malibu residence by bruce bolander

This residence was designed by Los Angeles architect Bruce Bolander. He's done a number of homes in the Topanga/Malibu area. He first came to my attention because he designed a house that was to be built at the end of our street. The owners split up and it was never built.

The house is extremely similar to ours so I of course think it's beautiful. But what really got me were the comments that readers left on the blog that originally posted the photos. It's an architectural blog called the Contemporist. The comments were so stupid that the architect felt compelled to defend his work.

After having built a home in similar terrain, I know exactly why this house looks the way it does and appreciate it for it's ability to overcome the magnitude of restraints placed on new construction.

Read the comments here.

i love linen

Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum. Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather.

details of the flax plant

Mechanical harvesting of flax in Belgium

Linen cloth recovered from Qumran Cave 1 near the Dead Sea.

Linen is said to be a bast fiber.

Flax fibers vary in length from about 25 to 150 centimeters (18 to 55 in) and average 12-16 micrometers in diameter. There are two varieties: shorter tow fibers used for coarser fabrics and longer line fibers used for finer fabrics. Flax fibers can usually be identified by their “nodes” which add to the flexibility and texture of the fabric.

The cross-section of the linen fiber is made up of irregular polygonal shapes which contribute to the coarse texture of the fabric.

Highly absorbent and a good conductor of heat, linen fabric feels cool to the touch. Linen is the strongest of the vegetable fibers, with 2 to 3 times the strength of cotton. It is smooth, making the finished fabric lint free, and gets softer the more it is washed. However, constant creasing in the same place in sharp folds will tend to break the linen threads. This wear can show up in collars, hems, and any area that is iron creased during laundering. Linen has poor elasticity and does not spring back readily, explaining why it wrinkles so easily.

Linen fabrics have a high natural luster; their natural color ranges between shades of ivory, ecru, tan, or grey. Pure white linen is created by heavy bleaching. Linen typically has a thick and thin character with a crisp and textured feel to it, but it can range from stiff and rough, to soft and smooth. When properly prepared, linen fabric has the ability to absorb and lose water rapidly. It can gain up to 20% moisture without feeling damp.

Read more in Wikipedia.

sale!

My favorite store is having a sale! You have to drive all the way down to Solana Beach. But it's worth it.

jenniferpricestudio.com

something to do

The Renegade Craft Fair is coming to town. I've never been but I'd sure like to go. LA dates July 24 -25.

casa west algarve - portugal

This is the time of year I dream of taking off to someplace with warm sandy beaches. I came across this place and it looks like it would fit the bill.

Casa West Algarve offers rentals of houses in the area of Algarve.

Located in the south-west Portugal, in the natural park, it is a place where nature and beaches are simply breath-taking.

The Area

Rocky contour of high cliffs plunging into the foaming sea, beautiful long beaches, broad dunes and tiny splits between the rocks are very typical of this area. the Natural Park streaches for 80 km along the coast, between Odeceixe and Burgau. Among all its richnesses and its charm, it offers a lanscape little changed by time.

Activities and Interesting Facts

Rich fauna includes foxes, wild boars, badgers, wildcats and rabbits, but mainly the birds are a large attraction of the Coast Saint Vincent. In splits and marshes live various species like hérons, cigognes, kingfishers. The rocks of the coast shelter doves of rock, gulls, magpies and falcons. There are more than thirty species of birds amongst which are blackbirds and nightingales whose song is widely heard thoughout the region.

It’s located in Alfambras, near Aljezur. At 10 min of Aljezur’s beaches (Amoreira, Monte clérigo, Arrifana, Figueras)

It consists of one open bedroom with double bed and a bedroom with bunk bed, a bathroom with shower, a fully equiped kitchen (furnace, refrigirator, washing-machine, cooker), a living room with TV and DVD.

An outside area consist of deckchairs, bbq in a lovely private garden.

Read more and see the other cottages here.

fashion trends for spring/summer

Vintage Riviera

“A return to old world values and ethics, the conscientious traveller embraces relaxation with Riviera style cruising, fantastical airships and classic train journeys. Design realizes an essence of calm sophistication and elegance. Traditional styles are revisited; simple luxury reflects a nautical touch. Vintage Riviera reclaims classic styling by creating bespoke alternatives.”

Fashion Interpretation:

Soothing tones of dove grey and sage are brightened with rich butterscotch and sunny yellow while tranquil cornflower blue conveys nautical inspirations. Simplicity is key for this understated look while kitsch detailing adds a contemporary twist. Fuelled by a desire to create, customization is integral to the trend. Quirky embellishment incorporates the flotsam and jetsam of the seaside. Sharp silhouettes feature hand crafted detailing and metallic sheens and the juxtaposition of textures are essential finishes. Concern for the environment strong, yet organic fabrics are still sumptuous with linen and raw silk.


To see better photos and for men's trends click here.

something to do

boutique agaves

low-water plants for your patio pots

Say "agave" and most people think of Agave americana, the century plant, which can range from 6 to 12 feet around when mature. But gardeners actually have hundreds of choices, and some of the most interesting are boutique agaves — petite selections that work well in patio pots and small gardens.

Queen Victoria agave, Agave victoriae-reginae

Gypsum Century Plant, Agave gypsophila

Quadricolor, a type of Agave lophantha

Blue Glow

Read the entire article here.

paris street fashions

If there's anything to take away from what they're wearing in Paris it's short skirts and boots, boots and more boots; tall boots and the shoe-boot especially.

See better photos here.

something to do

2010 - JANUARY 9,10,16,17 - FILM INFORMATION & SCHEDULE

Scandinavian Film Festival L.A. is a yearly showcase of films from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The purposely non-competitive festival constitues an "annual residency of Nordic film in the film capital of the world" giving Los Angeles audiences an opportunity to immerse themselves in the representative "best" of Nordic film making in any given year. In the Los Angeles winter "film season" build up to many awards including the Academy Awards, the festival pivots around screenings of "Oscar" submissions and current feature films along with selected shorts and documentaries.

this year i will . . . .

Take a look at this New Year's resolution generator. What are your new year's resolutions? Click here.

free january calendar

Click here for a free downloadable calendar.

the pursuit of happiness

Excerpted from the New York Times. Read the rest here.