Contemporary fine-art photographers of the New England vernacular

This holiday season I offer you the gift of eye-candy from some of my favorite regional fine-art photographers. They each capture the often stark and stunning beauty of the buildings and places we know as home in New England. For a real treat, I encourage you to visit their websites and browse their online galleries.

photo by Alison Shaw, courtesy of her websiteAlison Shaw's name is familiar to many Vineyarders. She's been an inspiration since her early days in black and white.

photo by Ben Staples, courtesy of his websiteNorth Shore photographs by Ben Staples are riveting.

photo by Jeffery Becton, courtesy of his websiteDigital montages by Jeffery Becton can take your breath away.

"White Window" by Katherine Drew Dilworth, courtesy of her websiteKatherine Drew Dilworth's work often combines the tactile with the visual to wonderful effect. (Plus, she's a fabulous friend.)

"Round Church Door" by Tom Way, courtesy of his website.For years, I held on to a note card I bought which had this photo by Tom Way on the front. I simply couldn't part with the image. Who would want to?

"Fish Shack, Maine" by John G. Kelley, courtesy of his websiteI find John G. Kelley's photography and words particularly compelling.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Napkin sketches of home

by Zach, age 9Architects and designers are known for communicating ideas with quick scribbles on whatever scraps of paper they can find.

Inspiration may strike when sharing a cup of coffee, a snack, or a meal, so a nearby paper napkin is often the most convenient vehicle for the latest brainstorm. Plus, a paper napkin is so clearly ephemeral and, as such, often frees the artist from treating an idea as something precious or final. Sketching on a napkin can allow ideas to flow uninhibited.

With this thought in mind, I've been asking folks, young and old, to share napkin sketches which express their ideas about "home".

The sketches could be somewhat representational, depicting known or desired home plans, elevations, perspectives or sections. Or they could be more conceptual, conveying meanings of home. It's up to the artist to decide.

This "napkin sketch of home" includes a lengthy key which is transcribed here:

1.  Theater
2.  Bedroom w/flat screen tv & projector
3.  Bathroom
4.  Bar
5.  Bowling Alley
6.  Go-Cart & Track
7.  Indoor Pool
8.  Guest Room for 3
9.  Science Lab
10. Pizzeria
11. Star Wars Battle Field

I would love to see a "napkin sketch of home" created by you, your family, and/or friends. Please submit sketches via a scan or photo to Katie@katiehutchison.com for possible inclusion in the series. Include the artist's name and age, and a title for the sketch, if there is one. Share your ideas of "home".

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Web neighbor: greenGoat

Recently, I received a random email which I was prepared to ignore until I saw a curiously named organization in the subject line: greenGoat. I have a thing about goats -- goat cheese, actually. So, I hesitated before clicking "delete". Any one who knows me well has heard me natter on about goat-cheese camp. No, I don't know of a goat-cheese camp; I aim to find one, though. But, I digress. I clicked through the email to find out about greenGoat

Turns out, it has a comendable mission. According to their website, "GreenGoat boosts building efficiency through conservation measures that lower disposal costs, increase energy efficiency, manage storm water runoff, and improve building performance."

What really grabbed my attention was a 2005 article from the Wellesley Townsman which described greenGoat as "a nonprofit organization that works with architects, contractors, manufacturers and homeowners to recycle gently used building materials into other structures and donate larger appliances to families in need".

Brilliant! As the market has shifted away from new construction towards renovations in the past few years, there's been a growing need for an efficient, environmentally responsible, and meaningful way to recycle or reuse building materials, cabinetry, and/or appliances. Apparently, greenGoat has been in position to address that need since Amy Bauman founded it in 2001. I wish I'd been aware of it sooner, but better late than never. 

What a great way to help save the planet and contribute to another family. Plus, there's a financial incentive to include the Somerville-based greenGoat in your renovation process. Participating homeowners receive a tax credit for donations and save on dumping fees.

Spread the word about greenGoat "saving more than money".

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Entry-stoop design tips

Image excerpt from Fine Homebuilding Drawing Board column about entry stoopsPick up the December 2010/January 2011 issue of Fine Homebuilding to see my latest "Drawing Board" column titled "Problem-solving entry stoops". 

In it, I illustrate both lower and taller stoops, a few with limited access, and one ideal (illustrated to the left) which includes porch-like, built-in seating. No matter your home's style, a thoughtfully designed entry-stoop can make a positive first impression.

View a PDF of the column here. Issue #216, December 2010/January 2011.  Reprinted with permission copyright 2010, The Taunton Press, Inc.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Design snapshot: Distinctive bay window with a view

A bay window like this embellishes an exterior elevation and creates an appealing nook on the interior from which to enjoy a stunning view. 

This one-story addition has the look of a beautifully enclosed porch. The cross-braced, half-wall suggests a guard rail, now infilled with vertical boards. The overall assembly has porchiness.

Corbelling beneath the bay softens the transition from the brick wall below to the projecting bay above, known as an oriel. There's something organic about how this oriel bulges out from the plane of the adjacent walls. It offers distinctive personality, bonus space, and a clear view beyond the confines of the primary structure. It's a keeper.

Read more about bays in an article I wrote and illustrated a few years ago for The Journal of Light Construction, available on the JLC website.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast