Handcrafted Modern Europe Preview Slideshow/March 7 in SF!

daily life/I don't make u-turns for photos...

...but I just did for this one.
I was driving home from getting a coffee and glanced over at my favorite house in our neighborhood (the original farmhouse for our hill in Diamond Heights) and saw this hawk just perched there. I said out loud (in the car by myself) "are you kidding?!?" and I flipped a U-y. I was sure I would have scared him away by coming close but he was watching something in the grass and just looked at me. We stared at each other for awhile, actually. As we did, his chest feathers were blowing in the breeze and I could see how soft and downy they were. Wow...I really needed that!!
The Kickstarter is rolling along with a lot of tending and emails (pledge here, there is still aways to go!) and I am doing a bunch of slideshow talks and I am continuing to work on writing and perfecting the chapters of my book. It is a lot to handle for me alone. I know these are all wonderful opportunities to share my work that I love with people, so I focus on that, but still, I admit I am scattered. So my moments with this hawk just helped put me back in place - with the cycles of life and the simple things that are important...and I really needed that.
The hawks have actually been riding the air currents above our house a lot lately and I watch them then too...but that is another story.
Have a lovely day my friends. Take a moment to stop and be still. It really helps sometimes.

This Friday, March 1/Slideshow & Lecture/Eichler Speaker Event in Lucas Valley!

Have I mentioned I am doing a couple of lecture/slideshows? I probably haven't because things have been a bit busy with the Kickstarter and writing my new book. But it finally dawned on me the other day. The first talk is Friday in San Rafael!!! And all of a sudden I got so excited! I love sharing my work and talking about all these wonderful people and homes with all of you. So please come! I will be sharing a small sneak preview of my new book in support of the Kickstarter and Regina Connell, founder of Handful of Salt, with be asking me some questions. And apparently there are tacos! Here is all the info. I look forward to seeing you all.

scenes from Antwerp/light and sound

This was my view out my window in Antwerp when I was there last September. I have been saving it for awhile because I shot a series of views out to this square and I wanted to run them all together, but I just haven't had the time to do that. And then yesterday, as I was trying to get my head to a place where I could clear away all the thoughts and get to that quiet, true place I have to get to for writing, I heard the sound of these skateboards in my head and I was there. When I  first heard them as I was writing the Julia Kalthoff People Watching post and the sound made me get up and look out the window. It was late afternoon and the sun was raking through the square. Just look at this kid...doesn't he look like he is dancing? Just beautiful...

On another note I'm still plugging away at my Kickstarter for Handcrafted Modern Europe. I am almost half way!! Please take a look and pledge this weekend...and have a good relaxing one while you are at it!  ; )

giacometti/the louisiana museum, copenhagen

I decided to stray for a moment yesterday. I just needed a little mental vacation. So I looked through my images from Copenhagen and rested on this one for along while. Giacometti. Goodness I love him so...

The Kickstarter is ongoing so please do pledge if you are excited about my new book, Handcrafted Modern Europe. And it looks like if you live in San Francisco, you will be able to get a proper sneak preview of the new book. I am planning a sneak preview slideshow! More details soon! March 7. Save the date!

writing/kickstarter...hmmm...

Well, goodness me my friends! Doing a Kickstarter campaign takes a lot of time! I've been back a week and have not written one word for my book since I have been home. Just a heck of a lot of emails (which is fun too).
I am so grateful for all the support thus far, but I still have a long way to go. So please check out the Kickstarter and support in whatever way you can - pledge, tell your friends, all of the above... you get the idea.
Me? I'll get back to writing tomorrow about this place...one of my favorite houses I have ever shot.

love and kickstarter/all items loaded

Well...one more of my beloved heart puddle for your Valentine's Day pleasure. I watched it swell with a bit of rain and then slowly fade during my time in Mendocino. When it wasn't there I would walk past where it would be and still see it in my mind and silently give it a wink.
Today I am just overwhelmed with the amazing support my Kickstarter has received so far. $11,000 in one week is so fantastic! Thank you so much to all my backers. But I still have a long way to go. So please check out my Kickstarter and if you love your copy of Handcrafted Modern, sign up to pre buy your copy of the next in the Handcrafted series - this one of all the European homes.
There is actually a wonderful little interview with me and little film on Handcrafted Modern on the new website All Items Loaded. I am loving this website. Enjoy it and Happy Valentine's Day! xxoo

daily life/back in SF

As many of you know I have been up in Mendocino (see the pics today from my morning walk there) working on writing the essays for my new book for the past few weeks. Well, yesterday I finally drove back over the Golden Gate Bridge and am back home in San Francisco. Frankly, it feels rather strange to be back. Life in Mendocino was basic but focused to one thing...writing my book. And there is a beauty in that simplicity. The second I walked in my door everyday life hit. My ignored overflowing email inbox could no longer be ignored for one thing...
Alas, there is still much to do, most importantly is my Kickstarter campaign to finish the book. I also have a few lectures coming up in early march where I will be sharing a sneak preview of my new book live and in person. (One on march 1 in Nor cal and the other on march 9 in so cal). But for now please check out the Kickstarter and if you loved Handcrafted Modern, I need you to pre buy your copy of Handcrafted Modern Europe. It is going to be a beautiful book.

Kickstarter launched/prebuy my new book!

One of my favorite images of the Aalto house in Helsinki today to mark the launch of my Kickstarter campaign! As many of you know, I have been working away on my new book of architects and designers homes in Europe for the past year. Well, I've gotten as far as I can and I need a bit of help to finish.  So yesterday I officially launched a Kickstarter. If you have been following along and would like to learn more or would like to pre buy your book, please go here and help me get this book to publication. I would be very grateful for your help.
The nice guys over at The OEN also did a nice write up on the project and Kickstarter and I gave them a bit of sneak preview of the Aalto house, so check that out while you are at it.
Have a lovely weekend friends and please help me spread the word of this Kickstarter. I need all your help!  ; )

editing/heartbreaking at times

I swear sometimes editing feels a million tiny little deaths. I keep saying to myself "this is a good problem to have" this many good images, but Ugh! Here is one of my favorites from Gae Aulenti's apartment that I have just reluctantly cut away. Such a beautiful little moment, no?

I continue to write and edit away in this Mendocino cabin. Have a beautiful weekend friends.