Finishers of fine interiors.
Distinct Blog Distinct TV Distinct on Twitter Distinct on Twitter

Blog

Summer + Mantels = HOT

Randy Orr - Thursday, August 18, 2011

Lime Plaster Mantels in Vancouver

Since it's mid August it only makes sense that Fireplace Mantels would be a hot item this time of year!?
Well they are in Vancouver right now, working on 3 Lime Plaster Fireplaces currently and need to complete by them 26th. Since I will be off on a little R&D down south for a little surprise which I will blog about shortly, once the trip is a little closer.
Until then, remember Lime Plaster is perfect overlay for old or new Mantels when looking to create a Distinct look.







"Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort." -John Ruski

Recent Blog Posts
Contact: info@distinctinteriors.net

p.s. I'm making the effort F & T a little more, so link up and I'll take you into some cool spaces!
And starting Sept, giveaways.

Follow thetilemaster on Twitter http://angrybirdsgamer.com/play-games/angry-birds-online/

Distinct Interiors is a decorative arts company based in Vancouver, British Columbia.


604-739-8447 / info@distinctinteriors.net
Copyright 2005-2011 by Distinct Interiors. All rights reserved.

Via Little Italy in Burnaby

Randy Orr - Thursday, July 14, 2011

Even Grand-mama Loves Lime Plaster Mantels

In one of our recent Mantel projects in Burnaby, a suburb of Vancouver, we were presented with a 'plain jane' marble surround - it wasn't cutting it for interior of the home, nor for Grand-mama.

But we had the cure, since once I was able to explain the process of how we can re-work the existing surround and build onto it and create a new Mantel with Lime Plaster. Lime Plaster from Italy, ...Grand-mama's home land ....we were in!

We created custom legs, a hearth and used Old World profiles on the Mantel header to give it rustic presence with a little European sophistication. We sourced photos of old mantels and new for inspiration, yet came back to the standard of strong legs and a large Mantel header to help build the presence of this piece.

Custom Works

We like creating the 'new school' in Mantels design, but I think it is important to go back to the Old World roots once and a while.

Ciao!

Coming soon, Clean lines : Tadelakt Back-Splashes

A contemporary fireplace surround

Randy Orr - Thursday, June 02, 2011

For a Contemporary Vancouver Home

What is in the mix for a Concrete fireplace surround 18 feet high in this contemporary Home?



Q?

Can you build a 18' high x 6' wide Fireplace Surround made of Concrete inside a finished home?
 
Answer.

Probably not, since the weight would be far too much for the existing foundation.

Solution!

Lime Plaster Surrounds, light in weight, easy to install and completely open to design/style. In this residence we used KCC2011(Kendall Charcoal Concrete)
see below...











April 22

Randy Orr - Friday, April 22, 2011

It's Earth Day



What's on your walls?

How about some Granola & Oats?

Randy Orr - Thursday, March 17, 2011

It is the West Coast after all

So you know... we do Yoga out here, hike the Grind and take the work week with a different pace... that's the Vancouver Life Style. Were different from the East.

That's why we take it in stride when we meet with clients and they share their vision of what an Organic Lime Plaster Mantel could look like. In this case, they made the rendering out of left over granola box - love it!
Nothing like a simple pencil drawing to hash out the details... good enough for us.
We can roll with this!



Next week we start on these 2 Lime Plaster Mantles, one will be in KCC 2011 - Kendall Charcoal Concrete, creating the appearance of 9' x 7' solid concrete fireplace in this heritage home, yet no real weight to the structural framing of the home since we are 85% lighter than concrete.
The other is custom colour to compliment the kitchen wall colours, should be fun!
We will make this colour on the go as the build progress on site, it's best way to fine tune the fireplace colour in this case.


You design it.  Spec it.  And we create it.



Think Differently

Randy Orr - Tuesday, March 08, 2011

It's more than a Fire




Today's Fireplace design is wide open to the
World of Centuries Old Lime Plasters - Let's make it Happen!




Concrete VS Lime Plaster

Randy Orr - Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Concrete vs Lime Plaster

We seem to be asked this question more frequently. Therefore I thought I should right a post on the merits of Lime Plaster over using Concrete, in some interior decor situations.

Here is the situation. You have waited a couple of years to get to this point, design, build and furnish your new home. Every thing is done, except a few loose ends. You have a Mantel design that seems to be just the right look and fit for your interior - finally. Now waiting to build and finish a Mantel in your occupied home can be a tricky challenge - especially when it's of this size and stature.
 
Idea: The client would like the Mantel to be 18' high, free standing in the middle of the house and visible on all four sides(360º).... reality might have something to say about that.

The client in this case has a great eye for detail and high design when it comes to contemporary lines. In fact, the home owner created a little rendering out of LEGO to get the idea in 3D.

The Challenge: How do you build this 'LEGO' Mantel out of concrete, the weight will go through the roof(actually through the floor!) Building it inside a finished home where the client is living with a young family,  is not going to work with concrete.

The Solution: KCC 2011, Kendall Charcoal Concrete to the rescue. The Mantel will be framed in with wood studs, light weight backing boards and Lime Plaster.
There is no longer a weight issue.



You design it.  Spec it.  And we create it.

Stars & Stripes Shower

Randy Orr - Tuesday, January 18, 2011

For the Dogs

What the next trend in interior decor, Doggy showers!
Yes the pooch is getting the pampering these days in custom homes. My client obviously has a passion for her FIVE dogs and the Stars & Stripes too.

Big enough for me, yet not for me - it's a dog's Life!

This is the mantel / Regency gas fireplace, where we will be installing a Lime Plaster Intonachino Mantel.
It's starting off white, but not for long. Colour is the flavor for this client, colour they will have. Stay tuned...


 

Honeysuckle Colour of the Year

Randy Orr - Thursday, January 13, 2011

FYI Colour!

In case you missed it, the colour of 2011 is Honeysuckle Pantone 18-2120.


This striking Redish/Pink colour represents "... the happy rediscovery of growth and energy of looking forward rather than bemoaning what we have lost." According to Keith Recker, colour forecaster. Sounds good to me, but I venture there won't be much call for Honeysuckle Mantels.

Colour is funny thing in the industry of interior design in Vancouver. We seem to trend to the whites, off whites and shades of Gray for the most part, seldom do you walk into a residence that is full of bright & rich colours. This became apparent to me today, since I am starting a Lime Plaster Mantel in very colourful new residence.

My first reaction as I walked into the home was, ...Woh!... but after few moments and taking in the environment, the colours provided a different feeling. There is no right way or wrong way
when it is your home, if works for you, then good for you!

I will share some picture of the colourful project I'm working on in the week ahead.


... just in the Nick of Time...

Randy Orr - Friday, December 24, 2010

Santa's Mantel is ready


In our latest Lime Plaster fireplace Mantel, we just completed the frame up in the nick of time for Santa to make his grand entrance.
May the Spirit of Giving and the spirit of Joy, be with you and your Family - Merry Christmas!

You design it.  Spec it.  And we create it.

Copyright 2005-2011 by Distinct Interiors. All rights reserved.