A MINIMALISTIC TERRACE IN MANHATTAN IS BEING BORN…

Last summer {2009} I started working on an outdoor/terrace project that has passed through so many phases and difficulties… When I started it I was still working with my associate and friend Whitney Smith {who I want give a lot of credit for her initial design ideas}… Whitney has been gone for a while {she has moved, got a new job and now she’s been following her own path}; another summer came and now it’s gone… That was a project that took a while to be approved by the board! Actually that was the main reason why it took so long… We had to hire an architect and he had hard time with the board too. They {the building board} really tried everything to make us to give up our design ideas!  Well, I believe that’s their job! It’s OK. And our job: as clients, designers, architects and contractors is to insist and insist. Finally we got what we wanted!  Now the construction phase is over. My fabulous client was very helpful and patient; and now we just started purchasing the furnishings and accessories… The space is looking beautiful and we are so excited!



I am so proud what this outdoor space is turning out to be!  I would love to share that with you! It’s not done yet, because like I said, we have just start buying the furniture & accessories. Although I can’t resist to share the results of the first phase with you!


BEFORE...



BEFORE...

DEMOLITION...

DEMOLITION...



PROCESS... Installing flooring.

PROCESS... Installing flooring and wood fence.



Guess who can't wait for this city backyard/terrace to be done?!

AFTER...

It's almost done... if the rain lets us finish it!

This is the furniture & accessories we are planning

 to fill the space with.

Do you like it?

THE PLANTS ARRIVE TODAY (10/21/2010)!!!!

The terrace is gaining LIFE!!!  In all ways!!!  We (my client and I) were so excited!  We are very happy with the results! Ah, and the custom made bench and the fountain's platform  are there too!  They came yesterday...  I was literally jumping up and down today when I saw them!  Don't they look beautiful?! 
TIP: Always get a good carpenter... ;-)

Here 'our' Sky Pencil plants!



The last plant...!  It took about 5 hours to delivery and install those plants...!

This project has been a personal victory, not just an exterior design project!

SONG OF THE WEEK # 3

If you want see more photos of Hawaii, go to this link
Renata Gross Photography...  This album it's totally a celebration of life!

 This post is a celebration of Hawaii's natural beauty and their music. Here I would like to share an incredible Hawaii singer! He has an angel's voice!


This song makes my eyes tear… But it’s not tear of sadness, neither happiness… I tear because my heart fills with some kind of emotion that is not clear… it's some kind of emotion that makes me feel inspirited... and my heart beats faster!

If you want learn more about Hawaii, and maybe start planning a trip visit go to: HAWAII'S OFFICIAL SITE

WISHING TO BE BOSSA

Feeling ‘Bossa’? Unfortunate: NO! Working hard… and not relaxed at all! Fall is coming here {getting chilly}, and I am wishing to be in the weather of Brazil! Living a life like Brazilians, eating like Brazilians, feeling like Brazilian! This is really ironic: I am wishing to live a life like Brazilians even though I am Brazilian! The story is: I am still Brazilian, but I live a New Yorker's life). Got it?!

OK. Let’s dream a little bit… Let’s pretend that I {if you want come too you are welcome} in Brazil living a ‘Bossa Nova Style’.

Arquitetura: Adriana Fernandes Consulim

TIPS: Now if you want to create the 'Bossa Nova Style' in your home, or even in your office I will give you some suggestions where you can buy Brazilian furniture that got that kind of style:

NOTE: Drag your mouse to the image then you' ll get the name of the product and where

you can find it!

Sources:

BRAZILIAN DECOR

ESPASSO

ARTEFACTO

SONG OF THE WEEK #2



... More photos by {me} look at the link below:
Renata Gross Photography


It has been pouring water in New York for a few days… It’s been gray, muggy, and of course; really wet. I’ve been inside the apartment for a few days… {in my pajamas… all day long}. I’ve been concentrate in good creation stuff! The rainy days have been good for me! I like the rain. Strange… But I like the gray sky sometimes! When it is raining and I am inside the house I feel safe and introspective. Do you feel the same?

But talking about rain… Today I came across some words from a Facebook’s friend {What’s in your mind?}. She said: “Here comes the rain again… falling on my head like a memory, falling on my head like a new emotion…” I liked what she wrote, and I identified! Well, I did not know if that was from a song or a famous poem…, or if it was her words and feelings?! I wrote back to her asking about it… Then she told me that it’s a song called “Here Comes the Rain Again” from a group called “Eurythmics”. In my curiosity I went to You Tube and found out that I have listened that song so many times before; but I did not know who was the singer, neither the name of the song, as I never know… Plus, I’ve been asking myself lately: Am I suppose to know more about the names of groups and singers, the names of artists, designers, composers, photographers, architects, actors, writers, etc…? Or should I just enjoy their art without questioning too much?! Well, that’s something that I have to answer myself. But anyway, art is to be instinctual or intellectual? … Or both?!


Forget about everything that said, and just...
ENJOY THE RAIN! Here it comes!!!!!!



I would like to invite you to become my follower, or just leave me a comment!
THANKS,
~Renata Gross~

GREAT INTERIOR DESIGN PHOTOGRAPHERS & THEIR PHOTOS

In my frustration today of trying to be an interior photographer for one of my interior/decoration projects, I decided to find  professional interior photographers and learn from them… at least admire their work and maybe feel bad for myself… I tooked at my magazines like Elle Décor, Veranda, no longer in the market (too bad) Domino, Interior Design, etc&ect in search of some fantastic rooms and their fantastic photographs of them. I got some names and went to visit their online portfolios. Let me tell you something: THEY ARE GOOD! And I wonder how long they took to learn how to photograph like that?! I chose 4 people and, what is interesting to observe, is that each one has their own individual style… and they're beautiful on their own… The places are incredible and light, and I would say that most of them have a stylist?! And the stylists do a really good job too… I would like share their work with you and I would love to hear your opinion about each one of them and their styles…?!

Mikkel Vang Photography

I think Mikkel Vang has a kind of 'vintage' look in his pictures...
I love the contrast of light and dark spots on his pictures...

Melanie Acevedo Photography



Melaine Acevedo has a playful and light way of photographing...  I learned from her that it is a good idea to take a shot of a general picture and then take a more detailed picture from the same space...  Hum!  Good!



Roger Davies Photography

 

Roger Davies is so sharp and  I love the way he plays with the image of the girl in the mirror.  I mean, I don't quite understand what is going on there...   I don't know if it is on the mirror or it's just an image standing there...?!).
What I think, is that it is quite sexy! 
And I love the two pictures of the 'man with bird' side by side in color 'blue & pink'...  Sexy too!



William Waldron

It seems that he likes to capture that 'special moment'! I would say that he is the 'paparazzi' of the rooms...



  

SONG OF THE WEEK #1

This time going to Brazil (in my burden) I found a very interesting new Brazilian musician...  Her songs are so sweet and melodic that made me feel calmer and more patient during my 10 hours flight from New York to Sao Paulo.  I listened her album over and over...  It was like listing a little 'bird signing' in my ears. 

Tie, that's her name, short and sweet.  According to her Tie is a bird's kind that her hippie mom gave to her...

Would like to watch video and listen one of my favorite songs from the album?

REFLECTION OF THE WEEK #1

WHO KNOWS WHERE THIS PATH WILL TAKE US BUT LET'S GO FORTH HAND IN HAND AND PROMISE NOT TO LET GO BECAUSE IT MAY LEAD US TO SOMEWHERE VAST AND AMAZING. (Anonymous)

{Photo taken by me}

Chick on the arrow above to listen a beautiful song...