R E S O L U T I O N . 2 0 1 1

While walking around the city during the dreary days of winter I often don’t notice much around me as I usually have my gaze fixed on the sidewalk and my sights set on getting indoors as quickly as possible. Fortunately for me, I live in Shanghai; a place where I am constantly surprised by catching a glimpse of something cool and unexpected. This happened to me the other day as I was wandering near Taikang Lu with my son, Otto. We turned a corner and joy filled my heart as I spied this building that was wrapped in the most amazing flower petals. It is the LiuLi China Museum, a structure that houses ancient and contemporary Chinese glass works, but more importantly, it is a structure that fills passer-bys with delight.

There are many things I love about this building – first of all, its whimsy is a refreshing respite from the seriousness of the surrounding architecture. Secondly, the organic grace of the overlapping petal pattern is a most beautiful contrast to the modernist geometry of the building’s skeleton – neither would be as wonderful standing on their own. Lastly, the shifting layers of transparency and varied levels of light as the petals envelop the building and leap up toward the sky make it appear to dance.

Walking by this building reminded me that our built environment truly affects how we feel. It seems that we, as a society, are at a point where the numerous stresses of living through a recession have brought everyone’s spirits to an all time low - we all need to lighten up a bit, especially me! I have taken this as a calling for a brighter, lively and less precious approach to design in this new year – so, next time you hear me whine about a corner not aligning with an opening not aligning with a soffit – please tell me to shut up and remind me of this building, and the importance of my new years resolution to create spaces that enliven people’s everyday moments.

R O O F . T I L E . R E-U S E

I have always been intrigued by things made of re-used and re-purposed materials. The allure is not merely that “re-use” is “green” – but that building something out of a material meant for a different use often leads to unexpected and inspiring results – something that has never really been seen, yet is vaguely familiar.

In the old canal town of Zhujiajiao, located on the outskirts of Shanghai, my design sense and love of architecture was aroused when I came upon this outdoor courtyard. The floor was constructed of re-purposed roof tiles, the kind that grace many of the ancient tiled roofs throughout China. These tiles were installed on their side and buried to create a smooth, durable walking surface with a pattern so familiar and intricate, yet delightfully unexpected, that my heart skipped a beat.

As I continued to stroll the crumbling sidewalks of this town, I could not stop thinking about how else, and where else, one could re-purpose this type of roof tile. A material such as this - whether recycled or purchased new - is inexpensive, widely available, and offers a warm color and natural texture that would be a welcome sight in many houses or gardens. An accent wall or free-standing partition in a Northern California home, constructed of battered, burnt-orange terra cotta tiles, could be the perfect modern accoutrement for the traditional Spanish architecture that is so prevalent in this area. An age-old material with a new use, separating and creating space with and intricate pattern that offers tiny glimpses into the spaces beyond.

S T E E L . P E N N I E S

Many of our design projects deal with infusing old buildings with modern style and function. We are constantly looking for ways to bridge the gap between old and new - to compliment and contrast the unique beauty of each. Ideally, the result is one that generates a new way of using the space and an updated aesthetic that is decidedly modern but completely harmonious with its more traditional components.

Over the last four years we have had the creative pleasure of helping a friend to design new interior spaces for her pristinely restored Victorian. Once again we were presented with the challenge of merging traditional and modern architecture. While choosing a backsplash material for her kitchen, we came across a perfect tile, one that speaks to “old” and “new” in a poetic way. Stainless steel penny rounds – a traditional type of tile from the days of our Great Grandmothers’ bathrooms, yet made of a truly modern material that conjures images of shiny machinery and industrial lofts!

It is rare that a single material comes around that speaks to “old” and “new” in such a significant way. Although these pennies cost a pretty penny, a small amount went a long way in bringing the modern materials of the kitchen together, while at the same time, offering a familiar glimpse into the lives and stories associated with homes of this era.

Tierney Conner Design Studio

P L A N T . P A L E T T E S

Summer is here, the weather is improving (finally) and we find ourselves passing more and more time outdoors! It is no wonder we have been busy designing gardens for the past several weeks – here are a couple of our recent plant palettes that we find truly tantalizing (the upper one is for sun, the lower one is for shade). We love to mix textures and forms within a cool range of colors. Even if you have an established outdoor space, new planting is a stylish and economical way to infuse your home with a breath of fresh air.

C A L L I N G . C A R D

It is customary for foreigners living abroad to have calling cards displaying their families vital statistics; names, phone numbers, email addresses, house address, etc. They can be especially useful here, in Shanghai, where few people speak English and where giving directions to taxi drivers can easily deposit you on the wrong side of the city for the mere tonal mispronunciation of a street name. It is also a prime opportunity to design something cool, communicative and representative of our family. Now, four months into our stay here, we are finally ready to send ours to the press. We unveil M,A & O.

Over time, the need to be expedient has lead me to sign emails and letters with M, A & O (Matt, Anne & Otto). The look and sound of M, A & O grew on us and we decided to use this assemblage of letters as the primary graphic on our calling card. We chose the color red, of course, our favorite color as well what would be the "official" color of China if there were one. We also kind of like the subtle word play of MAO, as in Chairman Mao Zedong, you can't get more Chinese than this tyrannical man who is regarded by most Chinese to have been the savior of the nation. We can't wait to start passing these out to our acquaintances so that they may easily find their way to us and our home.

C A L A C A T T A . I S . N O T . A . C I T Y .

I N . I N D I A

One of my favorite aspects of being in the design profession is getting to live vicariously through our clients.  There is a certain sense of satisfaction and contentment in helping someone else obtain the objects, materials and types of spaces I covet or desire for myself.  

One such material, for me, is Calacatta Marble.  That's Calacatta, not Calcutta.  

There is a luminosity to the milky white marble and a depth in the veining of greys and browns that I find stunning.  Calacatta has a crispness and clarity that some other, more popular varieties of marble can't claim.  It is a material that is simultaneously modern and timeless.   

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all photos from the Davies-Bahrenberg Residence

designed by Tierney Conner Design Studio

S O N G . F A N G . T E A

For the first couple of weeks in our new city, I reverted to drinking coffee first thing in the morning after years of enjoying a steaming glass of tea. I did not bring my favorite tea and my first few attempts to find an equivalent proved unsuccessful. That is, until I came across “Song Fang Maison de The” in my new neighborhood.

There is no shortage of tea in China, as you probably know, so when I strolled by this spot I didn’t pay particular attention to it, until I caught a glimpse of their stunning logo. My eyes were drawn to the colors immediately. Weeks later, I have not grown tired of gazing upon the simple rendition of the tea farmers on the somewhat vintage, somewhat modern colored background.

The graphic approach is the use of simple colors, bold form and an illustrative style that is reminiscent of the Communist Era propaganda posters that are prevalent throughout China. The colors, at first, seem standard, but thinking about it further, I doubt that any other blue and any other red would be as stunning of a combination.

The shop itself is a beautifully restored three level building in the former French Concession. I love, upon first entering the space, to be greeted by the wall of perfectly turquoise tins of tea displaying the logo that I speak so highly of. A view that is simple at first glance, but offers layers of detail once you are closer to it.

The tea is fabulous as well. A perfect earl grey blue (which satisfies my craving for the tea I enjoyed at home) and a Lhasa blend, which is a black tea with oolong and vanilla, have quickly become lone occupants in my empty cabinet. Every time I reach in to retrieve the little turquoise package, so thoughtfully designed, and prepare a cup, I am thoroughly delighted. The pleasure that this beautiful package brings to me is a constant reminder of how design is so important to all the little things that make up our daily life.