5 Books I Love About Architects

Every weekend I post about "5 Books I love about..." and mostly it has been about Interior Designers etc, naturally enough I think. But where would Interior Designers be without Architects. My training was originally in Architecture (thank you University of Qld, Brisbane Australia), and I switched over to doing mostly Interiors about 15 years ago. However, this has given me the greatest respect for Architects and there art. So, I have put together a sampling of books that cover most styles of homes, about Architects that I really enjoy. Most of these have done large scale commercial work as well, but I really enjoy seeing what these designers do, on a smaller residential scale, I hope you do too.

1.

I doubt that any list on Architecture, residential or otherwise would be complete without Frank Lloyd Wright. His work redefined Modern Architecture, by creating a link between tradition, context and modernism. This book shows a series of his greatest houses, and would serve as a great introduction to his style.

2.

Over the last twenty years or so, a trend has arisen, of huge scale residential architecture, often derisively call "McMansions". The term is often well deserved, as these new mega-homes are often poorly planned pastiches of traditional and classical architecture. Then along came Robert Stern, who has an incredible depth of knowledge about classical design, and has managed to find a way to design on a large scale but still create buildings that are timeless and beautiful. My favorites have always been the shingle style houses he has created out in the Hampton's, but the book also includes some of his Mediterranean homes done in other parts of the country as well. For those who enjoy great homes on a large scale, this is not to be missed.

3.

While much is made of the Mediterranean homes of Florida, by Addison Mizner etc, Florida also has a rich tradition of Modern Architecture, and this book is about one of it's greatest practitioners. Paul Rudolph created some of the best Modern houses in the state that expertly blended tropical fantasy with modernism. His unique voice is a great counterpoint to the traditional work that was going on around him.

4.

In recent years Richard Meier's reputation has exploded with his development of the Getty Center in Los Angeles, as well as other huge projects around the world. Given the size of most of his projects, I find it fascinating to see him work on a more intimate scale. Most of these houses are not huge, but they all embody his classic modernist outlook. I particularly enjoyed the beach houses.

5.

No trip to Los Angeles is complete without a tour of the tony suburbs of Beverly Hills, Bel Air and San Marino. These neighborhoods, constructed mostly in the 20's and 30's are full of great Mediterranean homes that are inspiring in their detail and execution. This man, Wallace Neff is responsible for some of the best examples. His frequent trips to Europe and his eye for detail, gave his work a look of effortlessness that seems timeless even today. This book is a great story about one of the first society Architects in Hollywood, and is a great addition to any collection.

Resource Day- Gump's

Every major city has one or two stores that define it's shopping identity. In Los Angeles there is Fred Segal, New York has Begdorf Goodman, and in San Francisco there is Gump's. While the first two stores I mentioned are department stores, although boutique ones, Gumps is a home decor wonderland. Spread over two glorious floors in downtown San Francisco, this store embodies what a great shopping experience is all about, from old standbys to new pieces by undiscovered talents.

They sell tabletop in all it's varieties from the most stunning European designs, to more handsome everyday pieces. What I especially love is that they try to discover and foster new talent as well, here you will see work by emerging glass and metal artists as well that gives the store a fresh, vibrant appeal. There is also an extensive furniture and accessory department as well. The price points vary from very reasonable to "are you sure that's right?", which I really like, because that blend of high and low brow, makes for a much more interesting combination.

While I visit this store every time I get the chance, their well put together web site is a great way to stay up to date on the latest goings on (www.gumps.com). So please, take a few minutes and browse through what they offer, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Take a Look at My New Web Site

Well, I am happy to announce that I have finally gotten around to updating my Web Site. To be honest, I have to thank Meryl Pollen our graphic artist and Jack Brown, who works with me, who put it all together, despite my lethargy. I think they did a tremendous job, and it now highlights some new projects. So take a look and let me know your thoughts.

www.markcutlerdesign.com

The next project is to update the look of the Blog, so stay tuned for that one!

Designing with One Color

I have been working on a new project recently that has been giving me trouble. It is a beautiful house, right on the beach, for a young family. I have been struggling with getting the right approach, that is sophisticated enough for the parents, but usable enough for the family. I have tried all sorts of patterns, textures and prints, but nothing seems to resonate with me. My work is known for it's subtle blend of pattern and colors, so that is the approach I have been using. This morning i had a breakthrough, though. I have decided to use this great linen texture on everything. It will be Upholstery in the Living Room, chairs in the Dining Room and even some wall upholstery in the Entry. It is going to be terrific!

using a relatively monochromatic color scheme can be tricky, you have to be very careful not to let it get too bland, here are some thoughts on how to bring your singular vision to life:

• While you may decide to go with one color on all your major pieces, use accent color and texture on things like pillows etc. In my new scheme, I am contrasting the linen texture with some silk and wool pillows, the contrast between a rustic fabric and something more refined, elevates the mood of the room and creates some splashes of interesting color.
• If you are using predominately one color, you will have to find other ways to create interest, so that the eye will move around the room. I am introducing an old, rustic dining table, this antique piece will give me the interest, I would otherwise have used color to create.
• If you are going to do most or all of your upholstery in the one fabric, make sure that you change up the shapes. If all of your pieces look similar in shape, then you will run the risk of looking like a "suite' of furniture, you want it to look like a collection that is unified by color, not a last minute purchase at a big furniture store.
• As far as what color to choose, there are basically two schools of thought. My approach is soft, subtle color that blends with what is going on. The other approach is to go for drama, with a strong color or pattern, I like this approach a lot, but it's not one that I use a lot, I am always concerned that it will get dated very quickly.

Anyway, I hope that this gives you some inspiration when you sit down to design your rooms.

Answer Day: Wicker

Today's question was posed by a woman, who is a big fan of wicker furniture, but also has young kids. Her concern is whether or not she can incorporate wicker into her home, without fear of the kids ruining it. The short answer to that question is yes, and no. It really depends on the pieces you have in mind.

Like all types of furniture, wicker comes in a variety of qualities and styles, and this will determine it's suitability for your home. The classic designs that we are all used to seeing on the Southern Porch is large with lots of loose weaving, is probably not the best choice, as it has a lot of fairly unsupported pieces that give it it's decoration. On the other hand, there is now a whole group of wicker furniture that is a little simpler in design and works well in almost any situation. The image of the sofa above is a good example of this.

There are several manufacturers that build this furniture too, and like most things, the less expensive the items are (Pier 1 and World Market), the less likely the piece will hold up to lots of stress. I have always had success with Walters Wicker (www.walterswicker.com), they have a great selection of product, that are reasonable in price, but with a quality that I feel good about.

Now, the other option that you have, especially if it is the more decorative kind of wicker that you had in mind, is to choose pieces, other than seating. A decorative plant stand, or occasional table will probably be safe from the onslaught of most kids, but will still give you the look that you are after.

I hope that this has helped, let me know what you decide on.

5 Books I Love about Gardens

So each Sunday I am planning on posting a group of 5 books about a particular subject. As anyone who reads this Blog regularly knows, I am passionate about books (I have a collection of about 2000 design books) and I firmly believe that they are a necessary resource for anyone serious about design. While I think magazines are great, they do not give an in depth analysis that a book offers. Today's list is about gardens. You will notice that when it comes to gardens, I am a bit of a traditionalist and also a bit California-centric, but I hope that you enjoy the list, and that I have piqued your interest.

This book by Winnifred Dobyns, was originally published more than 50 years ago, but it has become one of the touchstones for anyone interested in the great gardens that were constructed in Southern California in the last century. But this reprint is much more than a historical book, it can provide some great inspiration for anyone looking to create an old world garden that captures some of the qualities of the classic European gardens.

2.

Almost any book by David Hicks is worthy of making almost any list of great design books (in fact I think one of my future lists will be my favorite David Hicks books). I particularly enjoy this book, as Mr. Hicks gives you access into some of the greatest and eccentric gardens in the world. It is beautifully shot and with insightful descriptions, this book is one of the most used in my collection.

3.

No list on gardens would be complete without a book by the legendary English Garden designer, Gertrude Jekyll. She is known for her books on designing classic English Gardens and borders. Her theories on layering color and texture in gardens, have influenced generations of garden designers, no matter of the style that they work on. This book on Arts and Crafts Gardens is a more accessible volume about creating a thematic garden. California has a great Arts and Crafts tradition, so this book has been particularly helpful to me, and would make a great addition for anyone who wants to create a loose cottage style garden.

4.

I included this book for people who enjoy gardens, but do not "garden". For those of us who prefer to sit on the porch and enjoy the garden, rather than dig in the soil, and actually garden, this is the book for you. It is a great story written by a couple as they construct a garden at their new home. Follow the ups and downs as they try different plantings, and follow them to the their ultimate success. It's a perfect gift for your gardening friends too (couple it with some cool gardening gloves and some great bulbs and it makes the ideal gift).
5.

For all of you that think a garden is all floral borders and gravel paths, this is a terrific book. Written by Pamela Burton (a more than accomplished Los Angeles Landscape Designer in her own right) this book looks at contemporary gardens of Southern California. Los Angeles in particular has a great collection of mid-century modern houses, and to see how these are complemented by imaginative landscape is very interesting to see. I think that Pamela's descriptions provide both insight and a historical perspective that really bring these gardens alive.

So that is my list for this week, I hope you enjoy the collection!

The Unexpected Element....

Decorating a room can be an intimidating task. Where do you begin? Or more importantly when do you know you are finished? One of the most common questions that i am asked, is how do you make a room that is co-ordinated and put together, but at the same time, does not look like the pages of a catalogue. One of the hallmarks of my design work is that it is totally a reflection of the people who live there and has an almost effortless looking, undecorated style. If I were to narrow this down to one thing I think I would call it the "unexpected element". It is that one thing in the room, that, on paper probably doesn't work, but in execution gives the room a bit of a shake up and stops it from feeling too "done".

As an example take a look at the image above, it is a home Library that i did a few years ago. The color palette is very neutral and the story is really all about the texture of the room, but then, out of nowhere comes this rug in magenta and orange. It gives the room a confident, just thrown together kind of feel, it is the unexpected element.

Here are some tips on how you can introduce this into your designs, and bring them to life even more:

• Pick a piece that can stand alone from the rest of your design, a rug or an occasional chair are perfect pieces for this kind of approach.
• While you want it to stand out from the rest of the room, pay close attention to the other design elements of the piece. For instance, if you are using a piece in an off color, pay close attention that it ties to the room in scale and texture. Or if you are using something that is over scaled, make sure that the color works with the other pieces in the room.
• A piece can become unexpected by using it in an unusual location. For instance, using outdoor furniture inside, or a great French antique chair in a bathroom. It is the context that can create the tension that makes the piece interesting.
• One or two of these elements in a room is usually more than enough to create the desired effect, more than that and you start looking like a random assortment of cast-offs.
• Mixing periods is also a simple way to create this sort of visual texture. I just designed a Dining Room with a great old antique table and then paired it with a classic modern chair, the Brno Chair.

Remember the key to making this work, make it look effortless! Happy Designing!