I’m kinda swamped with blog work (besides getting this post done) so I took a quick peek through my photo stash and found many photos from Period Living, a site that I have become smitten with. The tile floors, exposed beams and country charm always do it for me. I often crave much more modern spaces but it’s eye candy nonetheless. Enjoy your Friday folks!

Time for this week’s reader request: “My name is Gisela Diaz and I’m a Spanish girl living in Portugal. Recently I bought a antique bathtub. I been looking for that for more than ten years, and finally I got it. I would like to ask you for some inspiration to restore it and to install it.” I went through my stash of bathroom photos and found some featuring antique bathtubs – mainly clawfoot – to show Gisela the placement/colours/taps and whatever else she may need to figure out. I am completely jealous. I have wanted a clawfoot tub for a long time. Actually, I’d settle for any tub that is large enough to take a bath in (and have adequate water coverage). Last time I took a bath I was probably 8 years old. In all the homes I have rented/bought I have never had a decent tub. I think it’s about time I get one….

Hus & Hem
Lonny
Marie Claire Italy
Elle Decor
Shootspaces
Light Locations
Living Etc.
Homes & Gardens
House To Home

Period Living	Lynn Morgan
Sunset	Sköna hem
Melanie Acevedo	Marie Claire Italy
Country Home	Ryann Ford
design*sponge	Valerie Rowley

As I promised earlier today, here is project #2 from Françoise Bollack Architects. The detail is incredible – I am smitten with the hardwood floors, the deep windows, the moldings, the kitchen…

“This project consists of the renovation of a four thousand square feet duplex in the Osborne Apartments, a New York City landmark located at 57th Street and 7th Avenue. The work includes combining two rooms to create a large kitchen, renovating all bathrooms and bedrooms. Sustainable “green” materials are used in several areas: cork for the kitchen floor, and IceStone counter tops (a green material made of recycled glass). New, properly counterweighted, double hung wood windows glazed with insulating, laminated glass will improve the performance of the exterior wall by controlling heat loss, heat gain and noise transmission. Our approach carefully knits the new with the old by using traditional materials installed with traditional methods and finishes specific to this particular building (an iridescent floor tile in the bathrooms for example).“

  
Photos by Henrik Olund

I heard about Françoise Bollack Architects, based in New York City, through Anatoly Starr who works with the firm. He sent along some info on two projects and lots of fabulous photos which I am excited to share with you. First, a little intro: “Françoise Bollack Architects is a design oriented architectural firm founded in 1981 specializing in historic preservation, renovation and new design. The continued, spirited, reuse of our cultural and natural resources is the foundation of our design philosophy. We believe that new designs incorporating existing elements result in richer buildings. We provide fresh, inventive design solutions addressing the project’s circumstances – existing buildings, budget, quirks of the program, etc. – to create a new work, specific to its place, mindful of its tradition and alive in our time.”

This first project is just a taste of what’s to come. Wait until you see the second project coming later today. GORG!!!

“This project consists of the renovation of a nine hundred seventy-five square feet home in the Osborne Apartments, a New York City landmark located at 57th Street and 7th Avenue. Working with very tight space constraints, we designed a kitchen that works as a long, simple credenza within the living room. This reconfiguration of the kitchen/living room is not only functional, it recaptures the grand, original proportions of the main room. Our approach carefully knits the new with the old by using traditional materials and finishes specific to this particular building coupled with rich contemporary materials where appropriate (as in the new bathroom).“

  
Photos by Henrik Olund

We recently received the following email from a reader named Cheryl: “I am an avid read of your blog and happen to know a very talented architect that you might like! Her name is Risa Boyer and she has an amazing talent for incorporating clean, modern architecture with mid century elements while maintaining the original integrity of the home. Her 35th Ave and 3806 projects are my favorite.” I checked out Risa’s website and completely agree that she has amazing talent. Below are photos from Cheryl’s favourite projects of Risa’s (they’re my favs too) and a couple other projects. (Thanks for the tip Cheryl!)