Pictorial Modernism

Our friends are selling their home… it's an amazing gem of a house as you can see from the photos below (and, over the years, I've spent a lot of time there.) Opening times are:

Broker tour (open to the public):
3/17 @ 11AM – 2PM
3/20 @ 1PM – 4PM

Open house
3/27 @ 1PM – 4PM

Offers
3/28 @ noon

Find out more information at www.28ArcangelWay.com

I was able to shoot the below when finishing up some of the work at the house… check out the website above for even more photos.

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28 Arcangel Way: For Sale (Photos)Read More »

Our Friends Michael and Iris are selling their house and that makes us quite sad… some recent work on the house bought me back to San Rafael where I was able to review some of the past work, get some new photographs, reflect on the work overall, and see how it's held up five years later — the last 3 or so being inhabited with renters (w/ teen and dog).

The Laundry Area: This modification got a bit of press. In revisiting the home, a few things became apparent: (1) it was the right thing to do — the machines that will fit there depth-wise are "condo sized" in the first place (smaller and lower) so having them on the platform makes sense and (2) the materials have held up quite well — I can't really find a scratch (even after 3 years of rental use). As-is, most any counter-depth machine will fit and the height of the counter is very usable. The washer box is easily accessible should you need to turn off the water and the way the hoses (down below) and electrical lines (up above) run through the area makes it a very tidy space. Some additional design details like the aluminum trim under the counter and on the sides of the shelf (see pix below) and underlit shelves add to the style-element while the drywall backing adds additional file protection — these areas are known for dryer-fires as the exhaust vents up the wall (think: as original — a hot exhaust flue and 2 aged luan sheets on both sides with no protection otherwise).

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28 Arcangel Way: 5 Years Later…Read More »

Our friend Blaine is moving… this makes us sad. However, his spectacularly restored house is now for sale.

You might remember the house from way back. Blaine easily wins the award for bringing back the most in-need house to an absolutely stunning example of MCM architecture. Hopefully the new owners will keep the faith and be just as wonderful.

You can read about it on its own microsite… His agent also commissioned some very nice photos which you can check out. I've included a few below.

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4095 Phoenix for sale: A stunnerRead More »

Edit: Thanks to ApartmentTherapy.com for the feature.

We've had so many random projects that I've not been able to schedule an afternoon to take pictures of the nursery, but my friend Kelly (and her awesome pictures) motivated me to get out the camera. Also, Peter and Jenny needed a shot of a crib for a project they're working on, so here goes… Lots of high-res goodness if you click the shots and some detailed information below.

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Nursery PicturesRead More »

Although quiet, we've been busy at *rnm.

(1) There's a new baby (more on that eventually), and

(2) I'm now custom-making case-study-style shelving units (and selling them!*)

We love the look and functionality of the original Eames-designed ESU (Eames Storage Unit). When introduced, it was a practical, modular and affordable shelving option with a bit of whimsy and an industrial flair. Fast forward 50+ years and it's now relegated to design showrooms and is crazy expensive.

In the nursery, I needed a more shallow option — 12in deep as opposed to the 16in traditional depth. Plus, at almost $1500 delivered, it seemed a bit out of reach. So, of course we made our own.

In the same DIY and off-the-shelf ethos as the original Eames units, this is made with maple plywood cut and finished in my workshop and supported by aluminum legs — the latter, a bit of a refinement from the erector-set-like originals. The sides and back are walnut faced on one side and laquered on the reverse (red, gray and cream). This unit is 32in wide and 12in deep — a perfect fit for the space.

[Click on the photos for larger, clearer versions]

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Case-Study Shelving (new… and for sale)Read More »

This weekend, I'm at a working-retreat for my day job at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. It is pretty amazing. Designed by Albert Chase McArthur, a disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright, it's often called "the jewel of the desert"… and I was completely unaware of this space and its history.

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It’s Hot in PhoenixRead More »