I'm always on the lookout for great modern furniture built by small shop in the USA. The latest to hit my radar is Joe Joe Built It. They've got all sorts of FSC certified modern wood goodies, all at very reasonable prices considering what goes into making them. Speaking of which, check out the video by LetsMakeMedia after the jump that shows a little of the process.
JOEJOEBUILTIT from LetsMakeMedia on Vimeo.
As I type this post, I'm riding shotgun in a truck on my way down to southern Utah to a Buddhist Retreat. No, I'm not having another dramatic change of faith, I'm actually going to install cabinetry. The retreat was designed by a local firm Imbue design that continues to impress me with both the quality and caliper of work they are doing. The rendering above doesn't do justice to just how cool this project is. The exterior is dominated by gabion walls and the interior wrapped in Ipe. In fact even the cabinets I'm installing with Modern Union are made of Ipe. I'm excited to be working with such great architects and clients on this job.
I'm about 4 hours away from the job site right now. Check out the Modern Union Facebook page for pictures and updates.
Also, while you are at it, make sure you read the write up that City Home Collective did on the Buddhist retreat a few weeks ago.
I have this ever increasing love and appreciation for well crafted woodwork. Markus Bartenschlager is one of those guys that takes his work seriously. His detail work in both his furniture and cabinetry is gorgeous. I'm particularly in love this morning with this kitchen designed by architects of WORKSTEAD and built by Bartenschlager Woodwork. You can see more pictures of it and other work by Markus on his website, or read an article about it in Dwell
Here's a snipet of video from the House 2 project that wrapped up last year. Video (and cabinetry) by Modern Union. Enjoy!
Last week I gave you a little peek of the completed House 2 project, and many of you were asking for more interior shots. I've pulled a couple off of the Modern Union Flickr page, and added a few off of my Flickr page as well. As is typical, the photos really don't do the space justice. The thing I'm most impressed with is how the house feels, not looks. The proportions are just so nice. All the VG fir woodwork by Modern Union really does a lot to warm the space up too. White walls and concrete floors can sometimes come across cold and sterile, but all the woodwork really makes the whole house feel very warm.
Builder Mark Haslam did a fantastic job with the entire project. I need to get over there and get some more photo's of the exterior too. The whole thing just turned out so nice.
See the whole House 2 project.
Lots more photo's after the jump.
Photo by Modern Union
Photo by Modern Union
I took the following photo's a while ago, before everything was totally finished.
Hallway with built in storage and desk niche.
Master bedroom. I love how the 12' run of cabinetry has no fillers. Perfect fit.
Master bedroom. Looking the other direction is a full wall of glass with two big sliding glass doors.
Kitchen looking towards the front of the house.
Kitchen with dining table in foreground.
This bookcase is 8' x 8'. That should give you a bit of an idea of the scale of the room. 10' ceilings feel perfect for the space.
Remember the House 2 project I was going to be following last year? Yeah, I didn't do too good of a job updating on the progress. Luckily the general contractor and subs did a great job of finishing it up. The owners have been in for a couple months now, and a few weeks ago my friend and amazing photographer Kim Guanzon came over to take a few pictures (above). The exterior cedar rain screen turned out fantastic, and is a great warm contrast to the white stucco. Similarly the interior has a fantastic contrast of stark white walls with lot's of fir woodwork to warm the space up. All the cabinetry, bookcases, window benches etc. were done by Salt Lake City based Modern Union, a new local company that is focusing on modern cabinetry and furniture. Modern Union is filling the gap between the low cost Ikea option and the high priced european cabinetry companies like Bulthaup, Poliform, Boffi etc.
Look for a full house tour coming soon.