America the Beautiful

...even in the rain.

Somewhere near Dillard, Georgia, May 31st, 2010

Happy Memorial Day!

Mod South

Architectural photographer, Julius Shulman doing his thing. California, 1960.

And one of the resulting images, Case Study House #22

When I wrote about the Julius Shulman documentary back in September of 2009, I had no idea it would take so long for it to come to Atlanta. But come it will in June to the High Museum. (As much as I love Atlanta, I hate waiting for movies to wind their way around to us). The good news is, not only is the screening free, but it will be a part of Modern Atlanta 2010.

While MA is only in its fourth year, it is quickly becoming one of my favorite design events in town, the highlight of which is the Modern Atlanta Home Tour. You may remember this home from last year's tour, photographed here for Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles.

Yes, this is the same house. Business up front, party in the back.

The interiors use the same logic, morphing from traditional turn-of-the-century roots into something unmistakably modern. I could not get over the guest bedroom, suspended in glass above the kitchen. While Atlanta is not really known so much for modernism, we do have a few surprises to share.

For more on the house and designers, visit Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles and the BLDGS website.

Modern Atlanta events run from June 1st to June 6th. Hope to see you there!

Colorphobia & Chocoholism

I am a bit behind on my shelter mag perusal, but this Brooklyn brownstone caught my eye while taking the Eyjafjallajokull reroute home. All of a sudden I want to paint every surface that is not made of textured wood and tobacco-hued leather, pure white. (From New York Magazine, photographed by The Selby).

Also, there is this...


Holy drawer full of Côte d’Or! I love that he keeps it in the vegetable bin. (Different house, same magazine).

Omm

One of my favorite things about Barcelona is that every era of architecture and design is celebrated. You can visit the carefully preserved ancient city dating from 600 A.D. in the morning, a Gothic palace at noon, an early 20th century Gaudi masterpiece late in the day, and then retreat to a post-modern hotel for the evening.

Here are some images of the Hotel Omm, winner of multiple design awards and a prime example of how Barcelona's architecture continues to flourish beyond the ages.

The Omm Lobby doubles as swingin' bar and lounge until late in the evening. Great for multi-cultural people watching!

Many of the guest rooms look out on Barcelona's L'Eixample district, brimming with 18th and 19th century architecture. The hotel lies within the famous Quadrat d'Or (Golden Triangle), with what has been called the world's greatest living museum of turn-of-the-20th-century design.

Other guest rooms overlook the quiet courtyard, which serves as a garden for the hotel's restaurant, Moo. The glass boxes are actually skylights which naturally illuminate the restaurant below.

Moo has a Michelin star and the cuisine looks as contemporary as the space in which it is served. Just about every meal we had in Barcelona was unbelievable.

The Omm's rooftop terrace has a view of the top of Gaudi's biomorphic La Pedrera, built between 1906 and 1910. Gaudi made even the ventilation towers look interesting.

Another picture of the roof with Philippe Starck Bubble Club Chairs in the foreground and Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia in the background. I am pretty sure a crane or two was photo-shopped out of this picture, as the Cathedral has at least another sixteen years before the next phase will be complete--just in time for it's hundred year anniversary.

And finally, we have the view from the street and the visitor's first impression. The limestone facade looks like the pages of a book being opened. I think that is an appropriate metaphor when visiting any new city, but especially one as rich in design history and inspiration as Barcelona. Hopefully we will return one day--perhaps to see how La Sagrada Familia's construction is coming along.

Beautiful Barcelona

Finally, something to blog about! Just got off the plane, but thought I would post a few photos from our trip to Spain before I try to catch up on my sleep. That damn Icelandic volcano had me tossing and turning all night, but all turned out well. Barcelona rocks! More to come...