Progress Report _ life is good!

I know i haven't been posting as regularly as I would like to, but today I am writing to confirm and express that I am THANKFUL, GRATEFUL AND HAPPY. My little family is happy and healthy. Work is busy but awesome. All in all I would be acting like a spoiled brat if I didn't admit that life is good!

Currently I am venturing into some new territory with a small project that I am attempting. I am doing this project under my R.chitect Studio logo, but it has absolutely NOTHING to do with architecture. Perhaps the reason I market my studio as an architecture, decor and graphic service.

This project might be the result of running a business from home and being a full time mom. All I can reveal at the moment are a few works in progress... watch this space!

Have a happy and good week dear readers!

Thank you goes a long way

I received such a sweet thank you message from one of my clients last night and it reminded me why I love my job so much. I enjoy the entire process - from the coffee dates and meetings in the beginning (I call this the dream phase) until the day the client actually moves into the space. But it is when you receive a message like this 3 months after they've moved in that you know the project was a success and only then can you really feel good about the design.

When a client initially moves into a new space they are still in a honeymoon phase as everything is new and exciting and they are usually quite happy. Only once they've actually lived in and used the space for a while will they really be able to tell you what they think and when you get a satisfied client at this stage you know you can relax - a very good feeling indeed!

I am the type of person that thrives and excels on a "pat on the back" and this lack of recognition when you are working on your own is sometimes difficult and a bit demotivating. Therefore this message received last night was beyond  meaningful but also inspiring and motivating for my current projects at hand.

I quote an extract from the message that made me so happy:

"Thank you for today and all your input on the project.It was a pleasure!  

You have a light Rochelle, use it!"

Not only was this a great message to receive it also reminded me how being thankful can positively influence other people's lives - to never underestimate the power of words and always try to brighten up someone's day!

owning the space that you're in

it is monday morning and i am sitting in my office for the first time this year!! up until now i have been working from our dining room as i just haven't gotten round to organising and sorting out my space! its funny how you put yourself and your own needs last when there is a husband, a toddler and a growing little one inside of you!

i had a quick checkup with my doctor this morning and so far all is set for next week thursday, i am most eager to meet the little guy and find out what secrets he has been hiding from us the past nine months!

i must admit its nice sitting in my own space again - it feels like i am twice as productive in here and like i am a lot more focused on the various tasks at hand. lesson learned and a little advice to pass on - if you are working for yourself or from home, create a dedicated workspace for yourself, it will ensure more productive work sessions and create a stable work ethic. possibly a bit late to only realise all of this now, but now that i know this i don't think i will forget it again.

have a look at my "thinking about my home office" pinterest board for some great and clever inspirations.

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working"

Pablo Picasso

have a great week all you lovelies xoxo

a work in progress

for me my everyday life is always a work in progress, i don't think i can ever say something is 100% complete/ perfect...perhaps a personality trait, perhaps normal? i am constantly moving furniture around, swapping positions of paintings or ornaments and my friends know that there will always be some small change in our house when they come to visit.

this morning i am frantically trying to get a sketch design finished on a house that i am working on and just as i start saving some of the 3d views i realise i want to change something again - my normal! but oh so frustrating. i am not sure if this sort of behavior is really favorable or a mere waste of time, but i have learnt to deal with this by setting deadlines and dates of delivery, especially for work, otherwise i will never get anything done. 

i have started playing with the new nursery, but i am well aware that even here things will still undergo drastic changes, will post more on this soon.

this quote makes me feel better about it!

“I feel I change my mind all the time. And I sort of feel that's your responsibility as a person, as a human being – to constantly be updating your positions on as many things as possible. And if you don't contradict yourself on a regular basis, then you're not thinking.” 

― Malcolm Gladwell

have a great weekend lovelies xoxo

Just another day at the home-office

It is a beautiful, crisp winter's day in Joburg and it is always great to be out and about on days like these! As I so often write, my days consist of trying to successfully balance being a professional architect that delivers a professional architectural service and trying to be the prefect mother and wife to my family.

With a busy schedule, that sometimes keeps me away from the house for longer than planned, there are days where I cannot wait to get home and give my little Antonlief a cuddle. The last few weeks have been particularly busy and I would give anything for a lazy afternoon where I can give my full attention to my boy! I think sometimes because I did not make the decision to fully return to work, with an off site office and fixed office hours, I can easily feel like I am failing as a stay-at-home mom. Mixing playtime with me typing an email / reading a client brief or the like is not ideal, but I suppose I should also realise that the mere fact that I can spend some time with him during the day is a very big blessing!

Everyday spent with this little creature is an adventure and sometimes I wish that I didn't have to juggle him among the other aspects of life. But it is this life that keeps me sane and probably makes me a better (and more interesting) mother to him in the end. Through his eyes I have learnt to appreciate all the small and almost forgotten elements of everyday life again. With him by my side I am learning to be more effective with my time spent in the office or on site and to properly indulge in my free time!

Antonlief the best business partner EVER!

Progress report _ Ashford house

I have just started a new project and it is going to be a NICE one! It is the first time that I am working with an Interior designer and contractor right from the beginning of the process and I have a feeling it will steer the project into an interesting direction.

The house that we are working on is regarded as a heritage building because it is older that 60 years and this puts a few restraints on what we can and cannot change or alter in the building. This said, the previous owners made a few disasterous alterations that we will aim to rectify now. It is a lovely old Joburg home that just needs a bit of tender loving care in order to restore it to its former glory.

To give you an idea of what we are looking at; here are some before pictures... I will keep you posted as the project progress.

I know this doesn't look like much, but this is what makes the project all that exciting!
Look at some of the existing old charm inside the house.

Have a look at Form Interior's website to see the inspiring design element Erica Schalkwyk brings to the project!

Learning a new dance

After my extended absence from my, what used to be, normal life I am focusing on a new dance. Currently I am busy figuring out how to juggle work, life, family and love in a balanced manner and  one of my main aims is to get a decent grasp on my work again.What started out as stolen moments when Anton was napping or entertaining himself is now becoming a bigger part of my everyday again. At least I am working from home so although I am spending more and more time in front of my computer I do not feel like I am neglecting time with my precious son.

My work load is slowly picking up, but my main focus is currently on a residential project that is already under construction - a very exciting adventure for me and some close friends. I will post a bit more about this project soon.

For now, some inspiration for myself while I am learning the steps of this new dance I call life...

From here

From here

Something I strive for! From here

Dreaming

Hello dear readers, I am wishing you an inspiring day in which your dreams and wishes may be fulfilled!

From here

I have little over a month left before the end of my working year for 2012 and the husband and I start a 3 week road trip down to Cape Town and along the Garden route. The light at the end of the tunnel, as some might say, is growing brighter en bigger. Happiness!

Worded Inspirations

From here

Have a good Wednesday dear readers!

Architectural Inspirations

Some architectural inspirations to swoon over today!

Exterior:

Interior:

This reminds me of my own kitchen - loving it!

All images from here

The work we do

Worded inspiration for today:

From here

Interior Inspirations

As mentioned previously, I am working on a residential project at the moment. We are now at the stage where the basic planning is just about done and we are moving into the detail and finishes design of all elements. I found some great interior inspirations and thought it would be nice to share, perhaps I inspire some of you.

Great kids-room inspiration from here

An amazing bookshelf! From here

Kitchen inspiration, from here

Bedroom inspiration, from here

Have a lovely week dear readers!

Architectural Inspirations

I have just started the very exciting journey of designing a new residential project. FUN!!!

I have been working on the project for almost 2 weeks now and it seems like yesterday the creative juices finally started to flow - as this project has a clear brief and design direction it is easy to know which path to take, but some visual inspiration can go a long way!

Here are some amazing houses for inspiration... drool!!

Luxurious and Contemporary Home Design with Internal Garden green inspiration.

From here

I love the clean lines and uncluttered planning of this Contemporary House by Dom Arquitectura in Menorca, Spain. I especially like the timber deck and the pool!

Both images from here

Some interior inspiration; I LOVE this mezzanine level / bridge with the expressed exposed timber detail!

From here

The combination of a white plasterboard and strip timber ceiling brings great dimension to an open plan room.

From here

There might be more of this type of post to follow in the coming weeks and months, but as I dig deeper into the design of the house the detail and topic of discussion will definitely change!

Have a good day dear readers!

Setting up shop

This new adventure of starting my own business and operating as my own boss comes with a few added extras... company name? logo? business type? email and domain account? business cards? market related fee and billing structures? time management? internet? printers? and trust me, this list can go on and on!

I am in the process of finalising the company name that I will be operating under and with the help of a few designer friends I am hoping to have my own uber cool logo soon :) - more on this to be posted soon.

Today I am posting a few really nice business card inspirations - as this is something on my to-do list too...

They say word of mouth is your best form of marketing...why not make it a bit easier for your promoters:

From here

I really like these personalised cards!

From here

Business cards that speak about what you do:

From here

From here

So exactly what I am doing or the approach and direction I am following is still unclear...this is but the beginning.

Getting rid of the clutter

Hello dear readers - lets hope this week is better and runs more smoothly than last week!

This week I am getting rid of clutter, literally and figuratively!

No more clutter!! From here

 Stock-taking and spring-cleaning in March you may ask, well its pretty simple actually! As my work situation will be changing soon I am doing exactly this - spring-cleaning my study (my soon to be office) and stock-taking on life and getting rid of the clutter.

Now although this exercise includes boxes of unwanted and unneeded "stuff" to be removed from my house it also includes getting rid of the time consuming clutter of my everyday life. I am saying goodbye to procrastination, StumbleUpon, too much blog reading (can't give this up completely!) and all other time consuming nonsense!

The biggest hurdle of this exercise is saying goodbye to my very special and dearly loved Pinterest account - I've decided to this because it has literally become an addiction and consumes too much of my time - personal and work time! SAD!! But I think it is a good move!

Aiming to be more like this! From here

Today I am saying hello to order, time-management and self-discipline (with a bit of blog-loving and writing in between!)

Wishing you a lovely week!!

DIY Thursday_ Spinning in a new direction... continued

Today I am standing in front of the end of a chapter and staring at the white pages of a new one. The words to be written here will be completely navigated by faith in change and a dream of being independent.

I am excited and thrilled by the prospects of things to come.

So what am I DIY'ing today you might ask; well its actually quite simple!

I am DIY'ing my life! 

I have just resigned and will be starting my own thing as an Architect and designer as of 1 April 2012.

Perhaps I will need to draw some inspiration from my own pinterest board of dreamy office spaces to inspire my new work space at home! EXCITING!!!!!

So although I can't really post a step by step DIY tutorial today, I can tell you this - start by reassessing your current situation, your work environment and your general well being - if you can't, with certainty, say that you are happily satisfied, ask the next question - "where would I rather be"... and then start taking active steps to bring change to your situation!!

Have a good day dear readers!

Spinning in a new direction

When I started this week on Monday I did not foresee exactly what this week will bring. So as I am sitting here today realising that my world, as I know it, is spinning in an unexpected direction I am filled with a feeling of excitement and exhilaration for what may come...

From here

I will post more on this topic soon!

For now, a quote that I am drawing some inspiration from today:

From here

Have a good day dear readers x

Then and Now

As an architect I form part of a team of people who are responsible for shaping, developing and ultimately changing our landscapes. A responsibility that should not be taken lightly!

Look at these then and now shots of famous cities to fully grasp what can be done in only a few years, I actually find it quite scary!

All images from here

San Francisco then and now

Dubai then and now

New York then and now

Probably the most astonishing, as this was done in just 20 years!!

Shanghai then and now

Each to his own

I think this is a very important fact of life that we forget too easily and too often.

Let us be the best that we can be and always strive to allow others to reach their potential too.

Happy Wednesday readers!

Quote for the day

I wish I could have this printed on post-its and stick it on all the idiots and unnecessarily rude people's backs, cars and foreheads when needed.

source

This is me venting (in case you were wondering.)