NAPA VALLEY BARN TOUR

THE RED POLE BARN AT ROUND POND

I am happy to be participating in the annual Napa Valley Barn Tour this weekend.  It is hosted by Preservation Napa Valley www.preservationnapavalley.org/upcomingevents/2011barntour.html.  The barn tour highlights a variety of Napa Barns and sites of interest.  The Hub barn this year is Round Pond's www.roundpond.com Beautiful pole barn.  The barn is a spectacular, large and very linear space;    architectural clarity and simplicity at its finest.  The hub barn hosts speakers, a brunch, and entertainment and is the jumping off point for the tour.  I have put together an "Art Lounge".  I used some of the agricultural posts that were stacked in the barn as a backdrop.  A barn inspired white on white panel constructed of perforated and sculpted wood strips.  A large zinc and mesh clad light fixture hangs from the rafters above.  The large low slab table is made from used French Oak dominoes (used to flavor wine).  A crate chair and route blanc sling back chair anchor the two ends and a long dark bench curbs the other.  A pair of hefty white bowls from Pope Valley artist Richard Carter www.richardcarterstudio.com rests on the table.  I hope you can make it.  If not be sure to get on the mailing list for next years event.

                                                                  THE ART LOUNGE

WHITE PANEL, MESH AND ZINC, FRENCH OAK, RICHAR CARTER BOWLS

                                                                     CRATE CHAIR

                                                                   WHAT A SPACE!

                                                           DETAIL OF WHITE PANEL

OUTSIDE IN

GROOVY?

                                               

A good friend who happens to make some very nice wine advivumcellars.com/ad_vivum_wine dropped of a stack of used French Oak the other day.  I am grateful to have friends that look after me in that way/participate in my obsession to turn one thing into another.  Pieces like I had not seen before.  They were long square profile block like beads strung on heavy fishing line.  They are used when fermenting wine in stainless tanks to impart some oak flavor.  Immediately I had found the material I had been seeking for a door screen/filter that I had envisioned for the door from our bath onto the front loggia/poolside.  I rounded up some antique african trade beads and some other beads made from recycled cut and sandblasted plate glass and voila the screen was made.  The rubber barrel bungs and steel weights hang at the base, the wood oak blocks still with residue/patina and accumulation due to use in the process of winemaking are interspersed with the random glass chunks.  It filters the light, gives some privacy and adds to the the ceremony of going through a door.

I still remember moving into a house bought by my parents as a child that had a very old set of strung shell curtains hung between a doorway.  I remember the sound and sensation of passing through that opening.  I also come back to memories of living in Provence and passing old farmhouses with the "chenille" hanging in the front doorways.   There it was a way of keeping what flying critters there were out of the doorway while still allowing some light and airflow.  It is a very simple thing but I am reminded that as a person who makes things and designs things I/we have the opportunity to impart simple pleasures that effect the process of our everyday lives and enrich that encounter.  It is clear to me that impression can be meaningful and lasting.

Thanks Chris