, bushes and weeds wrap like arms around the homes'nature enveloping what humans have long abandoned...
photo by Kevin Bauman
....almost as if to comfort and keep still the rotting dilapidated remnants of what once was grandeur.
all photos by Kevin Bauman
Click here to visit 100 Abandoned Houses
