Vanity. You probly think this blog is about you.

I tried a lot of different vanity designs for this job, a classic Mid-Century Modern home. The client wanted a vanity that reminded them of a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture, like a table or desk. My initial designs were heavily influenced by existing pieces, but as I continued to shape the vanity, my own style began to show.

So here's a step-by-step of the final evolution. There were many pieces that came before these, but we'll start at the point when I began to like the direction things were going. The earlier renditions may still be usable for another job.

Version 6.1 (the numbers aren't totally sequential)
This is probably the most straightforward, with a little Deco influence. The sinks and faucets had already been purchased, and the vanity had to fit between the tub and a wall, so the dimensions were relatively fixed.

Version 1.4
I like incorporating various materials, especially metal. This one leans casually against the wall. I could imagine it smoking a cigarette.

Version 1.4 from the front

Version 1.5
The legs evolve



Version 1.6
"Show me some more leg"

Version 1.8 Front View
This is the final evolution. Of these, it's hard to say which is my favorite.

Version 1.8.3
No doors, no cabinet sides.
With the cabinet open, it reveals the box framework that wraps the whole unit. As you can see, there are 2 wooden "straps" that appear to hang the cabinet and drawers from the counter top.

Version 1.8.4
No back, Metal frame
The "straps" are more evident here, when made from metal. You can see how the outside vertical straps are connected by a small horizontal beam at the bottom that supports both open cabinets, and the drawers.

Version 1.8 with white doors

Version 1.10
I may have actually designed this one before 1.8.


Feel free to comment on your favorite version.

Dahlia's Beauty Salon

We just did a little work at the new location for Dahlia's Beauty Salon, which just opened last week.
They seem like real good people, so I thought we'd give them a plug.


They're at 1021 B State Street, in Santa Barbara. It's a little tricky to find at first, because they actually face the parking lot on the backside of the building, just outside of Saks Fifth Avenue. If you see the SUBWAY on State Street near Figueroa, just make you're way around to the back. There's plenty of parking, and a nice sunny patio.

Blog Jamb

It's been months since my last entry. You may think it's because I haven't been busy, and therefore have nothing to say. Quite the opposite. In fact, too busy to write.
I started to compose my last entry in December, got hung-up on editing, and dropped the ball. I intended to begin sharing excerpts from my advice book "Always Carry A Sharpie", which I've been picking away at over the last couple of years. Now I'm thinking that it's a work-in-progress, and who cares if it's perfect? So here are a couple of "The Rules", and some completely unrelated photos, just to prove I've been doing something. And by the way, I know the idea of me giving advice to anyone is arrogant and ridiculous, so for now we'll have to assume it's some form of catharsis...

(fixing some less-than satisfactory sheetrock work)

Rule #37 - Who are you to give me advice? 

I used to dismiss just about any advice, because I always felt misunderstood, and didn't trust the people advising me. It seemed like everyone offering me advice had their own agenda. They probably did, but in retrospect, people like my parents and teachers may have had some genuine concern for my well being. But I could never stop asking the question, "How can you tell me how to get there, when you don't know where I'm going?"

At some point in my life, I began to meet some pretty cool, and successful adults, and somehow, their advice actually meant something. They listened to cool music, understood art. They shared most of the same morals and ethics as the adults I grew up around, but somehow the same things that were important to them were also important to me.
And when they told me "You can have anything you want, if you're willing to work hard for it", I no longer assumed "work hard for it" meant working hard doing something that I didn't want to do. And when that happened, "working hard" meant something new, and my life changed.

When an accountant stands in front of his BMW and tells you "Someday, you too can have one of these," it might mean something if you're good at math, but not me. No thanks. I'd rather be poor than sit in front of a stack of papers or computer all day. But that's just me. The point is, if you don't like the advice people give you, find somebody you like, and take their advice. But here's the key - Make sure their advice has gotten them somewhere.

(2010 Pergola detail)



Rule #58 (that's right) - Never make plans or commitments after 11pm or at a bar. If you do, don't be upset if either party fails to commit. 

A shadow can really change how we define things. When you look at the moon do you see a circle or a sphere? When the light goes away we have to fill in the dark space with our own imagination. And some people's imaginations and idea's get pretty grand, especially with a drink or two. 
That's all. If it's that important, discuss it again in the morning, when the details are a little more clear and less up to interpretation.



(Randy Kappen, stone mason extraordanaire, and I discuss flow and shape)

Rule #47 - Turn your fork over when you're done with your plate.

I don't know where I got this, but I'm pretty sure I didn't make it up. Even if I did, it just seems like one of those things classy people would do. And why should the aristocracy maintain a monopoly on couth?! (You're probably sick of hearing me say that).

(Day 2 of The Super Tree House)