All this talk of decay and decadence brings me back to this project, which is to humanize a living space that's proportioned, except for the average sized kitchen, along palatial lines, while leaving the open concept open. It's interesting that with all this marketing of the raw, this former industrial space is pretty polished. The concrete is clean and smooth (not really anything like Palimpsest's favorite Brutalism), the metals (trusses, stairs, catwalks, ducts, window frames) are smooth and painted an appealing white with a green cast, and are in great shape and don't need to be redone. These may be industrial relics, but very civilizedly so. The decadent part is the size of the space, especially for one person who is barely beyond being a "girl". Most urbanites would be comfy (well...cramped but content) in something the size of the mezzanine. Without the upper bits, it's basically a two bedroom, two bathroom, open concept apartment with a dining area, living area and kitchen. On steroids. Big time. :) The owner is confused by our discussion, as I've relayed some of the more interesting bits, but it's helped us focus on how to make the living room functional for more than cocktail parties. She doesn't want to divide the space, which would suck all the grandeur out of it, and she doesn't want conversation groups. Palimpsest's digital living gave me an idea which I thought was silly, but might be a go, for a central tower for media, rather than putting it against a wall. This must have been done before--it doesn't feel particularly original--but I think it would work. We talked about making it out of wood and hiding all the blackness of the equipment, but it would be awfully big and block the view. More honest and practical would be to have a central service column with all the cables and juice, and put lots of screens on swing arms, as well as media players and the like. Perhaps have smaller screens facing into the catwalks. It would sort of be an inside out control console crossed with the monolith from 2001. Or it could, I suppose, be made of of brass steam fittings and go all steampunk. :) Becky, I totally forgot about that place!! Thanks for linking it. I think its the Navajos who don't tear down old structures but let the earth reclaim them naturally. Seeing it done on a castle scale is offputting, however, to put it mildly. I used to know someone who had owned and lived in a castle--the real ancient fortress kind--for many years. It really sounds dreadfully uncomfortable, and one imagines that they do best as amusements for tourists.

Romy718 - I saw them at Advantage Kitchen & Bath in Niles. I've been to the Knobbery. A small place, but they pack a lot in their store. Studio 41 does carry Edgar Berebi. Nice line, but expensive. I figure they were going to be expensive before I found out who made them because of all the detail. What Studio 41 did you go to? I've been to quite a few of them. Kitchen project is going slowly. Making most my choices slowly as I'm real particular in my choices. Narrowed down a range to Bertazzoni, Capital or Blue Star 30" . I posted about my sink choices on the forum too. Thanks for asking. I'm assuming that you're aware that your kitchen is posted on you design firms Houzz page. You did a fabulous job on your kitchen. Carrie B - Yes, unfortunately the prices are per piece. According to their website that they are made to order. Nice, but will look for something less expensive. The place that I saw them at had a kitchen display with some handles that were more simple then these were which I sorta liked.

I have what looks very much like the same thing. I spent some time with a family in Barcelona back in the 60's. They gave me this as a gift when I left. I can only tell you what it was used for when it was given to me. During the last evening and the last meal my host brought it out with red wine in it. He had pushed a round tooth pick in the small hole. He then lifted the vase above his head and poured the wine in a very small stream onto his forehead and made it run down the side of his face into his mouth. He then presented it to me to try. After many tries and getting red wine all over my shirt I did it also. Not sure if that is all they are used for. I never did ask. Just a wonderful memory that will last forever.

Starburst Lemon Aura(F1) Sunflower Seed 1729 Product ID: 1729 Gorgeous, pale yellow, branching double. Lovely, fully-double blooms on long, sturdy stems cover this compact plant. The light yellow shade lends itself well to pastel bouquets making it a great addition to an existing sunflower line. Also known as common sunflower and annual sunflower. Pollenless. Ht. 48-60". Avg. 1,050 seeds/oz. Packet: 50 seeds. http://www.johnnyseeds.com/p-6291-starburst-lemon-aura.aspx This one is a pale yellow while yours is dark, but it looks like they could be related.