The Cultivated Home » Architecture

Nomad your Own Space

Nina — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:15:05 +0000

As a kid we all loved building forts out of chairs, pillows, and sheets, but as adults we rarely spend time creating structures of our own. Luckily, the amazing designers, Jaime Salm and Roger Allen, have created a modular architectural system called Nomad that allows you to assemble your own temporary free-standing structure. The Nomad system was created out of Jamie and Roger’s desire to produce flexible spaces that can morph any environment into your dream space. From a partition or a screen to an actual room, anything is possible with Nomad! Available in a wide range of colors, you can mix and match to add pattern and interest to your new structure.

It’s perfect for turning a studio apartment into more then just one room and for partitions in an office space—or let your childhood dreams come back, and create a adult fort of your own!

Beedus & Jardin

Nina — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:51:54 +0000

Sometimes the stars align and an interior designer and a real-estate investor’s mindset are combined, creating a mind that is gifted in every aspect of home design and what we see as pure talent. That is just what happened when the brilliant Reed Woodson was born. With design and real estate in his blood, passion in his heart, and knowledge in his brain, Woodson began his career in 1997 overhauling apartments in San Francisco and New York City. During these first five years he bought, designed, and built several amazing homes until he decided in late 2009 to open his own firm called Beedus & Jardin.

Beedus & Jardin is a real-estate firm that offers interior design construction management as well as green consulting services to its clients. Woodson describes his style as “generally modern organic”. To quote him, he says, “I love mixing raw materials like glass, brick, concrete, wood, and steel with sleek architectural elements or high-end fixtures. It’s a delicate mix between the two, but if done properly people will never forget it.”

This style can be seen in two amazing SoHo apartments he has recently worked on that are featured on the Beedus & Jardin website. Each image is inspiring, and we love the “before” and “after” contrast of each space. Check out Reed Woodson’s work today and keep Beedus & Jardin in mind when your next design project develops!

Frank Lloyd Wright at the Guggenheim

Nina — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:23:27 +0000

As designers we’re always looking for ideas and inspiration, be it from a magazine, a flea market antique, or a fabulous piece of art. This summer’s find is on Fifth Avenue at the Guggenheim Museum. The Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward exhibit features sixty-five projects conceived by the architect, many of which are on view to the public for the first time. Take a break from the heat and walk the spiraling hallways of the museum, Wright’s last major work, and glance at the many works presented through animations, models and original drawings. You don’t have to be an architecture buff to appreciate the originality of one of the most renowned architects of the twentieth century.

There has to be something said for Wright’s visions, which express a harmonious relationship between form, function and the environment. So whether you’re looking to impress at your next dinner party with some architecture trivia, or you’re looking for some design inspiration, check out the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit before it’s too late. It’s easy to forget that some of the most inventive and timeless design concepts are just a New York minute away at our favorite museums. For more information on the exhibit and the architect, visit there website.

Taking Trunks to New “Heights”

Nina — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:51:22 +0000

We are always thinking ahead here at Cultivated Home, so we were excited—and somewhat intrigued—to learn that our friends at Louis Vuitton have taken their fine forward thinking to new heights!

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11’s first lunar landing on July 20th, Louis Vuitton designed a custom-made trunk: the “Malle Mars” trunk. It opens in multiple places, revealing compartments, drawers, and anything else you might need for a trip to Mars (it has a folding lounge chair). Adorned with the Louis Vuitton monogram, this luxurious, lunar accessory is sure to be on any astronaut’s “must have” list!

The trunk is currently on display at the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History along with other NASA memorabilia. Hurry over and cheek it out! This piece is literally out of this world!

To see more pictures of the Malle Mars trunk and the Louis Vuitton party held at the American Museum of Natural History on Monday, July 13th, visit: New York Shopping Diary. Or to learn more about the Rose Center for Earth and Space, visit their website.

Hardware for Home Flare: Tips Part 1

Nina — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 05:00:20 +0000

As professional interior designers, we have a few tricks for how to use simple materials from your local hardware/Home Depot to keep your home looking clean and well-maintained. As professional bloggers, we’re bringing them to straight your inbox!Magic Eraser

Acts like white-out for your home! Just wet this sponge, and wipe away all the scuff marks on your walls and doors. No need to retouch anything – this sponge does the trick without removing any paint. Make sure to test a small area first, then work its magic!

Double Stick Tape

Carpets in foyers or high-use traffic areas often suffer from curling corners. Not only does it make the carpet look old and used, but it’s also a tripping hazard! So grab two pieces of double-stick tape, placing one the floor and another on the carpet, and you can rest (and walk!) easy.

Glides

A simple set of felt glides can save your floor from ugly and irksome scrapes. Stick ‘em on the legs of your tables and chairs to prevent scratching, or pick up a set “adjustable” glides to stabilize wobbly chairs on uneven surfaces.

Cable Ties

Nothing disturbs a beautiful interior like the sight of cables and cords, so invest in cable ties and extensions to conceal your wiring behind furniture. As for that tangly mess hidden behind the couch…what your guests don’t know won’t hurt ‘em!

Bosse Limited

Nina — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 05:00:01 +0000

Opt out of the typical duplex metal flight for a custom wooden spiral staircase with unparalled technical detail and design sincerity. Whether you have two floors or an entire townhouse, a staircase designed and built by Bosse LLC will form a focal point for your home with backbone integrity. These NY woodworkers and contractors are trained in Nantucket craftsmanship. Think boatbuilding, fine woodworking, and fully constructed fine homes.

Longhi Doors

Nina — Thu, 22 May 2008 12:01:22 +0000

I think most of you know, I’m not a designer anymore. So, I’m a little out of the loop when it comes to materials and architectural finishes. I was really excited to discover Longhi at ICFF. Longhi is an Italian furniture maker, but the exciting thing is they make really beautiful contemporary interior doors. They are a stunning fabrication of aluminum and whatever panel material you choose.

They have lots of glass options; different colors and opacities are available as well as a variety of laminated glass (two layers of glass with stuff between them to give it texture) and etched glass. There are also a number of wood choices available. And if you need a series of sliders for a wide opening, they’ve got it covered. To view these options in person, please go to their New York showroom/distributor Ambient Italia; 285 Spring Street, NYC; 212 255 0520.

The Solaire

Nina — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:43:29 +0000

With all of the buzz about being environmentally safe and aware these days, who knew that we New Yorkers have one of the most environmentally advanced buildings in the nation…right in our own backyard. Down at the most southern point of Battery Park City sits The Solaire, America’s first environmentally advanced residential tower. These advances include air quality, water quality, energy, and more. The building houses an advanced air-filtration system with 24/7 exhaust in bathrooms and kitchens and a 24-hour air quality monitoring system. It also holds a central water-filtration system within the building along with filtration systems in the refrigerators for some extra clean drinking water. No need to purchase bottled water anymore. As for energy, the buildings design is 35% more energy-efficient than code requires which provides residents with lower electricity bills at those peak times. The building also uses solar panels and rainwater storage and reserve, which help to make this building even more environmentally friendly.

For more information on The Solaire and its environmentally friendly facts visit the building’s website. For more green condominiums visit The Visionaire website. The Solaire is located at 20 River Terrace, New York, NY 10282; 212 748 6100

It also holds a central water-filtration system within the building along with filtration systems in the refrigerators for some extra clean drinking water. No need to purchase bottled water anymore. As for energy, the buildings design is 35% more energy-efficient than code requires which provides residents with lower electricity bills at those peak times. The building also uses solar panels and rainwater storage and reserve, which help to make this building even more environmentally friendly. For more information on The Solaire and its environmentally friendly facts visit the building’s website. For more green condominiums visit The Visionaire website. The Solaire is located at 20 River Terrace, New York, NY 10282; 212 748 6100

Interior Landscape: Ford Foundation

Nina — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:00:40 +0000

Not only do many of us city dwellers desire a hint of plant life in our cozy apartments but rather we need a bit of flourishing greenery. To get your flourishing fix head to the Ford Foundation Building. Surprisingly enough, this beautiful landscape is indoors and also happens to be considered the first large-scale, permanent, commercial use of indoor planting in the United States. The space was designed as a refuge; a place to experience a serene environment and a brief moment of delight amidst Manhattan’s aggressive bustle.

Interior landscaping is certainly the fastest growing field of ornamental horticulture, it is the art and science of placing living plants in elegant accessories for the sole purpose of creating aesthetic appeal. The Ford Foundation Building gets high marks for aesthetics, but also does well as a healing landscape. To Zen-out within the confines of our big city go to 321 East 42nd Street.

Shigeru Ban in New York

Nina — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 05:00:59 +0000

In case you hit the snooze bar on New York architecture, we’re getting another heavy-hitter. Metal Shutter Houses is a Chelsea condominium project by Shigeru Ban that is due for completion in the fall of this year. The building is a beautiful, contextual piece whose name and concept echo both, the night-time state of the surrounding galleries and the history of its former industrial neighborhood. We love that the shutters have such versatility.

Not only do they provide a contextual connection, but they provide privacy and sun control as well. And if that wasn’t enough, each duplex can open entirely, from end to end, to the elements. Even if this project wasn’t designed in an elegant/minimalist, Japanese style, just the idea of having such control over light and air is pretty ground-breaking for New York living. Lastly, not only are we fascinated with the building, but we love the design of the website too. Metal Shutter Houses is located at 524 West 19th Street between 10th and 11th.