Please Recycle :D

It's pretty amazing what you can do with found materials. Although you may think, "cardboard is everywhere! I have some in my garage and some under my bed!, why do you need to go search for it?". I was looking for LARGE pieces of cardboard....like refrigerator-sized pieces. I could PAY for the boxes, but cardboard is one of those things in life (or at least in the US, that you don't need to pay for...like water).

Anyways, I started this project based on a couple things...I am not allowed to BUY anything and it needs to serve more than ONE purpose.

Frank Gehry did something like this, although he has fancy schmany tools and interns. I had a box cutter and a sander.

The overall schematics took about a week and a did a few study models (~ 12) which helped me figure out some of the construction details. Finally, the overall development took about 2 weeks to complete...and for those who know about sanding down cardboard, you know that it just stays in the air, so I was breathing cardboard for two weeks.

Tested, redesigned, tested, redesigned, tested, decided I needed to stop. That's how it went for several days. I am never truly "done" with my design, but I gave myself a time-frame and decided that the project needed to finish...so in the end, I came out with a finished upright chair and stool that you can lean back in. I'm happy with it. What do you think?

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www.elegantdesign.co

:D

I recently started working on a new side production. I had no clue how I would do what I wanted to do, so I grabbed a pair of scissors, pulled out a "mending kit" I got from staying at a hotel in Napa, and began to work.

Let it be known, I did NOT know how to sew. The only training I got was watching a YouTube video on how to sew, and it sort of made me feel like an old lady. An old lady with super sharp eyes and finger coordination. If you can believe it, sewing is hard! Especially when you're not using a machine.

Alas, my production was starting to become produced, and I was brave enough to actually let people see it. A good friend of mine, Caroline, received one of the first designs. Did she know what to do with it? Probably not, but the recipient was happy, especially when she noticed the small signature... An EMOTICON    :D

Sort of sums it up on how I felt finishing it, representing the first letter of my name, and representing Design.

:D by Davidson.





....Business is open :D
visit www.elegantdesign.co

And another project on the way....can you guess?

Here's a little "peek" at the new project

Has sort of an asian influence to it, doesn't it? ; )
Also...visit my new website: elegantdesign.co

It's alive! A mobile Installation in the sky

This, by far, is one of the most unique elements in the room. Before I had planned anything else, it was this large installation that I needed to get right. Hanging from an 17 foot sloping-ceiling, a 4' x 6' mobile made of aluminum and copper plates (copper is one of the main elements in the room and the house), designed to take the form of an Archeopteryx (Extinct primitive toothed bird of the Jurassic period having a long feathered tail and hollow bones; usually considered the most primitive of all bird), moves elegantly over the bedroom as the central fan blows a subtle flow of air.

Another feature of this installation we had to get right was the shadows. If you've ever visited the National Gallery in Washington D.C., the East Wing carries an enormous Alexander Calder exhibit. From there, i witnessed some of the most remarkable sculptures and many of Calder's works that included over 10 different mobiles, stabiles and animobiles. Anyway, the gallery did some amazing light-work on the mobiles to display the shadows and it made such an impression on me, that I wanted to do something like that in this room. Notice that i included the shadows from the steel bamboo into it as well. The spotlight definitely gives the illusion that there are now two mobiles, or one giant mobile!

The installation itself took several hours, as finding the exact point on the ceiling to hang it from was challenging (we had to rent an 20 foot ladder). At last, it was accomplished, and we now have this mystifying bird claim its space on top of the hills.
 

Art Imitating Life

This planter and collection of hand-cut steel bamboo occupy what once was a corner desperately in need of some "editing". These amazing pieces will oxidize in time to create natural patina on the leaves. The planter adds a nice touch of aging with is rustic tones and green patina. In the background, we used another Fat Boy to cast some remarkable shadows, but also to reflect some of its own natural copper towns to define the area. The windows also unveil a garden outside. Once opened during the day, it creates and nice transition from the room out into the garden view. This definitely was one of the cooler things I did in the room. More to come!

we needed a little Fat Boy

Living room designed with a Fat Boy (Fat Spot light) in the corner to cast brilliant shadows in juxtaposition with the black piano and the lights lit by the Bay Area at night.