Archive for January, 2010
A Glimpse Into Future Housing-The Lumenhaus
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture, Sustainability on January 26, 2010
I recently read about LUMENHAUS and fell in love with the design, the technology and a glimpse into what housing can be like for our children! Designed by a collaboration of Virginia Tech Students from different academic departments, the 800 square foot LUMENHAUS was their 2009 entry to the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition.
LUMEN means “the power of light.” HAUS is a reference to the BauHaus movement, and architect Mies Van Der Rohe, whose Farnsworth House inspired LUMENHAUS. LUMENHAUS does more than literally deliver a brighter day, however. LUMENHAUS epitomizes a “whole building design” construction approach, in which all the home’s components and systems have been designed to work together to maximize user comfort with environmental protection. Continue reading “A Glimpse Into Future Housing-The Lumenhaus” »
A Way to Help Haiti Re-Build: Architecture For Humanity
Posted by Irene Turner in Architecture, Giving Back on January 21, 2010
The devastation in Haiti is incomprehensible to us as we sit in our dry and snug homes. The sheer horror of lost family members, homes and lack of any form of comfort is devestating. I have been struggling as to how to help, and affect change as the Haitians begin to move forward and try to re-build their lives.
I heard about Architecture For Humanity from Michelle Kauffman’s blog post on Prefab Green’s Call to Action. Since I have a lot of respect for Michelle and her work in designing affordable green prefabricated housing, I had to explore this avenue. Continue reading “A Way to Help Haiti Re-Build: Architecture For Humanity” »
6 Color Trends for the 21st Century
Posted by Irene Turner in Color on January 19, 2010
As an ex trend director and current interior space designer, I love watching what is happening to color. While fashion usually leads the color trend frontier, we can also take muse from other resources and social influences such as the celebrity and media world, technology, healthy food and wellness influences, graphics, packaging, international culture and more. By being aware of the different aesthetics around you, you will see color exploding everywhere!
image courtesy of we heart it website
Traditional color hues are rapidly becoming a concept of the past. Looking drab and dreary are the earth tones and jewels of the 20th century, and new are show stopping colors that grab your attention and move you to smile.
Color in all forms have a definite vibration. And color is the quickest and most inexpensive way to change the mood of a room, update the look and freshen up the energetics of your space™.
Here are 6 trends to keep your eyes on as we move further into the 21st Century: Continue reading “6 Color Trends for the 21st Century” »
Fireplaces
Posted by Irene Turner in Interior Design & Renovation on January 14, 2010
On this grey and chilly January day I have an image in my head of a cup of hot coco, a good book (meaning light read) and a divan to lay on in front of my fireplace, alternatively dozing and staring contemplatively into the flames. I know, I know…fireplaces aren’t environmentally friendly. But ever since the cave woman rubbed her two sticks together (you know it had to be a woman, being that we are the caretaker and all), fire has drawn people. Initially it was the sole source of warmth, evolving into a place to cook, and then slowly into the the gathering spot where we humans spent time with family and tribe. Fireplaces have become the main focal point of the room, architecturally and psychologically. Continue reading “Fireplaces” »
3 Areas to Organize in the New Year!
Posted by Irene Turner in Interior Design & Renovation, Personal Style & Well being on January 12, 2010
Did you know it was National Get Organized Month? I didn’t until I read Simplified Bee’s blog. And in thinking about it, it makes sense. I remember my mother and Oma used to call it spring cleaning. According to Wikipedia, spring cleaning: “…refers to the yearly act of cleaning a house from top to bottom which would take place in the first warm days of the year typically in spring, hence the name. However it has also come to be synonymous with any kind of heavy duty cleaning or organizing enterprise. A person who gets their affairs in order before an audit or inspection could be said to be doing some spring cleaning.”
Why do I believe that organization is so important? Continue reading “3 Areas to Organize in the New Year!” »
-
You are currently browsing the archives for January, 2010
THINKING OF UPDATING OR RENOVATING YOUR HOME? This FREE downloadable report reveals
The 5 KEYS
to hiring the perfect Interior Designer to help you!
We respect your privacy and will never share your information! Irene Turner
Connect with Irene
Stay up to date with us
