San Francisco Couple Transforms Old Victorian Row House

Irwin Weiner ASID - Scott Kalmbach, designer and property developer (now realtor), and his artist wife Tjasa Owen faced a real fixer-upper situation with their crumbling row house in San Francisco. The house they originally purchased as newlyweds was in bad shape, with chopped-up floors housing duplex rentals and tacked-on shed additions in the backyard. But I admire their desire to transform old housing stock and turn it into something new and beautiful and open. You'll see in this HGTV video how House & House Architects in San Francisco helped the couple makeover their home into something truly special. Click here to see more beautiful interior photos of the Kalmbach/Owen house.
  

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Membranes Form Unique Wrapped Living Spaces in Chile's Wall House

Irwin Weiner ASID - I like seeing envelopes pushed when it comes to residential architecture. We need to shake up the old concept of "living in a box."

That's why I love the Wall House in today's featured video, a clever layering of rooms and different envelopes to enclose a number of living spaces, from the central private spaces outward to the fabric'wrapped and tented outdoor shaded spaces. Kudos to architects Frohn&Rojas (FAR) for pushing the envelope even further on home design.

 

 

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Michael Graves Warehouse Home in New Jersey

Irwin Weiner ASID - There are a handful of superstar architects and designers. Of course, Michael Graves is one of the few, and I was just directed to his Dwell video interview where he talks personally about the discovery and renovation of a Tuscan style warehouse in Princeton, NJ that he looks forward to returning to whenever he's able to get off the world-travel merry-go-round.

Photo: Ben Hoffman for Elle DecorIt's instructive to see where creative people live, knowing that the design elements of their own homes will help them recharge and get on the creative path once again. Mr. Graves' home features privacy, clean lines, beautiful landscaping and gardens, and soothing water features. I'd be happy to trade homes with him at any time! Visit the Michael Graves website for more information on this legendary designer and his work.

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Paris Style Video: Hotel Style at the George V

Irwin Weiner ASID - Greetings from Paris! Jay Johnson and I are on Day 4 of our vacation in the beautiful French capital, and that of course means that we're on "assignment" for Design2Share. We never go anywhere without reporting back on residential and home trends, and that includes the latest international hotel scene and other looks in public spaces that will soon influence the shape of home style. Our fourth feature focuses on the beautiful, elegant, newly-restored hotel style of the most luxurious hotel in town, the Four Seasons George V. Considered the global flagship of the chain, this hotel is rich in history and now, contemporary elegance.

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