thespottedspaniel

         Spa: Women's Locker Room                                  Residence: Master Bath

Above: Floor Plan and a Conceptual Elevation of the Entry. Floor Plan executed in AutoCAD and  Entry executed in Photoshop.

Above: Office Perspective and Living Room Perspective. Both executed in SketchUp.

The Malama Med Spa project is moving right along. The past couple of weeks have been spent working on the floor plan. This is a 4200 square foot project. It has been no small task. The basic exterior was provided and after being pulled into AutoCad, the space planning began. There were some specifics provided, such as an entry and book keepers office that would not exceed 400 sq. ft., but then there were more ambiguous instructions, leaving it up to the designers to figure out what the Helf's might desire in the most creative ways they could.

The residence, being around 1000 sq. ft. had to fit into this plan while keeping in mind that all sleeping areas must include a window. This provided to be quite challenging, because most wanted to put this space where another exterior door was already provided. In the Spotted Spaniel's plan the residence ended up towards the back, or the southern side of the floor plan. Given this spot, it provided plenty of windows and light, which were also met to an extent on the spa side in the rest area, front lobby and the exercise area.

Skylights were also given to the rest area, as well as the pool. There were several special features that were attended to, such as a circular skylight above the dining and kitchen area that is surrounded by greenery. In addition to the skylights were feature walls in the master bath, pool area and corridor of the day spa. These walls included items such as juniper wood, rocks, bamboo and greenery.

Once space planning was successfully accomplished the files were imported into Photoshop where the color rendering took place. This gives the plans a completed and distinguished look. There is a smooth blend of materials and colors extending from the day spa to the residence. The Helf's desire to have a natural and holistic atmosphere has been well met!

Week 8 of Residential Design 231 entailed a personality evaluation. Each student was required to take the Myers Brigg's Type Indicator personality test. The results of the test were then to be used to determine the space and style of the office or living room of the fall project.

I was an EITP. E-Extrovert: these types tend to like open furniture arrangements, group seating and can multi-task easily. They are very outgoing in nature and have never met a stranger. I-Intuitive: this personality type is creative, likes more complicated environments and focuses on the big picture, rather than details. T-Thinker: this person is not afraid to debate or question your work and they will analyze all aspects before making a decision. They are usually fair, honest and direct and have considered all angles before making a decision. P-Perceiver: this type tends to embrace creativity and innovation. Their design is usually playful and unconventional. They have difficulty making decisions and like keeping their options open.

It is important for a designer to know the personalities of their clients. This effort will lessen stress and make communication and desired goals more achievable. Design may seem simple to some, but it is actually a reflection of a persons inner self and values.

Here are the space plan and selections for Natalie Ethridge's Key West living room based on "my" personality results.

The foyer/entry of Natalie Ethridge's Key West home is by far my favorite. It provides an inviting atmosphere along with a vibrant tone that reflects Natalie's personality. I have uploaded the selections for readers to view!

This Fall, Lazzaro Leather sponsored a design competition that was open to college and university students. The theme for the contest was "Places & Spaces".   It allowed contestants to intermingle ideas of travel with that of design. Three $500 awards were given and winners will be honored at this weeks High Point Furniture Market.

The rules of the contest were not very constricting, but did include 1) The use of Lazzaro furniture along with the designers own choices of FF&E to create an interior room or setting that would showcase a specific destination. 2) Allowance to submit as many drawings, renderings, original plans and photos that they deemed necessary to relay their concept. 3) All files uploaded in digital format.

The following is my entry:

Students of Residential Design 231 have been asked to have their "design firm" space plan, select new furnishings and accessories for a floor plan that has been provided for them. The entire area will be space planned but only the entry, office, living room, master bedroom and guest room must have FF&E selected.

Spotted Spaniel will be assisting Natalie Ethridge, an retired attorney, who has had a vacation home in the Florida Keys for 20 years. With the recent loss of her husband, Natalie has purchased a new home where she plans to start her new life after retirement. She loves to travel, enjoys spending much time outdoors, reading and stitching, and has a small dog, Max, whom has been traveling to the Keys for the last 3 years.

Natalie's new home is located in Key West and hopes to reflect the style of the original Key West homes by using tongue and groove on most of the interior walls. Natalie would also like to use natural materials, such as grass-cloth and hardwood flooring. Tying these individual elements together will be vibrant pops of color that are indigenous to the more modern Key West atmosphere.

Spotted Spaniel is excited about the progress of this project and will be sure to keep readers updated.


The following are examples provided to the students of the exterior and interior home they have to work with:

                                 

Pat and Chris Helf requested a holistic and environmentally friendly design for Malama Med Spa. The materials and finishes for this project will be a mix of reclaimed wood, cork, cardboard, concrete and bamboo. These materials will be incorporated in flooring and walls to the reception desk and furniture. Bringing nature indoors is important to the Helf's. It is not only environmentally friendly, but lends to a sense of wholeness and well being. Here are some examples of materials that will be used:

 Translucent Concrete
 Sustainable Concrete
 Recycled Glass
 Silestone
 Birchwood
 Color Palette

 Reclaimed Wood
 Blizzard Cork Wall Tiles

 Slate Tiles
Cork Flooring

The color palette chosen for Malama reflects that same sense of calmness and well-being. A neutral palette was chosen for the interior building materials, incorporating colors that represent clarity, cleansing, the earth and energy, serenity and tranquility. Pops of purple, green and blue were selected for decorative elements such as flowers, greenery, water features and lighting. These colors signify healing, balance, tranquility in addition to a meditative and spiritual state. This entire color scheme is representative of what Chris and Pat Helf desire to help their clients obtain. 
Texture also plays an important part of the design. The Helf's are passionate about the care of the body as well as the care of the earth. This attitude is evident in the natural building materials used to create this holistic environment. In addition it lends to a sense of unity and balance as well as the healing power of nature. The style of Malama Med Spa is organic with varied contemporary features throughout. When the clients of Malama Med Spa enter this space, they may feel stressed, agitated or overwhelmed by their health issues and daily routine, but it can be expected that as they walk away they will have been touched emotionally and physically with a sense of restoration

For the fall term of 2015 we will be working on a semester long project, which will also be entered into the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library Interior Design Competition. This project is to test our skills in interior design. The judges of the competition will be looking to see if we have met the minimum requirements of the project as well as our creative abilities.

The space we are planning for sits at the base of a mountain and is surrounded by wild life and water features in a park like setting. It is owned by Chris and Pat Helf who are a husband and wife seeking to convert their 4600 square foot building into a 1000 square foot residence with the remaining space acting as holistic day spa. Both Chris and Pat who are not only married, but also a doctor and physical therapist have a passion for multiple sclerosis patients. They would like their spa to provide an escape for people who are looking for a natural and healing environment. They are conscious of the body as well as the earth and would like to incorporate as many sustainable and environmentally friendly products in the design as possible.

The project not only requires a name and logo, but also five digital pages that will be submitted electronically. The pages will include a concept statement, space plans with FF&E for the day spa and the residential space, interior renderings (hand or computer), materials/color boards for both the day spa and residence and lighting/electrical/switching plans for the lobby, receptionist station and bookkeeper's office. Although this seems like a lot of work and will be very trying at times, I'm sure, it will also be a wonderful learning experience and a chance to win a little cash!

When most think of Art Deco they associate it with the 20's and 30's and for the US that is accurate, but the movement came out of a transitional period in the early 1900's that began in Paris. In 1901 began the Soiete des Artistes Decorateurs, where designers could exhibit their work. There was talk of a desire to return to a purely French mode without the influence of foreign design, as well as a desire to rid design of the curve, which was predominant within the Art Nouveau style. Art Deco would've reached maturity by 1920 had it not been for World War I. The war prolonged the peak of this style and helped to maintain its longevity and intensity. This style is said to have began with the  influence of set designer Leon Bakst who is known for the elegant set of the 1909 Ballets Russes of Paris.

Art Deco is most noted for abstract designs, bright colors and bold elements. The style also contains sunburst, zigzag and chevron patterns. Furniture designs included the use of exotic woods such as rosewood, Macassar ebony, and amboyna because they could be layered with rich veneers that accentuated there  textures and grains. Sharkskin, parchment, snakeskin and lacquer were applied to add color and interest. It should be noted that the very elements that were sought to be forgotten and forsaken when the movement first began are some of the very elements that give Art Deco its uniqueness. Styles of Neoclassical and Empire can be seen in the octagonal and oval forms as well as the contrasting veneers. A low center of gravity and use of black and lacquered finishes lend to a Chinese style. Industrial materials like aluminum and chromium give a machine aesthetic and even Cubism can be seen in the use of vibrant colors and geometric shapes as well as a primitive style found in using exotic woods and other natural materials with an unusual flair.

There are several architects and designers that stand out from this period, one being Adolphe Chanaux. This excellent furniture designer excelled using the above elements and even included vellum, ivory and straw marquetry. In America names like Donald Deskey, William Van Alen, Ralph Walker and Jacques L. Delamarre and Irwin S. Chanin gave designers and architects a platform to dive into fame. Buildings like the Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler Building, the Chanin Building, Majestic Apartments and Radio City Music Hall came into view. Ocean liners, cinemas, hotels, trains and even salons became a symbol of a life of luxury. Of course coming out of a World War would make anyone want to live in the glitz and glamour in order to forget the horror that had proceeded, but by the onset of World War II, most felt as if this life of luxury had run its course and it was time to become more conservative. Regardless, Art Deco lives on even today. It's influence can still be seen in furniture, decor and even fashion. Movies and music that represent that time in history are embraced by a people who still secretly desire to have lived in an era with such elegance and grace.