Landscape timeless classic design?
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cecily 7A
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Patterns in Landscape Design
Comments (16)I just finished reading both A Pattern Language and The Timeless Way of Building. I bought the former a couple of years ago, and the latter went back to the library without any new drool marks. I didn't find either one dry so much as densely packed; I took them in very small bites and made it through over the course of a couple of months. The Timeless Way is basically an extended argument for integrating the design of any given structure with the environment it is part of, asserting that "designing" places as lists of features and specifications, as if they were isolated objects that could be boxed and shelved, bought and plopped down anywhere, is a good way to get miserable, lifeless results. He advocates a way of developing the built environment organically, through "pattern languages" that whole cultures evolve and use to guide the growth of the built environment. The individual patterns of a given language are sort of like nailing schedules or rules of thumb; they are loose guidelines, and each pattern helps you take a baby step towards a developing a whole place. He thinks (and intuitively it seems right to me) that this is how all sorts of cultures over most of the history of mankind have shaped the places they've lived, how the individual buildings characteristic of various cultures have been formed. Any given society will develop it's own language, it's own series of patterns that, explicitly or implicitly, guide it's members through the problems that commonly crop up when places are shaped and built. It's important to note that the title of the second book is "A Pattern Language" not "The Pattern Language." Alexander (and his many co-writers) went to a lot of trouble to assert that theirs in only one of any number of possible pattern languages, and even at that contains a lot of holes and opportuinities for improvement. But they did their best, it seems, to define as complete a language as possible, and struggled to identify problems and suggest workable solutions all the way from very large-scale issues of regional divisions and the shapes of cities, down to very fine issues like the shaping of paving tiles and decorative trim. As I was reading the book, I was alternately stunned at the audacity of its scope -- it can come off as a vast utopian plan -- and frustrated that many of the common-sense, intuitively true ideas it conveys would be very hard to implement today, with city planners, architects and building inspectors standing (not without reason, mind you) between people and the buildings they want to make for themselves. Taken individually, as when you just dip into the book at random or interesting points, each pattern, i.e. each statement of a problem and a solution coupled to other related problems and solutions, can certainly seem like common sense. It's easy to miss the larger idea that building can and ought to be a direct, personal and ongoing process facilitated by pattern languages that are embedded in cultures, rather than isolated projects begun, overseen and ended in professional offices. It's easy to miss that forest for its trees. And yeah, I like Pirsig too....See MoreYour Opinion? Timeless Elements In Kitchen Design
Comments (118)Timeless is such a hard word for me. I think that white cabinets, marble, real butcher block, natural stone, some openness and natural light are timeless to me. Granted the MOST timeless thing to me is functionality. When I started looking for my first house my dad said something that stuck with me, "Look past ugly, you can change ugly --you can't change location, size and layout (easily)- - it is a lot easier take down some wallpaper, lighting fixtures and sea foam green carpet then it is to add an extension or re-arranging walls and be in a different neighborhood." Now when I first started my kitchen reno FUCTION was the most important thing to me, I opened a wall, closed another, moved all my appliances around, added appliances, added an eating bar into my living room and huge amounts of counter space. That to me is timeless, my finishes however are not. If I were to sell my house 6 months from now, I am POSITIVE people would balk at my two tone cabinets, one white with a glaze, my big farm sink, my ORB handles and fixtures and busy granite, the fact I choice new white appliances over stainless steel,, my beveled arabesque, my choice to use multiple big mouldings and other things that I can't think of right now. But to be honest I don't care. I started this project looking for validation from friends/family on what to do and was so unhappy with the results. My mom had a 1940's farm house that she recently re-did the sprawling kitchen with ivory shaker cabinets and black movement filed granite and super top end stainless appliances, restoration hardware lights, simple and beautiful, Many times, by many people called timeless and classic--but I would never want it in my house. I finally decided to treat my kitchen like a reflection of myself, I am 28, I am a housewife with no kids who loves to entertain and does so at least weekly. I am Italian as is my husband with HUGE families that are very close. I love makeup and wear a lot of it, I do not usually leave the house ( or my dressing room for that matter) with out the longest fake eyelashes I can find. I have hip length long blonde hair. It is not uncommon to find me in the kitchen with a pair of 6 inch stilettos on and if I think I put on enough jewelry for the day-- I will go put on just one more piece ;-) So why can't my kitchen reflect me?... It may be over the top, it may be easily dated, it may even be deemed tacky, busy or gaudy... but I can tell you I look just right standing in the middle of it, cause honestly I am a little bit of all of those things. BUT my layout is perfect and functional, it is opened enough to entertain, but closed enough to give me peace when I want it. My cabinets are solid, my moldings are classic (albeit there are a lot of them) my appliances are quality as are finishes-- to me THAT is timeless.... I feel finishes are personal preference in all aspects of life... My ultra crystal filled ostrich feathered giant......See MoreAssistance needed: Kitchen Design with a Classic Appeal
Comments (2)Your tile selection is very much a classic so I would stay fairly neutral. Any shade of grey - light to medium toned - for your cabinets would look beautiful with your tile. Backsplash options will become clearer once you've selected your countertop, but, again, I would choose something calm and timeless. That could be subway tile or arabesque or even a feature behind the range. Hardware could be a silver tone which would blend in if you have stainless steel appliances. However, brass is making a comeback and mixed metals are in so don't limit yourself!...See MoreNeed Help with Curb Appeal Design - 1920s Classic Colonial
Comments (12)I love it without the shutters, but since it's such a classic (and stunning) home, shutters are probably in order. I'll let others comment on that. What would add layering to what you think is a flat look is amazing landscaping. Get a designer from a small garden center to help design a landscaping plan that will add shapes, color, and depth to your beautiful house. Note: this house doesn't need shutters since the gardens add so much to the house....See Moremad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
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