M. Warhola: July 2009

Thursday, July 30, 2009

SURFACES :: Orchid Ceramics

SURFACES is a yearly industry event where floor covering professionals from around the world come together in a 350,000 square foot space to show off new products and trends. Jeanene and I were asked by Orchid Ceramics to design their temporary showroom for the event. The idea for our space was to create mock rooms to show uses for tile all around the house. This was a very successful method and offered much more visual interest than endless racks of tile samples.

In the Kitchen, we contracted the local cabinet designers/builders, Hefner Woodworking. They created the cabinets used. We used a variety of tile on the counter tops, floors and back splash to create the modern look.

In the Living Room, we used a unique floor tile and made the tile sample boards into the artwork of the room. We also incorporated two paintings from Charlotte artist, Charlotte Foust. The chain columns were built by Hefner Woodworking and consisted of hundreds and hundreds of feet of ball chain suspended in circular form with lights in the center. Two barcelona chairs and a natural wood side table completed the look of this room.

In the center area of the showroom, there were more examples of tile as art. The wall was created with a sheets of aluminum behind a wood veneer with 2" - 4" holes cut out. The veneer framed the tile to display it to potential buyers.

The Garden Room used the tile as art again on the walls, it was also used to build an outdoor sofa and on the floors. Three pouf chairs were between two custom built planters. As in all of the rooms, textured wall panels were applied to the wall to add another layer of detail.

The bathroom was a calm and chic room with two tones of tile used on the floor to create interest. The custom platform bathtub had a ledge around the bottom for pebbles and the floating cabinets featured a step ledge.

The Old Office of YSS

Here are two images from our old Yellow Shoe Studio office. Jeanene and I shared a large room with a fireplace in the center. We wanted to create an environment that was conducive to both creativity and productivity. Although we each had a desk with chairs, we often found it more comfortable (and less work feeling) to sit in our 'comfy chairs' and work.

We used a medium gray with slight blue undertones on the walls and a vibrant teal color on the ceiling to brighten the room and add a splash of color that was not overwhelming. The chandelier was a steal at the Habitat for Humanity Restore for only $10 and the artwork was from a local painter. It was our mission to *try* to have an orchid in the office all of the time because it always made us smile.

Floor Plan :: 1900 Nassau

This is a drawing from a proposed home renovation located in the Plaza Midwood Area here in Charlotte. The home was originally less than 1000 square feet with two bedrooms and one bathroom, but the investor was looking to have a total of approximately 2500 square feet with 4-5 bedrooms and 3+ bathrooms all working within the original footprint of the house. The proposed plan included a garage beneath the hillside home and an additional floor and a half above the existing structure. The main level is a very open plan that flows between the dining, living and kitchen areas. A sunroom was also added to create an informal family gathering space overlooking the large backyard.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Beer Pong, Dead Style

Made from a Habitat ReStore door.

The Screen Porch Project

When we moved into our new place, Phil and I found a pile of old window screens in the backyard and felt inspired. We created a pseudo wall out of the nine 16" x 48" screens that we painted and suspended with wire.