Parkhill Smith and Cooper

PSC Fieldtrip

Up until the past few weeks, I did not know a lot about environmentally friendly and sustainable design.  I have been studying this concept in both of my interior design classes.  Last week I took a fieldtrip to Parkhill Smith and Cooper with my class.  This company owns the first LEED certified building in Lubbock.  This trip led me to have a lot more interest in environmentally friendly design than I ever have before.

One concept that PSC’s green building contains is self sustainability.  They have employed a roof system that basically consists of a layer of earth.  Natural dirt is a great insulator.  The plants on the roof are all watered with the reuse of rain drainage on the property.  This is a great way to use natural materials for environmental benefit when building a large building.  We only saw pictures of the roof.  But, after seeing diagrams and reading information on the roof, I was assured that it is a good way to use less energy.

Another thing that I learned at PSC was that there are many different materials available that are environmentally friendly.  This includes things that are recycled, recyclable, sustainable, and naturally made.  The LEED certified building had things such as fabric air vents, large window systems, sun lights, and grass parking spaces. After doing some research online, I realized just how many companies are working hard to provide these types of building materials.  I now know that it truly is possible to do environmentally friendly design without much more trouble than doing any normal design job.

The most interesting thing that I leaned at PSC, is that environmentally friendly interiors are actually a healthier environment to live and work in.  We were informed that the LEED certified building at PSC has 12% less sick days taken that the non-LEED certified building.  It is also true that hospitals have better recovery rates when the employ environmentally friendly materials and let in natural light. Productivity is also increased in an environmentally friendly work place with sunlight.  Upon first hearing that environmentally friendly design affects the wellness of the inhabitants of a space, I thought it was just a rumor.  After learning more about the harmful effects of harsh chemicals, I can believe this statement.  I also learned that the human connection to nature is a large part of why environmentally friendly living and working can be healthier for many people.

I have become very interested in environmental design within these past couple of weeks.  I would love to do a real interior someday that could employ these kinds of concepts and materials.  It has become obvious that this type of design is becoming important and will stay important all around the world.  As an interior designer, I am glad to have gotten a taste of this type of design.  I know that I will be using it in my future.

Jeff Seal

Jeff Seal Home Tour

            Last week, I had the opportunity, along with my fellow classmates, to get a tour through two of Jeff Seal’s homes here in Lubbock.  Jeff Seal is a very talented and artistic architect.  He works alongside an interior designer who graduated from Texas Tech.  The trip made me start thinking about what it will be like to be an interior designer and gave me inspiration to do unique and custom work.

            The first home we visited had a very Mediterranean feel and was my favorite.  The front entry and living areas were gorgeous.  All of the walls were plastered and left a very neutral color that contrasted the ornate nature of the home.  There was a lot of detail throughout the entire house.  The front windows were in the shape of a Gothic arch.  This matched the custom made Gothic arched wood front door.    All of the floors throughout the house were real hard wood.  When we visited they were still in their original state, but before the house is finished the wood will be scraped and stained to achieve a distressed look. The beautiful entry and immediate areas sets a grand and inviting.

            From the hand painted cabinets to the barrel arched brick ceiling, the entire kitchen had been completely custom made.  Although it was not completely finished, we could all see that the outcome was going to be beautiful.  There was even a brick oven to accompany the double oven below a custom carved vent hood.  A hutch had also been designed to be included in the breakfast area. It was hand painted distressed blues and golds that complimented the colors throughout the house.  Although the kitchen area was very fancy, it was also very inviting.

            All of the bedrooms had a lot of unique features as well.  One of the guest bedrooms had thirteen foot high ceilings because it was in the tower part of the house.  It also had custom cabinetry for bookshelves as well as a custom vanity in the bathroom.  The master bedroom had what was basically an enlarged closet for a personal work area.  This area could be completely shut off from the bedroom to create a feeling of calmness.  The bathroom had a walk-in shower and a place for a free standing tub.  My favorite part of the bathroom was the heated travertine floors.  This would be a master suite anyone could enjoy.

            The house also had a private outdoor patio with a fire place, a beautiful iron banister, a huge laundry room, and many other great features.  The second house we visited displayed many different ideas that were also unique to that home. In the future, I could see myself working with someone like Jeff Seal or doing work similar to his.  I love how he takes the time to create a house that will be different from any other house available.  I am very interested in fantastic work such as this.

Field Trip to Leftwich and Chapman Flooring Store

Leftwich Chapman

                The fieldtrip to the flooring and stone company, Leftwich Chapman, was both interesting and informative.  They had wood, laminate, tile, stone, and carpet.  My class was lucky enough to get a personal tour from the owner.  He presented many unique types of flooring.  He was very informative and was able to give my advice and ideas that will apply to future projects.

                The flooring material that surmised me the most was leather.  I was scared to stand on the sample on the floor thinking that it would be fragile.  The owner of the store assured us that it was durable enough for light commercial use.  As he began to intentionally scratch the sample we all began to cringe.  Surprisingly, the sample wouldn’t scratch.  Apparently, it was made from ground up pieces of recycled leather.  The small pieces are all bonded together to make a very tough flooring material.  This could be applied in residential and commercial settings to achieve a unique look.

                Another interesting material available at the store was bamboo flooring.  It looked very similar to wood, but had a more grainy texture.  Although it is available at the store, the owner told my class that he rarely recommends the particular product here in Lubbock.  This is because the bamboo needs moisture.  If its surroundings are too dry, it will become porous and begin to break down.  After learning this, I now know that bamboo would only be a suitable solution in moist areas.

                After we received information on all of the wood and wood-like flooring, we moved on to the carpet section of the store.  The most interesting carpet we were introduced to was actually made from corn.   Therefore this SmartStrand carpet is environmentally friendly.  It is also one of the softest carpets available.  This would be a perfect material for a client who wants to be environmentally friendly.

                The store also had many beautiful and textured rugs and carpets.  It was a wonderful selection to choose form when doing a commercial or residential design.  There were many tuft heights and thicknesses suitable for many different uses.  The variety in the selection would make this store a great place to go when doing any type of project that would need carpet.

                Vinyl flooring was one of the last sections we visited in the store.  The progress that these vinyl companies have made is outstanding.  They are now creating patterns of wood, brick, and tile that look real.  These would be perfect for use in a travel home that would need flooring with some give to it.  The wood vinyl flooring would be good in places where moisture is present but wood is also wanted.  Although wood would warp due to the moisture, the vinyl flooring would not.

                The collection of glass and mosaic stone tile could provide numerous looks in a kitchen.  This tile is like the pretty jewelry in a great space.  This look is very popular right now, and gives the store an extra edge.  Although the collection could be overwhelming to a client, with some help, almost any look could be achieved.

                After visiting with one of the owners, I know that it is a trustworthy company.  The selection is amazing and the prices are fair.  Places like this one carry quality materials that can be trusted.  Leftwich and Chapman is a store that I would use for clients and myself without thinking twice. 

Collin’s Tile and Stone

            Of the field trips my class has taken this semester, the trip to Collin’s Tile and Stone was my favorite.  Although the company carries many types of tile, their specialty seemed to be their stone and imitation stone for countertops. 

            The granite carried by the company ranged in price.  The lower priced granite was around sixty dollars per square foot and was very nice.  They also carried granite prices up to 150 dollars per square foot.  Although expensive, this granite was absolutely beautiful.  I learned a lot about the different types of granite.  There were many that had consistent patterns.  There were also a lot that had random streaks and multiple colors.  These randomly colored and patterned granites were m favorite.  The selection available seemed to have something for many different tastes.

            Collin’s Tile and Stone also carried different types of marble ranging in different colors.  My favorite is the Carerra Marble, a classic and beautiful material.  Although this marble is white and grey in color, there were also other marble is green and pink colors.  Although the marble is not as stain and scratch resistant as granite, it is still very popular due to its look.

            Another beautiful stone that the company carries is travertine.  This stone is mostly used as tile and ranges in color.  The stone has indentions of fossils throughout the surface.  This is because travertine is a sea bed rock.  Therefore, fossils of shells and small animals can be seen randomly in the stone.  This makes for beautiful and unique flooring.

            One of the neatest materials available was made by Cambria.  Many companies try to imitate granite.  But, usually this effort is a failure.  Cambria has made imitation granite that looks exactly like the real thing.  Due to the popularity of granite and the technology put into this material, the price is almost as expensive as just using actual granite.  It is very interesting to see how far these technologies have come.

            The trip to Collin’s Tile and Stone was both fun and informative.  I learned a lot about the uses and properties of many types of stones.  This will help me in my future career as an interior designer. 

           

The Elements and Principles of Design

Elements and Principles Applied

When looking at an interior space, it is obvious whether or not it looks appealing.  Many people do not know or understand the factors that make a room feel this way.  This is why interior designers have a knowledge of the elements and principles of design.  These elements and principles categorize the different factors that add to the feeling and appearance of a space.  This picture of an extravagant and beautiful living room shows many good examples of the elements and principles seen in good designs.

When looking at the back wall of the picture many horizontal lines are seen in the wood paneling.  This feature uses the element of line to make the room appear taller.  This leads to the grand and large feeling in the space. The back wall also puts and emphasis on the fireplace.  Emphasis is a principle of design that works to make a certain feature stand out.  The fact that all the lines in the photograph are pointing to the fire place, makes it obvious that it is the center of the room.  The bright white color of the fire place against the taupe walls also make it stand out by highlighting it with a different color.  The back wall alone has an appearance that is made beautiful by many of the elements and principles.

The furniture and its arrangement also use elements and principles of design.  The three couches are all white, which employs the use of color in bringing the principle of unity to the space.  These three main pieces of furniture create a “U” shape which employs the principle of balance. The couches are able to balance out the heavy weight of the massive fire place.  The use of the smaller wood side chairs allows for some variety in the room, another principle of design.  The use of two differently styled coffee tables also adds variety.  This same variety is also seen in the accent pieces used throughout the entire room.

The use of color on the furniture allows for it to stand out.   But, the main taupe color in the room allows for a sense of unity.  Because the furniture brings variety into the room and the taupe color brings a sense of unity, the room is able to achieve harmony.  Harmony is difficult to achieve in a room because it has to employ a mix of variety and unity, two opposite principles of design.  This room is able to achieve harmony, and therefore is very aesthetically appealing.

Unusual Materials

  

The Catacombs of Paris

The thought of bones made into wall designs sounds disgusting at first. But, once given the chance to explore the Catacombs in Paris, France many people begin to find it fascinating. Dating back to medieval times, the catacombs are a system of underground tunnels that run beneath the city of Paris. The bones of thousands of bodies line the walls to form interesting, yet morbid, decorations.

I was very lucky to have the opportunity a few years ago to visit these catacombs. Upon entering all visitors have to receive an introduction. During this introduction, I learned a lot about the history of the catacombs. I was also told not to steal any of the bones. Apparently they have had many situations in the past with missing bones. They had even caught people stealing the bones in their backpacks and purses to take home as a souvenir. Just being in the catacombs made me feel uncomfortable. I could not even imagine taking a piece home with me!

As my family and I entered into the underground tunnels at around two in the afternoon, the sunlight disappeared and artificial light lit the way down into the tunnel system. Thousands of leg and arm bones had been stacked upon one another to form the walls of the tunnel. As we got deeper into the system we came across many of the designs we had been told about during our introduction. Skulls were a decorative piece on many of the walls. Different types of bones had been laid in many directions to form patterns. It was the strangest form of decoration I had ever seen.

We were told that it was not uncommon in centuries past for people to get stuck or abandoned in the tunnels. About half of the way through the tour we came across a carving that had been made into the rock side of a tunnel. A man who had been trapped in the tunnels had carved a small castle model into the stone siding. This was also the place that he died after creating his masterpiece. This was only one of the creepy stories that we were told during the tour. Although I was extremely interested in the tunnels I could not stop thinking about how creepy the experience had become.

The wall designs and tunnel systems were very fascinating and beautiful. Although it took me a while to get used to looking at so many human bones, the tour became a good experience that I will never forget. It is interesting to see how unusual materials can be applied in different types of places.  This is the most interesting use of an unusual material that I have ever experienced.

Texas Tech Interior Design Expo 2011

Design Expo

In the real world, we interior designers will have to go to market and learn about new and trending products in order to keep up with the changing trends.  A design expo was held last week at Texas Tech in the Merket Alumni Center.  It was very just like the type of market the professionals must attend.  The experience was fun and gave my classmates and me a look into our future. 

We began the show by entering into large ball room at the Alumni Center where the expo was to take place.  At first glance I was overwhelmed by the amount of vendors that came to our show.  I am sure that talking to learning designers is a good marketing tool for these vendors.  Therefore, they were all very excited to talk with us about the different types of product they had to offer.  This helped me learn a lot about many different types of products that I have not had the opportunity to learn about yet.

I learned about many new products that are currently trending.  This included things such as office chairs, Crypton fabric products, and wallpaper.  This kind of information taught me a lot about the types of things that designers need to continually research in order to stay updated.

My favorite product at the expo was the Crypton fabric products.  These are wonderful for commercial use, which is a field of study I am focusing on this semester.  When I think of commercial fabrics, I usually think of ugly geometric patterns, scratchy surfaces, and ugly stains.  These fabrics had surprisingly beautiful patterns, soft surfaces, and were stain resistant.  Some of these Crypton materials could even resist the permanency of a Sharpie pen.  Learning about these fabrics could really help me in my future career if I am in need of a stain resistant and durable material for a commercial space.

            The atmosphere of the expo was exciting and inspired me to want to learn with my classmates.  The vendors were very happy to be there and were doing their best to sell their product in the most intriguing way possible.  There were buffet tables set up in the middle of the room with food and drinks.   This added more to the social aspect of the event.  I have learned over the past few years that this fast paced and fun atmosphere is common at market and expos.  Being around this type of activity, I was able to even better understand the way things work in the interior design world.

            The expo inspired me to do even more trend researching on my own.  I know that using the internet I have access to all kinds of information.  It is up to me whether or not I actually put that information to use.  Seeing all of the different types of materials and designs at the expo gave me inspiration that I can put into my projects.  The expo further inspired me to do research for the classes that I am taking now.  For my last project, a tile project, I spent a good amount of time looking at tile designs online and in magazines before I started my work.  This gave me ideas that I would have never thought of before.  Because I have not been out in the workforce yet, I haven’t had the opportunity to see large amounts of designs and ideas.  Going to the expo reminded me that by doing a little research I can get inspiration that will only lead to better products on my part.

            I am very glad that Texas Tech hosts a design expo every year.  It gave me a great learning opportunity.  I am sure that it will also help me in the years to come.  It will only help me to be more prepared and confident in myself for my future career.