As Architects and Designers, we know how restrictions can impact a project. Sometimes there are budget limitations, while others there are those troublesome building codes that have to be met. When faced with these challenges we take an opportunity to be creative and think a little outside the box. 

 Take railings for example. Staircases, porches and decks all have height requirements. But, this doesn’t mean that your railings have to be ordinary!Think of it as a chance to do something different. Try using a material not normally seen as a railing or add details to make them more visually interesting…here are some examples from our own work to show you what we mean…

Meeting requirements doesn’t have to mean design has to be dull…… it can be just the opposite. Thinking more creatively can make the difference between a home that looks just like all the others and one that expresses your taste and panache! Embrace constraints, it could just make you look at your design in a whole new light!

Bathroom by Breese Architects and ISMV image by Brian Vanden Brink

Studio Source MV is brought to you by Breese Architects and Interiors Studio Martha’s Vineyard.

One of the keys to designing a beautiful space is creating a focal point. For the bathroom, new designs in bathtubs are helping to make choosing a focal point a lot easier! There are so many beautiful designs by companies like Kallista, Lacava and Wateworks that the tub is finally working its way into the spotlight and being used as features in, often accompanying dramatic views.

The bathtub is the one space in the house,  there simply for you to relax.  That is why it should get  the commanding views.  As Architects and Designers we’ve been fortunate to work with clients who really want to take their bathrooms to the next level. Designing the bathroom around the tub we have been able to give clients a feature in their house that allows them to slow down and soak it all in.

Bathroom by Breese Architects, image by Shannon Roddy

So you’re  sitting in your living room  thinking it needs a little something….an update or maybe some freshening. Well the easiest and most affordable way to add texture and interest to a room is with throw pillows. We love how throw pillows can tie colors together and  add that extra detail that really makes a space feel complete..but..there is such a thing as too many throw pillows. With all the great designs and beautiful fabrics it’s tempting to buy every one that you like but retrain yourself. If  before cozying up on the couch to watch a movie, you have to spend five minutes taking all the extra pillows off  then you have way too many! The golden rule less is more also applies to finishing touches in a space. You want the details to make a room feel complete not overwhelm it.  Throw pillows are just accents, not a feature. Let them help to bring the overall scheme together and add interest like they were meant to do!

To show you what we’re talking about we took a chair in our studio and did a before and after. The chair was simple and lovely before and we knew that two pillows would have been too many for this chair. So we covered the back cushion with a beautiful knitted eurosham giving it the look of a throw pillow without taking up all of the real estate. Then we added a textured pleated linen throw pillow. It’s the perfect combination of colors, textures and scale.

  We are also showing some great examples of other throw pillows done right!

This year instead of making personal resolutions that fall by the wayside around the middle of the month we’ve decided to make “Design Resolutions” here in our studio. We’re breaking out of our comfort zone by focusing our attention on using new materials and some forgotten favorites.Our first style element to include is leather…ahh leather… just the name conjure up images of sophistication, warmth and character.

Leather does not typically evoke that breezy, beachy aesthetic most of our clients are imagining for their new or remodeled homes. These days there are so many interesting ways to use leather. It’s not just for furniture anymore! With different colors, distress levels and applications there is something out there for every design sensibility. Here are a few we found and fell in love with….

So, you buy or rent a beautiful space after falling in love with its great open floor plan.  Then after living in it for awhile you start to think about how nice it would be to have a bit of division in the space…not whole rooms but just something to show that this is the Living Room and this is the Dining Room. Now the question aries, do you build or buy something to define different areas, blocking out natural light and the feeling of openess?

Once upon a time room dividers were just that, pieces used to define and seperate large rooms. Thus creating cozier spaces that would also provide a sense of privacy. They were made to move around easily but were often bulky and blocked the light. Well…not anymore.

 People are defining areas in some interesting ways and still keeping the space true to its open feel. Using recycled pieces, such as windows and doors, allows the room to still have that openness and lets  natural light shine through. Here are some of our favorite ideas to divide and define your large open space…..we are currently working on an idea to define a bathroom space, we’ll keep you posted!

We are so excited to share the work of Lighting Artist Stuart Haygarth with you. Ok so his first exhibit was about six years ago but we were recently  introduced to his work while visiting the London Design Museum this fall,  his Spectical Chandelier became one of our favorite discoveries of the day. Haygarth re-purposes glasses that are donated to charities but for whatever reason are unable to be used. He saves them from the incinerator and gives them new life as art.  The dappled light that the lenses produce is stunning.  The pictures, though lovely don’t do justice to what a truly unique chandelier it is. Our favorite part is that you can buy Haygarth’s chandeliers! Not to worry if the one we’ve featured seems to long for your room, they come in different sizes! They really must be seen to be appreciated, so check out his exhibition the next time you’re in London. If, like most of us, that London trip won’t be happening any time soon, stop by his website and see about purchasing an original work of art for yourself!

Click to view slideshow.

On a recent buying trip we reconfirmed the idea that you never know where you’ll stumble upon a great find. Portobello Road, in Edgartown, has a great eclectic selection of art as well as new and found objects. As we perused the isles on a hunt for an old tin shelf we found a great option that was unfortunately too short. Crossing our fingers, we asked the woman behind the counter if they had any others. She told us they might have another in their storage room.

The back space was unlocked and we were ushered in with the warning that we probably wouldn’t find anything but were welcome to try. It was full of funky old odds and ends. As we waded through old pottery, baskets, chairs and tin lunch boxes (picture American Pickers, except in heels!) we found a pair of old shutters with beautiful peeling turquoise paint and carved half-moon details….treasure! We quickly scooped up our find and brought it to our clients house. They were hung side by side in his guest bathroom as a fun pop of color and a funky place to hang towels. The weathered texture of the doors is just awesome and we never would have found them had we not asked to step inside a storage room.

Our clients frequently ask us to recommend art. It can be a bit tricky. Art is very subjective.  As they say “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Most of our clients live  off island and  they count on our knowledge of Martha’s Vineyard and New England artists and artisans to bring local flavor into their homes. So we are always on the look out for artists whose work we love.

When Connecticut artist Lawrence McGarvey contacted us about his work, a modern interpretation of a classic nautical symbol…the sea fan, we knew it would be a great fit. Lawrence’s natural forms on acrylic bring movement and texture to each piece. His neutral backgrounds are quietly sophisticated, allowing the simple, organic images to speak for themselves. Lawrence has turned out to be a great partner because his art is very accessible and suits almost any environment. If you’re in the neighborhood stop by our studio at 7 Beach St. in Vineyard Haven on Martha’s Vineyard, or visit his website at www.131gallery.com!

Click to view slideshow.

Click to view slideshow.

When someone decides to build a house, they often have a vision of the home they’ve been dreaming of. The job of Architects and Designers is to take that idea and make it tangible. One aspect of our design process is wooden scale models as part of an integrated presentation package. The construction of a physical model allows our clients to engage in the design process, bringing their projects to life in multiple dimensions.It also helps the client, architect and builders to physically understand the design of the house and how it interacts with the site. It is an effective and beautiful way to tell the story of the design long before the construction process begins.

Click to view slideshow.