I’d like to buy a vowel for $65 please?

Everyone needs a really big letter in their house, don’t you agree?

Dave from Second Use agrees, look how excited he is. He had to climb a ladder AND stand on a refrigerator to get it down.

No, I don’t want the F.

Hey, we won an award!

We are excited to say that last night we won “The Golden Prybar” award given by the DeCon ’13 Conference – sponsored by BMRA (Building Materials Reuse Association). The award was for Best of Show in presentation of projects showcasing the use of salvaged materials. It was one award among many, given to people who work in the deconstruction industry. It was fascinating to see the dedication of the individuals who work in this field.

Here’s our presentation board featuring some of our favorite projects using salvaged materials:

Here’s us winning the award:

Here’s us with that enviable Golden Prybar:

Here’s Monica drinking a beer:

And here’s Mary Jean wishing everyone peace:

A very cool side benefit was that the ceremony took place at the greenest building in the world – The Bullitt Center. We didn’t have the full tour, but snapped some pictures of the some of the interesting architectural features. It is an amazing building that we are lucky to have here in Seattle.

Stair surrounded by windows, looking down. Bullitt Center.

Bullitt Center, exterior.

Construction progress display, Buillitt Center.

Underside of solar panelled roof overhang, Bullitt Center.

Exposed pipes, stairway landing, Bullitt Center.

Detail of exposed pipes, stairway landing, Bullitt Center.

Wow. I hope someone knew what they were doing.

All pipes are labelled.

Compostable toilet, using reclaimed water.

Orchid at stair landing, nice concrete wall, Bullitt Center.

“Red List”, a listing of all yucky things not allowed in building materials at the Bullitt Center.

“The Living Building Challenge” Red List.

Detail of floor latch on sliding wood door, Bullitt Center.

Sliding wood door, Bullitt Center

Detail of solar roof overhang, Bullitt Center.

Stair landing, Bullitt Center.

Peek at green roof from stairs, Bullitt Center.

Green roof, Bullitt Center.

Underside of stairs, Bullitt Center.

Bathroom Design: Using Salvaged Materials

I bought this vintage utility sink years ago at Second Use Building Materials. We had been considering a second floor addition and weren’t 100% sure the remodel would actually happen. But then I fell in love with the sink and had to get it. So my argument for the remodel became “we have to do it, we already have the sink!”.

The addition eventually did happen and I finally got to use the sink.

Here are some pictures of the finished bathroom. Things to note:

• Salvaged materials include: tile seconds from Architerra NW, castors, sanded Fir flooring from our attic for shelving, planed and sanded/finished Fir from basement cladding for baseboard/door trim.
• When we got the sink it came in an angle iron frame. It was rusty and a little thin, but the general design was cool. We modified it a bit, designed flanking cabinets to match, and had a local welder/artist build them.
• The counter tops (and floors and shower walls) are d.i.y. Milestone, a decorative/pigmented hybridized cement. That was a wacky Hammer Like a Girl undertaking that we will never do on that scale again. Counter tops – completely do-able. Floors and shower walls – not so much. But we did it and I only cried once.
• Speaking of crying, the day we set the tiles was 103°. (We reserved the wet saw and the husband took the day off work so we were determined to get it done.) Actually it was 103° outside and about 110° inside/upstairs. Sweaty.

If there is a moral of this story, I guess it would be: if you love something that is one-of-a-kind – even if you don’t quite know what to do with it – go ahead and buy it (if your significant-other will let you and you have room in your basement, that is.)

Salvaged castors on the iron frame counters.

Milestone countertops.

Storage.

Reclaimed and sanded Fir from attic.

Angle iron sink frame and matching flanking cabinets.

Cool stamp on ceramic sink: Crane & Trenton Potteries Co.

Wall mounted faucet.

Field Trip – Recycled Art Show

Yesterday we took a quick field trip to the Laura Frost Gallery in Ballard to see the Recycled Art Show sponsored by RE-Store.

There are some really cool pieces – pictured below are a few examples. Stop by if you have a chance and support our art community. The show is up until May 8th.

Oh, and did I mention I have a piece in the show? It would be great if someone could buy it so I don’t have to take it home.

Nigel Nozzlenose by Sherri Robbins

Charles by Emma MacDuff

Noob Cannon and Ranger Photon Blaster by Gary Wallace

2×6 Arm Chair (detail) by Sander Viegers

2×6 Arm Chair by Sander Viegers

Treasury of Children’s Stories by Nancy Cubbage

Shadow Play (detail) by Terri Shin

Shadow Play (detail) by Terri Shin

Sticks and Stones by Heidi Favour

Sticks and Stones (detail) by Heidi Favour

Untied and Reintegrated by Rosalie Frankel

Yield Stool by Chris Burton

Artifacts by Tristan Francis

Pencil Assemblage by Nancy Cubbage

More press:

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mkbarrjournal.wordpress.com

Energy Efficiency – The Garage

This is part of an ongoing series where we learn about, implement and share projects that improve the energy efficiencies of our homes.

Heidi-Vanna insulates with style

We are learning a lot about energy efficiency these days and we really like it. (Nerd love, Seattle style). We’re planning multiple, simple upgrades to our homes which are highly effective, low-cost, and in most cases, easy.

Timberline Lodge Trip

A photo essay of a recent trip to the historic Timberline Lodge, Oregon

Main floor entry, looking through a “Timberline Arch”

Mt Hood, Oregon

Timberline Lodge, a WPA project built during the depression in 1936

“Head House” lobby with the 3 story, hexagonal fireplace. Snow covers the entire window at the far end!

Original hand-made seating around the fire. Complimentary coffee too.

The baths have been tastefully updated

A typical Queen room with original handmade beds and furniture. Featherbeds…

Looking the other direction, note wrought iron hardware. The original botanical illustrations were done by an artist discovered living in a piano box, it was a truly difficult time.

Made of local stone, andirons from recycled railroad tracks. One man fabricated all the massive posts himself at $25 each. The structure went up without a hitch. Whoa.

The Lodge

Main floor entry, looking through a “Timberline Arch”

The main stair, railings from old telephone poles.

Everything was made by hand, the furniture, artwork, lighting, drapes, rugs –

Another “Timberline Arch” – no two are exactly alike – emblems taken from the Camp Fire Girls moon calendar. This one looks to be smiling, must be so as it represents “new snow”

And a Gothic arch!

Architectural details – The Timberline Arch, an arch with a horizontal lintel. Due to the arches being made by hand in the 1930′s, each arch is a bit different from the others –

All the carvings are of Northwest animals, this was our favorite, the owl.

Every newell post is capped with an animal carving, maybe that’s where my idea came from…http://hammerlikeagirl.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/bargains-in-seattle/

One of the carvers was especially skilled at Mountain goats, so they are prevalent details!

Lintel carvings inspired by the Camp Fire Girls

Architectural details – The carvings

Originally every piece was handmade. Incredible.

Hand wrought door hinges

Outside the Blue Ox bar

The top of the handrail

Original “blue”prints – for the boot scrapers!

Each a little bit different from the other, the beauty of the handmade.

Everything was made by hand, the furniture, artwork, lighting, drapes, rugs –

Original hand-made seating around the fire. Complimentary coffee too.

And more Architectural details! – the ironwork and furniture

Who remembers the Pee-Chee girl? Here she is!

This one cracks me up, see what they’re burning? From the on-site museum, well worth a visit.

A bit of history –

Text your friends

Wait while your brother texts his friends

Eat prosciutto at the breakfast buffet

Eat more at the amazing breakfast buffet

Visit the interesting museum on site

Pet Heidi, the St Bernard imitating a floor mat, who hangs out behind the front desk

What to do – besides skiing, swimming and hiking of course –

Timberline is a national treasure – if you have the chance you should GO!

Fence Design

We keep noticing beautifully designed fences, arbors and outdoor space screens around our town. We see plenty of badly designed ones too, but thought you’d be more interested in the goodies!

Keep your eyes peeled for additions to this series as we discover more while we collect supplies for our next project.

We’d love to hear your opinions too. Don’t be shy

Posted February 25, 2013

You know those fabulous slabs of tree you’ve squirreled away in your basement? I know some of you have them (and I am jealous). Here’s an idea to inspire your creative side – check this out! The wine garden fence designed by Marenakos Rock Center for the Seattle Flower and Garden Show 2013.

A Wood and Stone Fence

A powerful statement at 10-15 feet tall! Just to the right of this was the entry gate:

Arbor

I love the design concept of getting lighter (visually), and more wild as the fence/arbor/entry goes up and the contrast between warm, polished wood against hewn, cold stone. Lighting was used to great effect, which my flash washed out (dang!), but you can still get a sense of it. The plants add softness and depth by being both in front of and behind the fence, tapping into our impulsive nature to spy inside. Isn’t it great?!