STUDIO DUNN

ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE WITH  STUDIO DUNN.  NEW DANISH MODERN... IN PAWTUCKET, RI.  MAKES ME WANT TO ENROLL IN THAT WOODWORKING CLASS I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO TAKE.

Janus et Cie

http://www.janusetcie.com/

Radiators

JAGA

Energy efficient and beautiful.  Nothing at all like the traditional radiator.  The Knockonwood line can be stained to match interior woodworking.

Definitely a high end product.  Hopefully the technology will become a little more affordable in the future.  This kind of product should be accessible.

Modern Lattice

I found the perfect modern lattice panel to use on our house for our garbage and recycling enclosure.  I've thought about making this lattice from stock wood but seeing as I can buy panels, it's all the more convenient.  I just can't wait to have some extra cash to do all these projects I've been dreaming about these past two years.

Resin and Polycarbonate Panels

Endless uses for each material... wall panels, dividers, table/counter tops... Some resin lines are even made of recycled materials.

Polycarbonate Panels
Panelite

Resin Panels
Lumicor

Lighting: Hector Finch

http://www.hectorfinch.com/

beauuuutiful!!

Jesús Gasca and the Globus Chair

Scandinavian design always allures me with it's simple, sleek lines and natural materials.  Although the globus chair is made of plastic and stainless steel, I am drawn to its lightness and air-like quality.  (I believe it's also available in bent plywood.)  It surprises me that it was introduced in 1994, I suppose because it captures the essence of mid-century design.  I've seen this chair all over the place and never bothered to look up the designer.  Here it is according to DWR.

Jesús Gasca is the founder and principal designer of Stua, a contemporary furniture company based in the resort town of San Sebastían, Spain. Stua prides itself on producing a limited range of furniture, with each piece exquisitely executed out of the finest materials. The style of the work can be characterized as Scandinavian with a Mediterranean touch. The company;s mission is, "to improve the habitat in which we live, by refining our designs, and [using] recyclable components and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes." Stua, which Gasca founded in the early '80s, has allowed him to develop his own work as a furniture designer. Trained as an engineer, Gasca specializes in technically proficient design with attention to detail.

Gasca's recent designs include the Globus Chair, Milano Table, Sapporo Shelving System, Gas Chair, Zero table and the Deneb Collection. He has also collaborated with Josep Mora to create the classic Egoa chair that won the Innovate Design Melbourne prize in 1988. Gasca also received an Adi-Fad award for his Atlas aluminum containers.

Vendor: Wood Brackets

www.prowoodconstruction.com
Great source for wood brackets, corbels, and rafter tails.

Wood Floors

Add to Vendors Database:

Teragren
great selection of bamboo flooring

Carlisle Wide Plank Floors
gorgeous wide plank floors, love the reclaimed line and the walnut white wash finish.


i would kill to do a project with white washed wood or unfinished wood similar to the wall application at the river tavern's banquette area

Currently planning for this year's garden.  I've decided to plant less seedlings this year.  I was much, too, ambitious last year and realized I didn't even have the space for most of my seedlings.  I'll be starting earlier this year as well.  I want to have seeds sown come Monday to ensure a plentiful harvest of heirloom tomatoes, bell peppers, and assorted greens.  I've decided to transplant more flowers out of our side yard this year to make room for more edibles.  I would like to plant sunflowers along with green and yellow beans, carrots interspersed among the flowers, along with heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and zuccini in one area.  As I have limited space I will most likely only grow a few of each.  Our back yard is considered part shade and so this year I will attempt to grow kale, lettuce, broccoli, and spinach in a raised garden bed.   The trick is to prep for all this before May.  Wish me luck!!

I would like to build a window shelf for my seedlings on my south facing kitchen sink window.

CT Native Plants List

http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/wildlife/pdf_files/habitat/ntvtree.pdf
http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/special_features/nativealternatives.pdf


From my landscape architect office mate... Thanks Emily!

Going Lawn-Free, permaculture, and other rants

I've been against the manicured lawn for quite some time now and seeing collages like this give me hope that at least some people in America agree it is unnecessary to have a plush 2" high lawn.  This idea feels, in my opinion, wasteful and unnatural.

In any case, going lawn free is just a part of permaculture, "an approach to designing human settlements and agricultral systems that mimic the relationships found in natural ecologies."  I first heard of permaculture when listening to the survivalpodcast in August 2008 and I was hooked straight away.  It just makes so much sense!  Not to mention the added benefits:  less expense and maintenance.  I wondered why permaculture didn't catch on earlier, but I think most people thought it was some sort of radical concept that a group of environmental nuts conjured up.  Oh well.  I love it. 

My goal is to eventually use permaculture on our own property by using the seven layer system and native plants.  Fifty percent of our backyard is an incline and for this I would like to plant native wildflowers and grasses.  Be careful to not plant invasive plants!  Check your state.

The following list is the seven layer system of permaculture; its most basic principle.

Seven Layers of Permaculture:

1. canopy
2. low trees
3. shrubs
4. herbaceous
5.  rhizosphere (root crops)
6.  soil surface (cover crops)
7.  vertical (climbing vines)


A few sites for procuring wild seeds:

http://www.americanmeadows.com/
 http://www.wildflowermix.com/
http://www.seedsource.com/

A great native plant database:
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/