Presently, I live in shaded quarters beyond the reach of the sun. My roof overhangs my glass doors which face directly north, enclosing me in a cool gray neutral zone of light, undramatic in soft shadows. I long to feel interior sunlight, warm in energy  . . . golden in quality . . . bathing light to soak in for awhile . . .

The photo below shows the area directly beyond my window and roof overhang. . . . . . a sunlit outdoor room . . .

I have experienced  first hand the importance of  balancing natural daylight in the interior design of a room. Most windows are focused on exterior views regardless the quality of light passing through them. A home needs varied zones of daylight and sun. Four which come to mind are North, South, East and West. Each exposure has a profound effect on the interior environment throughout the day. Poor quality of daylight can be a dramatic and elusive element to correct. No amount of interior fussing is going to change room exposure in a cold gray northern light. Although room lighting can be artificially modulated, it is not a strong starting point for efficiency nor design.  Who wants to keep lights on and the heat up continually throughout the year for ambiance  and comfort?

Pay attention to the quality of light in one room over another during a particular time of day. Ever noticed your pet snoozing in a bit of sunlight washing across the floor?

If you live in a single family dwelling and can select your window locations, coordinate them with daylight expectations for each room. Site your windows properly tracking the sun patterns from East in the morning to West at night in order to capture not only desired views, but heat and light. If you aren’t able to relocate current windows, skylights are a terrific addition to capturing sun. Just remember to carefully select skylight locations .  . . North, East, South, West, so that the desired light quality will be achieved.

How timely was the news this morning upon my return from my neighborhood store. I had just finished  my “one to one” session and came upon this press release . . .  new Apple store opening in Grand Central Terminal . . . both monumental.

Click here to see Apple’s Press Release on the new Grand Central Terminal Store.

Design does matter and Apple has it right on this one . . . instant marketing on a grand scale in a city that never sleeps . . . not entirely anyway. I wonder how many are Mac users?

Commanding a  marker on most city maps, Grand Central is a destination, a watering hole where everyone gathers at some point. It has the largest number of platforms in the world and is a major hub for trains and subways offering connections everywhere. It is a place of arrival and departure much like Apple in the digital world.

As for precision and beauty, history proudly remembers the flap panel display which tracked arrivals and departures high overhead the famous clock. New Yorkers waged a battle to save Grand Central . . . ceiling  constellations and all. Now they have a new global connection under the stars.

I create spaces . . . through passion and joy so naturally, I am awestruck by arresting places in this world. They stand apart from my daily routine and grip me in unfathomable ways . . . inspire me . .  . lead me . . . craving to see more.

Scenic backdrops to an era I have yet to explore, they thrive in current events. One step in and one step out . . . this time it was Oia on the island of Santorini, Greece.

Three hundred meters above the Aegean Sea, spilling over caldera cliffs like white glue, each building magically marking its character on one of the most dazzling cityscapes I have seen. Old and new, then and now, above and below this volcanic cone . . . Oia’s buildings are rich in detail and commanding in many colorful ways. . .

Kudos to Dwell Magazine for another fine conference, so much learning in small packets of time. One small gem in a quiet corner on the beaten path was the magazine library . . visually rich and enticing . . . .no talking or selling . . . just quiet entertainment . . . connecting people from all walks of life lost in translation of global magazines.

Welcome to my blog. I will use it as an educational resource for current and potential clients and any topic is up for discussion. . . got a question? I will be periodically posting information related to architecture, interiors, and sustainable design.

Following, are three noteworthy products that caught my eye:

www.goldbrecht-systems.com | Whenever possible, I try to include landscapes in my designs. California is lush in greenery and pools. Linking a beautiful garden to a living/dining area or expanding a sleeping area onto a deck and a pool can increase the home’s function and be visually intoxicating. We all can relate to those warm summer nights, but winter landscapes and climate changes can make for dramatic backdrops to any event. . especially if you live by the sea.

The goldbrecht-custom wall systems are breathtaking in their large expanse of glass and minimalist profiles. They even have remote controlled motorized glass walls that disappear at the push of a button. I have found it very difficult to locate a glass wall/sliding door manufacturer who is willing to detail the door thresholds to sit flush with the finished floors providing a seamless blend of indoor/outdoor living. Check out their website. Are you game to use one in your next design?  If so, call me.

www.infinitydrain.com | Now this is an elegant and sophisticated drainage solution. We usually see these outdoors at sloped garages or around pools. I am excited to use them in bathrooms. In a shower area, the stone or tile is usually reduced in size to 5 x 5 or smaller with all four planes sloping toward a central drain. The look can get busy if larger tile is used elsewhere. The infinity drain is a linear solution which  allows  the whole shower pan to gently slope to one side eliminating this problem.

www.virofiber.com | My third great find was the Virofiber booth displaying chairs woven in elegant and colorful patterns made from non toxic synthetic fibers which are not affected by the sun. I have yet to find chair fabrics which hold up well outdoors over time. The woven patterns and colors definitely aroused my interest. Has anyone used this product? Leave me your thoughts.