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)

You think you know somebody...

Last night I was talking with my Aunt Donna. She's always been one of my favorite people. For much of my childhood she lived on a series of sail boats in Mission Bay, San Diego, and I loved spending summers there. I used to get sea sick, but I might be able to sail because of her.

She's retired from nursing now, living in Fresno, caring for my Grandma (another one of my favorite people).

After the earthquake in Haiti, she told us she was going to travel down there with a group of doctors. She did, and when she returned, told us about the devastation, and how wonderful the people were, and that she intended to go back.

It's several months later now, and she's returned to Haiti multiple times. Last night, as she was telling us about her latest trip, she mentioned that we could see photos on her website. "What website?"
"My website, Haiti-orphanage.org".

Now I've been to her website, and read every word. It's a little bit hard to read. It takes me out of my warm home, away from my family, and makes me question the things I take for granted. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about it yet, but as for you, I'd encourage you to go to her website, read her story, and make a donation. As you can see, she's doing good stuff with the money.

You can donate here.

Thanks,

Josh

California Home + Design

Here's another cool piece of press. People seem to love this thing.
I owe Ron Dack some thanks for this one.
If he didn't actually come up with the idea, he at least inspired it
(although I like getting all the credit).

We're in the L.A. Times

I meant to mention this before the Unique LA Show, which I also meant to mention. We've been getting some pretty decent free publicity, or press, as it is sometimes called.

I think we're on to something.

We keep knocking out projects and products, but I seem too busy working to talk about it.
I just designed a multilevel, 1200 square foot deck, complete with small 2 story "Castle", which I look forward to starting. We're ordering the stone for the castle and garden walls tomorrow. The stone is quarried somewhere near Tahoe, I think.
I also just designed a cool kitchen which I hope to start after the new year. Small, but unique. I'll post the pictures when they're a little more fine tuned.
Off to Fresno this weekend to celebrate Eric Burke's 40th. Happy Birthday Eric!

And I certainly can't forget my favorite niece, Lilli, who turns 11 the same day. Unfortunately, I have to wait a week to celebrate her birthday.

I might've worn robes in another life.

Like a lot of guys, I like Star Wars (not the new ones, of course). And I was just thinking about how the bad-asses of the film, the Jedi, get to wear bathrobes and slippers all day. I'm sure they're not ordinary JC Penney bathrobes, but still, I think that's one of the ways you know you've made it. I can only imagine what it would be like to show up to work in a bathrobe. Any guy that works in a bathrobe probably has an ottoman in his office.
Monks and priests, and guys that hand out diplomas get to wear bathrobes to work too. It must be nice. I wonder if they had that day when they thought to themselves, "This is the last time I ever have to wear pants". Or maybe the robe thing happened so naturally that one day the Pope thought, "Jesus, it's been years since I've worn a pair of pants."
I usually put on a pair of sweat pants when I get home from work, but I'm not trying to kid myself by puttin' on a robe.