home feature: the smitten studio michigan cabin

In March of 2012, Sarah Sherman Samuel - creative director of LA based Smitten Studio - and her husband bought a cabin on Lake Michigan. Pre-renovation I would probably classify it more in the shack/bunker category which is only one of the many reasons that its transformation is so incredible.  It started looking like this...

exterior before via Smitten Studio

With a kitchen to match of course...

kitchen before via Smitten Studio

And now looks like this....

new siding, black paint and a bright green door via Smitten Studio

new bifold doors via Smitten Studio

great outdoor furniture via Smitten Studio

On the inside Samuel wanted to keep a very neutral, black and white color palette to really give the feeling of being at a retreat. 

living room with expansive view of Lake Michigan via Smitten Studio

a clean classic kitchen with white cabinets, white subway tile and butcher block countertops via Smitten Studio

bunk beds in the bedroom via Smitten Studio

new hardwoods through out layered with cow and sheep hide rugs in the one bedroom via Smitten Studio

Samuel did an amazing job transforming this tiny space but its real asset is this view and outdoor living space.

a great space to enjoy the lake via Smitten Studio

Have a great weekend everyone!

artist feature: randal ford

On Monday, I picked up the art we got for our wedding from the framers. There were seven pieces mostly photos by Kevin Russ, one Sharon Montrose and one Roo Kee Roo (all featured on the blog before). They all look great but it made me realize that I need to diversify my art interests beyond one - photos of animals and two - photos that all have a very muted and sort of hazy color palettes. This is not to say that I will stop loving or purchasing these types of work but I think its important to have some diversity. 

I first learned about photographer Randal Ford a couple of months ago and then sort of forgot to investigate him further. Upon visiting his website, I loved the color and quirkiness of his photos. I also really liked what he writes about his own work "For me, photography is about glorifying the ordinary, giving classical ideas and values a modern aesthetic"(Randal Ford). Another pretty cool thing about Ford is that all the proceeds from the sale of his prints go to charity. Below are a few favorites. 

earthquake 5.9

shards of marble from Budri's storage facility  via Archiportale

In May of 2012, the earthquake now known as Emilia rocked the storage facility of Budri - an Italian marble inlay atelier. Many of the company's precious stone and marble slabs shattered into pieces rendering the slabs seemingly unusable. That is until designer and architect Patricia Urquiola got a hold of the damaged material and created a line of goods and installations that is really beyond beautiful. I love her pieces and the incredible story beyond their creation. 

earthquake 5.9 work room via Archiportale

earthquake 5.9 vases via Budri

earthquake 5.9 tables via Budri

earthquake 5.9 origami tables via Budri

earthquake 5.9 fishbone wall inlay via Budri

earthquake 5.9 bookcases via Budri