Design & Architecture Resources

Interior design and architecture is a world of details, historical facts and mathematical figures. There's a lot to know. I wanted to be sure to share my Pinterest Board called <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/linda_merrill/resources-info/" target="_blank">Resources and Info</a> where I collect infographics on all kinds of subjects, including: <br /><br />Styles of Chair Backs<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/ad/df/cd/addfcdbdfde31bb2a7bc691d3ae90812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/ad/df/cd/addfcdbdfde31bb2a7bc691d3ae90812.jpg" /></a></div><br />Optimal dimensions for light fixtures over a table<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ae/6a/44/ae6a44bb388196e32c18404b518a096d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ae/6a/44/ae6a44bb388196e32c18404b518a096d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Sofa shapes and historical details<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/de/0e/85/de0e850bb2b28bb823353a2f79800a37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/de/0e/85/de0e850bb2b28bb823353a2f79800a37.jpg" width="393" /></a></div><br />There's so much more, so, please feel free to<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/linda_merrill/resources-info/" target="_blank"> follow my board</a> and re-pin any items you find useful. Even if you don't have a Pinterest account, you should be able to access the board and download any of these images as needed.<br /><br />I'm going to be California later this week for a design business summit which I'm really looking forward to. It was in the 30's and snowing here yesterday. It's expected to be in the low 80's in San Diego by mid-week. While I'm not a huge fan of hot weather, a touch of it will be nice!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTN6LVuBdwurxLA5dXgabcaIIaCv9ZOdfy9kgQryjWArXp-Kw2tw6u1abKp0pnhhvsok9VTTz1sdnnzrPKM8DzBgAnHnLc_CW133LYAVxpwR-7Wa_pfzJiHF2SV6oukMMjvSCZJendtc/s1600/Linda+sig2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTN6LVuBdwurxLA5dXgabcaIIaCv9ZOdfy9kgQryjWArXp-Kw2tw6u1abKp0pnhhvsok9VTTz1sdnnzrPKM8DzBgAnHnLc_CW133LYAVxpwR-7Wa_pfzJiHF2SV6oukMMjvSCZJendtc/s1600/Linda+sig2a.jpg" /></a></div><br />

Design & Architecture Resources

Interior design and architecture is a world of details, historical facts and mathematical figures. There's a lot to know. I wanted to be...

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Big Congrats to the New England Design Hall of Fame 2014 Inductees

<div style="text-align: center;"><img align="null" alt="" border="0" height="380" src="http://echo3.bluehornet.com/cimages/5f2c6fbf3ed9a48765c3983559adce1d/HOF.jpg" style="margin: 0px;" width="450" /> </div><div style="font: normal 12px Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Shown above: Christina Oliver, Susan Stacy, Dinyar Wadia, Rosemary Porto, Tref LaFleche, Douglas Dick</span></div><br /></div><div style="font: normal 12px Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Huge congrats to the 2014 inductees to the New England Design Hall of Fame. This award was created to honor the work of professionals who have made a significant imprint on residential design in New England. Their body of work represents the pinnacle of design, and their impact often goes well beyond design projects. These people are mentors, advocates, and trailblazers in their respective fields.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">Douglas Dick and Treffle LaFleche, principals, <a href="http://www.lda-architects.com/" target="_blank">LDa Architecture Interiors</a>, Cambridge, Massachusetts<br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/5047530/Hilltop-Gambrel-Dusk-traditional-exterior-boston"><img border="0" height="334" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/635140d40200003b_8-1787/traditional-exterior.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional/exterior" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Traditional Exterior</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/c/Cambridge--MA" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Cambridge Architects & Building Designers</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/lda-architecture-interiors/lda-architecture-and-interiors" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">LDa Architecture & Interiors</a></small></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/1534214/Millers-Meadow-Farm-Detail-modern-living-room-boston"><img border="0" height="750" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/0731db9c0048eca2_8-6455/modern-living-room.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/modern/living-room" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Modern Living Room</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/c/Cambridge--MA" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Cambridge Architects & Building Designers</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/lda-architecture-interiors/lda-architecture-and-interiors" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">LDa Architecture & Interiors</a></small></div><br /><br /><br /><br />Dinyar Wadia, <a href="http://www.wadiaassociates.com/" target="_blank">Wadia Associates</a>, New Canaan, Connecticut<br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/3378544/Apartment-on-Central-Park-West-Wadia-Associates-Interiors-eclectic-living-room-new-york"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/be4154fa015483e3_8-3286/eclectic-living-room.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic/living-room" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Eclectic Living Room</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/c/New-Canaan--CT" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">New Canaan Architects & Building Designers</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/wadiaassociates/wadia-associates" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Wadia Associates</a></small></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/4492373/Landscape-Architecture-Wadia-Associates-Outdoors-traditional-landscape-other-metro"><img border="0" height="750" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/4121e31b01cc6972_8-0843/traditional-landscape.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional/landscape" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Traditional Landscape</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/c/New-Canaan--CT" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">New Canaan Architects & Building Designers</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/wadiaassociates/wadia-associates" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Wadia Associates</a></small></div><br /><br /><br />Jim Gauthier and Susan Stacy, <a href="http://gauthierstacy.com/" target="_blank">Gauthier-Stacy</a>, Boston, Massachusetts<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gauthierstacy.com/wp-content/gallery/interior29/interior29b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="http://gauthierstacy.com/wp-content/gallery/interior29/interior29b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gauthierstacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/inquiriesphoto.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gauthierstacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/inquiriesphoto.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Christina Oliver, <a href="http://www.oliverinteriors.com/" target="_blank">Oliver Interiors</a>, Newton, Massachusetts<br /><br /> <div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/2733626/Award-Winning-Kitchen-in-Boston-traditional-kitchen-boston"><img border="0" height="334" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/e60164990112def4_8-1220/traditional-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional/kitchen" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Traditional Kitchen</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designer/boston" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Boston Interior Designers & Decorators</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/minicoy/oliver-interiors-llc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Oliver Interiors, LLC</a></small></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oliverinteriors.com/images/image_big_r_a-frame_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.oliverinteriors.com/images/image_big_r_a-frame_02.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Rosemary Porto, Poggenpohl Boston, Massachusetts<br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/2654355/Kitchen-Central-modern-kitchen-boston"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/9a9140120109910e_8-1458/modern-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/modern/kitchen" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Modern Kitchen</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath/c/Boston--MA" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Boston Kitchen & Bath Designers</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/poggenpohlboston/poggenpohl-boston" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Poggenpohl Boston</a></small></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/4481392/Vermont-Lake-House-contemporary-kitchen-other-metro"><img border="0" height="846" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/2ce1c69c01cb3e30_8-4230/contemporary-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary/kitchen" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Contemporary Kitchen</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath/c/Boston--MA" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Boston Kitchen & Bath Designers</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/poggenpohlboston/poggenpohl-boston" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Poggenpohl Boston</a></small></div><br /><br /></div><div style="font: normal 12px Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The honorees will be celebrated at an awards ceremony at the State Room in <span __postbox-detected-content="__postbox-detected-date" class="__postbox-detected-content __postbox-detected-date" style="color: black; display: inline; font-size: inherit; padding: 0pt;">Boston on Wednesday, November 5.</span> Tickets can purchased on the <a href="http://echo3.bluehornet.com/ct/22777708:22690625811:m:1:537699658:B3707DCF6EF7A2488FF030525A2E3743:r" target="_blank"><i>New England Home</i> website</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcw7O23NcEAwbvJ3gj27K4TGN4-6EWt9pqKEpB8rxdCnHWu_aKL5BS19TyNHJjiuyhL9sXbtBZiP8fbSjzKOswlPLEP78TrnK9NZzk2WUJzKg3jF0c0aB1EpVHEarr3ZsboNy9Tha04Y/s1600/Linda+sig2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcw7O23NcEAwbvJ3gj27K4TGN4-6EWt9pqKEpB8rxdCnHWu_aKL5BS19TyNHJjiuyhL9sXbtBZiP8fbSjzKOswlPLEP78TrnK9NZzk2WUJzKg3jF0c0aB1EpVHEarr3ZsboNy9Tha04Y/s1600/Linda+sig2.JPG" /></a></div></div>

Big Congrats to the New England Design Hall of Fame 2014 Inductees

Shown above: Christina Oliver, Susan Stacy, Dinya...

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Silver Screen Surroundings: Outlander S1E5 - "The Rent" plus, visiting a wattle house

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKj1k48c5uL4kuLYNDUU392vOzwtW5DO63xYCZYqOzg2oXHtj9d4uGfGPo9mT5MK8vS9VcFxR2-AN_180G6nSJU3T093PMeEAVpiJBG02TTAOY_lvyqqgnomT_sOk8JPBF1z8YnBJDWg/s1600/outside+huts1.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKj1k48c5uL4kuLYNDUU392vOzwtW5DO63xYCZYqOzg2oXHtj9d4uGfGPo9mT5MK8vS9VcFxR2-AN_180G6nSJU3T093PMeEAVpiJBG02TTAOY_lvyqqgnomT_sOk8JPBF1z8YnBJDWg/s1600/outside+huts1.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />In this week's episode, our heroine Claire is taken on the road with a pack of MacKenzie men to collect the rents from outlying tenant farmers who hadn't been able to make it to The Gathering at Castle Leoch. War Chieftan Dougal figures it would be good to have a healer along and Claire sees it as an opportunity to get out of the castle and perhaps closer to the standing stones and maybe even back to the 20th century.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3ipu7mFPSPB7kLqf5paUhcVK3NxlvZ1MVE0k7_3gIwV87l_HJgo66HWeKAo6AK0JBaVsa8hHVNoQJ04zdLNcTGzqUsGcI7h6H1gd9FMnU3gXWsF-1PLaERmLtYlEBkquMZ5s8KJOF10/s1600/working+wool1.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3ipu7mFPSPB7kLqf5paUhcVK3NxlvZ1MVE0k7_3gIwV87l_HJgo66HWeKAo6AK0JBaVsa8hHVNoQJ04zdLNcTGzqUsGcI7h6H1gd9FMnU3gXWsF-1PLaERmLtYlEBkquMZ5s8KJOF10/s1600/working+wool1.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5rY20PK-I0G38XluHwbRsL7fPLT1feuBk8dAeIRxsu3HYONuN2u3UTQZyClmxDaOseHwsCdnPguJNyiGqD1Y-OP1cEyJAsL-4yfgRNn0fd4L9gTIRcSSXKle2WWWYfSkb_PDE5I2_rM/s1600/working+wool2.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5rY20PK-I0G38XluHwbRsL7fPLT1feuBk8dAeIRxsu3HYONuN2u3UTQZyClmxDaOseHwsCdnPguJNyiGqD1Y-OP1cEyJAsL-4yfgRNn0fd4L9gTIRcSSXKle2WWWYfSkb_PDE5I2_rM/s1600/working+wool2.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />At one of the stops, Claire finds a group of women who are singing a working song which aids in the rhythm (and helps pass the time, no doubt) while they prepare a large piece of heavy wool for dyeing. Such preparation includes pounding hot urine into the fabric which helps it accept dyes, notably indigo colors, and sets the color quicker. (see more information on this process <a href="http://www.marariley.net/celtic/SentToKass/Dyes.htm" target="_blank">here</a>).<br /><br />Edited to add: I came across a blog <a href="http://www.threeifbyspace.net/" target="_blank">Three if by Space</a> who is reviewing the series. She clarifies that it's called "waulking" the wool, not working, though they are probably related words. Anyway, she has a link to a video showing more modern woman doing the same thing with the wool and singing along with the series. <a href="http://www.threeifbyspace.net/2014/09/outlander-review-of-episode-5-rent/#.VA8odUv-rwJ" target="_blank">Click here to view</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK456wfSDqrqLGyZ2w4y1zN2tavKnZiaLpfGnIcwQ1Aq1UUc99fwT9zunS9upF_SksBbHDwuZf8oPwcjTh2CEiNaoRs8hWUrv2NkUD6UGH27zD763JfxB7cJ0sPZvNBDs9XRLIFPoAxc/s1600/inside+straw+hut+2.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK456wfSDqrqLGyZ2w4y1zN2tavKnZiaLpfGnIcwQ1Aq1UUc99fwT9zunS9upF_SksBbHDwuZf8oPwcjTh2CEiNaoRs8hWUrv2NkUD6UGH27zD763JfxB7cJ0sPZvNBDs9XRLIFPoAxc/s1600/inside+straw+hut+2.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />As this is an "on the road" episode, there aren't too many interior scenes, with the singular exception of the straw wattle house where the ladies do much of their work - and relaxing.<br /><br />Wattle and daub huts have been around for millennia. This is a wonderful brief video on how they are built.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VIJlFBAAjvE" width="480"></iframe><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_LTE_TSaZKfc2dun8tlkohXkBwmY6b-7OJ5SO_u48g3jlcCH1G9qY0OXE8VVdvHbQmXEJ13mBLcEGUwjadt9wE7h4CZaeONkFDJ1EArXvzlRbrZzPaGb23LJM9bMaRprrbOm0rWnkSE/s1600/inside+straw+hut+1.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_LTE_TSaZKfc2dun8tlkohXkBwmY6b-7OJ5SO_u48g3jlcCH1G9qY0OXE8VVdvHbQmXEJ13mBLcEGUwjadt9wE7h4CZaeONkFDJ1EArXvzlRbrZzPaGb23LJM9bMaRprrbOm0rWnkSE/s1600/inside+straw+hut+1.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />I thought it surprising that the hut used in the show still had open walls that have not been filled in with daub. The photo below shows the thatched roofs over more traditional wattle and daub structures on the right and middle, with the more open structure on the left.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKj1k48c5uL4kuLYNDUU392vOzwtW5DO63xYCZYqOzg2oXHtj9d4uGfGPo9mT5MK8vS9VcFxR2-AN_180G6nSJU3T093PMeEAVpiJBG02TTAOY_lvyqqgnomT_sOk8JPBF1z8YnBJDWg/s1600/outside+huts1.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKj1k48c5uL4kuLYNDUU392vOzwtW5DO63xYCZYqOzg2oXHtj9d4uGfGPo9mT5MK8vS9VcFxR2-AN_180G6nSJU3T093PMeEAVpiJBG02TTAOY_lvyqqgnomT_sOk8JPBF1z8YnBJDWg/s1600/outside+huts1.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />I'm not sure if this is typical as my initial thought was that there would be no protection from the cold wind and rains in the Scottish Highlands, not to mention the wood would deteriorate very quickly. Plus, one errant spark from the fireplace or a candle and whoosh - there goes your romantic looking structure.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDb_-kkTytVzR6KaZVJHlJgLzReAgUh3w1l4GnOfcynh1lWIqWNlcrzMYKHgdtMcHXZEBtkRr7re1T_rvug3hjQwgnMERbMZWMudsxzqYwEJS4bFucUHJ3xa9rzcpRw_F25y3c2hCgElA/s1600/wattle+fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDb_-kkTytVzR6KaZVJHlJgLzReAgUh3w1l4GnOfcynh1lWIqWNlcrzMYKHgdtMcHXZEBtkRr7re1T_rvug3hjQwgnMERbMZWMudsxzqYwEJS4bFucUHJ3xa9rzcpRw_F25y3c2hCgElA/s1600/wattle+fence.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />To this day, wattle fences are still very popular and are certainly very pretty.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/originals/7f/92/59/7f9259dfde45ddd50147abafadcf7db7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/originals/7f/92/59/7f9259dfde45ddd50147abafadcf7db7.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Source unknown<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4U572E56njlGKDd5ZhgAgcAQnQGBp4N4iKAhCC866Y1rwitzg-Tq2tr-Syc54IVg1SrKomulhWiD3GwrmtZeyandPK4e12DSj7P09cE34BkU3_Nucg1JvS4SvZpXVqXZPQTQMPOsKCek/s1600/wattle+hurdle+Vogue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4U572E56njlGKDd5ZhgAgcAQnQGBp4N4iKAhCC866Y1rwitzg-Tq2tr-Syc54IVg1SrKomulhWiD3GwrmtZeyandPK4e12DSj7P09cE34BkU3_Nucg1JvS4SvZpXVqXZPQTQMPOsKCek/s1600/wattle+hurdle+Vogue.jpg" width="566" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">image via Vogue</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the first times I remember seeing a wattle fence was in the movie "A Room With A View" in front of the house rented by the Mr. Emerson's. (view below from inside the house).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/fuckyeaharoomwithaview/30596152244/1/tumblr_ld5tf4PqmV1qanwe4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/fuckyeaharoomwithaview/30596152244/1/tumblr_ld5tf4PqmV1qanwe4" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back to the Outlander set - I can't help but wonder if they chose to leave the ends of the house walls open structure to let in more natural light for filming, or perhaps just for atmospherics?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjXtOAxLtbEQtjhBCjoQuhLapnzsILFuDwnZ3h_9DaSUiPAL4cj9mKDcLJTG6kxMxjn0Pu8K_bgE1oUsYEJlEJVWie4SEx4UTBXKzjZRpBRNrJNRxc2GTIi3GA1o-RybI5VrTikXhlVU/s1600/inside+straw+hut+3.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjXtOAxLtbEQtjhBCjoQuhLapnzsILFuDwnZ3h_9DaSUiPAL4cj9mKDcLJTG6kxMxjn0Pu8K_bgE1oUsYEJlEJVWie4SEx4UTBXKzjZRpBRNrJNRxc2GTIi3GA1o-RybI5VrTikXhlVU/s1600/inside+straw+hut+3.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />Well, it's pretty, nonetheless. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/prod1596003_av3?$l-pd1$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://media.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/prod1596003_av3?$l-pd1$" width="320" /></a></div>Meanwhile, that table looks like it's straight out of the Restoration Hardware catalogue.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9vo45P6k6HohVOYlNyO5MEd6KFLQuHnDZA_87ngpfuba_KApijU9-5Zkh_6a3tbwWc_-pxLQyqQLqhAjiHI0ROPC9rWtysirfoURg-yl_oRqb8VB6ha7JAUoXP1CGJtXS5iyNF9MFoM/s1600/Claire+&+Dougal.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9vo45P6k6HohVOYlNyO5MEd6KFLQuHnDZA_87ngpfuba_KApijU9-5Zkh_6a3tbwWc_-pxLQyqQLqhAjiHI0ROPC9rWtysirfoURg-yl_oRqb8VB6ha7JAUoXP1CGJtXS5iyNF9MFoM/s1600/Claire+&+Dougal.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Claire and Dougal MacKenzie square off</div><br />One of the most brilliant (though sometimes also the most tedious) aspects of the books is the level of detail author Diana Gabaldon gets into, particularly the nastier parts of traveling "rough", sleeping on the ground, wearing the same clothes day in and day out and little bathing.  Unfortunately, so far in the series, the producers aren't ready for the star Caitroina Balfe to look quite so unkempt as all that and in this episode, she looks a little too clean and pressed through out  to be plausible. Recalling this part of the book, Claire basically had one dress which she wore day in and day out. Her wardrobe, supposedly cobbled together at the castle from discarded clothing,  looks brand new and perfectly fitted to her. More importantly, it never looks dirty, even after she's pitched in  working the wool, which had to be a dirty, sweaty and messy task. Yet, her white scarf is as starched looking as it ever was. I would argue nothing kept in a traveling bag would be particularly pressed looking. Dougal, in the photo above payed by Graham MacTavis, is the second most important member of the Clan MacKenzie after his brother the Laird. On this trip, he was the man in charge, the boss and owner to whom all the crofters were paying their rents and asking for advice. His clothing would naturally be the best and most impressive among the men and yet he looks travel weary and his white neck cloth more appropriately grimy looking as compared to Claire's. The harshness of the setting is all a part of what Claire faces and we're not at all seeing that natural degradation brought on by lack of soap, hot water and a change of clothes.<br /><br />Still loving the series though!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1T3XCULzhSBAmJoz1cjKnSbC6ieQYn8Xo3GxP7pwQe5TSfy5jJWghk4uYC18lg-3DYEcq0r84Uc0MR6FGy0j1D9xjslNuhkPD2OFHrYtnow_RFwtgxfMR-bLUOWbM6eEBoxn0kp-wQ4/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1T3XCULzhSBAmJoz1cjKnSbC6ieQYn8Xo3GxP7pwQe5TSfy5jJWghk4uYC18lg-3DYEcq0r84Uc0MR6FGy0j1D9xjslNuhkPD2OFHrYtnow_RFwtgxfMR-bLUOWbM6eEBoxn0kp-wQ4/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

Silver Screen Surroundings: Outlander S1E5 - "The Rent" plus, visiting a wattle house

In this week's episode, our heroine Claire is taken on the road with a pack of MacKenzie men to collect the rents from outlying tenant f...

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Tiny Houses mean creative living

As I contemplate my next move in my life, I expect that I will be living in a pretty small space. And that's ok. I'd rather live in a beautifully appointed smaller home than kick around in an empty McMansion.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d0/3b/c2/d03bc262b58dd0df84f622bec6d7e6a2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d0/3b/c2/d03bc262b58dd0df84f622bec6d7e6a2.jpg" /></a></div><br />I'm not talking fairytale cottage small:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ae/8a/fa/ae8afad0076a691270ee0b9e3db65756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ae/8a/fa/ae8afad0076a691270ee0b9e3db65756.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />But something interesting and quirky would be fun:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6f/04/eb/6f04eb3c5c92b35e09dfb1f7f613b55c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6f/04/eb/6f04eb3c5c92b35e09dfb1f7f613b55c.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b3/78/74/b37874c63b9da7127f93fe032d74e172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b3/78/74/b37874c63b9da7127f93fe032d74e172.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/86/b3/fc/86b3fc228c35522a84b818a857e2070b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/86/b3/fc/86b3fc228c35522a84b818a857e2070b.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/88/f7/85/88f785d0ac141eb2d7c6c8c4608b8f2e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/88/f7/85/88f785d0ac141eb2d7c6c8c4608b8f2e.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3b/af/60/3baf60f69afbabeada28557f08773113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3b/af/60/3baf60f69afbabeada28557f08773113.jpg" /></a></div><br />Of course, to comfortably live in such a small space and pack in all the modern amenities takes a good amount of creativity and a whole lot of editing.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/41/20/45/412045d2fcf292d671d0fe54f052146c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/41/20/45/412045d2fcf292d671d0fe54f052146c.jpg" /></a></div>A lot of tiny houses have ladder-like stairs to second floor lofts, so I appreciate the standard staircase in the photo above. It takes more floor space, of course, but seriously, how long does one want to live climbing up and over to get to bed?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/46/08/f5/4608f525eabf5ce7e4e340dd674787fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/46/08/f5/4608f525eabf5ce7e4e340dd674787fb.jpg" /></a></div><br />Every nook and cranny needs to be used. I love the look above, but am freaked out  by a staircase that doesn't have a banister. This just needed a rope banister along the wall to feel a bit safer to my eyes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b1/17/23/b11723a11bd964b39d50a6bd4144f6c8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b1/17/23/b11723a11bd964b39d50a6bd4144f6c8.jpg" /></a></div><br />This is quite a lot of functional space tucked under the stairs.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/1f/eb/73/1feb73055cf114aec64896a965212fac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/1f/eb/73/1feb73055cf114aec64896a965212fac.jpg" /></a></div><br />I love this look above, but who would use that ladder and my fear of falling would be triggered by the  open loft.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/fb/f5/f7/fbf5f748efa2d1550450a7da8ca5db63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/fb/f5/f7/fbf5f748efa2d1550450a7da8ca5db63.jpg" /></a></div><br />The space above, designed by Tucker & Marks, shows that a small space can still be richly appointed. I'm not sure of the context of this particular space, but if it were a small house, I'd want to see drapery that could be pulled to diving the living room from the bedroom.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/79/5e/ad/795ead1cf1e1365ab6bdba666f0abcd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/79/5e/ad/795ead1cf1e1365ab6bdba666f0abcd1.jpg" /></a></div><br />And this is my favorite. Love the formality of the table and chairs which seems surprising under the beamed ceiling. This little house from <a href="http://www.kangaroomsystems.com/" target="_blank">Kanga Room Systems</a> in Texas.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/534873_428180640528650_701675163_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/534873_428180640528650_701675163_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />The ladder is better than a straight vertical one, but still, probably not something I'd want to be dealing with - especially in the middle of the night!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/562426_428180730528641_253139324_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/562426_428180730528641_253139324_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/t1.0-9/522503_428180213862026_1827700907_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/t1.0-9/522503_428180213862026_1827700907_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1/575724_428180370528677_2139899972_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1/575724_428180370528677_2139899972_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/535170_428180843861963_619747500_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/535170_428180843861963_619747500_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/537783_428179780528736_720197161_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/537783_428179780528736_720197161_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/t1.0-9/554269_428179847195396_962441236_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/t1.0-9/554269_428179847195396_962441236_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />See all pins and resources <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/linda_merrill/tiny-houses/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br /><br />How small a space could you live in?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifo4U6zu236Dmfk5Q0h_RT9Xk-ybRGXno7ve2EdzcBIlAwplspSO0NQjTfqLy7aI6YZnueJJblbGfWH9EpKEpUjQYLzyrPm2Fx83uHeUSLfFrwHdvJ5jb-CDtoCnndlmE62g9yKwZxEqs/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifo4U6zu236Dmfk5Q0h_RT9Xk-ybRGXno7ve2EdzcBIlAwplspSO0NQjTfqLy7aI6YZnueJJblbGfWH9EpKEpUjQYLzyrPm2Fx83uHeUSLfFrwHdvJ5jb-CDtoCnndlmE62g9yKwZxEqs/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><br /><br />

Tiny Houses mean creative living

As I contemplate my next move in my life, I expect that I will be living in a pretty small space. And that's ok. I'd rather live in ...

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