crafty things…a book bag

It was time for a new book bag for D. His previous was so dirty and tattered, and I had a need to "make" something.  

I FINALLY used the wax paper stenciling technique, and I love it! I'm extremely pleased with the results. The handles were made from an old belt of D's cut in half which provided the perfect length handles and a ring to clip his water bottle or various Star Wars key chains. 

While I did consider buying a back pack for him, I still think he is too small. The packs that do fit his body really don't hold his library books and other school papers, and he still doesn't have patience to actually unzip the pack. He likes to just dump everything in the bag and run. 

Frankly, this might be the last book bag for him. Sniff, sniff. He's taking control of his wardrobe, and I'm sure the desire for the Spider Man backpack will be to strong to deny. 

Happy Crafting,

F&N

small stuff…an art space

D is growing in all ways, and his art space needs to grow too. He outgrew his old table and chair, and his supplies and scraps were overtaking our craft room. So we dropped some cash, made a few upgrades and additions, and now we're all happy.

His old set-up in his old room.

His new set-up in our new craft room.

Close-up of desk and taborets.

We reused the IKEA legs from his old table [NOTE: I cut these with a hacksaw to standard height for a child's table] and replaced the yellow egg table with stainless steel one, again from IKEA. [NOTE AGAIN: I did not pay the web price in-store. I got lucky and only payed $60…I think.] I'm sure you all recognize the shell chair from Modernica and the Bisley taborets. 

I'm a big fan of the shell chairs. First, they are practically indestructible. Second, they are both kid and adult comfy. Even with the low base, it's quite comfortable for an adult to sit and lounge in. In fact, we swapped out the rocker base on an arm shell chair in our living room with the low rod base so D had some lounge furniture of his own.

The magnetic blackboard is an old steel top from a worktable painted with chalkboard paint.

The pen cubbies are Ikea kitchen storage items. TIP: if you use these, adding an adhesive felt "dot" to the back at the bottom will protect your walls!

While it might seem like a steep price to pay for an upgrade, we believe, like most of you I'm sure, that children deserve good design too. The advantage of each of these pieces is that they will grow with D and be useful for Doc and I when D is out on his own. The table top will eventually need new legs again, and we'll have to switch out the base on the chair for proper desk chair, but I think we're good for the next few years.

Best of all, the three of us can fit into one room comfortably and craft away.

Thanks for stopping by!

F&N

family…Valentine's Day + Chinese new year 2010

designerly tidbits…shelving

Shelving is such a necessary evil. I couldn't live without it. Let's face it, who can? But honestly, most off-the-shelf shelving systems, I find, are over designed, self-aware, and poorly fabricated. I'm also not a fan of built-ins as they tend to look heavy and over scale for the contents that they house. So what's a designer gal to do? Look to the industrial…or at least to her industrial designer husband.

About 15 years ago Doc discovered a shelving system intended for industrial freezers, E-Z Shelving Systems. He used it in his Manhattan loft during his bachelor days. Once he moved to San Francisco, he began using it for some of his clients' projects, and now, the love affair continues. It's fantastic! It's robust, strong, minimal and infinitely adjustable. You can mix different depth shelves to create cantilevered worksurfaces with shelving above or even a baby changing station like we did when D was a baby.

Anyhow, we love this stuff. It's hard to beat. But, when we moved from our loft into our old Victorian, the E-Z shelving in EVERY room just didn't seem to jive. Of course, it's still pratical in our craft room and D's room, but not so much in the more "refined" rooms of the house like the living and dining rooms. 

So, after searching high and low for a comparable system in functionality, we decided upon Vitsoe shelving. I've always loved this system but price and availability have kept it on my wish list until now.

I'm sure all you design aficionados know this wonderful timeless system designed by Dieter Rams has been around since 1960, but I'm betting you're in the minority. For those of you who aren't familiar with Mr. Rams or his 606 shelving, I hope this won't send you into a fit of despair for wanting. 

 

The wonderful design details that Vitsoe executed for the support material and accessories, including a level, was what impressed me the most. 

The good news about both systems is they are both modular and can be reassembled into many configurations. They also travel well should you move. The down side is cost. Both are pricey, and the Vitsoe has at least six week lead time, at best, but it's a one time investment that you can own and use forever.

Enjoy,

F&N

object love…penguin classics & a mantel

How did I compile the reading list that is part of my resolutions [see previous entry]? It was completely inspired by beauty.

 

I know I'm the last on the block to discover these beautiful hardcover clothbound Penguin Classics, but better late than never. [Did I mention I was busy at the end of last year, and completely out of touch with the blog world?] When Doc and I spotted them at the bookstore, I snatched them up. I did judge a book by it's cover, and I'm not ashamed. Actually, I've read one of the books, and I'm embarrassed to admit that's the extent.

Both Doc and I are determined to read them, and I've started Jane Eyre. Reading these will be a time challenge, as my night time reading has been monopolized by Harry Potter for the last several months. All three of us are engrossed in the series, and we read aloud each night as a family. We've cycled through books 1-3 twice now and are currently in the middle of book 4. I'm up for the challenge though and look forward to turning the pages of these lust worthy books. Anyone up for a book club?

Anyhow, these classics look lovely on our mantel, or they WILL look lovely once we rebuild it. In the meantime, we'll just paint it white and move on to other improvements. I'm thrilled that the tile on the fireplace echoes the patterns of the book covers. And that frame…isn't it fantastic? I love that it's massive and decorative and charred and masculine. It's a strong candidate for a mirror above the fireplace. 

Carry on,

F&N

family…New Year's resos

Damn…did 2009 really happen? As I begin my simultaneous end of year wrap up and new year planning, I am amazed how quickly 2009 came and went. It was a year filled with very sad and emotional moments contrasted by wonderful and happy new beginnings. Most of all, it was a busy year, and the pace of 2009 is continuing into 2010.

In an effort to maintain some sanity in my life, I made some resolutions for the upcoming year. I don't make resolutions. I find it silly to wait for a predetermined time to make change. It's like Yoda says, “Do or do not... there is no try.” But this year, I thought I'd give it a try. In fact, both Doc and D followed my lead and came up with their own resolutions.

As a gentle reminder, I printed them out and pinned `em up. The resos are not unusual or unique, but I do believe if I embrace them, I will find relaxing and restful moments. At the end of the day, it's all about maintaining balance and perspective, and I believe these activities will help me find that sweet spot.

Happy New Year,

F&N

object love…PlayShapes

I spotted these in the fall/winter issue New York Times Style magazine. These wood blocks are wonderful and a refreshing departure from unit blocks. Don't get me wrong, unit blocks are still the toy of choice in our house, but PlayShapes are, as the name says, playful. 

Some of my favorite configurations by the creators and designers of PlayShapes, MillerGoodman.

Make sure to visit their  Flickr group for more amazing ensembles.

I cannot wait to get these under the tree for D!

Happy Building,

F&N

family…toothy smile

So, we've had another milestone in the family; D lost his first tooth. What made this event magical, if somewhat traumatic, was where we were and who was with us.

See the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, we were out for a walk at Lands End on a beautiful, warm and windless day. Accompanying us were D's best buddy and his mama, my good friend. I'm so glad they were there as they diffused a potentially disastrous parent and child moment. 

The Tooth Fairy did make a visit that night leaving a silver dollar as old as me. Alas, the wonder faded less than twenty-four hours later when some of his classmates told an outrageous story that there was no such thing as a Tooth Fairy! Damn them!

F&N

back again…really!

Geez, I'm a bit embarrassed about my previous declaration of re-entering the blog world only to be absent for another month! It's safe to say, I've made it over the hump with all the goings on in our life.  

First off, we closed on our house and we are moved in! We've been in our new residence now for two weeks, and it's beginning to feel like home. Surprisingly! We were unsure how we would adjust to living in an old Victorian after loft living for 12 years, but the transition has been smooth and enjoyable. 

Instead of plywood floors, an open floor plan, no closets, no doors, and an industrial neighborhood, we have discreet rooms, plenty of closets [usable closets too! not odd left over spaces that can't even accommodate a hanger], doors for some much needed privacy, a garage and a composting bin! I've come to realize residential living is so civilized. 

I'm excited by our new neighborhood and all that it has to offer. It finally feels like we're living IN San Francisco as opposed to the outskirts of San Francisco. 

The one thing I do miss is this view of downtown.

 F&N

guess who's back…

back again! It was a tough decision to re-enter the blogshpere, but here I am, guns blazing. Thanks to everyone who still checked in regularly, and thanks to my friends who encouraged me to continue the F&N blog. 

A few of "life's moments" converged during the month of August, that quite frankly, overwhelmed me. The two major events were my grandmother's death and the purchase of our first house [what a mix of emotions!]. These combined with D's summer break, visiting relatives and work account for my absence.  

But the time off was good. It gave me some time to think about the blog world and how I would like to participate in it. 

It's good to be back! 

F&N

about the picture…I snapped this photo years ago at the Albany Bulb. It's painted on rock, and I believe the artist's pseudonym is Sniff.