Anyone artistic probably knows this feeling. It’s the feeling where you’re so exposed to what your industry standards are, that you begin to feel as if you need to adopt them to be taken seriously.

In my opinion, true artistic or creative success comes from a limited pallet. If we possess every tool, every how-to book, and every bit of knowledge – what is left for creativity?

One of my favourite artists, Allan Sapp, developed his creative process with 4 tubes of paint: Brown, Black, Red, White. From this limited pallet, he draws out memories onto canvas.

www.AllenSapp.com

I think that the Design-Build process is a lot like this. There is a limited pallet. That pallet consists of the Budget, the Needs, the Wants, and the Rules (city bylaws, codes etc).

…and the Artist is responsible for bringing the vision to life using the pallet available.

There are a lot of people out there who can give a customer their dream home using a loaded pallet. However, there are few Artists who can bring a clients vision to life using the pallet available.

Add ethics and sustainability to the pallet - and the Artist must become a master.

Here are two alternative products we’ve considered during the design process. I can imagine these products in a commercial setting, but also in a sleek residential one.

#1. Premier Garage – Floor Coatings

These floors are made from a hybrid polymer. The product has been specially designed to withstand typical wear and tear in a garage. This product has a 10-year warranty against peeling, and a 10-year warranty against staining*. One of the best parts in my opinion, is the fast turn-around in installment – typically it takes only 48 hours finish. It is available in a high-gloss finish or a speckled “granite” look. I’m imagining the high-gloss flooring in a modern setting… stunning!

 #2 StoneCraft

StoneCraft offers another great solution for floor coatings. This product is a cement and plastic combination that can be applied in a variety of ways. It can be applied as a smooth surface, or can be created to have the look and texture of tile. This product is pretty dynamic, and can be applied vertically up a wall  – in fact, StoneCraft has been used on climbing gyms. This product also installs in approximately 48 hours.

As with any new product on the market, make sure to do thorough research before buying. If you are considering purchasing a product like this, perhaps ask the business for a few references from satisfied customers. If using it for commercial applications, it’s a good idea to compare the product’s durability with any heavy-duty cleaners that are used in the building.

Photos:
Top – Premier Garage
Bottom – StoneCraft

Local Contacts:

Cory at Premier Garage (Parksville) : 250-228-7768
Melanie at StoneCraft (Nanaimo) : 250-716-9294

Please note: this is not an advertisment. I just think this stuff is great!

*always confirm full details of warranties with the company.

Step 1: Fall in love with a great piece of art.

Step 2: Buy the piece of art. (Or in my case, make manageable installment payments every month so I can afford it. An art addicts gotta do what an art addicts gotta do…)

Step 3: Bring it home and HANG IT. But how?

Hanging your art can be most difficult part…
Here are a few ideas:

GROUP your art. Try to aim for symmetry and even spacing between pieces. Also, the centre of the grouping should be about eye level. Centre your artwork on your gaze, not on the wall. 

via: YoungHouseLove.com

BIG taste in art? No Big Deal. Artwork does not need to be hung the way it is in large galleries – with lots of vacant space between it and anything else in the room. It’s perfectly fine to allow the piece to become part of the rest of the decor by layering. The picture below is a great example of this:

via: SimplySuductive.Blogspot.com
design by: Scott Laslie and Associates

Here’s an idea for art display that I’ve been keen on lately. Simply placing your art on a shelf and leaning it on the wall creates a casual, less formal look. I love this look because the artwork seems so much more interactive.  Plus, no holes in the walls.

via: Apartment Therapy

My NUMBER ONE TIP for displaying art is: Rotate, Rotate, Rotate!

Artwork, especially original artwork, is interactive with it’s environment. Colours in your room will alter the colours you see in the painting. Lighting will allow for new layers in the piece to be discovered - even dim lighting can reveal shapes you never noticed before. Therefore, change the location of your art from time to time. WARNING – this could result in the whole room being rearranged – this happens to me all the time!

A perfect example of this is a painting a have by Mark Lindstrom. The painting is of Mount Rundle in Banff. My husband Joe and I spent much of our time in the little town cultivating romance and friendship within view of this majestic mountain. I love to change the location of this painting because each area of my house seems to alter the piece in a way that brings a new memory of the landscape (and love) to mind.

Any other tips or ideas out there?

~b

Whimsical… Alive… Dreamy… Magical…

I met with Lucy at her home a few weeks ago. She showed me around her studio and we chatted about her work . It was apparent to me that each one of Lucy’s paintings is the building of a relationship – complete with ups and downs, breakthroughs  and disappointments.

These relationships began as humble exploration into oil painting after Lucy attended a local art workshop. At that point, Lucy was a dentist – practicing locally and enjoying a rewarding career. But after a 3 year leave she came to a crossroads where she had to decide between art and dentistry. During a coffee-date with a good friend she came to vivid epiphany -  what she wanted to do, despite of the all the challenges, was paint. Lucy followed her love and left her profession as a dentist behind.

The career of an artist is not an easy one. As an artist, one has to shed stresses and distractions in order to bare their own souls to their creative hands on a daily basis. And with all that soul-deep emotion being poured into each piece, I often wonder how it must feel to let go of the creations when someone purchases it for their own home.

Before I was a family-gal living in the Comox Valley, I worked at a well-known art gallery. I spent 2 years there, helping everyday people make connections with original art. Naturally, most of my interaction was with the customer. It never ceased to amaze me how unique each client/art connection was. I never really had much of a chance to talk one-on-one with the artist, and frankly, I’m not sure I would have had the insight to start a decent conversation anyway. But now that I’ve had time to ponder it all, I find myself increasingly curious about how artists feel when it comes to letting go of their art so that other’s may hang it in their own homes.

What happens to the relationship between the artist and the piece of art when it is purchased?
What kind of relationship forms between the purchaser and their new art?

Lucy and I discussed these questions….

The relationship that an artist builds with a painting isn’t tangible. It is part emotional, part spiritual perhaps - it cannot me measured. The relationship exists without end, even when the product of that relationship (the painting) ventures on to become the property of another. Each painting represents a deep relationship with the artist. Complex and meaningful on so many personal levels, these works of art will start a new relationship when they become part of someones home but will never loose intimacy with the artist.

For the purchaser, the relationship is different. In my experience, there are few people who desire to connect with a new painting on the same level the artist did when creating it.  Art speaks to us all individually. There is no magical equation for understanding art – and there is no requirement to understand the “deeper meaning” before falling in love and making it a part of your home. As I pondered how the new relationship between the purchaser and the painting could be described, the word “JOY” was resounding my my head. This is the appropriate word to use for myself as a collector of original art. I purchase pieces for my home that become a visible emotion.

Original art is a beautiful way to infuse your home with extra energy and emotion. We are so lucky to have many talented artists, such as Lucy Schappy, living and working here in the Comox Valley.

If you want to see more of Lucy’s art visit Magnolia Gallery in Cumberland. Current works are available for viewing and purchasing.

Lucy’s Website is: www.LucySchappy.com
“Joyfully cheering you on, Lucy!”

~ b

However, some enjoy tackling this task on their own without the help of a professional. If you choose this route, here is a simple method that can help you along.

Step One. Gather as many magazines as you can get your hands on.

Step Two. Go through the magazines and mark any images that jump out at you.

Step Three. Scan and print the images.

Step Four. Arrange all the images together on a table or on the floor.

Step Five. Observe. Make notes about common themes you see. Are there common textures present? Perhaps there are a few special colours that stand out consistently? You may spy a little detail that you never noticed before! (When doing this with a friend of mine, we noticed that all the pictures she selected had coloured trim – there wasn’t a single picture with white trim!)

Step Six. Make a plan of action. Look around your home and determine what will stay and what will go based on the style cues you received from the previous step – sometimes what you get rid of is half the battle. Make a list of to-do’s based on a time-line or an overall budget. Knowing what needs to be done and when means you can take on each task step by step.

Step Seven. Make a mini style-inspiration-card and keep it by the door. When you go out shopping use it as a guide for your purchases.

Step Eight. The main rule for creating your own look in the home is:
                                 Go With What You Love.

Images:
Better Homes and Gardens April/May ‘09
Better Homes and Gardens Winter ‘08
Better Homes and Gardens Winter ‘09
Country Living – March ‘09

Hugh Van Hecke, a carpenter with over 20 years experience, decided to put his residential construction experience into developing a business that would meet the needs of the local community. After five years and nearly five-hundred happy customers, Crossland Sheds is becoming a household name for sheds on Vancouver Island.

Part of the success of Crossland Sheds can be attributed to the hassle-free building process. Because of the stream-lined system Hugh has created over the years, these sheds are usually built on site in about 8 hours - that’s just one work-day!

All that the customer has to do is provide Crossland Sheds with 9 12″ cement pads which need to be 1″ thick. The builder (in the case below, it’s Hugh himself!) will lay them out in the appropriate spots.

The rest of the process goes like this:
 After the cement pads are put in place, three 4″x4″ pressure treated runners are leveled on top as the foundation for the shed. These runners allow for air flow under the shed, keeping moisture away from the building.

The floor is then constructed with 2×4 floor joists every 12″. This specific placement of floor joists is required for homes in the BC Building Code. Although it is not required that sheds are built to all building code standards, Hugh chooses to build these small structures to meet the demands.  Sheets of 1/2″ plywood make up the floor of this particular shed. This will be more than enough support for a standard garden shed. However, if a customer requires extra support, like in the case of a custom motorbike garage, the floor can be upgraded. (Yes, Hugh has built custom Harley Houses – very cool!)

After the floor has been secured to the floor joists, the walls are put in place. The walls are made from 2×4 construction framing and a product called SmartPanel™. This product has a 50 year transferable warranty. (SmartPanel™ is primed and ready for paint – painting is required for the warranty.) The doors, which are specially built to be extra durable, are hung with 6′ aluminum piano hinges that will not rust or warp.

When the walls are up and the custom trusses are in place, the roof is sheeted. A layer of tar-paper is properly applied to the sheets and then 20-year roofing shingles are nailed on top.

After a thorough inspection of the shed, paying close attention to the doors for smooth opening and shutting, the work-site is cleaned up. At this point happy customers to come on out and marvel at their new shed.

Crossland Sheds offers many styles and sizes of sheds. Optional features include work benches, shelves, lofts, windows, skylights and ramps. Talk to Hugh if you have any other special requests. You can visit the website, www.CrosslandSheds.ca , for more information.

1-888-751-4885

This particular shed is a 10×10 “Islander” with 6′ sidewalls. The price of this shed is $2499.00 +tax installed.

Sources:
Interview: Hugh Van Hecke – Crossland Storage Sheds
Photos: Two Happy Customers

Eager to meet a local professional concrete guru, I arranged some time with Kai from Fusion Concrete Design to talk about what he does and and how he does it. 

Kai got into the whole concrete thing after picking up a book by concrete countertop pioneer Fu-Tung Cheng. Kai has a background in Fine Art and he figured that a career choice which combined both his artistic training and the trades wold be a good fit. He started off by creating a table, and from there he’s moved on to perfect his technique in order to offer his clients a unique and refined product.

I asked Kai about the “green” aspects of concrete and discovered that the countertops can be created “plastic free”. (As most of us know, traditional plastic laminate countertops actually contain formaldehyde – not very healthful for the environment or our bodies!) Once the concrete countertop is set in place, natural sealants such as bees wax can be used to prevent staining on the surface. However, these natural sealants will need to be reapplied frequently in order to remain effective. Kai recommends that a combination of epoxies and urethane be used as a penetrating protective layer if a maintenance free worktop is desired.

In regards to price-point, Kai says that concrete countertops start at about $60.00 a square foot. This is a bigger investment than traditional laminate but is a bargain compared to the price of granite or quartz tops. Plus, in my opinion, it’s a much better investment because it’s also a work of art. Each countertop is hand-formed and custom made.

Contact:

Kai Kneeland
Fusion Concrete Design
250-218-6298
fusionconcretedesign@live.ca

It’s not always easy to incorporate colour. When in doubt, go with what you LOVE. I usually start by making a folder of images, fabrics, and paint chips which appeal to me. Then I lay out all the images and look for similar themes and colours. Most of the time an obvious pattern emerges.

With new paint colours and a couple key accessory purchases, an entirely new look can be achieved. As an example, a simple dining room makeover can usually be done in a weekend.

Here’s my virtual DIY makeover to inspire you. Hopefully you’ll be so inspired by this that you’ll embark on a real-life makeover this weekend!

paint

+

lighting

+

dining-ware

=

Get the Look LOCALLY

Paint – Benjamin Moore House of Colour
Chandelier - Try The Light House for something similar
Dining-ware – Mixed set shown here from Otter’s Kitchen Cove

Happy Decorating!

The general attitude these days towards plastics is not a positive one. We’ve all heard the scary stories of leaching and off-gassing. When people think of “healthy homes” or “green homes” careful consideration regarding the use of plastics is common. Yes, plastics are created from toxic components. However, most common plastics are also safe to use once in their final state.

Plastics play a major role in construction, including renovations. There are plastic components in the majority of the modern products commonly used in today’s renovations. Not sure which products contain plastic? Well, it’s not always obvious because of the fancy names things are given these days.

Here is a sample list I’ve compiled of common renovation products that contain plastic:

- laminate countertops
- laminate flooring
- mdf baseboards
- vinyl renovation windows
- carpet
- latex paint

I’m learning that all building products are compared using rating systems for their Mechanical Properties. Plastics have some major benefits when compared to other materials.

Ironically, these beneficial Mechanical Properties have a lot to do with the health and safety of a home. For example, the Electicial properties of plastics are advantageous for safety reasons when compared to other products. Factors such as heat resistance and arc resistance make plastics the ideal product to use for the majority of electrical systems today. Another example of plastic being a healthy choice for construction would be the use of vapour barrier plastics in construction. We’ve all heard about the ‘leaky condo’ issue in BC which resulted in scary unhealthy mold situations; Installing the right kind of plastic vapour barier prevents newer homes from going through this same issue. Or, how about engineered wood? Engineered beams are commonly used in construction now. Tree huggers can be torn between moral grounds on this one: Is an engineered beam constructed with plastic resins a better choice than a beam derived from a beautiful old growth tree?

This debate is not black and white.

I have a huge interest in Green Building. During my research I have observed that plastics play a main role in Green Building too.

For example, SIP (Structurally Insulated Panel) construction can result in an extremely energy efficient home. In addition to the energy savings, homes constructed with SIPS take up less of our precious forests because there is less conventional lumber used in the frame. SIPS have a fancy name, but basically they are two sheets of OSB (plastic product) with Polyurethane foam (plastic product) packed between them like a sandwich. SIPs are plastic. SIPs are also Green.

Confused yet?

Regardless of what side of the fence one sits on when it comes to plastics in home construction, a wise choice can be made. Here are some examples of local businesses offering either cutting edge plastic products for home renovations, or plastic alternatives.

1. List of local beneficial plastic related products and services:

EcoSIP Industries (Duncan) – SIP Construction
(extremely energy efficient, saves time and trees in home construction)

Van Isle Windows – Energy Saving Vinyl Windows
(old wood or aluminium windows can be the biggest energy drain in a home)

House of Colour- Low VOC Latex Paint – Benjamin Moore
(a non-toxic latex paint)

2. List of local plastic alternatives:

Nutmeg Homes - Concrete Homes
(Comparable to SIPs in relation to insulating properties and overall strength)

Liquid Stone Studios (Ladysmith) – Concrete Countertops
(Comparable to high-end Laminate Countertops)

Central Home Builders- Hardie Plank Siding
(Comparable to Vinyl Siding for low-maintenance and weather proofing qualities)

Woodland Flooring - Reclaimed & Beetle Pine Flooring
(a wonderful alternative to laminates and engineered hardwoods)

Over to you now:
How do you feel about plastics when it comes to home renovations?
Can you suggest other products/services that fit into either of the above lists?

_________________________________________

Last Week’s Contest Winner:
Congratulations Signi! We’ll contact you with the details :)

I adore some of the new home products coming out with a “Green” focus. We’ve seen sustainable bamboo curtains, hemp sofas, and new furniture hand-crafted with reclaimed lumber.

But I’m also a fan of all things “used”. My neighbour put it right when she said, “I could buy my son every eco-toy imaginable, but often the best ’green’ toy I could buy him is a recycled one.”  So.True.

It may be an earth-friendly (and budget-friendly!) option, but Second-Hand-Store shopping isn’t easy for everyone. It takes a good eye, lots of time, a broad imagination, and – did I mention a lot of time?. While I have deffinitly found some amazing pieces, I have spent too many precious hours just hanging around finding nothing.

oh, how this has changed.

Now Open in Courtenay - “Red Living – Recycled Everyday Design”

Every time I set foot into “Red Living” on Cliffe Ave in Courtenay I find treasure. No wasted time. No stretching the imagination. No hunting.

These guys have seriously done all the hard work for us! By hunting down faboulous pieces and displaying them in a design-savy way, they completely take the guess work out of incorporating recycled goods into stylish living.

Joey and Anthony (Tony) at ‘Red Living’ are a design duo you MUST get to know if you’re interested in Interior Design.  Originally from Ontario, Joey and Tony developed their eye for style in the design-forward neighbourhoods of Toronto. They have brought that knowlege here to the west-coast – providing our small community with a much-needed venue for all things Recycled Living.

Kari and I have a major design-crush on this store. We think you’ll like it too!

- RED LIVING -
“Recycled Everyday Design”
2790 Cliffe Ave.
Courtenay, BC
250-871-1325
www.RedLiving.ca