2012 New American Desk - almost finished
2012 New American Desk - almost finished
We've got one dimensional joint to go, and finishing of course, before we are completely finished with this 2012 New American Desk that will be showcased in the NAHB 2012 New American Home in Winter Park in February. Seems a little early, but they've got a big photo shoot coming up that we'd hate to miss out on.
All three of the pieces we are doing for this project are quite unique for us. I can't wait to see them complete and installed on location. Just hope I get a chance to get down there and see them in person.
2012 New American Desk - almost finished
October Monolog - our monthly newsletter
October Monolog - our monthly newsletter
The October issue of our monthly newsletter "the monolog" should be ready to publish tomorrow. Between finishing three gorgeous tables for the NAHB 2012 Show home and touching up the 13 pieces we'll be showcasing in our space in High Point next week, we squeezed in time for the newsletter.
If you don't receive it, and would like to, just go to the top right side of our home page - and click on "sign up here". And, should you ever want to unsubscribe it's even easier!
October Monolog - our monthly newsletter
Samuel L. Jackson as MLK
Samuel L. Jackson as MLK
Gosh I'd love to see this one. After Pulp Fiction, etc, etc, it at first didn't seem like a perfect fit. But I have a feeling it is. No plans for NYC right now, but I wouldn't be surprised if the universe sends me before long. And if IT does, surely THE MOUNTAINTOP will be on the agenda as well.
Samuel L. Jackson as MLK
The 2012 New American Desk
The 2012 New American Desk
Gosh, I guess it shouldn't be a surprise to me that things are moving along quite slowly, here at the "slow studio". Seems like we are all running in high gear, but I was really hoping to have all three pieces for the Winter Park showhome completed this week.
Here's a mock up of the 2012 New American Desk. All pieces are cut and sanded. Hopefully sometime Monday we'll complete the dining table, and make good progress on this desk.
The 2012 New American Desk
2012 New American Dining Table LEG
2012 New American Dining Table LEG
Doing almost nothing for the past few weeks, other than work on the three amazing tables that we are in charge of designing and making for the Winter Park 2012 showhome, things are seemingly falling into place.
Here's a pic of one of the pairs of legs. I know it looks like both pair's - but believe me - it's only one.
As I type, we just (almost) completed the top. Have turned it back over (underside up). And just began mounting the legs. We've designed the legs so the will be dis-assymbled for shipping, and easily re-assymbled on site - in Winter Park. (One more thing. They won't be lined up quite as symetrically as they seem here.)
2012 New American Dining Table LEG
Back to Phil Campbell
Back to Phil Campbell
After doing almost nothing around here except make/design the 2012 New American Furniture, we spent a few hours outside, slabbing some of the tornado downed Phil Campbell log. Not sure exactly what all we ended up with, but I have a feeling it might just what we need to direct the design of the Phil Campbell table that we'll be making - then auctioning off for our neighborhing community.
This town is going to need a lot more help than this little table is going to provide. Thank goodness for all the Phil Campbell's around the world that have congregated their support and amazing influence.
Back to Phil Campbell
It's been a wonderful voyage steve
Architect Phil Kean was in town for the open house
Architect Phil Kean was in town for the open house
Master architect Phil Kean was in town for Rusy and Lisa's open house this weekend. Sunday morning, Rusty and Phil met me at the Studio to check on progress of the 2012 New American (dining table) and desk. These are the two (of the three) pieces that are in process. Phil had a couple of great ideas that we'll incorporate into the modern design. We are hoping to ship the tables to Winter Park next Friday, just before we leave for our High Point show.
Architect Phil Kean was in town for the open house
Here's the walnut shelf in the wine bar
Here's the walnut shelf in the wine bar
Here's the walnut shelf in the wine bar
Modern Alexander home in Alabama
Modern Alexander home in Alabama
Rusty and Lisa Alexander have built a beaitiful modern home in Muscle Shoals. And they got it right. With the help of master Architect/designer Phil Kean a masterful example of modern architecture was accomplished. We got in on the tail end of the project, but were able to place an awesome (if I do say so m. s.) dining table and a simple walnut bar in their very cool adjoining wine bar.
The only problem is that I haven't been able to get good pics that showcase either the bar or the dining table - or the house for that matter. Just be patient, this home will be attracting photographers that know what they are doing.
Modern Alexander home in Alabama
Documentary film maker Andrew Reed on his movie
Documentary film maker Andrew Reed on his movie
Andrew came by again this morning to get a little more tape for his documentary. But, I was most happy to get the camera turned around on him to hear about his very important documentary plans. So many good efforts toward bringing attention to the tornado devastated town of Phil Campbell Alabama.
Documentary film maker Andrew Reed on his movie
Videographer Andrew Reed stopped by
Videographer Andrew Reed stopped by
Andrew Reed, the Phil Campbell resident thats making a movie about the I'm with Phil fund raising campaign, stopped by this morning to document the next step in the table making process. One of his first questions was "what makes me different than other furniture makers". Since I don't really know much about how "normal" furniture is made, I really didn't have a good answer for him. But I think, as we starting carting this big log around from the trailer to the sawmill, he kinda started figuring it out on his own.
He'll be back by Thursday morning to get a bit more. Relishing in traversing through life from back to front as possible, I'm going to try to remember to interview him, and blog his plans and dreams for his movie. Side note; Not sure why, but it seems that almost every photographer or videographer I meet, seems so much more confident, better looking, younger, and better speaker than me (the interviewee).
Videographer Andrew Reed stopped by
working out the leg detail for the 2012 New American Dining Table
working out the leg detail for the 2012 New American Dining Table
Gosh, I've my ideas have been across the galaxy and back with the design of the dining table for the 2012 New American Home that will be open for all to see in February. I think the second visit to the Rosenbaum/Frank Lloyd Wright home helped me zero in on what I believe will be close to the final iteration of the leg detail.
The entire project's beautiful new modern aesthetic, has inspired a new direction for this Alabama furniture maker. Although continuing to use locally sourced, sustainable, organic timber, these furniture designs clearly lean more modern than is typical around this studio.
With upcoming deadlines for photo shoots, etc, we are going to have to zero in on something, and get going soon. Might just have something that's moved out of this digitial 3d and into an actual real 3d dining table (the kind that you can actually sit down to with friends and enjoy a meal).
working out the leg detail for the 2012 New American Dining Table
High Point Market Previews Fall 2011
High Point Market Previews Fall 2011
We just received the High Point Market Preview guides in the mail yesterday. All though we are saving our two page spread for the "Resource Guide" that will awaiting designers the first day of market, we have small photo "previews" throughout. I'll take a few pics and share - when I get a bit more caught up.
High Point Market Previews Fall 2011
OWN (Oprah Network) crew in town this weekend
OWN (Oprah Network) crew in town this weekend
Now this one might be hard to believe. But it's true. This weekend (Brooklyn) Phil Campbell flew back to Phil Campbell (through Birmingham) to begin chapter II of his fund raising efforts for the town. And, a couple of ABC produces, a reporter, and a video crew met him for a weekend of interviews/video, and whatever they do to prepare for an 8 to 12 minute segment on Oprah's new network.
I originally met Phil briefly, along with the Mayor of Phil Campbell, and more than a dozen other Phil Campbell's from around the world, at the 100 year anniversary/celebration the small town of Phil Campbell had that was held soon after the devastating tornado.
I was so impressed with the efforts of these "Phil Campbell's" from around the world that arrived to their namesake town that so desparately needed their help, that I offered (to Phil and Mayor Jerry Mays) to make a table (from a downed tree from the storm) to be used in their fund raising efforts.
Well, I didn't hear back from them, and I got back to work, and pretty much forgot about it all. But then, a few months ago, "Brooklyn" Phil Campbell reached out, and said that if I was still interested in donating a custom table, he thought it would significantly help the promotion and fund raising efforts. Well, I wasn't kidding. I was in.
Then, when I first heard about Oprah wanting to video and air the story - well, let me say I didn't go running to the bank. But this weekend it really did happen. At least the video/reporter/producer part of it all. And it does seem like they have every intention of airing this thing. -- Amazing really. Because looking round the town; It has been cleaned up significantly. Much of the debris has been cleaned up. Lot's of trees hauled off. But clearly, no where near back on their feet. It's really sad. Everywhere you look you see buildings/schools/ what looks like nothing but problems. And the high school is just sitting there. Seems to be some problem with the insurance company wanting to rebuild, and engineers saying no way.
Even if Phil Campbell had all the money they need to rebuild, (and they don't!) it would take years to get somewhere near "normal" again.
OWN (Oprah Network) crew in town this weekend
Stopped back by Frank's for needed inspiration
We've been designing/building three pieces for the 2012 New American Home showhouse in Winter Park Florida. The coffee table is complete and looking great. The top to the dining table is quite unique and complete as well. I thought I had the legs all ready, that is until I placed them under the table. They looked great, but just a little too organic for this modern home.
So, I stopped back by the beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright/Rosenbaum museum home just down the street for a little more inspiration for this project. And I think it did the trick.
In addition to finding a new direction for the legs of the dining table, I also came away with just how much of a wooden boat this beautiful example of Unisonian design ebbs (and also flows). Low ceilings, narrow hallways, narrow doors, and small rooms all make it seem quite boaty. But a wonderful boaty at that.
"Brooklyn" Phil Campbell returns - this time bringing more friends
Brooklyn Phil Campbell returned to the tornado ravaged town of Phil Campbell yesterday. And this time, he brought even more friends. After a morning of interviews, video and downed tree sourcing, we gathered again for dinner. Here Phil shares his plans for part II of his fund raising efforts.
Sunday's tour of the Rosenbaum - Frank Lloyd Wright home
Sunday's tour of the Rosenbaum - Frank Lloyd Wright home
Our new friends, Beth and Frank Young, and family drove up from Birmingham for a wonderful visit, lunch, and a tour of the studio. (Beth is an amazing, quite published conservation photographer who's work is mezmerrizing). Frank was interested in seeing our local Frank Lloyd Wright home, and we were so fortunate that it was open. Since I haven't seen it in a few years, I was more than game.
Well, I'm still floored by it all. It must be true that We can't appreciate what is right in front of us if we are looking off into the distance. Well, can say that I now see the light. And what a wonderful gem of a light it is.
The Rosenbaum Home must have just been too accessable. Mom and Stanley Rosenbaum were friends and worked together in the English Department at UNA (I guess it was Florence State Teacher's College at the time). My best friend growing up lived right down the street. And I must have walked/biked/loitered past it hundreds of times as a kid. And from time to time, there'd be parties there, or we'd drop by (with parents) on occasion.
Sunday's tour of the Rosenbaum - Frank Lloyd Wright home
planing two walnut slabs
planing two walnut slabs
We've been looking around the studio for just the right two walnut slabs to be the desk on display in Winter Park's 2012 New American Home. This will actually be the second (or third) desk piece to enter our own "contest" to determine the winner. These beautiful walnut slabs wouldn't quite fit in our indoor 20" planer. So we brought them outside to the Lucas, where we can plane up to 60" diameter slabs with ease. I can still hear the Kohler Engine out there, so they much not quite be planed.
Will be working on this desk for the remainder of the week.
planing two walnut slabs
Working on September's Monolog
Working on September's Monolog
Yesterday our writing angel completed the content for this month's MonoLOG. Today I'll be taking pics of a few new pieces, silhouetting them in Photoshop, and placing it all on the MailChimp template. Should be all ready to be electronically published first thing in the morning.