peter townsend's vancouver real estate blog

Barcelona chair by Mies Van der Rohe

You have probably seen it a thousand times and chances are, sat in several. You might even be lucky enough to own one. It seems that these days, no home staging would be complete without one. Mies van der Rohe's most famous landmark work is probably the Chrysler building in New York, but could the 50's chair be his most defining legacy? "Less is more..."  quote: mies van der rohe

Knock off Designer chairs anyone?

Being a huge fan of contemporary architecture and furniture, I'm always intrigued (and tortured) by the rational behind buying "knock-off" or copies of design classics. Please don't get me wrong, I totally understand the economics of it and have myself gone down that route before. However I realised, ultimately, the only person I was really cheating was myself. After seeing this video from Designer furniture gurus Fritz Hansen I'm convinced that saving up for the real item is the only way!

Find Your Architectural Style...

 

(exterior design by raleigh architect, Coffee with an Architect)

Being in my business one can't help but take an interest in Architecture. Well, my interest goes slightly further than that, as growing up, becoming an architect was one of my "dream jobs". Hence my obsession with all things architectural.

Continuing on with the theme of house building, those of you in the process of building or considering building a home in Vancouver, might find this amusing blog article from "coffee with an architect" on Houzz.com 

 

Tom Kundig on Design, Sustainability and the Importance of Sharing!

Naturally, I get to drive around quite a bit and so I am always excited to see new, contemporary homes being built. We are lucky to live in an amazing location with challenging but stunning topography that I feel, deserves outstanding world class architecture.

One of my favorite architects, Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig architects, is virtually a local, but to my knowledge has not yet been commissioned to design a residence here on the North Shore. If you are thinking of building, maybe you should give him a call...if you are still looking for the right lot to build on then of course you should call me.

From Bricks to Blank pages: Lego meets Hemingway's Ledgendary notebooks

 

Despite being inseperable from my iphone like any other professional person these days, I always have my trusty moleskine notebook with me when I meet a client for note-taking on the fly. Far from being a "Luddite", it just feels right and keeps my handwriting skills on par with my keyboard and touchscreen typing.

Need a Superhero in the your kid's bedroom?

I've always been a big DC comics fan, so absolutely love this idea:

Have you ever wanted to jazz up your kid’s room, incorporating their favorite characters without going to the extremity of having a wall mural painted? Curtains and bed linen is a good start but could lack the impact of a wall piece. A perfect solution is in statement posters and furniture application, like these implemented by Italian company Cia International, they’re bright and bold so the kids will love them!

Cia International have used DC Comics superheroes, the hugely popular Hello Kitty brand, and more in creating fun spaces for children to sleep, play and study. read more

Palm Springs Modernism week: February 16-26, 2012

For those of you who love Palm Springs and love contemporary architecture there is no better time to visit than Modernism week February 16, 2012.

Modernism Week is an exciting 11-day celebration of mid-century modern design, architecture, and culture in Palm Springs, California. This design aesthetic originated in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, and was typified by clean, simple lines which came to define desert modernism.

Modernism Week is filled with a variety of events including architectural tours, films, lectures, an architectural symposium, educational events, and chic, fun parties in cool mid-century modern homes and boutique hotels. For more info and to visit the website click here, If you would like to know more about contemporary homes here on the North Shore, just give me a call: 604 218 2903.

Scottie's renovating West vancouver #5

With the 2011 Christmas holidays just over, I have to admit I have not managed to keep up with my friend Scottie as he completes his "from the studs up" reno on his mid-century modern home in West Vancouver's Eagle Harbour. Last time we spoke, the reno was proving even more arduous as build and reno projects for clients had naturally taken precedent over the renovation and transformation of his own home. Still, the good news is, for those of you that really care, he was able to enjoy the holidays with a fully functioning kitchen and experience the warmth and comfort afforded to him via his stunning underfloor heating system!

The perfect Christmas gift for your coffee table...

One of my favourite current architects, and practically a local boy. A great gift for your coffee table...

Scottie's renovating West Vancouver #4

August is nearly over, so I thought it time to pay a nother visit to my designer friend Scottie, to update myself on the progress of his West Vancouver project: The renovation and modernisation of a mid-century modern home close to Eagle Harbour. The "back to the studs" reno is proving arduous to say the least for Scottie as it's his own home and work carries on regardless, whilst he also continues to oversee projects for his own clients.

The last time I passed by, a large part of the new foundations were still visible, the outside structure and back of the roof line was incomplete and the rear of the house was completely open to the elements and protected by a stunning blue tarp....things have definitely changed!

I'm happy to report that things have really come on in the month that has passed. Concrete floors have been poured over the in-floor heating tubes, electrics and plumbing are all roughed in and the roof, windows and doors are now all in place!