Cistus Nursery
*explore { June 28, 2011 } by krista (No Comments)
I took a drive to Sauvie Island last weekend to check out Cistus Nursery (recommended by Jessica Davis). They have a really phenomenal collection of plants, the arrangement of which makes me feel like I am in another world, or, more specifically in a Márquez story. This greenhouse for instance really made me feel like I was in Love in the time of Cholera. I kind of like the way some of the plants aren’t in perfect condition – they don’t look neat and sterile. They spill over themselves and have honest spots of brown – signs of growth and decay. Here are some shots I took while I was there.
eco-lawn? eco-crazy?!?
*live { June 19, 2011 } by krista (4 Comments)
Flop over at 4 inches?!? Ha. I don’t think so. I’m finally posting a much needed update on the eco-lawn. After doing some research on alternative lawns – I decided to plant eco-lawn last May. It did great over the summer – came in nicely and didn’t get too high – and weathered well over the winter (see pic. 1 below). Now – it’s the beginning of summer no. two and eco-lawn is eco-crazy! It’s seriously three feet high in places. I’m going to weed-whack it for the second time this summer and see how it does. It’s not a bad looking lawn but it comes in a little clumpy to have to be mowing it all the time. And it is billed as a no-mow lawn – which it clearly is not. At least not in Portland, Ore. I’m a bit dissapointed. It was about 200 dollars and two days worth of labor to rip up old lawn and re-seed it with the eo-lawn – plus much time/resources spent watering the thing everyday for two months.
Pic. 1) Last winter – About six months after planting. Looking good. This is the length/look I was hoping for.
Pic. 2) Late May this year. It starts to get a bit out of hand. In the tallest spots it’s coming in at about 17 inches high and no flop!
Pic. 3-4) 3 weeks later – It was weed-whacked immediately after Pic. 2 – down to about 8 inches. It’s seriously grown over 2 feet in that amount of time. slow-growing?! Mow once a year?!? I don’t think so.
National Tourist Routes, Norway
*explore { May 14, 2011 } by krista (1 Comment)
I think I just put Norway next on my list of places to visit. My friend Beth shared this project with me via black eiffel and I can’t stop thinking about it.
The National Tourist Routes in Norway is a $400 million initiative by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration to create a set of unique tourist experiences that combine the Nordic landscape with contemporary architecture and art along the main route in Norway. Some of the completed projects so far are just breathtaking. I love the set of stairs down the lava flow. The projects integrate the architecture into the landscape in a way that feels natural while not watering down the design or trying to blend it in. And it works – both entities seem more themselves by proximity. In many of these cases – the architecture reveals something about the landscape and our ideas of and relationships with nature and together create an interwoven experience of culture/nature.
And if those amazing photographs don’t get you – how about the thought of staying at this hotel?
The Juvet Landscape Hotel – perched along the NTR and close to one of the sites. Sure, I am – a little intimated by the beautiful naked nordic woman who seems to wander the property occasionally striking a pose behind those incredible glass walls. The one who gazes with deep poetic concentration onto the landscape so amazingly showcased by the architecture of Jensen & Skodvin. And sure, at 300-500 a night it is a little bit pricey. However, I think it’s one of those experiences you would carry with you for the rest of your life and well worth it.
If it’s going to be a while before you make it out there – the ebook on the site is lovely. That’s where the above images came from and the photographers in order of appearance are: Miguel Diaz, Knute Bry, Vegar Moen, Asbjorn Nelson, and Hege Lysholm. All Juvet hotel images by Knut Slinning.
Kingston Lounge
*explore { March 7, 2011 } by krista (2 Comments)
I’ve been captivated by the images of The Kingston Lounge. Such rich material – visually and culturally. And they really make one think about impermanence…
A house in winter
*live { February 24, 2011 } by krista (No Comments)
image sources: unknown
Today I woke up to snow in Portland – a rarity – and that, along watching it through the eyes of Dr. Vorelli (utterly confused by exactly which fluffy white bug was gonna get it) made this experience fresh and softly exciting. I’m reminded of Gaston Bachelard and how he talks about the house in winter.
“Isn’t it true that a pleasant house makes winter more poetic, and doesn’t winter add to the poetry of a house?”
Gaston Bachelard – Poetics of Space
Yes! What is it about the snow that contributes so much to the poetry of a house? And especially when it is still falling – as if the sky is asking you to come play in it. But it is such a gentle playfulness – and quiet – like each snowflake is falling in an envelope of peace.
Bachelard also talks about the contrast that reveals itself between inside and out. “…Outside the occupied house, the winter cosmos is a simplified cosmos.” The snow outside pares down and softens the complexity of the outside world while the forms and activities inside the house are brought to attention. He even muses about the potential ability of this house in winter to transcend itself. “It is a non-house in the same way that metaphysicians speak of a non-i.” Hmmm. Eeentersting… Perhaps this non-house wrapped in simple cosmos can inspire me to find my non-i? At the very least – the winter cabin does inspire a type of back-to-basics, authentic life type of dreaming. What does it inspire for you?
Gandia Blasco
*explore { December 12, 2010 } by krista (No Comments)
Just found this new rug collection from Gandia Blasco. Incredible! Another example for me of a home product that really makes the leap into art. I would love to have one of these babies in my home so I could set up a regular lux playdate with it rolling around on its colors.
Also – this is one of the most exciting translations of a pouf I’ve seen in a long time.
Threshold Magic
*explore { November 26, 2010 } by krista (No Comments)
Here’s wishing I was in New York so I could attend the sound installation/performance of ‘Threshold Magic’ in Brooklyn.
The show was curated and organized by Tristan Shepherd – a beautiful talent in the sound world (and one to watch out for – at 24 he’s already performed/translated a Christian Marclay piece at the Whitney. I’m also fortunate enough to say that not only is he one of my aesthetic heroes, he’s also family). Shepherd invited 11 sound artists and musicians to respond to and activate the space of an abandoned convent. He sent some images and it looks like an incredible space. I’m definitely on board with the idea of an architecture of the immaterial. To me, non-tangible things, such as relationships, movement, or memory have more influence on how we experience space/place than anything else. And sound is the perfect medium to builds structures out these abstractions.
If any of you are reading this blog from New York, I can’t recommend this show enough. And if you go, please let us know what you thought. If I’m lucky enough to get a hold of some documentation I will be sure to share it with you here. For now, check out more examples of this space.
more seating…
*live { November 14, 2010 } by krista (2 Comments)
I know, I know – I’m still facing this dilemma. Every time I think I settle on a sectional (it’s comfortable, practical, can look stylish and I don’t risk botching it with my sketchy diy construction skills) I find another image with a brilliant idea I think I could recreate. Seriously, how hard does this look? And I love the long line it creates and how it feels a part of the architecture. I also like the flexibility of the poufs in the front. Would it be comfy enough long term? Help me readers – what do you think? It’s totally the look I am going for – but is it practical long term?
This image is from hus & hem, my go to for scandi-style.
Or – should I go traditional sectional? They can look great as seen below. Only I would want something slipcovered so as to not totally freak out when Dr. Vorelli breaks out his claws. And an affordable and nice slipcovered sectional is hard to come by.
image from Coko+Kelly. I’ll take the painting and the tri-toned curtains too.
And for those of you looking for some other options – here are some images that have also been inspiring me. If you want more – feel free to look here.
Love the sofa as conceptual art. By Christiane Hoegner. Seen on Design Milk
And the way this sectional has been deconstructed and separated appeals to my desire for air and spaciousness. From Desire to Inspire.
And of course there is always the option of throwing down some rugs and big pillows and chilling it bohemian style. From the portfolio of Mikkel Vang.
Also – found these great bamboo sofas on The Selby is in your place contest. By Leo Kailas from Poulsbo, WA
A volcano in the living room
*explore { October 29, 2010 } by krista (No Comments)
What?!? Another piece I wish I made. This one by designer/performer Nelly Ben Hayoun. Those of you who know me – know my love for landscapes – and my love for playing with the relationships people can have with landscapes. I’m also mad about volcanoes. So much so that my dear friend Thomas dubbed my birthday – volcano day (and I do turn into a bit of a volcano on my birthday - which was just last monday – sorry LD). So of course I love the idea of a domesticated volcano – one that sits in your living room just waiting to erupt. (I have a sense that this is what living with me is like.) But let me embrace my volcania! Do you think they are still looking for volunteers to house one of these simmering beauties? Me, Me, Me!
photo by Nick Ballon
I also love the series of questions they ask regarding your potential volcanic affair:
How would you deal with a live volcano in the middle of your living room? Would you try to destroy it? Would you just disconnect it from the mains? Would you be more popular because you share your life with a volcano? Would you invite people to see it, and switch it on at the end of the meal to create a ‘surprising’ effect? How will you feel when you will climb on top of it?
Another Garden Gawker
*explore { October 28, 2010 } by krista (No Comments)
When I was working on my starting my first garden I came across the disappointing fact that there is such a small number of blogs that focus on gardening. Well – I am happy to say that Jessica Davis has noticed this lack and has turned her passion for things that grow into a lovely little blog – Another Garden Gawker. I love her mix of scientific enthusiasm with her sensual appreciation of the beauty and deliciousness of the garden. She reminds me how amazing the natural world is – check out these gorgeously textured mushrooms – like sea creatures!
