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Wow, 6 posts in two days. Something must have lit a fire you-know-where!
Actually, I was feeling a little sluggish just a few minutes ago. I was seriously thinking a nap would do me good. But then I got the Design Public newsletter, and POW! I was awake!
No, it wasn't the email itself, but what it introduced me to. Identity5 makes some of the coolest, mod-inspired wall art I've seen in some time. I bet mod*mom would like these. The bold, colorful graphics are printed on heavy canvas with museum-quality archival inks. Each print is available in a variety of sizes, from 24"x32" to 42"x56", and can come either framed or not. Prices range from $270 to $650.
The Boston Globe reports today that residential developer John Rosenthal has proposed a 1.3 million square foot project in the Kenmore/Fenway area.
The new project will include 668 residential units (most likely as apartments), 57,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and parking for more than 1,200 vehicles. 500 feet of the eastbound side of the Mass Pike would be covered by the development.
Other area improvements benefiting from One Kenmore will be improved access to Fenway Park from the MBTA Commuter Rail's Yawkey Station and pedestrian access between Beacon St and Brookline Ave.
Rosenthal had tried previously to develop the Lansdowne St. parking garage into a similar project, but the Red Sox opposed it. With the development now on the other side of Brookline Ave, the Red Sox are not only supportive, they're minority partners in the deal.
Cell phone companies have been adding storage and music capabilities into their products for some time, but this is a reversal of that idea. After months of rumors, Apple introduced the iPhone.
The majority of the face is a touch screen, allowing you to navigate between its music, phone, and PDA functions. It's beautiful, but for something that has the storage capabilities of an iPod Nano, it looks BIG.
Also, I'm worried about it's reliability. Although Apple is known for incredibly reliable computers, if my iPod is any indicator (I'm on my sixth one in less than two years), there will be some bugs. Luckily, Apple's Geniuses are more than supportive.
The Apple iPhone will be priced at $499 for 4-gigabytes of storage, or $599 for 8 gigabytes.
Quentin Kelly emailed me to tell me about his company, Infusion Furniture. A trained engineer whose interest in architecture and furniture was piqued when he was in the Peace Corps, Quentin makes incredibly beautiful, hand made custom modern furniture. After looking at all the photographs of his work, I had to ask him if he used any fasteners - you can't see any! He said yes, he does use fasteners when necessary, or as part of the overall design of the piece, but not if he can help it.
All furniture is made to order in a variety of woods, and typical turn around is 8-12 weeks. Call or email for workshop visits, or see his work on display at Matsu (259 Newbury St), Sean (154 Newbury St), and The Channel Center (24-25 Channel Center, South Boston).
Infusion Furniture
369 Congress St, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02210
617-522-3453
I was checking out new members of Curbly from around Boston earlier today, and I came across someone named ModBarn. Curious, I check it out and find a link to his blog, Bare Hill Barn House. Ben is the name the ModBarn typically goes by, and he is documenting the conversion of an early 19th century barn into a modern home for him and his family.
It looks like quite an undertaking (is there any time a house is custom built that isn't this big an undertaking?), and I can't wait to see what it turns out like!
The Boston Globe reports today that the former warehouse building that has housed Jimmy's Harborside Restaurant (a.k.a. "Home of the Chowder King" - please pronounce that in a proper Boston vernacular when you read it) for over 50 years is beginning to be torn down today. In it's place will be a development of two buildings, including up to four restaurants.
There is a possibility that Jimmy's will reappear in one of the new buildings, but as the waterfront continues to move from the home of Boston's fishing
industry to a more affluent, tourist driven area (and possible home to the next City Hall) may price the inexpensive, family-oriented restaurant out of the market.
Now, I can't say I've ever eaten at Jimmy's. No, I grew up in the suburbs, and the only time I came into the waterfront to eat was when my parents brought me to Anthony's Pier IV after my Confirmation. And I know that something needs to be destroyed in order for something else to be built. But my parents, both from around the city, and especially my dad (who's a fisherman at heart) have fond memories of Jimmy's. Even if it comes back, it won't be the same to them.
Last week, I was lucky enough to meet Katie Dammann, the Marketing Director for New England Home Magazine. We got to chatting, and she told me about this great party that they are throwing at the newly opened Intercontinental Hotel. It's an industry only event, so a lot of architects and designers will be there. Of course I mentioned this wonderful, time-consuming addiction of mine, and how, if they'd like a blogger's point of view of the event, I'd be happy to volunteer.
Lo and behold, an email invite comes in! Unfortunately, it's this coming Thursday, and I have to work at Crate & Barrel. Ah well, I made a new acquaintance, and found a great new resource: New England Home has their entire magazine available online. Everything, from the table of contents, the regular department columns, to the feature articles (including one about a beautiful Boston loft that was designed for its wheelchair-bound occupant), and even the ads are on display. All for free! Very impressive.
And the Bentley GTC on page 1? I'll take one.
The Boston Business Journal reports that the Boston Architectural College has bought the building that formerly housed the Institute of Contemporary Art. The ICA sold the building to the real estate development firm Samuels and Associates in 2006 and moved to their current location on the South Boston Waterfront last year.
The BAC, where I plan to get my Interior and Architecture degrees if I can ever get out of debt, "will use the adjacent 25,423 square-foot building to expand its Back Bay campus. Currently headquartered in a 20th century brutalist-style building at 320 Newbury St., the BAC has had its eye on the renovated 19th century building for some time, said Janet Oberto, a spokeswoman for the architectural college."
I've heard stories that the studios in the current BAC building are rather tight, with little natural sunlight. Perhaps this former police station/art gallery/museum will be just what the overworked architecture students need.
HGTV wants to wish you a happy New Year with the Dream Home 2007 Giveaway! Between today and February 16, enter once a day for your chance to win a 4,000 square foot house in Winter Park, CO, as well as a GMC Acacia and $250,000 cash. All in all, the grand prize is worth more than $2.5. I'd say it's not a bad way to start the new year, wouldn't you?
