Drawing by hand

Every semester there is always one well intentioned student that asks, "Do I have to draw by hand?".  I first gasp, then take a sip of water to calm myself and wonder where it is they are getting the memo that not knowing how to draw by hand is an option?
In my calmest possible voice, I explain that hand drawing is the most visceral way an architect accesses and communicates ideas. Drawing is like breathing to us. It's immediate and is a way for us to communicate with our brain, directly. Sounds like science fiction. You'd think that would get them.
Maybe (very likely) I'm becoming a dinausaur, extinct in my thinking that a line on paper is like poetry, or music. Hmm, maybe that's were I've really gone wrong. If only it were more like a thousand images speeding by very quickly. Alas, it is not. It's just slow and meditative.
That may be so, but my drafting table stays, and so does my belief that to be an architect you still have to learn how to draw...by hand, slowly and painfully like the rest of us did. Yep, I'll keep fighting extinction one class at a time.

SNAPSHOT: Life

morning rituals, autumn sunshine

avocado?Yes, please, wellies of course

boots that need repairing, mini chicken pot pies

doggie love, big ears

decaf and sketching, charcoal

nerdery, breakfast for two

Drawing in the evenings

My easel has stood dormant for some time. A few years back I painted, often. But lately with all that's been going on at M.G studio I'm left with no time for that. But lately I've been feeling the itch.  I still need to carve out a corner of space in the house that feels like it's just for working on paintings or drawings. But until then, here's what's in the works.
I had an abandoned piece of cardboard lying around and thought, well, I can draw on that. So I did, with charcoal. It's still a work in progress, but I'm loving how it's just a manifestation of whatever comes to mind, unplanned. No surprise it has it's roots in architectural drawing.
The plan is to, every night, after dinner head to the easel for a couple of hours of work. It feels so luxurious to be able to take that time just for myself. Starting is the hard part, and that parts done!

IN CONSTRUCTION: A stone wall

A couple of days ago I posted about a great little project I've been working on. Well, construction is well underway and here are a few images and drawings of the details. It's a hot tub and landscape wall that doubles as stairs and a platform to get into the cedar tub. I wanted to keep the wall minimal and expose most of the cedar planks the tub is made out of. I love the contrast in materials and how well the composition sits in the landscape.

SKETCHBOOK MONDAY

My good friends Rebecca and Chris (recently named one of Boston's Power Couples!) have a beautiful home. I'm lucky enough to be invited over often for lovely dinners and gatherings with friends. So when they asked me to design their latest home improvement project I was thrilled. Look for a post on construction progress later this week, but for now here are some sketched that will give you a little peak into the project.

Hope you had a great weekend! I spent some time sitting outside at a cafe sketching. It was lovely.

It's time to HIVE...

The Airstream project is finished!...and I can finally reveal all the details.

You may remember Graham and Lance from our joint open studio last february. They are the two owners of Hive (aka the Airstream). Hive is a mobile lounge that you can rent for events like weddings, private parties, or functions. It drives to wherever your fete is and opens up to reveal a fully stocked bar and lounge for your guest to hang out in. Isn't it an amazing idea? Check out Hive's website and definitely email or call for info if you are interested. I think I may throw a party just to have HIVE there!

All photos by Reid Haithcock Photography.

IN CONSTRUCTION: Trillium Brewing Co.

 Yes, it's still not finished, but getting closer. After a lovely coffee at Barrington Coffee Company this weekend, we stopped by Trillium to see how things are going. I am in love with the bar top. It's made from 22ft. long wood beams that JC (the owner and my friend) salvaged from a demolition project nearby.   These beautiful old-growth wood has such character. A little tung oil rubbed in and the grain of the wood is now the star of this show.

Here are a few snapshots of the progress.

 

 

SNAPSHOT: Lately

Is it really October already? Geesh, where do the days go? It feels as though fall is speeding by. I find myself wanting to hold on to these moments for as long as possible. So, in the spirit of remembering the little things of everyday life, here is a peak into what's been going on in my world. 

How is your October?...

i love surprises!, me and penny cruising

new pillows, a wedding

laughter, acrobat kat

penny on public transportation, how did i live before this iron came along?!

incognito grocery shopping, out in the open grocery shopping

my class, student work

good nose, a morning stroll

kids, funny kid

a bike race, jamestown

NEW WORK: Army Blanket Lumbar Pillow

Fall is all about changing out all your summer pillows for warm cozy winter ones. I've been working on a few that will do just the trick!
The Army Blanket Pillow is made from reclaimed army blankets! The super durable felt wool fabric is so luxurious and the extra long lumbar size is versatile. They look great on a couch or even at the head of the bed. Where would you put yours?

I think Penny wants one for her bed! CLICK HERE to go!
(Army Blanket Pillows are also available at Room 68)

A day in Vermont

A few weeks ago we celebrated Patrick's birthday with a trip to Vermont. We were only there for a day a half but filled it with a visit to a cheese farm, an hour long picnic, two breweries, a visit, shopping and dinner at Simon Pearce and a stay at a lovely bed and breakfast in Woodstock. It all happened under a beautiful fall blue sky and warm air that lingered from summer. In short it was perfect! Vermont is such a pretty state.  I am very much looking forward to returning for a longer stay next time. Until then, here are a few photos from our trip.

Vermont Shepherd is a cheese farm in Westminster that boasts award-winning mountain cheese. We headed there first to start the day with a picnic on their beautiful land. We arrived to a "Please Serve Yourself" sign...and they weren't kidding. Inside a tucked away little shed was a refrigerator filled with cheese. We picked out a couple, filled out the sales receipt and dropped our money into a wood collection box. It's nice to know the honor system still works in this world.

We picked a spot, opened a bottle of Larkmead Solari and settled in. There was no one around, well, except for the the sheep.

 

We tried two cheeses and loved them both. I think we agreed though that the Invierno Cheese won with a slight lead. It is rich and grassy and matched perfectly with the wine.

Longtrail Brewing Co. and The Seven Barrel Brewery were our next stops. We sipped a few of their seasonal beers and chatted with the locals.

 

Dinner that evening was at Simon Pearce's Quechee glass blowing studio and restaurant. We browsed their amazing glass collection and sat down to dinner and wine overlooking the falls.

We ended the trip with a stayed at the Applebutter Inn where we ate a lovely homemade breakfast of fresh muffins and pancakes...with a side of Applebutter, of course.

We are in BOSTON HOME MAGAZINE!

It's so exciting to open a glossy design magazine and see my work! There they are, the Quilt Binding Strip Pillows in Boston Home Magazine Fall 2012. Grab a copy and turn to page 22! I'm so excited to be featured with all these amazing designers. And I'm grateful to Room 68 for being big supporters of my work. Horray for design!