Inspired Design..... Visually Pleasing

Chevron and Herringbone Floors

2011-08-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

The Chevron and Herringbone patterned floors make me crazy...in a great way. I absolutely love both of these patterns. They are very similar but with distinct differences. With a chevron pattern, the planks are set on the diagonal and meet in the center line. The herringbone pattern floor also has planks set diagonally, but the planks are interlaces.

Herringbone pattern

Via: Aggie Land Carpet One

Chevron pattern
Via: B & B Italia

Chevron pattern

Via: B & B Italia
The white walls and rich warm tones of this chevron floor enhance this sitting area. I love how the purple settee works on an angle.

Via: B & B Italia
This chevron patterned floor looks wonderful mixed with more contemporary furniture and ornate paneling on the walls.

via: B & B Italia

I found this picture in a furniture catalog. Wisteria Furniture. The light furniture and the dark chevron pattern floor are so very French. I love how the furniture and the floor work together to create this charming space.

This rustic floor is in a herringbone pattern and look so warm and inviting.

Via: Tilly's Cottage

Really!!!! The Holidays are Right Around the Corner

2010-09-29T13:39:00.000-07:00

As with so many other companies we have had to diversify. We decided it is time to add furniture pieces to our Studio and create a small showroom of a few lines of furniture we think our clients will love. Since it is so close to the Holidays....we thought we would drop this reminder. It is a great time to start getting ready for those special occasion's ahead. In the past I have found myself scrambling at the very last minute to try and find the perfect table(s), seating only to find things have been picked over or that they take 6 - 8 weeks to arrive.

One of the lines I really love, I actually found them this last February at the Las Vegas Market is Dovetail, this table will be available to purchase in our studio/showroom, as with the other tables and chairs I am posting today. We will have many other pieces/styles of furniture available, however I am just giving a taste of what will be available as far as tables and chairs go. This table has a painted wood base, top is made of reclaimed hardwood from boat decking, with a wax finish. Absolutely beautiful. 83"wide x 39"deep x 30" high

This chair goes exceptionally well with the above table - we will be getting this chair in...so exciting! It has a solid oak frame with hand rubbed natural finish. The seat and back are upholstered in black velvet.

This chair is made from a Solid oak frame with hand rubbed Gesso/sealed finish. Seat and back are upholstered in velvet

Okay...so cute!!! Could this be any more charming? We are getting a few of these, too

This table will be available

Poufs

2010-09-07T15:26:00.000-07:00

Several of our clients have large families, many just like to have large gatherings. Seating can be a key element in a room. Frequently, there isn't enough room for the additional sofa or chair. A bench can be a nice alternative. I also find using poufs irresistible. Several of the resources I order from are taking the traditional Moroccan pouf idea and transforming them into wonderful new renditions. The poufs are not only functional, beautiful, but are also conversational pieces.

From Elle Decor Magazine

Arteriors Home - floral wool pouf

Global views - wool blend

Arteriors Home

Can you paint a room black????

2010-06-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

The answer is YES YES YES..........................

Dining room before......

Dining Room after

Over the years Nordby Design Studio strives to push the envelope and design outside the "BOX."
As in college - our professors always pushed us to not duplicate but to create new and exciting spaces. And to use our past and our historic places to help us make long lasting thought provoking spaces, not only to see, but to feel and use. Places that make us smile, feel comfortable and to help us grow.

We have been asked by many people and our clientele - can a room/walls be painted "Black"???? And we say yes - why not????? Then they ask, does it feel like ewwwwwww yukky and cold?? Does it make the room feel small?

When we tell them that we painted our own dining room black, they look at us like we have lost our marbles......hehe. Then I say "You should see it for yourselves and see how awesome it feels and how opposite it is from the initial thoughts of "BLACK WALLS" ewwwwwwwwwww....."

WELL????

Here are some additional examples of Black rooms/walls.

Unique Containers

2010-05-13T13:27:00.000-07:00

This is a great way to use those baskets that are just laying around. Why not pop some beautiful mums or daisies into them for beautiful color.

Whether the containers are rustic like these hollowed out logs or sleek and contemporary like the white containers - selecting plant material like grasses, moss, succulents add the next layer of texture and bring life to any space.

I am really fond of cyclamen for both interiors and exteriors. I think this application is particularly stunning.

Succulents in wooden bowls - Hey! Why not! And the best part is - they do not require a lot of watering.

This is such a great idea! Can you imagine this console style table behind a sofa? Be that.... on the inside or outside of a home.

New/ revised logo for Nordby Design Studio

2010-04-27T15:08:00.000-07:00

It's all in the details......

2010-03-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

While walking around the new "City Center" on the strip in Las Vegas, Julie and I saw many new interesting ways to use materials, and also custom design details both for interiors and exteriors. This light fixture that looks like an ordinary interior table lamp has been recreated into a playful 6' + exterior lamp.

In the lobby/check-in of the Aria Hotel and Casino, there are these partition walls made of recycled/ reclaimed wood with organic steel screens. Adding benches to the screens creates the perfect spot for their guest to rest and just sit and watch the action. But as ones feels air blowing around their legs you notice that there are big HVAC diffusers that access the air from below the floor.

This a a great alternative to placing the HVAC above since the ceilings are two to three stories high (and who wants to see big ducts up there or hear air movement above) this gives the ceilings a clean look with organic steel clouds and they are also free of noise and ugly vents. What a great idea and for seating and HVAC distribution......

Behind check-in low wall with real plants at top and HVAC grills, in front of multi-story glass wall, and reclaimed wood structure.

Seat/ Divider/ HVAC distribution

The use of new contemporary materials throughout all of these new structures helps add to the different designers interpretations of use, but also help the flow from one structure to the next. The Crystals retail area has a varied rich use of materials from one end of the mall to the other, as it houses high end shops.

The use of these bright semi-precious translucent stone that are back lit and used on the risers to a major stair at the south end of the mall. They work perfect with the rich natural dark stained hard wood steps and the face of the exterior walls with recessed lighting....

Stairs with wood and stone materials.Seating/ restaurant area above.

And some cool custom lights too.

Custom Light in Lobby of "The Hotel"

And a huge use of natural lighting, which is a huge departure from the standard structures in Las Vegas, in which they have all electric lighting and no light from the sun.

Natural Day lighting....

Amazing blown glass art work

2010-02-18T17:49:00.000-08:00

Julie and I were finished with"The Las Vegas Market" last week and had a half day to check out the new architecture being built in Las Vegas. WOW WOW WOW!!!!!......... We didn't have to go far from our hotel to find the new "City Center" (http://www.cityc enter.com)

While we started to experience the exteriors of these new structures we found a small art gallery in the heart of the "City Center" that housed only one artist - Dale Chihuly from the state of Washington. I have watched his shows on PBS and this is the first time seeing his work in person. What an amazing talent. You guessed it! we are planning to go see his company up in Washington soon - I can't believe we haven't done this already.

Small bowl......

Something for your garden,,,,,,,

Famous installation in the Lobby of the Bellagio Hotel/Casino.

This is one of his chandeliers.

This is a piece that is over 20 feet tall and costs over $750k not including installation...... So cool

Exciting products from the Las Vegas Market

2010-02-17T15:45:00.000-08:00

Environmentally friendly products such as this bamboo shag rug from Anji Mountain is very impressive. It is unbelievably soft, shocking in fact - just how soft!

The voted color of the year "turquoise" was seen everywhere.

My favorite style of furniture being featured this market has to be the Belgian inspired/designed furniture (this line by Dovetail is available to the trade). The finish is this weathered, driftwood, sandblasted look. Soft, a bit rustic, however very elegant.

The Las Vegas Market was very exciting - everyone seemed to be in high spirits- with showrooms writing orders right and left. A promising sign for 2010! One of my favorite showrooms was Four Hands - they have a new line of furniture designed by Thomas Bina that I absolutely love! The furniture is made from salvaged woods from South America, Indonesia and China. He also uses exotic reclaimed hardware accents on his designs.

Headed to Las Vegas Market early next month - beautiful things coming our way in interiors

2010-01-06T15:04:00.000-08:00

I am getting things in order for our upcoming trip to the Las Vegas Market in February. I have several showrooms that I must see!!!! It is always a great way to perk up the inspiration! A couple of new debuts I am very anxious to see, designed by Ahahrooz Nia from Acrylicore. LOVE, LOVE these chairs!!! Incredibly graceful! The detailing is fab! With beautiful acrylic legs, upholstered backs and the nail heads, can not forget the nail heads!!!! I'll take 10 of the Klismos chair......please!!!!!

Cerritos Surf Colony and Hotel Photos

2009-12-15T15:07:00.000-08:00

The new Cerritos Surf Colony is well under construction. With the start of the row of one bedroom units that are along the beach front. One two bedroom unit is also under construction and is on the other side of the future large pool and buit-in bar with BBQ.

When finished there with be one, two, three and four bedroom units with, spa and fitness centerm, shops, and a main check0in lodge building. On the back side of the project will be muli-story condos.

Here is a view from the beach to the Hacineda Cerritos Hotel.

(photos by Steve Hershberger 2009)

View from the back side of the one bedroom units.

Wild Cat Haven of Sherwood, Oregon

2009-11-02T14:00:00.000-08:00

I was introduced to a fantastic rescue facility near my office and home. My good friend and vet Erin Tripp works with this facility. I looked into Wild Cat Haven's web site and was very impressed with their mission and how they operate and treat these animals that have been so mistreated.

We here at Nordby Design Studio have made a commitment to help this "Wild Cat Haven" take care of these beautiful creatures and hope more people will follow.

Sadie is our adoptee.... she is beautiful.

WildCat Haven is a 501(c)3 non-profit, no-kill sanctuary located in Sherwood, Oregon committed to providing permanent homes for captive born, small wildcats that have suffered abuse and neglect. Check out www.wildcathaven.org for more information.

Tranquil Flair

2009-10-06T13:11:00.000-07:00

This is a new project I am working on. The Inspiration Board reflects watery colors we will be incorporating into a Lake Oswego home's living room. The room will reflect an elegant, classic, glamour, with F. Schumacher wallpaper in Stillwater, and Jamie Drake fabrics. The overall palette is cool, but with the mix of warm woods and a luscious Tibetan area rug the room will sing with harmony. Enjoy!

Antique Market in Paris

2009-09-16T16:07:00.000-07:00

My recent trip to Paris led my friend JJ and me to the Clignancourt market. The market is absolutely enormous - with blocks and blocks of old "goodies" to find. As I discovered...many booths will not allow you to take pictures. So I was a little limited on the photos I was able to take...happy to have the ones I have! This stunning linen store has been featured in magazines such as Elle Decor. JJ, is selecting some linens for her shop.

The shop is just as beautiful on the outside, as it is on the inside. The red doors with ivy are "killing me."

This booth was "drop dead" beautiful. The rich color and texture....yummmmmmmm.

Most streets were flooded with shoppers. I would have preferred to be on a buying trip vs. a "learning and looking" trip. Maybe next time...now there's a thought.

If antiques could tell a story....hmmmm.....might it be so interesting????

Beautiful old things

Maison & Objet in Paris, France...Color!!!

2009-09-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

Color always start in fashion then work its way into our homes. Here are pictures of a few store windows in Paris.

This is Fendi's outdoor furniture line. Notice the chili color used as accents

I had the privilege of attending the Maison & Objet show in Paris (Sept 4 - 8, 2009) Wow!!!!! What an experience and what an absolutely beautiful show. I could hardly wait to get back home and blog about color. The show had a definite color palette. Purple, chili, mushroom, navy and a little apple green. The purple ranges all the way to a lovely magenta, while the navy can tip to the cobalt side.

Mesmerized by Modern Lighting

2009-08-11T10:47:00.000-07:00

I am always fascinated by illuminating, magical effects of lighting. I was browsing Metropolitan Home magazine when I stumbled upon an article about the amazing inventor/designer Paul Cocksedge. This is a Paul Cocksedge design called "Swell." There is a small glass bubble in it filled with colored mercury that reacts to the heat produced by a light bulb, when the lamp is on - the coloured liquid expands in the glass container filling it and when the lamp is turned off the liquid contracts again.

This Paul Cocksedge design is made from plastic foam cups to transform into his Styrene lamp. A very organic and amazing sculpture made by applying heat to polystyrene...causing the structure to change its shape.

Something Special, an "Oldie"

2009-07-20T04:43:00.000-07:00

What a little treasure I found on Craigslist. Periodically, I scan Craigslist for furniture “for sale,” like many people – I am always looking for a bargain, when I stumbled upon what I like to think of as “an old chair with really great bones.” I got so excited about this crazy old chair for $15.00. I could barely stand waiting for the reply from the seller if the chair was still available. It was, so I made arrangements to go take a peek.

The chairs cushions are shot and probably smell of years living at a retirement center, but in my mind this beautiful “oldie” will be part of my own collection in my home. I will transform it (with the help from “my” upholster) into a crisp, grass-green beauty with a monogram and new shinny black lacquered legs. The chair probably will cost as much as a new chair – maybe even a bit more, but I am left with a one of a kind….something I always find rewarding. This is true for all areas of the home. Why settle for something everyone else has????

What is "BIM"?

2009-07-15T11:45:00.000-07:00

BIM is short for “Building Information Modeling” is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle[1]. Typically it uses three-dimensional, real-time, dynamic building modeling software to increase productivity in building design and construction.[2] The process produces the Building Information Model (also abbreviated BIM), which encompasses building geometry, spatial relationships, geographic information, and quantities and properties of building components. (courtesy of Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_Information_Modeling)

Computer Aided Drafting started out as a drafting tool, that was like drawing by hand on paper but made changes and duplication much faster. It also was not a messy, smudgy, or hard to keep clean process. The old way of drafting with pencil and paper is now an art form and those who still design this way, produce amazing drawings.

Old style Blueprint with Hand Drafting.

As we have progressed over the years, everything in our lives has changed, too. What would we do without or cell phones, laptops etc?? I know when I lose my cell phone I feel lost and it’s the end of the world, until I find the stupid thing.

So to the computer aided drafting programs has progressed, from complicated 2d systems that at times seemed slower then hand drafting because of slow computer systems. Now we are at a stage that the computers are way more capably of handling the new 3d software systems that use the new “BIM” technology. Software companies like Autodesk ‘Revit’, Graphsoft’s ‘Archicad’, Nemetschek ‘Vectorworks’ etc. have been developing these programs to be able to design from scratch to final construction drawings - using one model.

The model is drawn and developed in 3d and is uses parts and blocks that are real world building components. So with this new way of drawing, we as designers have now the access to see our designs before they even dig the ground for the first time. Since working with a real life size model, it is like viewing the real building in every aspect of the building can be studied from how we interact in the spaces, to HVAC duct systems, how the building is constructed, to energy studies to how the building sits on the site etc..

"Revit" generated overall view of Hotel

Interior courtyard "Revit" generated model view

Ariel photo of completed Hotel

Front Perspective view of Custom Home "Revit"

Perspective view of custom home concept "Revit"

"Revit" Interior view of concept kitchen

These programs make our job of conveying our designs to our clients easier to understand and see how it will look when built. We as designers have imagined our designs and can see what they may be when built, from our experience - but most of our clients cannot visualize the final project when looking at flat 2d drawings on paper. With this instant feedback we receive from our BIM models, the decisions can be made quicker and more accurately so the process saves money and time.

This technology is also used in building huge airliners like at Boeing and so far is very successful.
From these programs we can add finishes, trees, cabinets, people, cars, pets, carpets, art, etc; that will be used so that everything from how we interact with the spaces, to what the walls will look like. We can get an almost photo like images as if we have the project built.

As a designer, I feel much more freedom to explore options and to provide my clients with more then they can imagine, before we ever get started designing. This gets my imagination and creativity flowing and it is so much more exciting to see my clients visualize what we have designed for them. This gives you a glimpse of what we find so exciting about the future of designing for our clients and how we are able to effect our built environment in a positive way.

New boutique hotel in Cerritos Mexico, north of Cabo

2009-07-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

This project started out as a modest 18,000sf vacation home that we started designing couple of years ago, and is almost done, but it is open for business. Now it is a 30,000+sf boutque hotel up and running. It is located in a quiet off the main orad site, next to the only surfable beach on the Pacific Ocean side of the Baja.

What a amazing project to see come to life. This is Nordby Design Studio 's first major project built outside of the Pacific Northwest and it's first Hotel. As you can tell we are very proud of this project and hope many people can enjoy it and it's surroundings.

I love to see how a project comes to life, from the white pages and Cad machine screens to the final built project. To see it and feel it, is the most amazing feeling.

Check it out and you can see our cad images at our web site to see where it started....

go to: http://www.haciendacerritos.com/

Glass Paint

2009-07-08T16:15:00.001-07:00

I actually have a few blogs I like to read. One of them is Apartment Therapy. I found this very interesting and thought I would bring it to you. If you love how these aqua mason jars look but don't want to pay the premium for them...did you know there are glass paints you can make them with yourself? Vitrea 160 is a glass paint that will allow you to turn items like clear canning jars into a beautiful antique aqua color...perfect for summer. You can purchase a case of the wide mouth ball jars from Amazon for only $13.49 (according to Apartment Therapy's blog). Fill with flowers or fill with sand and a candle.

"Change a Room, Redesign It!"

2009-06-12T11:14:00.000-07:00

Each time you walk into your home, are there areas or a room you just don’t like, or care for any longer, or you notice it just feels “off?” Think redesign!!! The concept isn’t new, but with a slowed down - more cautious economy it is a practical and more affordable way to change a room.
When I redesign a room for a client - I work with existing furnishings and accessories and use them in creative new ways that will help to give a refreshed, more updated designer look to a space. Often times paired with the addition of new paint color(s), a few new updated accessories, and a new furniture layout. A room can completely change! I always think of it in these terms…revamp, refine, redefine, and refresh. If this is something you have been thinking about….why wait, it will change how you feel about your home.

This Room got a complete new look. We changed the wall color, added window treatments, new pillows, and a few new accessories, and changed the furniture layout. We brought in a chair and a small console table from another room.

The before picture.

The outdated red walls and mismatched accessories made this room feel very uncomfortable. Our objective with this space was to keep all existing furniture, tone down the wall color, add updated accessories and make the room feel cohesive with the rest of the home.

Why Not a New Pillow or Two?

2009-05-18T14:24:00.000-07:00

I love design, color, texture and patterns. So, when I found this beautiful line of pillows at the New York Gift Show this past February; I thought I had lost my mind. The Pillows are available to the trade from Bayaa/Weavetree and are made from 100% cotton – silk patch (the embroidery is applied to the silk patch). The pillows come in wonderfully delicious colors such as, the citrine/black (shown), bone/black (shown), storm/citrine (dark grey/black background with yellow embroidery) cobalt/emerald (cobalt background with bright emerald embroidery), coffee and mushroom (coffee background with mushroom embroidery) and red/pumpkin (red background with orange embroidery). It is the citrine/black that did it for me, I love it! I just can’t get enough of the vivid yellow and black together. Adding fresh new pillows to any space can be a very useful tool in creating an exciting new look.

These beautiful pillows are found right in my own backyard….from a company called Filling Spaces located in the Portland, Oregon area. They are made from 100% silk and are available to the trade. http://www.filling-spaces.com/

Decorating with Malachite Motifs

2009-05-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

It first really hit me that the "look" of malachite had really made its way back into interior design - when I saw it at the Las Vegas Design Center. I first spoted the malachite wallpaper at one of my favorite showrooms, Tozoi Home. At first I thought hmmmm....not really sure if I like it or not, but the more I looked at it - the more I liked it. In fact, I think it is absoulutly stunning how the malachite wallper sets off all the varrious accessories. Tony Duquette, a legendary Hollywood decorator made malachite very popular in the 1970's. Jim Thompson resently lauched the Tony Duquette luxury textile called Gemstone, which comes in Royal Blue, Smoke Grey, Rice Paper and Emerald..

Dawnridge (circa 1980) home of the late Tony Duquette - showing his signature malachite printed fabric. I just saw a Marsan chair from Baker, upholsted in the Emerald Gemstone cotton from Jim Thompson. Simply amazing!

Cole and Son - malachite wallpaper....love the red!!!

These modern little beauties are from Global Views.

Retail Furniture

2009-04-30T18:59:00.000-07:00

As an Architecture and Interior Design firm we always try and order our furniture and accessories direct from our wholesale resources. However, sometimes we just need to purchase at retail stores...for the "spur of the moment" items for clients. We recently ran into this situation.

Say... "We were in the dark" but we were amazed at how the economy has taken its toll on some of our local furniture showrooms. We were in a showroom where we have purchased items before and were saddened by the stores state of affairs. It must be really tough to stay afloat right now. "Good Luck" to all you retailers out there. We understand how tough it must be - just to keep the doors open.