Color Me Green

The yogi is going GREEN! At least I'm going to try — I've decided to pursue LEED credentials. The first stop in doing so is taking the LEED Green Associate exam. In preparation for this I attended a study class that was presented at Southface. What an incredible facility! During our lunch break we were given the nickel tour. I was blown away by the systems and common sense approach to design that resulted in this building being certified LEED Platinum. Cisterns collect rainwater for use in irrigation. Native and adaptive plants grace the campus. Pervious concrete is used to mitigate runoff. Glazing is relegated primarily to the north and south facades to control heat gain. Natural daylight is maximized by the use of light shelves and light tubes — artificial lighting is kept to a minimum. Low volume and waterless plumbing fixtures are utilized... they even have a composting toilet (that may be pushing the envelope a little too far). Their mechanical room is amazing. You can actually go online and check their water and energy consumption in real time. I especially grooved on the green roof and photovoltaic canopy (salvaged from an old BP station — talk about environmental irony!). But, this is just scratching the surface. I'd encourage anyone interested in green design to take the hour long public tour offered every Wednesday at 10 am. You can make reservations on Southface's website. Green is the new Black.

Every Cloud...

The Yogi just spent his Memorial Day weekend in the Mid-Ohio Valley for the Yogini's parents' 50th wedding anniversary. While I could exhaust an entire post about the trip, the economic demise of the heartland and the minefield that is the average American family, I've decided to focus on the inspirational moments from the trip. Apparently during its golden age (the mid-1800s to the early 1900s), the region was quite a happening place — literally the crossroads of America. From Blennerhassett Island to Historic Marietta & Harmar Village there are little gems to be found along with an abundance of forgotten history. The Blennerhassetts particularly piqued my curiosity. They were Irish aristocrats that seemed to be constantly surrounded by scandal. He was not only her husband, but her uncle. Shocking! He got caught up with a revolutionary faction in Ireland and was forced to flee to America. Here he showed similar poor judgment by allowing Aaron Burr to woo him for his fortune. This ultimately resulted in him being accused, with Burr, of treason for trying to establish an empire in the Southwest. It was discovered later that Burr had his sights set on Northern Mexico (current day Texas). I think that little tidbit should go in their new history text books. Juicy stuff, huh? Below is my favorite single item from the Blennerhassett Museum. I love the rustic elegance of its proportions and details.







This gave me the bug to hit the local antique malls in Marietta and wander into quaint little Harmar Village, where we had a lovely little lunch at the counter of the Soda Museum. Yes, I went to the Soda Museum. I'm constantly surprised when wonderful, beautiful things pop-up in what appears to be the lowliest of places.

Sticker Shock

You can file today's observation from The Yogi under "Rants". One of my pet peeves is the UL sticker that seems to pop up in the most conspicuous places. I know it sounds like a small thing, but I think these photos make my case.


At first glance, it appears that someone forgot to remove the price tags.


Are those what I think they are?


UL strikes again!

Here some simple backlit signage is destroyed by the ubiquitous sticker. I understand the regulatory needs that must be fulfilled, but do we always have to sacrifice aesthetics to be compliant? Could they not have been placed elsewhere — like the top of the letter, unseen to anyone except the inspector who is looking for them (or better yet, on the inside where the light source is housed)? I'm just saying.

If you hear about a crazy person being arrested at the Atlanta Botanical Garden with a bottle of GooGone, you'll know who the perp is.

Incredible Edibles

This week's Designers' Day Out was a trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden to experience the much anticipated Canopy Walk. I have to admit I was more excited about the design of the structure and it's details than the experience itself, which was much too brief for me (as so many are). I guess that's an occupational hazard.

Also new is the Edible Garden. The Yogi got much more excited about this recent addition — perhaps due to my love of food. I was absolutely bowled over by the decorative use of garden vegetables and herbs, as well as, the fruit espaliers. I love a good espalier. The herb wall was also a knock-out. It's an incredibly creative and beautiful way to cultivate. I particularly like the grid of textures and shades of green that it creates.

But don't take my word for it. Go check it out, and tell them the Yogi sent you. On second thought, you better not. They might charge you extra.


The approach to the walk. I was very amused by the number of elderly people who got scared and turned around at this point.


I love the view from the ground as the walk "disappears" into the trees.


This is my favorite part of the walk. The structure is a beautiful thing of engineering and geometry.


I'm a sucker for espaliers... and anything else French for that matter.




The herb wall — my new favorite thing.

What's In A Name?

Happy Cinco de Mayo, friends. I was going to talk about design inspirations from South of the Border, but was afraid that I would be asked for my papers. So, I'll feature some appropriately European designs that I literally tripped over while at ADAC this morning. They are both new introductions from Formations. The first is a translation of the traditional wing chair in weathered oak with a seat cushion and kidney pillow. It's called the Wooden Barrel Chair (who comes up with these?) and is surprisingly comfortable, even for those of us like the Yogi who are posteriorly challenged. I just pray that I don't see it knocked-off in an upcoming Restoration Hardware catalogue.



The second (also from Formations) is the Sabot Ottoman. Not knowing what a sabot (pronounced SAY-boh) was, I googled it and was informed that it is either:

1 : a wooden shoe worn in various European countries (1) : a strap across the instep in a shoe especially of the sandal type (2) : a shoe having a sabot strap

or

2 : a thrust-transmitting carrier that positions a missile in a gun barrel or launching tube and that prevents the escape of gas ahead of the missile

Hmmmmm... I'm still pondering what either of these has to do with what I took to be an abstraction of animal horns. Did I miss something? At any rate, I love the thorny, horny legs on this critter. FUN!

I didn't come into the business to get awards or titles.

This is a quote from one of my favorite actresses, Julie Walters. LOVE HER! That being said, it doesn't hurt to be recognized for your achievements every now and then, or at least once a year. Last Thursday, ASID Georgia held their annual Design Excellence Awards banquet. Having attended a few of these, I have to say that it was one of the better awards events that ASID has put together. OK, I confess... I was on the planning committee. Congratulations to my fellow committee members, Chris Socci, Andrew Harris, Crystal Aitken, Erin Boden, Justin Caldwell Childers, Susan Currie, Jennifer Dixon, Joanna Hebb, Kerry Howard, Matt McBride, James Molinaro, Hillarie Robbins and Judy Talley for all their hard work. It really paid off. I heartily recommend entering projects that you are particularly proud of for all ASID designers. And, for those of you out there looking for a designer, don't overlook these Kudos when making your decision. Did I mention that The Design Yogi and Yogini were awarded a Gold? See Lakeside Townhome on my website. Also garnering honors that evening were alumni from The Design Yogi's first interior design home, Mark Williams and Karen Hott. I also want to congratulate Big Daddy - Design Star - Kerry Howard who served on the planning committee with me for his award. Well I guess it's back into humility mode until this time next year (maybe).

Let There Be Light!

Now that we've fed my god complex a bit, let's talk about lighting. This week I'm featuring a little renovation project that I did with Martha. The lighting was a key feature, and has since proven to be the client's favorite aspect of the interiors. This week's shameless plug goes to Urban Electric Co. Most of the lighting specified came from this incredible company based in the Design Yogi's home town of Charleston, SC. They have recently opened a showroom here in Atlanta in the White Provision complex and threw one great party to celebrate. The event was catered by JCT, another one of my favorites. I was spotted with several other designers, who shall remain nameless, accosting the caterers every time they brought out the hors d'oeuvres (particular, the fried chicken... YUM). But, I digress. We specified lighting for the foyer, kitchen accents, stair hall, and dining area from their fantastic line and were given stellar customer service throughout the project (Thanks, Ellen & co.) The photos below were taken at the installation, so bear in mind that things are not quite complete (most notably the yummy chocolate brown concrete counters that showed up the following week).