Posted by bethany on Jan 8, 2010 in
Projects + Ramblings,
Sustainability Joe and I moved to this valley in 2005. We purchased a good-sized townhouse in Comox and lived there for a couple years. During that time we renovated and dreamed of where we would go next…
In the months of exploring the Comox Valley for our next place, we kept a keen eye on Forbidden Plateau. We looked at a couple places, and even put an offer on one. The offer was rejected – since we offered much lower than what they were asking. (This is another story entirely and has something to do with the fact that the building “inspector” who looked at the house reported it as having a full foundation – which it did not.)
The house that we bid on could be described as a “gingerbread swiss-inspired ski chalet”. It looked a lot like this:
We never did purchase a home on Forbidden Plateau. But the idea hasn’t left our minds…
This week our instructor at the NIC Drafting program introduced us to our next project. We’ll be learning about architectural drafting - while incorporating studies in building design, site orientation, bc building code, interior detailing (millwork etc.), amonst other areas.
After much begging, he allowed us to choose our own house plans out of various old plan magazines. At first I wanted to choose a clasic Craftman home, but I changed my mind when I spied a 1987 plan for a swiss-inspired gingerbread vacation chalet. The gears started turning…
For my project I’m going to take this vintage plan and attempt to modernize it while infusing some classic design to help it become more timeless. I’m one for dreaming, and today I’ve been dreaming about how satisfying it would be to take the history of Forbidden Plateau and incorporate it into a home that pays tribute to the area and looks after the land it sits on.
It’s going to be a major challenge to the the “kitch” out of this type of architecture – but I’m game!
If you want to read a great post about Forbidden Plateau head over to Keira-Anne.com. She wrote about it back in September…
Some Inspirational Photos:
Via: www.vacationrentalpeople.com
Via: www.dgspc.co.uk
Via: www.ofis-a.si
Posted by bethany on Jan 4, 2010 in
Projects + Ramblings This holiday season we PURGED. Clothing, Garbage, Toys, Furniture… Even on Christmas day were were hauling things in and out of the attic.
Nearing the end of the task Joe and I were both amazed at how large our tiny house seemed all of a sudden. Moving the office from the living room into it’s own room (having a home office finally is a dream come true!) has completely changed the way I feel about the space. Now I want to start entertaining… guests can actually move around the room without tipping piles of paperwork!
The space is cleared - and I’m feeling inspired to do a little re-design.
When writing the last post I reviewed Kari’s post on incorporating purple again. Perhaps purple should join green as a hot colour for 2010?
This is what I’ve come up with.
Sofa:Ikea Ekeskog – Discontinued, sadly. But covers can still be purchased at www.Bemz.com
Fir Cupboard – 40’s Vintage with leaded glass doors. Thrifted at Community Thrift Store on Cumberland Road.
Mission-Style Coffee Table – Stokes Furniture
Green Chair – This one is from Crate and Barrel. My green chair could possibly be found at McConochies Furniture on 5th Street – Great selection at that store!
Rug – No idea. This is actually a piece of fabric I liked… I’ll have to hunt a rug like this down.
Cushions Covers - To Sew*. Fabric resouces: Buschlen Furniture or Fabricland.
Curtains – To Sew*.
*hopefully I find some time to sew this month!
The more I hunt around the more I discover that we have fantastic resources for interior-design in the Comox Valley. Let me know if you spy something!
ps. Anyone else in love with vintage Jadeite? If you’re lucky, you might find some at Red Living…
Posted by bethany on Dec 31, 2009 in
Projects + Ramblings I follow a lot of blogs, and this week’s topic is all about looking back! Sure, I like to look back… I remember the first days on my own traveling, the first days of motherhood, the first days in a new house…
And there is a lot to look back on this year. Whoa. What a year.
I hope that one day I’m like Debbie Travis and can shamelessly laugh about the chaos and dish out wise advise to other people who are making their way.
But there I go… dreaming of the future.
My work-related goals for 2010:
1. Write here as often as I can up until school ends.
2. Write frequently, and for the love of it, post-school.
3. “Design-Build”… here we come. Stay focused.
Dream Big.
4. Build on the relationships that have been started with other local businesses.
5. Start second phase of training
In pictures, here are some (not all – there are too many!) of my favourite parts of our mini-2009.
Work – Getting this amazing shot with Crystal from Crystal Clear Photography. Kari and I squealed and danced.
Personal – Meeting Kari. miss you, friend!
Work – Great Tips and Advice. Lots of it.
Personal – I love this post from Kari about purple. I may just convert from a “green” lover to a “purple” lover…
Work – This beautiful home tour received 400 hits in one day. That’s big for a little site in a little valley!
Personal - Lindsay, owner of this house, is now a friend! (and I get to admire her house more…)
Work – Honestly, one of the best parts of last year was all the fantastic business owners I met in the Comox Valley. This is truly a special place – so much drive and inspiration around here!
Personal – Building my knowledge of products and services in the Comox Valley has really helped me to gain confidence as a woman entering the construction industry.
Work/Personal – this one is one-in-the-same. I am a lover of Art. I am a collector of Art. And now I have a great reason to immerse myself in it even more. Original art is the best jewelry for your home.
Work – If art is the jewlery of a home, then cooking is the perfume. Food and design are best friends… feast for the eyes and feast for the tummy.
Personal - Here’s a peek at a personal goal for 2010. I want to prepare meals with more flair!
Happy New Year!
b
Posted by bethany on Dec 4, 2009 in
Projects + Ramblings Yay it’s Friday! Friday’s seem to get a lot more exciting towards the holidays, no? And the frost outside this morning almost looks like snow. (I’m on “team snow” – dreaming of another White Christmas like last year. It was so magical!)
First of all, don’t miss yesterday’s feature on grants for renovating. There is a lot of rumour out there and Nico teWinkle, a local Certified Energy Advisor, is clearing it up for us. Post is below, or you can click here to see it.
Secondly, I promised to facilitate an order with FLOR – and so I shall! This order will go through our business, Capstone Creative Industries Ltd.
Order Dates:
December 11th (Next Friday) – Provide your order details to me including the name of the pattern and the quantity (# of tiles needed). If you need help with measuring, give us a call. 250-898-7573
December 14th – I’ll provide you with confirmation of a.) the pattern, b.) the quantity, c.) the sub-total d.) the total with shipping, taxes, duty other fees (remember, these are coming from the USA).
December 16th – Please make any needed changes to your order by this date.
December 18th – Please confirm your order with me by providing full payment as quoted in the confirmation. Cheques to be made out to “Capstone Creative Industries, Ltd.”
December 21st – I will place the order with Flor. I will contact you with expected order arrival date.
Upon order arrival: I’ll let you know when the order arrives. We will deliver it to your house. I’ll call to confirm a date and time for delivery that works for you.
Peace of Mind: Should you decide the carpet you had ordered is not quite right, we will facilitate a return of the order. You will be refunded the total amount you paid less the costs of shipping and any other non-refundable expenses such as duty charges and brokerage fees (theirs, not ours).
Having spoken with FLOR on several occasions, I can see that it is rather complicated and certainly not an easy order process since we live in the Great White North. I’m hoping that by ordering through our business, we can make this great product available locally with less hassle.
Please spread the word about this order to anyone doing renovations or wanting to redecorate.
Thanks!
_______________________________________
Recipe From Jackie: Panzanella – Italian Bread Salad
(Potluck season, here we come!)
