Out of the Ordinary

Extra&ordinary; Design is a London-based studio founded by Hyunhee Hwang, specializing in creating design-led products that elevate everyday spaces. Hwang's extensive experience in the design industry in South Korea and England, spanning over a decade, has shaped her distinctive aesthetic. This aesthetic is characterized by a blend of playful colors, sculptural forms, and the innovative use of jesmonite, a versatile composite material known for its tactile qualities and ability to mimic natural stone. The studio's latest collection, named Scala, draws inspiration from the grandeur of Roman marble architecture, specifically focusing on the visual elements of marble block stairs and columns. The Scala collection encompasses a range of home objects, including vases, candle holders, incense holders, and decorative trays. Each item within this collection is individually cast and meticulously handmade, resulting in unique marble-like characteristics and finishes. This artisanal approach ensures that no two pieces are exactly alike, adding to their individual charm and exclusivity. The use of jesmonite allows for the replication of marble's luxurious appearance while offering a more sustainable and lightweight alternative. Beyond the Scala collection, Extra&ordinary; Design also features pieces from its Jumony collection. This collection includes accessory trays and wall-mounted planters, which are distinguished by their ruffled edges. These delicate, fabric-inspired details are a direct nod to traditional Korean garments and accessories, reflecting Hwang's cultural heritage and her ability to integrate diverse influences into contemporary design. The Jumony collection's design elements evoke a sense of softness and movement, contrasting with the more structured forms of the Scala collection, yet maintaining the studio's overarching commitment to unique and visually engaging objects. Extra&ordinary; Design's philosophy centers on transforming mundane household items into pieces of art that contribute to the overall aesthetic and atmosphere of a home. By focusing on unexpected forms, vibrant colors, and innovative materials like jesmonite, the studio aims to create objects that are not only functional but also serve as focal points in a space. This approach challenges the conventional understanding of home furnishings, encouraging consumers to view everyday objects as opportunities for artistic expression and personal style. The studio’s dedication to craftsmanship and thoughtful design is evident in every piece, making each a conversation starter and a testament to the beauty that can be found in the reimagining of the ordinary. #ExtraordinaryDesign #HomeDecor #Jesmonite #SculpturalDesign #InteriorDesign #HandmadeObjects #ScalaCollection #JumonyCollection #HyunheeHwang

The article discusses Cosmic Saltillo, a new taqueria in Austin, Texas, designed by Ten Eyck Landscape Architects and Clayton Korte. This project stands out in Austin's rapidly developing urban landscape, which has seen the demolition of numerous historic structures due to a booming tech and venture capital sector. Christy Ten Eyck, the founding principal of Ten Eyck Landscape Architects, emphasizes the importance of preserving "little jewels" amidst this rapid growth. Cosmic Saltillo is the second location for Cosmic Coffee, a business known for its distinctive and community-focused spaces. The new 18,000-square-foot facility is located in East Austin, revitalizing two historic, graffiti-covered metal buildings that once served as a Texaco storage depot and later as an artists' and musicians' venue. These buildings are among the last remnants of a former railyard, now part of the Saltillo mixed-use development. The project's connection to Austin's Red Line commuter rail and the adjacent Red Line Trail further integrates it into the city's urban fabric. A central theme of the project is meticulous preservation and adaptive reuse. The existing Texaco buildings' shells, including their graffiti, were carefully maintained. Furthermore, three towering elm trees and crumbling brick walls on the property were preserved and integrated into the design. These brick walls were repurposed to create intimate, vine-covered seating areas, distinct from the main courtyard. This approach contrasts sharply with the widespread demolition of older buildings in Austin, showcasing a commitment to historical continuity and environmental responsibility. Paul Oveisi, co-founder of Cosmic Coffee, highlighted the extensive efforts to salvage and reuse materials. For instance, the concrete slabs from the original buildings were jackhammered out and painstakingly repurposed as massive, asymmetrical pavers for the entry. Christy Ten Eyck was reportedly a strong advocate for preserving this old concrete. Billy Spencer, founder of Spencer Landscape Company, who oversaw the construction of the entry and a custom fountain made from salvaged oil pipe and a gravel crusher, noted the significant effort involved. Spencer, who previously collaborated with Ten Eyck Landscape Architects on the El Cosmico hotel in Marfa, Texas, underscored that this dedication to reuse was unusual and required considerable commitment, as a more conventional approach would have been less effort-intensive. The design ethos aimed to maintain Austin's unique, "funky, organic, creative part." The project’s success in integrating the new taqueria into its historical context is partly attributed to allowing the site's existing vegetation to re-establish itself. Vines that had previously covered the back half of the site were cut back during construction but were intentionally allowed to grow back, contributing to a sense of established natural integration. This decision reinforces the perception that the site has long been part of the landscape, aligning with the project's overall goal of preservation and authenticity. The article was written by Timothy A. Schuler, an award-winning writer and contributing editor at LAM, focusing on the intersection of design, materials, and preservation. The project demonstrates a successful model for urban development that respects historical integrity and promotes sustainable practices, providing a new community space that honors Austin’s past while serving its present. #AustinTexas #HistoricPreservation #AdaptiveReuse #LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanDevelopment #SustainableDesign #MaterialReuse #CommunitySpace #TenEyckLandscapeArchitects

This article details the extensive renovation of the historic Miles Costin House in downtown Wilmington by homeowners and interior designer Paula Warren and her husband, Chan Warren. Purchased in 2020, the nearly 7,000-square-foot, four-story Italianate-style home, built in 1855 by architect James F. Post, underwent a complete transformation across all 22 rooms. The Warrens moved from Washington, D.C., seeking a warmer climate and a vibrant town, but initially underestimated the scale of the project, especially the challenges of restoring a historic property. The renovation began with the basement, a laborious process that involved stripping everything down to the dirt, taking almost a year to complete. This space was converted into a cow-themed Airbnb named 'Steer on Dock'. Following the basement, the couple tackled the main house, where Paula's design philosophy of eclectic style came to life. She blended bold colors, fun patterns, contemporary fixtures, and unique vintage finds to modernize the once-dated dwelling while honoring its historical grandeur. Key design choices include painting the dining room and parlor in Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore, while the kitchen features White Dove walls and Chantilly Lace cabinets and trim. Paula, known for her frugal and secondhand shopping approach, sourced many pieces from local estate sales, Facebook Marketplace, and Paper Wood Vintage, valuing the character and quality of older items. Modern fixtures were acquired from Capitol Lighting, Shades of Light, and Anthropologie. The kitchen was significantly updated with leathered Taj Mahal quartzite counters by Marmolite Granite & Marble, new pulls, and redesigned layout to incorporate a functional island. Architectural details of the Miles Costin House, such as the grand center staircase spanning three floors, detailed crown molding, thick paned windows, and Greek Revival fireplaces, were preserved. The house is also notable for having one of Wilmington's few mansard roofs and a unique side piazza with floor-length walkout windows, along with distinctive 'come-and-go' front porch stairs. These historical elements were integrated with contemporary design choices, such as curvilinear light fixtures, to create a harmonious blend of old and new. Further renovations included Chan’s second-floor office, which was wallpapered in Phillip Jeffries grasscloth (Manila Hemp in navy). The five bathrooms were updated with creative tile layouts, wall-mounted faucets, and modern fixtures, with four of them being completely gutted. The primary bathroom, formerly a small bedroom, was transformed into a luxurious suite with a fireplace, cappuccino station, and flat-screen TV, featuring Tesoro Bianco marble vanity tops. The primary bedroom boasts a patterned Scalamandre Raphael wallpaper by Sandberg. Children's rooms and guest rooms on the third floor also received fresh paint, such as Cedar Path and Aspen Skies by Benjamin Moore. Exterior restorations included the front porch, side veranda, back deck, and a roof replacement. After two years, the Warrens, along with their French bulldog Atlas, now enjoy their uniquely restored home and its vibrant downtown Wilmington location. #HomeRenovation #HistoricHome #InteriorDesign #EclecticStyle #WilmingtonNC #HomeDecor #MilesCostinHouse #DIYRenovation

James Baker's curiosity was piqued by a boxy building near the Baton Rouge Country Club, hidden behind a tall, vine-covered barrier, recognizing its departure from the traditional south Louisiana architectural style. One Sunday, he discovered the secluded home was for sale and scheduled an open house. This timing was serendipitous, as he and his wife, Marsha, had been contemplating building a new home. Upon visiting, they were immediately captivated by the property's design, which featured massive windows looking out onto a lush private garden and a dramatically designed pool. Within days, they made an offer on the house. The home’s appealing features—streamlined structural details, an open floor plan, ample space for art, and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living—are characteristic of the tropical modern architectural movement prevalent in Miami. The house, built a dozen years prior, reflected the original owner’s preference for this South Florida aesthetic. Consistent with tropical modern design, tall and wide windows and doors throughout the home offer expansive views of the landscape and water features. Polished marble flooring extends from the interior to the exterior, creating a cohesive and luxurious feel. The overall ambiance is Zen-like, filled with natural light, and conducive to relaxed living, offering a warmer interpretation of typical modernism. Despite their previous homes being more traditional, the Bakers found the contemporary vibe of this house perfectly suited for their extensive and growing art collection, which primarily consists of bold and abstract pieces. The home's empty white walls provided ideal gallery spaces for displaying art acquired during their travels, as well as works by Louisiana artists sourced through Ann Connelly Fine Art in Baton Rouge and Soren Christensen Gallery in New Orleans. For the renovation, the Bakers enlisted Todd Normand of Bernhard Normand Construction. The project involved relocating a bar nook in the main open room to a separate living area, adding a fireplace and bookshelves to the opposite side of the room, and redesigning the master bathroom to include a sleek vanity alcove. Designers Helaine Moyse and Patrick Tandy, long-term collaborators with the Bakers, helped integrate the couple’s existing classic furniture with new contemporary pieces. This blend is exemplified in the dining area, where an 8x8-foot abstract painting by Meredith Pardue is framed by Venetian glass sconces and paired with a weathered antique Spanish dining table. Marsha noted that the mix of antique and modern elements, encouraged by the designers, prevented the space from feeling overly contemporary, maintaining a sense of warmth. The existing kitchen, featuring contemporary glass, metal, and exotic wood cabinet panels, initially challenged Marsha’s preference for all-white kitchens. However, replacing the dark granite backsplash with a multi-hued linear version brightened the space, and she eventually grew to appreciate its unique style, especially noting James's enjoyment of cooking there. Marsha, alongside friends Stacey Davis and Stacy Johnson, recently launched Envy, a decorating firm that began with holiday décor and expanded into full-service design. Through Envy, Marsha sourced window treatments and other furnishings for their new home, adding personal touches to the already impressive structure. The couple also took on most of the landscaping themselves, incorporating ferns, elephant ears, and other tropical-inspired plants around existing palm trees, with some natural materials from Red Onion and additional trees from Steve Rowley of Hydro-Scapes. They enjoy working in the flowerbeds and spending evenings on their marble-floored porch, which remains shaded and comfortable, watching the sunset with their three dogs. The once-mysterious home has become a cherished, comfortable space for the Bakers. #ModernArchitecture #TropicalModernStyle #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #ArtCollection #OpenFloorPlan #OutdoorLiving #LouisianaHomes #BatonRouge