Thursday, January 10, 2013
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Avatar Furniture
THE AVATAR TREE AS FURNITURE!
The Associates Studio has designed its first piece of furniture using a slab from The Avatar Tree!
(See previous post).
Once we realized that this magnificent live oak had to come down, we were committed to creating useful and sculptural furniture that would honor this tree's grand history. Here is the design for a rolling ottoman which will soon be "planted" in the home of one of our clients. Our friend, craftsman Doug Jewell, is sanding it down after a lengthy drying process.
Next week the center void will be filled with molten stainless steel and the caster legs will be ordered. Of course we'll add photos every step of the way.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Save the Avatar Tree!
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| The "Avatar" tree |
CBS recently completed construction drawings for a home in
Indian Harbour Beach situated on a panoramic site facing the Banana and Indian
Rivers. The property had an enormous live oak tree around which the home
was designed. We started calling it the "Avatar" tree so others
would understand the awesomeness of this particular tree. Measuring over 60" across the widest section of trunk, this tree had to be hundreds of
years old.
Much to our dismay (and of course right after the final
drawings were completed), the owner called to let us know that the tree was
"not going to make it". The tree was leaning more than
usual. Leaning indicates a weakened root
system and possibly hollow trunk most likely due to age and/or past lighting
strikes. An arborist recommended removing it before construction
commenced. The idea of this great giant chopped up rotting in a
landfill saddened me although I thought it was inevitable.
At the next office meeting we were discussing the fate of
the tree and our newest office addition, Mike Casale (industrial engineer by training)
said, "Why don't we use it?” Of course, I thought! What better
way to celebrate the tree than by re-purposing? I think I caught Mike off
guard as I slapped his shoulder with enthusiasm. How many random logs have I stashed
throughout my home over the years hoping to someday turn them into artful
pieces of furniture? This tree was special though. It had a
story and all parties were emotionally connected to it. We were very fortunate to have the full support of the owners who gave us the go head to take the next step and do something!
The associates were very excited about the concept of saving
the tree. Clem proceeded to contact Doug Jewell, a fine furniture maker and
craftsman we have known for years to see what steps would need to be
taken. Long story short, Doug very astutely determined where and how the
tree should be cut and the tree was hauled off to the mill. Doug recommended a family-owned full service mill
that specializes in custom saw milling, recovering rare river lumber, and
rescuing Florida hardwoods. Their website is definitely worth checking
out. http://olegeneralstore.com/ Afterwards
the mill owner, Bob Hughes, said he would not have made a single cut
differently. Well done Doug!
We have been brainstorming about various pieces of custom furniture, artwork, millwork,
mantles, etc we could make from the Avatar tree. The scale and figuring
of the trunk lends itself to monolithic, sculptural pieces.
As ideas and projects for the tree develop I can't help
but think how, in the age of the i Pad, people value craft/craftsmanship
as much if not more than ever. This is evident in the number of
one-man furniture shops, selling a few select specialty pieces I saw at
the International Contemporary Furniture Fair last year in New York. With
information and goods more accessible than ever, people are looking for
something unique, something with an interesting story behind it. So we
will see where this story takes us! Stay tuned and if you are interested
in your own special piece please contact us. ~ Christine
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
AMPERSAND ?
This blog is intended to be an extension of our office lunchtime chatter which often includes the things we see and do on our "off" time. Each and every person comes to the table with their own passions, perspective and talents that are shared over a salad or a sandwich. Sometimes one observation can lead to a mass interest.
Recently, Christine gave Sally a set of small, yellow felted balls that she found in a New York City yarn shop. That's how easily these things can get started. We are heavily into all things felt right now. We are busy ordering roving, making felt balls at night, adding them to pillows and felted bowls and going so far as putting a bunch of them in box frames and calling it "art"! (Note our felt inspired blog banner above!)
Although small in number (currently 12), our office is full of conversations of making better music, art, photographs and, gardens. "Design is in the Details"!
Please visit often and join us in the journey. As we make discoveries we want to share them with you
& we hope you do the same for us!
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| See? |
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| Shayna's Felt Bowl |
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Genesis of The Associates Studio
“The Associates Studio’s genesis is a simple recognition of the talents and passions of the people who surround and support me in my own design journey.
Design, regardless of category is a shared process. Design involves history (knowledge from experience and repetition), sometimes referred to as a craft. Craftsmanship becomes art when the isolated craft discipline makes sense on all levels: aesthetic, practical, and emotional.
Throughout my architectural career, I have become close to creative people and this creative process.
The goal of the Associates Studio is to expose the talents of the people who have surrounded me, to share their passions and experiences, as well as the complex and rich process with the people, sources and resources who have supported us in our daily quests.”
Clem/Clemens Bruns Schaub
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