Over the years we’ve had the opportunity of helping many clients choose an exterior color scheme. As we’ve refined our approach, we’ve tallied a list of key considerations: -Identify which part of the house is most often used. For example, if the house has a small frontage, and most of the residents’ time is …
Safety First
We’ve recently completed a pair of bathrooms in San Francisco. One of the main ideas of the Master Bathroom was to create an open-plan feel with its adjacent bedroom and closet. Our design proposal called for two immensely tall (low-iron) glass wall partitions to flank the bathroom entry’s wing walls. The challenge of executing this …
White Hot + Blue
It is one thing to be fully aware of the enduring genius of Jack Lenor Larsen - the single most important textile designer of all time, and quite another to be fortunate enough to be included in one of LongHouse Reserve's mid-summer events. I recently returned from a party that was like none other I …
Jerry Smith – Artist, Friend, Colleague
It is with great sorrow that I learned of the untimely passing of my friend and colleague Jerry Smith. Jerry was the eldest of 3 brothers born in Philadelphia on November 3, 1965. He attended the Tyler school of art for his undergraduate degree and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for his …
Technology in a Design Firm Pt. II
Accurate, instantaneous communication and transparency are vital in today’s complex design projects. How can a boutique design firm – like most residential firms – answer these demands? FEBRUARY 2012 – Project Specific Websites Recently we found ourselves in a position in which we are working on four projects in varying locations that have extensive construction components. …
Technology In A Design Firm Part I
It is my firm belief that digital technology plays a vital role in our industry today. Here are a few examples of how and why we have used technology in ways that were new to us. MAY 1998 – Design Concepts I was pondering how to best file and access images that I had …
Mini-Series Coming Soon !
Stay tuned next week for a two part blog on ways we have found to use technology in our design practice. It is my hope that you will find inspiration that will move you personally and professionally. -MICHAEL M. MERRILL ASID, CID
‘I was getting more than I was giving’ – Article by The ReMarker
"In giving to the people in your community, you will always get back, in my experience, as fast as I give." All of us have resources and strengths that we take for granted or even forget. Over the last few years I have been increasingly aware of the resources I have from the boys school I attended for …
Continue reading "‘I was getting more than I was giving’ – Article by The ReMarker"
Thank You Notes
My mother insisted that each of her children sit down to write thank you notes. If not, she warned us that our gifts would be taken away. We had 24 hours, and this was before we were in first grade! How can we make it easier to write these notes? Always have many note cards on …
It Takes Three
Designer, client, builder.If one of us decides to take on too much of the role of another, then we can't really be present to perform our function, and the three legged stool will tilt. When my client says "no" I need to listen and shift course, otherwise, I am trying to be the client as …
