3838-40 Olive

Back on Olive, just down the block from the soon to be gone Central Apartments stood this beautiful building. The building was one of most flamboyant left on the block in the mid 90's, but like most of Olive for several blocks in each direction it stood abandoned and boarded up. In the summer of 1996 the building had a fire that damaged the 2nd and 3rd floors. Despite the fact that the beautiful facade was still fully intact, the building was demolished a few months later.

Next door to the west, (partially visible in the photo above) is the former home of the Wolfner Memorial Library for the Blind, which now stands isolated near the western end of the block. A few years ago, the buildings on the two lots west, from the Wolfner to the corner, were demolished as well (unfortunately I didn't get any photos of these). The former library has also been abandoned for many years, but was listed on the National Register in June 2005. It acquired recently by Grand Center, Inc., and there is now a small sign on the front that reads "Wolfner Lofts", giving hope that it will not meet the same fate as its neighbors on each side. To see more photos of the former Wolfner building , including interior, see the recently revived pages of Sonic Atrophy The actual Wolfner Memorial Library is now located in Jefferson City, MO.

Messy Yogi

in iyengar fashion, "when i practice, i am a philosopher, when i teach, i am a scientist, when i demonstrate, i am an artist..."

craving montage x

Reporting alive and kicking...

Hi! You are watching AIS (An Indian Summer) News, and this is Bhavna, your news correspondent for the day! :)

Some highlights of my trip so far have been:

1. A great day spent with the team at my Cambridge office, followed by a fun evening of bowling and drinks

2. Walking up and down the Cambridge Side Galleria so many times that I can now write an inventory of merchandise at each and every store! The lady at Bath and Body Works just might consider hiring me as their official 'moisturizer/eau de cologne sniffer'!

3. Finding my shopping soul mate in a dear colleague...walking more than a couple of miles to get to the local Target, and shopping so much that we had to take a cab to haul back our booty! Got some awesome tableware...right now its all packed and stuff - will share these finds with you once back in India..

4. Spending an excellent sunny day at Newbury street today

5. Finally got to visit Anthropologie, and spent some happy shopping time at Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn

6. 'Would you like to wash your hands?' - The first thing we were asked by the lovely girl at 'Sabon', an organic bath and body boutique store. Once the hands were washed and were super soft (dead sea salts do wonders!), proceeded to buy yet more bath and body products (at this rate, I would be the cleanest and the nicest smelling person, with the softest skin as a bonus, for some time to come!) ;-)

7. Discovered a quaint European store that has recently opened shop this side of the world: Comptoir de Famille [see snaps below]

And, the biggest highlight of all:

I am finally uploading some snaps that I have taken! Old readers and friends know my paranoia of publicly sharing photographs taken by me...I am not necessarily what you call a 'good photographer'! Oh well, here goes...below is some of my "art" work! (you can click on them to open a bigger version)

Coming week will be busy with the strategy workshop (and hopefully an Ikea and Harvard square thrown in towards the evening!)

Au revoir till the next time...

Hello from Boston!

Thanks a bunch for your messages! (Hello Affinity, Jo, Terri, Jessica, Studio W!)

I just checked into the hotel after almost 23 hours between airports and flights (phew!). Now, I am ready to drop asleep right at this funky table in my room, after cheering Red Sox with fellow diners at Bambara (yes, that's the name of the hotel restaurant!)

And, I am so happy with all the suggestions about shopping in Boston....just can't wait for the weekend! :-D (thank you Christine, Tanya, Annie, Tara (I would LOVE to bike in this city!)

And, how can I leave you without sharing with you a visual of what is on my mind...

So, after 3.5 meals in a plane, I am soo longing for home cooked food with all the spices, the flavor, and the fragrance and the aroma...I know they mean the same thing, but need a word and my brain is sleep deprived right now ;-) .... you, ofcourse know what I mean! I think a spice box such as above could have fitted in nicely with my luggage...

Well, adios till the next post! Do keep dropping in your lovely messages! XO

NATIONAL TRUST HISTORIC HOTELS WELCOMES BRAZILIAN COURT IN PALM BEACH

Citing its history and ambiance, the Brazilian Court, a condominium-hotel that is a favorite Palm Beach landmark, has joined the National Trust Historic Hotels of America, under the auspices of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. There are 200 hotels and resorts in the US that the organization acknowledges for preserving and maintaining historic integrity, architecture and ambience. Built in 1926, and designed by Rosario Candela (who built luxurious Manhattan apartments) the hotel’s south wing was added by Maurice Fatio and William Treanor in 1936. Multi-million dollar improvements were made, starting in 2002 and are now in the final phase. A central see-through lushly landscaped courtyard links the marbled lobby on Australian Avenue with an arched portico on Brazilian Avenue. A barrel-tile roof is accented with cantilevered wrought-iron balconies. The interior “speaks of Provence,” and complements the hotel’s Tuscan-villa roots. Stars who stayed there include Gary Cooper, Greta Garbo, Tommy Lee Jones and designer Bob Mackie and Marjorie Merriweather Post. Featured in the hotel are Café Boulud and the Frederic Fekkai Salon and Spa.

Though we gotta say goodbye...

for a couple of weeks..

Darlings I promise you this

I'll send you all my love

Every couple of days in a post

Sealed with a kiss!

I am traveling to Boston (Cambridge) and London in the coming two weeks, and will be very busy with work ... hence the above ditty! I promise to keep dropping in a line or two, or share with you something unique which catches my eye...but most likely its going to be sporadic.

In the meantime:
New readers: do look through the archives for design inspiration..
Old friends: there are some excellent blogs listed on the left..
All: do keep dropping in a 'hi' or a 'hello'! :-)


Leaving you with something that I been looking at, and admiring, then looking at again, and then sighing, and so on and so forth!
If I ever needed to set up a home office, this is what it would look like! Me on the couch facing the window, and a laptop on my lap...and my 'office' is all set ;-)

[From: 30elm.com]

And, do tell me if you like the selections for this week (in the left pane)?

P.S: Does any one have any recommendations for unique shopping experience in Cambridge [apart from the univ shops and Galleria]? Thanking you profusely in advance for any tips!

Bonsai Juniper

My Bonsai died. Some loving green thumb compared the pokie friend to a watermelon because you shouldn't water these plants like you would, say, a tomato plant. Don't let them dry up, but don't soak; Their fruits seek out the water to become their sweetest. Their sweetness is a direct result of thirst. Nice analogy...The thirst is within all of us to create, to bring into existence the unique pieces of our inner world. Learn from the fruits, to seek the water and never stop yearning. Alive again.

kiss the infinite

In Daniel 7:2, the four winds of Heaven stir up the great sea...

Stillness creates love. Movement creates life.
To be still and still moving, is everything.

"The still waters of a lake reflect the beauty around it. When the mind is still, the beauty of the Self is seen reflected in it." —BKS Iyengar

Farah Mahbub

Farah Mahbub, an immensely talented photographer and a faculty member at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, is from Pakistan. Her site is a delight - both visually and from a content perspective for people who are keen on photography.

Presenting here some of her photographic gems, focused on heritage architecture from India and Turkey:

Clock wise from top left: Detail from Delhi Red fort; Hauz Khas, Delhi; Red fort again

Ali Darwaza, Delhi; next two from Jami Masjid, Ahmedabad; Siddi Saiyad Mosque, Ahmedabad

From Turkey: Ysel Cami-Bursa; NurosmaniyeMosque; Suley maniyeMosque; Dolmabahce Palace

Cappadocia, Turkey; By the road side in Turkey; Lodhi Garden in Delhi; Busra, Turkey

[All images and information from Farah Mahbub]

I wanna fall from the stars...

Straight into your arms..

All I want is a room somewhere....

umm...maybe not!

If you notice the 'I want to be here' image on the left

You would know what is catching my fancy this week

Just give me a bed and a piece of sky

and some million stars to gaze at..

That's what I want...

Sunrise on my pillow?


And this is from where the above view has been viewed!


Sometimes, I get cheetahs for company as I count sheep
(and I think: do the cheetahs have vested interest in counting sheep with me?)


Never far away from the gentle lap of ocean to nudge me into slumber..


With cheetahs, you might get mosquitoes too! Not a problem... dreamy mosquito nets solve all my outdoor sleeping problems!


Ah! I spy a hut behind just in case it rains!


3/4th of a cave...works for this cave woman!

Nothing.

Nothing at all between that absolutely personal and peaceful conversations I sometimes need to have with the über architect who resides amongst the stars...

I, I feel you

Hope you comprehend

[Stars by Simply Red]

[Images in order from top: 1st two are from Loisaba, Kenya; Wolwedans, Nambia; Voyages lizard island, Australia; Wolwedans again; Tarkuni, South Africa; Kagga Kamma, South Africa; Wolwedans]

YOUR RENTAL CAR MAY PAY TURNPIKE & BRIDGE TOLLS WITHOUT USING SUNPASS


Customers of Avis, Budget and Hertz will pay daily fees of $2-$2.50 using “Plate-Pass” with charges billed to credit card of renter. “Rent-A-Tollpass” can be used with Dollar and Thrifty for a flat daily fee of $5.95 per rental day or $27.95 weekly with all toll charges included. These agreements are between Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise and American Traffic Solutions and Rent A Toll, Ltd. License plate information will identify the vehicles and electronically collect the toll. In it’s current newsletter, SunPass states that open road tolling will soon be available in 4 turnpike plazas – Lantana, Cypress Creek, Bird Road and Homestead Toll Plaza with plans to add this feature to other turnpike plaza areas. This will entail removal of the concrete islands (barriers, gates and columns) and adding new toll equipment structures and equipment so that cards with SunPass transducers can keep traveling at speeds of 55 mph instead of the current designated speed limit of 25 mph. Go to http://www.sunpass.com/ to update your license plate, check account balance, replenish your account, update your contact info and answer survey questions. Did you know that Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise invested $7.5-MM for generators for all service plazas giving full power for 72 hours without refueling, for use during hurricanes, and has external defibrilators available? Construction updates and real-time traffic info is available at http://www.floridasturnpike.com/. Another site for traffic info is http://www.traffic.com/.

2 of 3 Givens Row Townhomes being demolished - 2903 & 2905 Delmar

Update: Only one townhouse remains standing Givens Row. Photo 10-23-07.
____________________________________________________

At Delmar & T E Huntley two small rows of historic townhouses on the southeast & northeast corners stand in contrast to newer rental townhouses built in the early 1980's. All of the historic townhomes on the southeast corner were rehabbed and incorporated into the newer development, but unfortunately on the northwest corner, only one of three remaining townhomes was included. The three limestone faced townhomes are know as Givens Row, which was built in 1884 by Joseph Givens, who would later donate the funds to build Givens Hall at Washington University.
One hundred twenty two years later, in 2006 the townhome closest to the corner, which is owned by Noble Development (one of Paul McKee's slumlord shell companies) a fire occurred on November 30th, less than two months after the property changed hands. The fire was confined to the third floor of the townhouse, but also spread to the roof of the middle unit, which has been owned by LRA since 1996. The fire caused fairly minor damage, which could have easily been repaired/re-built. The two buildings are currently being demolished. Only the third unit at 2907 Delmar will remain. Givens Row was added to Landmarks Association's list of most endangered buildings not long after the fire. The November/December 2006 newsletter gives a more detailed history of the row.


Photos from the rear show little to no fire damage in other portions of the buildings being demolished.

Photo of the row after the fire

Close-up of the limestone detailing around the windows

Kingdom in the Himalayas

Travel to an ancient land

some yaks and a moon away...

Reach the Kingdom of Bhutan

Guided by prayer flags

Arrive at our destination, Zhiwa Ling

Shining like a jewel in the mountains

Climb up the steep walkway as you admire the lattice work..

But wait till you see what is inside!

Beautiful intricate work by local artisans

With a painting thrown in for good measure

Looks even more beautiful up close..

After the visual feast, rest yourself on the chairs

Or the ornamental chaise

And get ready to slumber

So that you are awake to experience the magic of the night
We all are waiting to hear from you..
how did you like our kingdom?




Bhutan,
A kingdom in the Himalayas
East of India

Visit here for more information

Image Credits:
All hotel images: Ziwa Lingh Hotel
Other snaps from Trek Earth (Michael Perfilov and Michael DF)
Map from Bhutan Tourism