Crown Heights Reno
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March 18, 2007
it's a whole new language
parental guidance warning:
if you don't like a bit of personal introspection served up with your reno blog,
skip this post, imho process doesn't come in only one flavor
for me, the hardest thing about this whole endeavor has to do with process.
i might be a visual person, but i am "additive" by nature.
i am a collector and a collagist,
i build paint up, i scrape it off,
and i never have an inkling of how something will resolve itself,
until it does,
i never have a clue of how a painting will look in the end.
(in this way my process is like that of a sculpturer,
whose approach is to reveal the form "hidden" within the material they are working with.
well,
unless you have VERY deep pockets,
nothing resembling this approach works in a renovation...
here the goal is to envision as much as possible in advance.
this means having an understanding of what the relationships between
the various textures, colors and forms you are using will be,
before you actually see them together.
so that you have all the materials that you will need
ready at the precise moment they are required for installation
when this works
you get a 1+1=3 situation;
the beauty of each element separately
and then the additional "aaahhhhhhhhhh" when they are put together.
for me,
this is the moment that tells me a painting is "finished"
sometimes i can't even see it for months
and never until i physically move the work out of the studio
often,
i am as surprised as the next person to see what i have made
so,
this concept of starting from a place of understanding
how it will all fit together at some (very undefined) point in the future,
is not a place where i live:
and it's a place that is scary for me
example: "tile"
a subset of the larger concept known as "floor"
(and to some extent: "wall")
i mean, how do you make sense of all this beauty...
most of these are pure fantasy for me
(as in: glass tile tends to run $40/sq. ft)
fantasy and inspiration
but i have to immerse myself in it
in order to understand what i am looking at,
what i respond to
and what i really want to live with
nb: that white with red is only $4.50/sq. ft, that's definitely one bathroom floor
some of the things we've considered,
(some of which, thankfully, run between $6-9/sq. ft.)
these are mainly being considered for the ground floor entryway & hallway
and the master bath floor & shower enclosure
we were considering some for the kitchen floor,
but i think we have decided on linoleum there
(softer on the feet and things break, as opposed to shatter, when dropped )
getting a bit more practical and thinking about the edges
looking for simple, inexpensive solutions
all in all i believe we have found some beautiful colors and textures to work with
and it will be a matter of choosing the right
(probably expensive) accents in order to create something special.
but i still feel i need another round of "immersion"
before i can decide on final solutions
and
a big shout out to the bed stuy reno blog
i might even attempt to tile the ground floor bathroom myself
(and really go wild)
all in all it's like having another medium to learn to work with
i do find that fun
and i do like a challenge
but doesn't stop with tile;
there's wood
(and the myriad of details involved with moldings & fixtures & finishing)
wrought iron
(who knew that could be so wonderful AND so confusing)
fabric...
that all have to be resolved individually
and then brought together into a
(and this is the operative word)
cohesive unit
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Comments
Good post. I really like your inspiration photo boards ;)
The choices are overwelming and all of us with limited pocketbooks are going to have to leave some beautiful ideas on the table. But when its all done, you'll have a work of art all your own.
Have you made any choices on the materials? We'd love to see a teaser.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at March 22, 2007 8:31 AM
Enjoyed your post. Sounds like you've discovered why there is so much out there that may not be to ones own particular taste, but I digress. If you are good with 3D visualization software you might be able to find something that you can use to virtually mock up your house, in the materials of your choice - don't know any names of such off-hand and not sure if, in the aggregate this would help or hinder the process - it might turn into a classic case of being careful what you wish for, but in any case, it's just a thought.
Posted by: softwaresuggestion at March 22, 2007 8:33 PM
What an inspiring work of poetry and visual spice to drink up, first thing in the morning! Thank you for sharing your process. If you don't mind, I'm gunna print it out and tack it up in my studio. It's all just one big fat process, ain't it?
Posted by: Karla at March 23, 2007 8:18 AM
Feeling equally confused and grateful for the eye candy. And would love to know your source for the $4.50 a sf peppermint floor...
Posted by: DK at March 23, 2007 10:47 AM
Great post. The process is fascinating and I love the beautiful photos.
Posted by: Chris M at March 24, 2007 9:03 AM
still stewing over all this,
i will definitely post my progress
thx for all your comments
@ DK: the tile is from nemo: http://www.nemotile.com/
they have a great showroom at: 48 East 21st, (212) 505-0009 Mon - Fri: 9:30 - 5:30, Sat: 11:00 - 4:30
Posted by: ms. crown heights reno at March 24, 2007 11:54 PM
I think your way of thinking is closer to how a designer thinks in that, over time they have accumulated this mental inventory of what works together and what really works together, allowing for play and unusual juxtapositions if that's your thing. They also have an extensive knowledge of history as to what has been done in the past. Knowing the rules and then breaking them for some purpose. Collage artists that I know all have these huge drawers full of images that they have collected... like a kind of picture dictionary waiting for inspiration. I consider myself a surrealist in these matters as any two things can "meet" in any context and instantly ignite ones imagination. As for sculpture, to remove material in order to reveal is a subtractive method. I guess what you may be thinking about is collage's third dimensional brother, assemblage, which is an additive method. Anyway, I think you will find yourself when it comes time to choose the colors for your place. Lots of surface form to play around with and not so much "function" to worry about.
I was also blown away by the choices availble in ceramic tile. Tiny works of art to be sure. It has always been my belief that one should start shopping at the most expensive-best selection type showrooms and take those inspirations along with you as one shops in the stores one can afford. Sometimes the expensive choices are just to good to refuse. In that case I try and figure out a way to fit it into the budget. or you less of it some how. Looking forward to seeing your final choices.
Posted by: Anonymous at March 26, 2007 2:49 AM
You're right that the additive, experimental approach in renovation isn't compatible with saving money. But you can take solace that, over time, certain solutions that are half finished now will become more finished as ideas occur to you.
To that end, I might try governing your design with some more "anonymous" items -- not bland, but flexible. Think of parts of your renovation as the background for what you will pour your life into, not evidence first and foremost of what a great creative person you are.
For example, try limited the artistic "wow" of tile to an area or a moment. Not only is it cheaper, it's more effective than the all-over gesamtkunstwerk idea of equal levels of design everywhere. Later, something (a wall hanging, whatever) will speak to you and do the design work that you may be asking (e.g.) tile to do now.
Renovation can spur many, many good ideas, but it is unlikely all of them can make it in. Pick the best, or the best of the economical lot, and remember that ideas that truly speak to you will find their way back into the project. And don't forget: done is better than perfect.
--an architect in Brooklyn
Posted by: Anonymous at March 27, 2007 10:19 AM
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