Bold Moroccan Style for Today's Interiors (12 photos)

Moroccan style can be bold, colorful and exciting. Taking its cues from the surrounding landscape of North Africa, this exotic style includes vivid blues and greens, rich oranges and reds, and metallic silver and gold. Traditionally, the dcor is very ornate with intricate patterns and bright colors....

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/houzz/~3/SYqNU2hkvK0/

Eugene Pandala Hafeez Contractor Peter Davidson Lab Architecture Studio

Industrial Beauty

(Via Rue Magazine)

This morning I was drooling over these photos from Sfgirlbybay. Finding metal lockers like these, is the sort of thing I dream about. What is even more beautiful is the harmonious way this industrial furniture fits into a soft and serene room.

Love all the small details!!

The top photos reminded me of this photo of Sarah Jessica Parker's home in Elle Decor. That little blue cabinet takes away any feeling of generic design. Its such a unique touch.

Some of the most fantastic industrial pieces I have seen are from Obsolete. If you have never seen their website, go immediately! I'll wait for you:)

Source: http://carolinaeclectic.blogspot.com/2010/11/industrial-beauty.html

Adrian Geuze/ West 8 Gordon Gill Sean Godsell t.J. Gottesdiener

Marine Safety Advisory------Distracted Operators

United States Coast Guard
Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship
Marine Safety Advisory 01-10
October 29, 2010
Washington, DC

DISTRACTED OPERATIONS
     Don't let it be you!

Throughout the United States, and across all transportation modes, safety initiatives are being established to address issues related to Distracted Operations.  The Coast Guard recognizes the importance of this issue, understands the potential consequences caused by increased operational risk in marine operations, and is supportive of the goals and objectives of the U.S. Department of Transportation and other distracted driving safety initiatives.



With respect to vessel operations, the bridge team management approach to safe navigation is an essential element of risk management and safe vessel operations.  The team approach to safe navigation requires the clear, frequent and accurate exchange of information between all crewmembers relative to the safe operation of the vessel.  In other evolutions, such as discharging cargo, loading fuels, etc., full attention is required by all involved in order to prevent casualties or pollution incidents.  Additionally, when mariners are navigating or working alone, the use of cellular or other devices unrelated to the operation at hand could impede the exchange of vital operational information, delay reaction time, or cause attention lapses of those involved which could  result in unwanted circumstances having very serious consequences causing injuries and fatalities, material damage, and environmental impact.

NTSB findings in investigations involving other transportation modes have found that the use of cellular telephones and other wireless devices can degrade performance, slow response times, and increase attention lapses of those in safety-sensitive positions. A recent executive order signed by President Obama prohibits text messaging by federal employees, including contractors, when driving government vehicles or their privately owned vehicles on government business. Most states and the District of Columbia (DOC) have recognized the risk and banned texting while driving. Nine states and the DOC have banned the use of handheld cellular telephones while driving.  Lastly, the United States Department of Transportation has established a national initiative focusing on Driving Distracted.  (More information is available at http://distraction.gov.)

The potential risk associated with improper use of cellular telephones and other devices in the marine environment while navigating or performing other vessel functions should be apparent to vessel owners and operators. 

Consequently, the Coast Guard strongly recommends vessel owners and operators to develop and implement effective operational policies outlining when the use of cellular telephones and other devices is appropriate or prohibited.

This advisory is for informational purposes only and does not relieve any domestic or international safety, operational or material requirement. Developed by the Headquarters Office of Investigations and Analysis.   Questions may be forwarded to HQS-PF-fldr-G-PCA@uscg.mil.

+++++

Office of Investigations and Analysis:  http://marineinvestigations.us
To subscribe: Kenneth.W.Olsen@uscg.mil

Source: http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com/2010/10/marine-safety-advisory-distracted.html

Sheila Sri Prakash Marshall Strabala Jack Travis FAIA Brad Wilkins

Eclectic House: Kitchens

I'm building a virtual house, room by room. I think on the inside I'm a frustrated home builder. So, my first step to fulfilling my housing development dreams is to collect ideas of what I would like to see. Of course what would these houses be but eclectic! The question remains, would anyone buy into my vision?

Via Marie Claire Maison

Via Houzz

Okay, this photo isn't exactly of a kitchen...but its a kitchen skylight! I mean how fantastic is this idea?!

This kitchen may be my favorite. Its spare without losing its earthy feel. I have collected more eclectic kitchens
on my new Houzz profile. Go check it out here

Source: http://carolinaeclectic.blogspot.com/2010/11/eclectic-house-kitchens.html

Piet Kramer Léon Krier Kisho Kurokawa Edgar-Johan Kuusik

Vicente and Me

Confession time: I've been sitting on these photos for a couple of days now, because I wanted to come up with a clever introduction for them. I wrote and re-wrote, but all I ever came up with was...I MET VICENTE WOLF, I MET VICENTE WOLF!!!!!!!
Now you understand my dilemma. I mean what do you say about meeting someone you admire so much., who's creative genius inspires you to be better at your own profession, everyday?

(That's me palling around with Vicente. I won't show the photo of me unconsciously twirling my hair around my finger while he spoke to me)
So, sorry this is late; but here's what happened. Monday, the Houston Design Center hosted a book signing and lecture to promote Vicente's new book, Lifting the Curtain on Design. This was something I couldn't miss!

It was so exciting and I was pretty nervous. I imagined myself walking up to his table and drooling or passing out. Also, I wondered if I could tell him how much I love his work and how much of a genius he is. In reality, all I could get out was, "Hi Vicente I'm Carolina. I love your books, will you sign my copy of Learning to See, also? Oh, and may I take a photo with you?" Amazing, huh? Funny enough, he asked me if I spoke Spanish and I answered, "Si, claro". This seemed to make him relax a bit and we chatted a little bit more.
Next, Vicente spoke about his new book and about the ins-and-outs of running such a prominent design firm. I found this refreshingly honest. (Let's face it designers have a tendency to be a bit standoffish!) So, it was awesome.

Although by evening's end, Vicente wasn't overwhelmed by my charm to the point of insisting on being my new BFF; I still had an experience I will never forget:)

Source: http://carolinaeclectic.blogspot.com/2010/11/vicente-and-me.html

Helmut Jahn Benno Janssen Pierre Jeanneret Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint

Seawatch: The Coastal Living Idea House

Have you seen Seawatch, Coastal Living's 2009 Idea House? I think the exterior is beautiful. I really love some of the rooms, like the kitchen:

Others, like the master bedroom, are a little much for me:

I'm just not crazy about those colors together, even though I realize it's the trendy thing now. And that scary sun over the bed would have to go. (I love the bed itself, though!)

Head over to Coastal Living to take the tour. What did you think of it?

Source: http://beachcottagelove.blogspot.com/2009/10/seawatch-2009-coastal-living-idea-house.html

Hafeez Contractor Peter Davidson Lab Architecture Studio Elizabeth Diller

My Bad MLS Photos on ?The Ellen Show? & More House News

Ellen DeGeneres featured 2 of the Bad MLS Listings from my blog on her show this week–the Office Bathroom and Doll House photos. See the video here. (Did one of you submit them to the show?)
Prince William & Kate Middleton Building Ultra-Green Royal Home: Daily Mail.

Rent Charlize Theron’s Malibu Beach House For $30K: CasaSugar.
Or Rent [...]

Source: http://hookedonhouses.net/2010/11/19/my-bad-mls-photos-on-the-ellen-show-more-house-news/

Jan Letzel Amanda Levete Sigurd Lewerentz Liang Sicheng

Mid-Century Madness Part 2

Source: http://blog.worldinteriordesignnetwork.com/widn_blog/archives/2010/11/mid-century-mad-1.html

Atsushi Kitagawara Hidetsugu Aneha Peter Chermayeff Peter Chermayeff

Fab

(The Beatles on Itunes)

Usually I'm not one for pushing "products". But, it can't be helped.

If you are wondering, this amazing photo was taken by Bruce McBroom

Source: http://carolinaeclectic.blogspot.com/2010/11/fab.html

Ken Yeang ahmad MIan Arthur Orfanos Friedensreich Hundertwasser

Modern Icons: The Noguchi Coffee Table (11 photos)

It's very tough to pick just one icon from all of the work of Isamu Noguchi, so I'm planning on sharing some of his other work, such as his oft-imitated lamps, in the future. I'd also love to share his playgrounds with you sometime (I'm lucky enough to have one a mile from my house). However, today we...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/houzz/~3/H8TM_92vx7o/

Clarence H. Johnston, Sr. Josep Maria Jujol Albert Kahn Louis Kahn

Newly Built $26 Million Estate In Palm Beach, FL

This newly built estate is located at 102 Banyan Road in Palm Beach, FL. It was inspired by tranquil oceanfront living in Bermuda and overlooks the Atlantic ocean. It boasts 11,000 square feet of living space with 7 bedrooms, 9.5 bathrooms, a swimming pool, outdoor kitchen and a underground passageway that leads to the beach. [...]

Source: http://homesoftherich.net/2010/11/newly-built-26-million-estate-in-palm-beach-fl.html

Thomas W. Lamb G. Albert Lansburgh Henning Larsen Sir Denys Lasdun

An Old House with a Fresh New Look

When I saw this house, which is listed on the JJ Locations website as a place production companies can rent to film in, I was surprised to learn that it's in Greater London. It may be an old, four-story Georgian home, but it has a fresh and light feeling to it.







The Swedish Gustavian furniture gives it a romantic look, despite all of the stark white, don't you think? This is beautiful to me, so I'm linking up to Melissa's Beautiful Life party.

I'm also joining Hooked on Fridays, the blog party that celebrates the things that make us happy. This house is what I'm hooked on today. Visit Hooked on Houses to see what everyone else is sharing!

Source: http://beachcottagelove.blogspot.com/2009/08/old-house-with-fresh-new-look.html

Eric Corey Freed Tony Fretton Robert Gallant Adrian Geuze/ West 8

DSC Radio safety Alert

With the proliferation and popularity of DSC radios, we felt you needed to be advised of this important potential safety issue. The following is a Safety Alert issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:

Dangers Associated with Automatic Channel Switching on Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Equipped VHF Marine Radios. It has come to the Coast Guard's attention that an automatic channel switching feature found on certain models of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipped VHF marine radios may create an unintended hazard by automatically switching from a working channel that might be in use at the time to Channel 16 when the VHF marine radio receives a DSC distress alert, distress alert acknowledgment or other DSC call where a VHF channel number has been designated.

 This could happen without a vessel/radio operator's immediate knowledge and could initiate an unsafe condition by which the vessel/radio operators would believe they were communicating on a working channel such as Channel 13 when, in fact, they were actually on Channel 16. Imagine a towboat operator on the lower Mississippi River making passing agreements on VHF channel 67 and then suddenly, without warning, not being able to quickly reestablish communications with those vessels because his/her radio automatically switched to Channel 16 instead. Since this unsafe condition can happen at any time, the Coast Guard strongly recommends disabling the automatic channel switching feature when maintaining a listening watch or communicating on the designated bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone, or while monitoring the vessel traffic services (VTS) channel. Radios that lack the disabling feature should not be used for bridge-to-bridge or VTS communications.

The International Telecommunications Union Sector for Radiocommunications, Recommendation M.493-11 published in 2004 and later versions require DSC-equipped radios to provide for disabling of this channel auto-switch feature. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires all DSC-equipped radios certified after March 25, 2009 to meet this requirement. Manufacturers that do not provide a disable function are encouraged to do so and to inform their customers if means for correction exist. Updated information including a listing of manufacturers of radios believed to be affected by this Safety Alert will be posted as available at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/dsc.htm .

The Coast Guard strongly reminds radio operators and other users to always ensure they are on the proper operating channel when communicating or maintaining watch, particularly with DSC-equipped radios capable of channel auto-switching.
 
This safety alert is provided for informational purposes only and does not relieve any domestic or international safety, operational or material requirement.
Developed by the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Policy Division (CG-652),
United States Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, DC. Questions should be directed to Mr. Russell Levin at (202) 475 3555 or Russell.S.Levin@uscg.mil

Source: http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com/2010/04/dsc-radio-safety-alert.html

Lab Architecture Studio Elizabeth Diller Andreas Dilthey Roger Duffy