Sequel Weblog

Parasol Island Office = Paradise in Germany

This beauty belongs to Parasol Island, a production house in Dusseldorf, Germany. I think they're in the wrong business and need to go into interior design instead. They are responsible for this cozy, happy, dreamy, zen, modern loft office, which is in an old building, hence the character-riddled bones. The color is mesmerizing. The natural materials, lots of white, and lanterns make it feel like a cocoon. I really wonder how this mellow and serene atmosphere affects their work....how could one care about deadlines and productivity here?

Brownstone Obsessions

I am currently enamored with two brownstones on Houzz. I find myself going back to look at them all the time and disecting their design. So, the first is by Mark Dodge Design out of Toronto. The color palette is classic cream and black with tiny pops of orange. The architecture is elegant with tall celings and ornate moldings and fireplace. There are huge glitzy black lacquered mirrors that look like they are original to the space. Yet, the furniture is completely modern....Mies Van Der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Saarinen, Parsons, and Danish-esque pieces. There is a large painting of a male nude has a very classic feel, like a modern spin on Boticelli. And, the floors are high shine black herringbone.

The other is actually not a brownstone, it's a 19th century townhouse in New York, but it has the same feel. Grandiose architecture, shimmering drippy crystal chandeliers, mixed with clean lined modern furniture. The color palette of this space is a pale gray with black, white, and glimmering gold.

RE:, Opening Reception at LIGHT Art+Design

Wanted to share pictures of the opening reception for the fall show, RE:, at LIGHT Art+Design in Chapel Hill, NC.  LIGHT is a beautiful space and backdrop for art and furnishings. They have curated some amazing local art, handcrafted jewelry and home accessories, and original furniture designs. In this show, some of my favorite works were by Tom Shields, who uses old furniture parts to create new art pieces and I was drawn to a playful sculpture of a little boy clad in chinese fortunes by Susan Tice-Lewis. There were also many lovely wood vessels turned by Bill Neville. And, gorgeous flowers, porcelain by Sonia Landwehr, and metal by Kevin Eichner. Sequel's pieces looked great in LIGHT's beautiful gallery too! Check it out...

Sequel Furnishings at LIGHT Art+Design Fall Show, RE:

Sequel will have vintage furnishings on display at LIGHT Art+Design, a curated design shop in Chapel Hill, NC, October 8th through November 12th, as part of their fall show, RE:. The prefix "re" means both again and again and backward and the artists and designers of LIGHT explore this continuum. Much of the work with have a focus on sustainability and integrate recycling, reuse, repurposing, and restoration. Sequel's vintage furnishings have rich histories and they are restored to keep them in use. Sequel will have lighting, chairs, and tables in the show.

Other artists that will take part in the event are: Katherine Armacost - Amanda Barr - Kat Cole-Lynda Curry - Beverly Dawson - Al Frega - Leo Gaev - Peg Gignoux - Harriet Hoover - Heather Knight - Kimowan Metchewais - Michael Mulder - William Neville - Grant Newton - Kaola Phoenix - Thomas Shields - Lynda Sanders - Leigh Suggs - Susan Tice-Lewis - Mark Warren - John Webb and others

Please join us for the Opening Reception, Saturday October 8, 5pm-8pm!

Eco-Friendly Wood Finishes

I've been getting educated on the best natural wood finishes to use when rehabbing furniture. Most traditional sealers, such as polyurethane, contain VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) that are harmful to humans and contribute to poor indoor air quality. The article below, taken from Woodbin Woodworking, outlines some more natural options.

Environmentally Friendly Wood Finishes
The next time you're preparing to finish a woodworking project, take an eco-moment to consider the environmental friendliness of the finishing materials you use. Conventional solvent-based finishes such as nitrocellulose lacquer and varnishes provide a durable, high quality finish at a reasonable cost. However, they can also be significant sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) both in the application and cleanup stages. Solvents released to the air include xylene, toluene, ketones, methanol, methylene chloride, and various mineral spirits.  There are application techniques to minimize the harmful environmental effects of solvent-based finishes but these add cost and complexity to the finishing process. An alternative approach is to use non solvent-based finishes or finishes with low solvent content. This category includes finishes made from plant oils and waxes, insect secretions, earth and mineral pigments, and other natural materials. It also includes various types of water-based finishes.

Oil Finishes
Oil finishes are derived from seeds, nuts, and other plant parts. These are penetrating finishes that seep into the wood pores rather than building a protective film on the surface of the wood. Linseed oil and tung oil are the most commonly used oil finishes. Unlike most other oils, these two oils cure - they change from a liquid to a solid by absorbing oxygen from the air (a process called polymerization). As a result, they work fairly well as finishes (more details below). Oils such as mineral oil and olive oil do not cure or solidify, so that they are ineffective as finishes. In between are the semi-curing oils such as walnut oil, soybean oil, and safflower oil. They cure very slowly and never very hard. They are only marginally effective as finishes.

Linseed oil is an oil extracted from the seeds of the flax plant. Because raw linseed oil does not fully dry, most woodworkers use "boiled" linseed oil in which the oil has been oxygenated to allow it to dry and harden. Varnish or driers may also be added to speed up the drying process. Unfortunately, such additives can compromise the environmentally friendliness of the finish. Linseed oil provides minimal scratch and stain resistance and is easily penetrated by water and water vapor.

Tung Oil is a natural finish that is made from the nuts of the Tung tree. It has been used for centuries by the Chinese to protect furniture and other wooden items. Compared to linseed oil, tung oil cures without the need for drying additives, and it does not darken the wood as much. It also provides better scratch resistance and water resistance as long as five or more coats are applied. Tung oil tends to cure slowly and can turn a whitish color if applied too heavily.

As a group, oil finishes are the least protective of all finishes except for wax. Although they are not the best choice for table tops, floors, and other high traffic applications, oil finishes do have their advantages. A hand-rubbed oil finish enhances the natural color and warmth of wood in ways that other finishes cannot ( although a periodic "refreshening" is generally required.) Oil finishes are easy to apply and to repair. Light scratches and scuffs can be repaired by simply recoating the affected area with more oil. Another advantage is that they are flexible and move with the wood. They are also food-safe so they are ideal finishes for cutting boards, wooden salad bowls and wooden utensils.

Shellac
Shellac is made from a secretion produced by the lac bug, a tiny scale insect that feeds on trees in India and Thailand. The lac resin is processed into flakes which are then dissolved in alcohol to make a finish that can be brushed or sprayed onto wood surfaces. The colors of shellac range from nearly transparent to a natural amber to reddish-brown. Shellac is one of the oldest and perhaps most underrated of all finishes. It was once considered a premiere finish for fine furniture but, like other natural finishes, it has fallen out of favor in modern times with the introduction of synthetic solvent-based materials. Compared to these newer finishes, shellac provides limited resistance to water, alcohol, and heat. If you're looking for a durable finish for a table or counter top, shellac would not be at the top of most people's list. 

However, shellac does have a number of positive attributes. It is quick drying and doesn't darken with age. like varnish finishes. It provides a good barrier against water vapor and stains. It is an excellent touch-up material for other finishes. It works extremely well as a sealer and as a barrier coat to contain contaminants such as silicone, dirt and grease. It is one of the few finishes that both adheres well to other finishes and that other finishes adhere to. And, shellac is a perfect finish for items that come into contact with food or children's toys because the resin is edible. In fact, it is even used as a coating on candy and pills.
Nothing beats a good shellacking!

Water-based finishes
Water-based finishes have become increasingly popular with eco-minded woodworkers in recent years because they contain significantly less solvent than conventional solvent-based finishes. This means less solvent to evaporate into the atmosphere and less solvent to breath. Healthier for the environment and healthier for your lungs. That is the value proposition of water-based finishes.

Water-based clear finishes are typically milky white in color as a liquid but turn clear as they dry. They are clearer than their solvent-based counterparts and stay that way over time. This makes them ideal finishes for light-colored woods such as ash, birch, and maple. They also dry quickly. In less than an hour, you can apply two coats of finish with a sanding in between. Of course, this quick drying means you must work quickly and avoid excessive brushing when applying the finish. Clean up doesn't require any smelly chemicals - just plain old soap and water. That's another plus of water-based finishes.

In terms of toughness and scratch resistance, water-based finishes score very highly and compare favorably with solvent-based polyurethane. Their durability, in combination with reduced fumes, has made them become increasingly popular as a finish for hardwood floors. Note that once a water-based finish has cured, it is more difficult to remove than a solvent based finish. Conventional varnish and paint removers hardly work at all with some urethane finishes.

The marketing terminology of water-based finishes can be a bit confusing. You'll see them sold as "lacquers", "varnishes", "urethanes", and "polyurethanes", implying that these finishes are similar to solvent-based finishes of the same name. The reality is that water-based finishes have more in common with each other than with solvent-based finishes, regardless of the name. Both classes of finishes do contain many of the same ingredients,  such as acrylic, and polyurethane, but the resin transport and curing mechanisms are quite different.

There are a few drawbacks to water-based finishes. They are pricier than solvent-based finishes. They are less resistant to heat, solvents, and acids than solvent-based finishes. And because they contain water, water-based finishes have a tendency to raise the grain in wood. However, this only happens with the first coat and there are ways to minimize it. One is to use a  fast drying, spray type water-based lacquer. Another is to use an alcohol-based sealer such as shellac before applying the finish.

Milk Paint
If you're looking for an antique-looking colored finish that is biodegradable, non-toxic, and odor-free when dry, then milk paint fits the bill. It is an earth friendly finish that is made from milk casein, clay fillers, lime, and earth pigments for color.  Although milk paint is not a very common finish today, it has proven itself over time and is perhaps the oldest form of paint known. In fact, traces of milk paint have been found in King Tutankhamen's tomb.

The flat, grainy look of a milk paint finish is quite distinctive. It is a popular finish for reproducing period furniture. Artists and craftsmen also use it to create unique decorative effects. Milk paint dries quickly (no, it does not smell like sour milk), it can be applied directly to sanded wood without the need for a primer or sealer, and forms a hard matte surface when dry. It bonds well with raw wood thanks to a naturally forming resin called calcium caseinate and almost any finish can be used as a topcoat over milk paint. Note that the lime in milk paint acts as an insecticide and fungicide, protecting wood from insect and fungal infestations.

Emerging from Hibernation

I've spent the past year nurturing my baby, Beckett.  He is now 13 months old and becoming increasingly independent.  It's been an amazing year of growth for both of us.  He has gone from tiny dreamy baby to charismatic little boy toddling around and getting into everything!  I have gone from composed Carrie to scattered mama in awe of this little being.

That said, I am now ready to get back to nurturing Sequel after having taken a hiatus from it. I have "new" pieces in the pipeline. And, plan to post regularly to my blog and facebook. I hope you will stay tuned!

Blue Door

What a beautiful foyer.  Sure, it's got a lot going for it architecturally, lots of windows looking out to lush green and very open.  But, it's also been expertly decorated with some gorgeous antiques and that blue door is a knock out.  Not to mention that red bauble hanging from the ceiling...aqua and red are quite interesting together, tribal and refined all at the same time.

Beckett’s Nursery

On February 13th, 2010, I became a mama to Beckett Lyons Moore.  While I was pregnant, I designed a nursery for him (and me), which is finally complete, including baby!  Here are pics of the space...

The design centers around a wall mural of lifelike birch trees.  This went up like wallpaper and we got the help of a pro to hang.  It has lots of black and white contrast, which Beckett loves to gaze at.  We painted the other walls with Benjamin Moore's Decorator's White and used Eco-Spec which has low VOCs.  The room has an airy and refreshing feel to it.

For the rocking chair, I used a vintage Eames style chair and ottoman, which I had recovered in soft chocolate brown leather.

The crib is Ikea's Gulliver in White.  And, the bedding is a simple organic cream colored crib sheet.  Since the mural is busy, wanted to keep all other elements really clean and simple.

A mobile of tiny deer cut from birch plywood dangles over the crib.  Found this on Etsy.

An antique oak dresser stores Beckett's threads and doubles as a changing table.  It adds a lot of warmth to the room.  This happens to be the dresser that I grew up with...just removed the fancy carved mirror and updated the hardware.

The handles on the dresser are white stones which works with the nature feel of the room.

On the changing table is Sophie the giraffe who keeps Beckett happy while he's getting changed.  We also purchased a washcloth warmer to use instead of wipes, which we love...the warmth is soothing to Beckett and it cuts down on the cost and waste of wipes!  An oversized silk eye pillow is repurposed for a baby pillow.  In the background you can see the window panels, which are white linen.

We just got this nifty and adorable Beck puzzle stool in the mail as a gift.  The wool throw on Eames chair is vintage.  And, the lamb plushy on the ottoman was a gift and made by Gund.

Beckett's lovies and books are kept in a basket woven from recycled paper.

And, here is my little sweetheart!

Starry Eyed Over Laurie Owen

I discovered South African designer Laurie Owen over the weekend after reading a bit about her on Apartment Therapy.  She has dubbed her style "Romantic Organic".  Most of the pictures on her website are of resorts that she's designed, but she also does residential work.  Check it out:

Harnas Lodge in Namibia:

I

Agricultural Holdings Residence in South Africa:

Clifftop Limopopo in South Africa:

Little Kulala in Namibia:

Vumbura Lodge in Botswana:

So, I've attempted to deconstruct her work so we can all bring a little (or lot) of this "Romantic Organic" style to our homes.  Here is what I'm seeing:

-Raw tree trunks, branches, twigs, stumps, roots, rocks, and stones for furnishings and decor

-Faux natural furnishings and accents (ex. stone shaped ottomans made of wool or metal & metallic tree trunk tables)

-Drippy strands of crystal, beads, coral, bone, silver

-Earthy browns {taupes, camels, ecrus},  atmospheric blues, pure whites, and touches of black

-Fluffy plush rugs and pillows

-Metallic accessories

-Boho ombre & tie dyed linens 

-Textural concrete & mud-/plaster-like walls

-Floaty hanging chairs

-Reedy rattan and rope accents

-Organic shaped glass reminicent of water

-Natural fibers:  cotton, silk, linen, wool

-Relaxed, loose, slipcovered furnishings

-Low profile beds and seating

For more on Laurie, check out her website.

Nesting

My friend Melanie just had this precious little girl named Lily...

Melanie hinted that I do a post on nurseries and children's rooms.  So, I've scoured the web to come up with these lovely pictures to inspire...

neutral can be nice... 

but brights are really fun.... 

being part Polish, love the larger than life matryoshka nesting dolls... 

i'm suprised they were able to pull this color off...

soft pastels are comforting....

stripes are good...

like these cozy modern sleeping compartments (and the mod bedding)... 

paper lanterns will be nice for baby to look at...

glam is good too... 

room for friends is most important... 

Pictures culled from Desire To Inspire, Domino, Ohdeedoh, Dwell, Ouef, and probably a few others that I'm forgetting.