Design without Drawing?

I had a discussion with a design professional the other day. He was saying that he overheard a seminar of designers talking about the act of drawing and how it’s attached to the design process. One designer in the crowd said that they don’t draw, and never have, and didn’t see the importance of it. The rest of the room disagreed, and lumped the skill of drawing directly to the process of design.

I personally, don’t know many designers that can sell a concept to a client without some type of drawing as part of the presentation. It’s a designer’s chance to look at the details, work out standard dims to address budget issues, and check proportion. I depend on my hand, experience and intuition, which comes from putting pen to paper.

When you hire a designer, please appreciate all of the hours that go into lining things up perfectly, into appropriate specifications of FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment), and perspective drawings that show you how the surfaces will work together.

So, I would say WHAT? Design without drawing? How did you arrive at the design plan? How do you get your client to sign off…and where is the joy in the process? I have just seen too many filler panels between bathroom vanities and bathtubs to be convinced otherwise. Work it out on paper first.

Design and Renderings by Michelle Morelan Design, 2008

The Moorage Display Suite

     

The developers who built the Moorage condos in Ucluelet are quality builders. Sometimes builders just particle board a building together to minimum code, with budget driven materials (meaning cheap). Not these guys…there is a quality of work under the drywall that you cannot see. The building references a nautical past, when the town was just a series of boardwalks for fisherman. Long Beach is only 15 minutes away, but a series of hidden beaches around Ucluelet give you the seclusion it’s known for. This show suite was a project I did with local resources and on a shoestring budget, but with some built-in millwork and a plumper budget, you can personalize the space like this-

or more modern, like this…

With a location like this…it’s the perfect getaway close to Vancouver

It’s a place where landscapes like this-

inspire you to create things like this-

“Ucluelet Skies”, Acrylic on Canvas, Michelle Morelan

So, imagine, after a day at the beach collecting shells, kicking back in this chair…looking at this view…hmmm, life is good.

The Moorage Condos are available for sale through JudyGray.com

 

Best, Michelle

Week in Ucluelet

For the last week, I have been hanging out here. It was a nice mini vacation, where I drank cappuccinos, walked dogs, danced, loved worked, drove, shared, and appreciated my life.

It was the week of the most amazing sunsets- the house has south western exposure, so you get the strong winds, and light.

My client set out flower arrangements, for my stay, throughout the house. I chose the bedroom on the top level, with the biggest windows and the best view.

He is a coffee aficionado, and I love having a latte or cappuccino anytime I want.

I love the solid fir stairs and wrought iron railing system that we designed, the Hubberton Forge sconces, and the lined linen drapes on wrought iron hardware.

We used Carrington Beige throughout the house, as I think it compliments the fir nicely. I love the hints of black iron; it grounds the place, and is the masculine to the feminine in the home.

The Penthouse at the Moorage is almost there. The client here wanted a compass star, so I designed a border of the same dark emperador dark marble in mosaic around light emperador in a 12x12 format.

The fireplace is also slab dark emperador marble with a white millwork surround for contrast. Their look is very European, and I helped them tame the busier look. The view of the local boat basin, and fish boats is magical, even in the evening. They are back from Quebec soon, and look forward to moving in :)

Bailey is getting big!

Spencer and Katie- my mom and dad's rescue Scotties

Now I am back, and working on a couple of great new rendering commissions- thanks to my blog, and some great blogger friends who posted my work. Looking forward to sharing those with you.

Spritual Location

My client sent me this beautiful picture taken recently for their contractor's website...isn't it amazing?

The beach and walkway is private, and hosts the most amazing sunsets. The heads of the beams were carved by local First Nations carvers, and gas torches light your way to the beach. An outdoor fireplace inside a little seating niche warms you on the bottom deck level - there are 3 levels of balconies facing the elements and the open ocean, and a beautiful little protected breakfast area with a pond and garden in front. Outdoor speakers make for an even better ambience!

I will be watching the home for them at the end of the month...it's always a treat to run down the walkway to the beach (and up again, which is much more difficult), take a steam shower, make a latte and watch the sunset. It's a beautiful home, but there is also something very spiritual about the area that is intangible.

Best seat in the house

The plan is to walk on Long Beach or the Wick, use the gym in the house, buy fresh produce, take spa baths and steam showers, and just treat myself! I am so looking forward to it.

Long Beach- 10 kms from Ucluelet

Thanks for (what the client and I call) the standing power of refusal you guys!

xoxo

Coastal Cottage

I have been a fan of a particular little Japanese fishing shack on the water in Ucluelet's harbour for a long time, and a few weekends ago, the owner gave me a tour of her home and the darling little cottage she rents out during the warm season. We will be styling it for professional photos soon.

Interior of the cottage; I would keep the interior white, add watery blues and greens, retain the dark floor, and add a larger desk area that faces the water. The owner didn't want me to show pictures of the interior, since it didn't look it's best, so I sketched the intent for you instead. Once we have our styling day, I will share the pictures, and contact info, so you can book a week!

This is the ultimate escape, to bring a great novel, a favorite blanket, and leave your worries behind in the city. Spend the day, walking the beaches and trails listening to the sea lions and gulls. In the evening, enjoy a glass of wine near the fire, and watch the fishing boats go by.

There is a darling little loft up above, and a small kitchen and bathroom at the back. The view is of Port Albion; it's calm, being in the inner harbour.

Ucluelet was a series of cedar walkways with little cedar shacks like this a hundred years ago. It's quite an interesting history...one of First Nations (the Nuchanuth people), Japanese fisherman and their families, and early logging, establishing a resourced based economy.

There are only a couple of these little fishing shacks left, and you are no longer able to build so close to the water, on this side of the peninsula. That's what adds to the charm...and the building is original...grandfathered in, as they say.

Owner's home just up from the waterfront cottage.

The entry to the waterfront cottage...can you imagine the styling possibilities? The owner is actually very savvy, and hangs fishing floats by the front door, and sets out a cute little bench during warm season. You can fish from the dock.

The view out the kitchen window...yes, that is frost on the inside of the windows... brrr.

More to come with this little cottage...

Ucluth Lodge and Spa

There is talk of an adaptive re-use hospitality project in Ucluelet...someone has purchased a great upper harbour fish plant, and wants to keep some original components, and run it as a resort.

I will be pursuing this with everything in me, because in school, this was my thesis project, I grew up there, program requirement have been written (and will gladly be re-written), and most of all, who could be a better match?

The overlook from the spa into the pool area.

Hotel Lobby is the old "box up" area, and where forklifts would turn around and load trucks.

The spa reception area features a seating area with fireplace, large scale imagery on the walls (almost every space features this), and a natural stone floor. Off each side of this space is the entry to the spa, to the pool area and up to more treatment rooms, and a water feature.

The juice bar at the spa mixes leggy and pod like furnishings, natural materials, and features unobstructed views of the inner harbour of Ucluelet. A "Cannery Row" feeling with corrugated tin, and colourful plastics pay homage to the history of the site.

The horizontal siding used throughout gets it's reference from the numerous, utilitarian wood palettes used in the industry. A staircase overlooks the spa area, which features a tidal pool (a submerged glass box adjacent the pool), and is accessed by a second floor sky walk from the main building. The resort also includes a restaurant, a sushi bar, a lounge and a penthouse/corporate retreat.

Does anyone have any miraculous specific marketing ideas they would like to share? I have the name of the purchaser (he used to run my thesis fish plant), but know there are other investors. I just thought you ever so talented business bloggers may have some secret strategies up your sleeves :)

Driving and Winter Sucks!

What a crazy weekend...on Boxing Day we drove to Ucluelet from Vancouver, in white out conditions all the way there. I ended up in a snow bank at the end of my ex's driveway (it's too steep, and I shouldn't have tried it), with a tension headache and neckpains.

But, at the end of the journey, was my mom's; where there was the smell of home cooking, decorations, and where family and friends feasted on salmon, mashed potatoes, homeade apple pie, and and we opened presents...a few days late, but it still felt the same :)

I met Bailey, my sister's new westie puppy; I'll post a pic of her later. Too adorable for words :))

I am sick of this weather...

Moorage Unit 304, Ucluelet

Moorage #304
storage and multi use spaces in 900 sq ft

renderings and interior design by Michelle Morelan, Interior Designer, BID

Where dining room seating is storage, kitchen cabinets stretch to the ceiling, and the DR table doubles as desk space. The stools are backless, and can be tucked away to use the bar as a buffet, allowing the space work for one person or 20.

I know the "Woods" wallpaper from Cole and Sons is overused...but for the context of the space, it really works. Not to overwhelm the space, I have used the grey tree version, and balanced it's busy-ness with white upholstered furniture, and a strong blue on the walls in the main spaces, as well as the laminated glass backsplash.

I am really into white floors recently, and have to do more research about them, but look at the way you can contrast your millwork off of the flooring; or match the two for a seamless transition. Vincente Wolf has influenced me here. I love the way he uses the design principles of form and colour...monochromatic for the most part, but with hints from him on his blog to see more colour soon.

The Moorage is really coming along; millwork is installed in most units, the penthouse clients have all the tiling done, and the show suite is still welcoming visitors on Sunday afternoons. Like all real estate, the prices have been reduced, making them quite a bargain. All have decks, some have front deck spaces, and Phase 2 will offer seasonal accommodation, in a split level layout.

architectural rendering by CI Neilsen Architects, Nanaimo

Phase 2- The Moorage, Ucluelet B.C.

Photo by Graeme Owsianski-graemephoto.com

If you would like to check out the Moorage in Ucluelet, click here. You can look at the show suite photos on my website.