Seeing Design -

Published May 23, 2009 by Anne Collins Howard

Non-Clunky Storage

When storage units grow over five-feet tall–that tends to spell c-l-u-n-k-y. But minimize the amount of heavy wood, doors and drawers, and the mahogany monster in the room can become sculpture. This piece from Brocade Home ($699) commands attention not because of its towering 65″ stature but its curvaceous silhouette. I love its feminine lines even more because it was spared the girly details. Angular shelves make each compartment a natural bookshelf and a pedestal for your most fabulous objet.

And if that's still too big for your living room, this style is adorable as a console ($599).

Finds

storage

Published May 21, 2009 by Anne Collins Howard

The Construction Site Chandelier

They are repairing the elevators in our office building and it just gave me the craziest idea for a chandelier. When I came to work the other day one of the elevator doors opened to an empty brick shaft. I peeked in and three light bulbs were dangling on long cords with bright yellow plastic cages around them. They looked so modern—I could envision them perfectly over a Saarinen dining table. I love the way they mirror the shape of the bulb, the shadow the cage casts, and the stark industrial edge they have about them. In the middle of my fantasy about decorating the SoHo loft I don’t have, the elevator doors shut. And I had no photo to show for it. So for the past two weeks I’ve been getting off on random floors hoping to catch more repairs in progress. But today I got my photo and a whole adventure to go with it.

Returning from lunch I saw a workman’s cart on the 40th floor and I got off to investigate. No lights were set up but the nicest elevator repair man gave me the scoop on where to get another glimpse. They are gutting the 32nd floor and they have strings of them set up all over the place, says my new buddy. Not quite sure what to expect or if building security would approve, I grabbed Assistant Editor Leah Konen for backup.

The elevator ascends to 32 and opens to a concrete shell of an office the size of a New York City block. The space was raw but lit beautifully. Strings of caged lights traversed it, looking even better in hoards.

Hung horizontally like that, they would look amazing around a patio. And I still think five of them hanging over a dining table in a staggered formation would be the epitome of urban chic.

If yellow is not your thing, they also come in a metal style. V-2100 is quite sleek and I love how open and airy 1438-1 is. I found these on McGill Electrical Product Group’s website, they seemed to have cornered the market on safety cages. They don’t sell to the public (not surprised) but you can call (800) 621-1506 and they can direct you to a retailer in your area. Or funny enough, I found someone on eBay selling ten yellow cages with matching yellow cords right now for $90. Now that’s one cheap chandelier.

Etc Projects

design ideas design trends DIY

Published April 27, 2009 by Anne Collins Howard

Foodie Heaven: Pittsburgh’s Strip District

Pittsburgh Whenever I return to a place I once lived–Hollywood, Amish country, or Andalusia–I know exactly where I’m going to eat. Visiting an old haunt and ordering a favorite dish–nothing fuels nostalgia more.

Last weekend Mike asked me to join him in Pittsburgh for his college reunion but from the sound of it our meal at Primanti Brothers Restaurant was just as important as visiting the campus. Located in the Strip District, it’s a true Iron City establishment. What brought it to such fame? Massive sandwiches with vinegar coleslaw and French fries slapped between white bread. After eating there, I too love Pittsburgh that much more–but it wasn’t the heart-attack-of-a-sandwich that won me over, it was the world of food at the Strip District that already has me nostalgic.

It’s a mecca of markets, produce stands, butcher shops, bakeries, cafes, and ethnic groceries spanning the globe. Its no-frills charm and all-flavor offerings would bring me back daily if I lived remotely near here.

Pittsburgh

Places

eats Pennsylvania

Published April 5, 2009 by Anne Collins Howard

The Power of Towering Shelves

Art can only do so much for your wall—sometimes a towering piece of furniture needs to step in and give a room dimension. This weekend we built bookshelves in our bedroom and the space is starting to feel complete. Granted shelves aren’t exactly furniture but with my vintage desk–together they become a commanding secretary. Plus, my workspace feels so much more dignified with a proper library stacked above it. I knew the shelves would add the height, storage, and depth I was looking for but the pleasant surprise has been the books’ pop of color. The covers’ and spines’ range of hues and patterns adds a little kick to the bedroom’s cool palette.

The Process

We actually bought these Ikea shelves (Ekby Hensvik beveled boards and Robert brackets) months ago but something about drilling massive holes in our 110-year-old wall gave us reason to pause and procrastinate.

The brackets’ pre-drilled holes seemed so dinky to be holding up a few dozen books so we drilled larger holes to accommodate bigger screws–but even those would need extra reinforcement. Enter toggle bolt.

This is a toggle bolt: a super strong spring-loaded metal stopper that folds flush around a screw, which snaps open when it passes through drywall, keeping heavy mounted-objects from falling forward. We originally sought them out after our medicine cabinet came crashing down on my mother during her inaugural visit to our home. Shes fine–no real harm done–but I’ll never trust plastic-expansion anchors again.