Bucky Would Be Proud: Emergency Shelter Design at SIU

This week, the walkway along Faner Hall at Southern Illinois University has been graced with the work of--what I assume are--student designs for emergency shelter. It appears that the requirement for the project was to create an easy-to-assemble shelter out of plywood and a blue tarp that collects rain water. Other than the mock-up display boards that accompany most of these designs, there is little evidence of who created these gems or why (other then the assumed super-cool, socially-relevant class project). Regardless, I am glad to see that the tradition of design from simple materials, a concept that our own Bucky Fuller practiced here at SIU, continues. Here are a few highlights of our favorite designs.

Mac & Lucy Travel to Japan

In 1960, my great grandparents embarked on a guided world tour. I am fortunate to have their travel diary and the thousands of slides (from this trip and others) my great grandfather took with his Leica camera. We've been scanning the slides to digital images, and I thought I would share a few highlights from their travels in Japan.

Projects (Small, Large, and Mostly Incomplete)

It's been over a month since my last post. Since the winter holiday break, the time I have had to work on the house has been limited, to say the very least; however, there have been a few opportunities to get in an hour here and there. Instead of waiting to make a post when the countless projects are finished, I decided to give an "in progress" update. (Perhaps looking back at the rough conditions these items are in at this point will make me even more appreciative--I hope--of the final product.)

MODERN LOG HOLDER (status: need to construct and paint center "element")
Several years ago, I grabbed this inspiration photograph off the web. This was a time when I was new to modern home design and desperate to find any ideas online. It was also before I ran across (or even considered the possibility of) resourceful blogs. During the holiday break, I decided the 20-degree weather was no reason to stay inside. I built the bottom "sled" out of scrap wood and attached cables at both ends to serve as inconspicuous supports (the inspiration design has posts instead). Right now, the logs are stacked, and all I need to do is build and paint the rectangle "element" for the middle. I imagine I'll use the left over orange paint we used for the front door.

INSPIRATION PHOTO

Inspiration photo via... (I lifted it from the web in 2007 but don't remember where)

Working in 20-degree weather is a good excuse for a fire

Photo of cable supports attached to ceiling of overhang

FRONT COURTYARD FENCE (status: need to paint posts as well as stain and attach cross pieces; redirect and rewire new lights; weld, paint, and attach new gate)
We've been really missing our front courtyard fence. The old one was totally shot due to dry rot. Instead of painting it the new house color, I decided to tear it out last fall and wait until spring for a proper replacement. (I uploaded inspiration photos in a previous post.) The time has come, and though the progress has been slow, we should see this project completed next month. The bonus will be the addition of gate. I have a design in mind; I just need to see if I have some brother-in-laws willing to help me with the welding.

Construction begins on the fence with new posts set in concrete

Design idea for front gate (correction: cut pipes crosswise, not lengthwise)

St. Louis in Spring (or, well, late winter)

Ok, so it's been awhile. The last post was two months ago, and I have a lot of catching up to do. We've been busy working, getting the garden together, completing an endless list of house projects, and finding time to enjoy the end (I hope) of winter.

This week is spring break here, so yesterday we decided to get in our St. Louis fix. It was a perfect day for visiting old favorites and some new spots. First up was lunch at Pho Grand. Last year, Sauce Magazine listed it as the best Vietnamese Restaurant in St. Louis. Our meal was ok. I just think we need to explore the menu a little further next time. We had asked for suggestions, and it seemed like we got the lowest common denominators (i.e., mild beef dish and a basic chicken curry). Why we didn't opt for something with lemongrass, I have no idea.

via Pho Grand

Next, we headed to The Future Antique. We've been in search of a mid-century china cabinet, and I think we found a winner. (More on that later.)

via TFA

Then, we headed over to a garden supply store I read about in a recent issue of Organic Gardener. Bowood Farms is an amazing space (converted from an old auto garage) with a fantastic restaurant, Osage Cafe. For the garden, we picked up asparagus, red potatoes (no fingerlings, unfortunately), rhubarb, arugula, and onions. We also had a mid-day snack. It was the perfect stop and a place we'll visit again. By mid-April they should have chili pepper starters (just in case my seeds don't take off).

via Bowood Farms

Next, we headed to The Loop area of Delmar Avenue. What a great spot. Our favorite stops are City Sprouts and Star Clipper.

via The Loop

Finally, we ended the day with our Trader Joe's run. We had considered having dinner at Schlafly, but decided to get home a little earlier. That night, we curled up with the latest issue of Sauce Magazine and planned our next culinary adventure in the Big Brick City.

via Sauce Magazine

"Simple" Lighting

via Contemporist

A recent post on Contemporist reveals how Tom Rossau builds one of his amazing lights with strips of veneer. Although this design is a bit more complex, it is easier to see from his other designs just how feasible it would be to make one of these lamps. Hmmm....

via Tom Rossau

Or...just buy something for less money (and less time) at the Scandinavian Design Center. Their prices on some lighting options are pretty hard to beat.

Dreams of a Brick Oven

via Frankie G's

Imagine a full day of cooking--or rather, baking--in the backyard. First, the pizzas, then breads, then cobblers. This is what makes having a brick oven very appealing, and here are the resources I've found for inspiration thus far. There is a perfect spot in the backyard just begging for "proper" use. hmmm....

The two books that have inspired a lot of folks out there are Your Brick Oven and The Bread Builders.

And here are a few links for inspiration:

1) Brian's Brick Oven Folly - Plenty of pictures and helpful tips, especially the detailed images of how the brick oven actually works.

2) Frankie G's Wood-Fired Pizza Oven - More pictures. Similar techniques as above for forming the domed oven interior.

3) Matt Considine: Building a Brick Oven - The most comprehensive site, as far as photographs go, for the entire process. This makes the project seem a little too daunting.

4) Gulland Oven - Here's a relatively simple design for the base and an oven the apparently does not need a chimney.

5) Mike's Brick Oven - Igloo design.

6) Forno Bravo - Ok, so maybe with the (limited) time and (little) patience I really have, buying an oven would be a more realistic alternative. I would still have to assemble a base with the modular option, or go the easy (and more expensive) route with the assembled one.

7) Superior Clay 36" Oven - Another purchase option.

House Color

We finished painting the house a couple of months ago, and I am finally posting some pictures. Here's a glimpse. The final selections of Intellectual Gray and Charcoal trim (see previous post) coordinate perfectly with the stone accents. We are also diggin' the orange door. Enjoy.

Getting Ready for Christmas

Last year, we bought a lot of giant ornaments on closeout and have been jonesin' to use them ever since. Well, here is the result.


We are also able to enjoy a nice holiday glow from our recently installed wood burning stove from Lopi. The look is the closest we could find to the clean lines of a Rais or any other contemporary Scandinavian firebox, but for half the price. We tried to mod-it-up with the stacked wood under the ledge. Though it is a smaller unit, it does a great job heating a majority of the house. Besides, there's just something very satisfying about doing nothing but curling up and watching a fire on a cold winter's night.

A guy buys 6 jugs of rum... (or Happy Holidays)

Ah, yes, the holiday season is upon us. That means decking the halls and lovin' the libations. Speaking of which, we started something last year that is quickly becoming a yearly tradition: giving our friends and family homemade spiced rum. The inspiration came from a super simple recipe in Luscious Liqueurs. All you need is:

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (we suggest fresh)
1/2 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
3/4 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger
3 cups white rum
3/4 cup simple syrup (add in week 2)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
and 5 weeks

Sure, you can buy pre-made spiced rum, but it doesn't compare. We're also trying a new recipe for homemade chocolate liquor. We'll hold out on the recipe until success is confirmed. It's basically cocoa nibs and whole vanilla beans in white rum, which should be excellent any way you shake it. Happy Holidays, everyone.

Soldiers lined up for the occupation (of our holidays)

Bath Finally Finished (for now)!!!

After a lot of stripping old surfaces from the walls and floor, rehabbing the cabinets, replacing the sink and countertop, and our first attempt (with a lot of help) at wallpapering, the bath is finally done. A little patience and planning (see previous post) paid off, and we are very happy with what we accomplished on a very limited budget. The colors turned our perfect, especially since we wanted to work with (instead of demoing) the once awkward light purple tile in the shower. The surprise find was the $40 light fixture (that's a circular flourescent bulb) we purchased off the shelf at Home Depot. (I cannot even find it on their website.) The finishing touch came last weekend when we successfully bid on a graphic design print at Art Over Easy 5 (a benefit for the SIUC Art and Design Department).

We are in love with the subtle, but distinct, wallpaper
(click on the image to enlarge it)

Orange towel racks aren't for everyone, but they're a hit at our house

The unique, last minute find for a light fixture