High Point Market
This High Point Market will be a short one (for me). I'll only be available Saturday and Sunday. Please note: That we've moved our showing. We are thrilled to now be (for our second High Point Market) with Ekornes (the super cool, modern, sustainable Stressless guys from Norway) showroom.
- Building IHFC
- Showroom D820
- Bustop #1 (Transportation Terminal)
Successful Kickstarter Campaign for Phil Campbell
After year's in the making, it was great to see that our little table, made from a devastated Phil Campbell tree, is beginning to make a difference. Congrats to our friends Andrew Reed, Brooklyn Phil Campbell and all the Phil Campbells around the world who have worked tirelessly for our neighboring community.
Above is a pic of the Phil Campbell table presently showing (for a few more days) at the Frank Lloyd Wright designed / Rosenbaum Museum - downtown Florence.
Karen Graffao shows at the Tennessee Valley Museum of art
Great fun meeting Karen Sunday at her wonderful showing; 3000 Dreams Explained. Somehow, i didn't really get it. That is, until I stepped foot into her third concentric ring. The answer was there. I got it. Even if it was just for a moment. I'll have to drop back by for more.
Why recycle?
no reason to recycle when it's functioning - and u love it!
For the past 26 years Linda's driven nothing but (two) Volvos. The first an '88 - she kept 12 years. Then, while we were living in Beaufort SC she purchased this on. That was in 2000. She really loves this car. And hopes to be able to keep her fir as ling as she can.
Tourism building
the shoals is on a roll, and it doesn't seem to be slowing. Just got a sneak peek of the new tourism building at McFarland park. I'm quite amazed. Architect Bob Whitten and Tom Gosser at Parallax construction have designed/built quite an amazing new area "gem". Facing the beautiful river, park and marina, tourists will know there's something quite special about the community they are visiting.
Combining natural (wood) with beautiful functional minimal modern is not easily achieved.
Congrats Bob and entire team! This one is absolutely worth the wait!!
New restaurant Rice Box - Huntsville
The best Chinese restaurant in alabama just opened a Huntsville location. I'm happy to report nothing but rave reviews.
Linda and I weren't really hungry - more curious than anything. Great to see they seem to be following the same great menu. And, amazingly, it tasted just like super chef Jason did the cooking. It's actually (owner) Maggie's brother from New York. I had heard about his masterful culinary skills for years - fun meet him - and taste his wonderful food
beautiful, modern/asian interior. Great to see a couple of long time (Florence Rice Box) employees - including Ben - back from Los Angeles
Just appetizers really
Sushi - exceptional, fried hot wings, crispy - almost perfect - a bit sweet for my taste. Perfect for Linda. Tempura Tofu appetizer. Just perfect.
Im looking forward to getting back there for a meal when I'm actually hungry
Celebrating again Friday
C3's contribution of fresh grilled yellow fin tuna, was a huge hit to say the least.
If the weather's nice on a Friday afternoon - seems to be the only excuse we need for gathering behind the studio for for a celebration. Our guys get their 40 hours in by 12:00 noon on Fridays.
Even more fun with neighboring businesses C3 Architectural Concrete, and Karlson Hardwood floor joining in.
Photography tabletops shipping to Snapfish.com
These solid walnut and maple tabletops will be shipping to San Francisco tomorrow. They'll be used for their photo shoots of their amazingly beautiful custom photo books and other products that they produce.
If you've seen our the hard cover photo books, they were all printed by our friends at Snapfish. We're huge Snapfish fans. Soon as I can get my newest photos organized, will be ordering a the 2014 edition of our book.
Walnut doors - progressing nicely
These walnut, cherry, sassafras and maple doors are coming along. Pics show final sanding thursday, then fourth (final) coat of waterborne finish on side one of each (friday and saturday).
We should be able to finish the other side Monday, then this beautiful (but drawn out) project should be complete.
custom exteror doors - made from local hardwood trees
These custom orders, particularly totally new designs, particularly with approaching (or past approaching) deadlines, keep things more than exciting around here. These doors are on the more modern, minimal design than much of my work.
- 1 3/4" solid walnut stiles and rails
- stiles and rails attached with mortise and tenon joinery
- 1" solid narrow "floating" panels of sassafras, maple and cherry (three panels of each)
- All four species made from local hardwood trees
This is my take (kinda backwards) on the typical door or cabinet door design, where he more typical design is with quite large floating panels with smaller rails.
The floating panels should allow for expansion and contraction from the opposing forces on each side of the exterior door environment.
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
New Finishing room - off to a grand beginning
This move has been a doozy. After too many weeks of downtime for the move, then placing equipment, set up dust collection system, build finishing room, we are back in business.
Yesterday we broken in our new spray room with a beautiful natural edge walnut countertop - receiving three coats of our amazing earth (and people) friendly waterborne finish. Since we are behind on this order, as we are several ;(, we're all super pleased to see such beautiful success in the new room. Especially since our customer is our friend, 26 year veteran in kitchen and bath design, with Kitchen Expressions.
Debe is the best, and actually the only, Master certified kitchen and bath designer between Birmingham and Nashville.
Update:
Doors - were (or were not) inspired by. . .
The aesthetic (of these two new solid walnut+ doors, either was or was not inspired by our local Frank Lloyd Wright house. Honestly, I'm not sure. Consciously, it was not. But last week, after I delivered the Phil Campbell table back to the Rosenbaum House Gift Shop (for a few more weeks on display), as i was driving off, in my peripherals, I noticed almost the same design/balance/aesthetic in the exterior wall of the home. With closer inspection, Director Libby Jordan, reminded me that the walls are a good example of Wright's Usonian construction; Cedar interior and exterior sandwiching pine.
Either way, inspired specifically by the Rosenbaum House board and batten design or not, I'm quite proud to see - even just a glimmer of similarity in "our ;)" work.
Just to be clear, if there's any confusion, he's the master. No Question. I'm honored to be the student.
Italian/Venezuelan Master Carpenter tours studio
Lots of fun meeting these two from Venezuela via Italy and San Francisco. They seem to have really enjoyed their tour - and they LOVE Florence Alabama. -- I believe the word was "magical" - and they are sooo right. -- Hope to see them again soon.
If you are in need of an exceptional carpenter, craftsman, or geodesic dome expert, these guys seem to be looking for an excuse to move here.
photo's of the photographer
I was intrigued with Pro photographer Nate Haskovec's toys. I asked him if i could hold/look/play and he was happy to share. Then, i asked how much was I holding - around $10k right there in those two pieces. Yikes - I handed right back.
But it really was fun as Nate showed me what a real photographer with a real camera can do. The striking depth of field, along with so many other benefits of dslr + the right telephoto lense, quite amazing. Thanks for sharing Nate!
Shoals Environmental Alliance - I LOVE this org!
The awareness and education Shoals Environmental Alliance provides for the area is huge. And i enjoy supporting them whenever I can. Each year, i've donated a small $500 bench, that goes into their silent auction held at Robert Rausch Gas Studio (his very generous donation).
Nancy Muse stops by each year, picks up the donation (in her super cool Hybrid Prius), and visits a bit. This year the timing couldn't have been better. Pro photographer Nate Haskovec was here doing a photoshoot for a book of local creatives, and took a few of Nancy (and my pal Sassafras).
Nancy was so nice to pose showing off the bench and her new Earth Day t-shirt. I think it turned out quite exceptionally. -- Nancy thank you for all you have done for so many years for our community. Your hard work is very much appreciated!
Doors made from local 4 beautiful hardwood trees
Our "take" on a door; Primarily made of solid local walnut. 9 small floating panels made from sassafras, maple and cherry.
Attached the walnut stiles to the walnut rails with simple but strong, mortise and tenon joinery.
Each of the 9 small floating panels (3 each of sassafras, maple, cherry) to allow for the unique environments on each side of the thruway.
Phil Campbell on Huffington post Live this morning!
Phil Campbell documentary director and producer to be interviewed on Huffington Post Live this morning! Scheduled for 10:45 am (est), (Brooklyn) Phil Campbell and Andrew Reed will be discussing their Kickstarter campaign that will be raising funds and awareness for the tornado ravaged town, Phil Campbell Alabama.
If you don't get a chance to see the live broadcast, you can still be involved by going to their Kickstarter page to support the effort and town.
UNA art professor visits Rosenbaum Museum
UNA's newest super creative addition to the art department, Aaron (Tennessee) Benson toured our local treasure - the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Rosenbaum home/museum again yesterday. I'm quite sure he'll be back for more.
